What would you have done--creepy follower (long)

[LoriO]

As someone who as worked in law enforcement (911 dispatcher for over 20 years) I have this to offer. First off, try and ride to the most populated area you can find. The more people around the better! Call 911 as soon as you possibly can, if you can get a plate, great, if not don't put yourself in jeopardy to get it. Just try and give us the best description of the veh and/or person that you can. Make note of anything that may stand out, a dent, bumper sticker, anything!!! Try and stay on the line with 911 so you can give additional information in case the vehicle/person starts to leave the area, let us know direction of travel, etc.

As for where your cell phone 911 call gets routed to, that is going to vary from state to state and where the designated call taker center for that area is. Here in CT, 911 calls get routed to the 911 center that is closest to the cell phone tower that picks up the call, and as a backup in case of a routing glitch it will go to the nearest state police barracks and then routed to the correct PD.

[LoriO]

just want to add, that Treks advise about entering the routine number for your PD in your cell phone is a very good one! There have been a few times when I have had to call something in while driving and while it isn't a 911 emergency is something that should be reported so I can just flip to my address book and press dial.

I have 3 towns that I drive through back and forth to work every day and I have each of those numbers in my phone and have had occasion to use each one at least once to report stuff

[KathiCville]

Great thread...I ride alone most of the time, and the tips offered above are ones that I'll definitely incorporate into my riding habits from now on. I'm usually focused on cars/trucks purely from the potential collision standpoint. Thank you for making me aware of other possible dangers, too!

[NoNo]

Wow, that's scary. I think you did a lot better than I would have in that situation. I'm not sure I would have even noticed there was someone following me. And I think your idea of turning onto your friend's street made perfect sense at the time, especially if they had been home. My first instinct would have been to find the nearest house of someone I knew (if there weren't businesses around). I, too, ride alone most of the time, so I will take the tips here with me. A very informative thread!

[OakLeaf]

I'm not sure I would have even noticed there was someone following me.

And another reason to regularly check your rear-view mirror!

[NoNo]

And another reason to regularly check your rear-view mirror!

I don't have one

[Aggie_Ama]

I have the local sheriff, police departments and the 911 function enabled on my phone. The sheriff is the most helpful because the cities like to "hot potato" if you are in their jurisdiction.

[Trek420]

I'm usually focused on cars/trucks purely from the potential collision standpoint. Thank you for making me aware of other possible dangers, too!

Great thread! And again, glad everything is ok, you done good!

I don't want us to worry about everything that could happen along the road. Nor should our random thoughts be "pothole, unleashed dog, car back, gotta read the license plates backwards of the cars behind me .... ooooh, it's pretty out! where's my escape route from here?"

The best self defense is get out there and ride looking fabulous, confident, aware, and strong enough to kick some @zz if it came to that because we are.

Get outside and ride!

[Triskeliongirl]

I have been in this situation, and I always drove into a highly populated area, shopping plaza, etc., and then texted the license plate number to my husband w a brief note on what is going on. Usually that makes the creep drive away, so I never felt threatened enough to call 911, but obviously that is a judgement call you need to make in the specific situation.

[AnnieBikes]

Skinimini, I think you reacted perfectly. There is a book called The Gift of Fear

http://www.amazon.com/Gift-Fear-Surv...5080914&sr=8-1

which DH made me read and although it is scary in some parts, it is right on for this kind of incident. You felt threatened and scared and you reacted VERY WELL and very normally. I think under the circumstances that you did exactly what you should.

I am wondering if just using the cell so that the person knows you are calling someone would be enough to get them off your route. Also, if possible (and safely) take a photo of the car and perhaps that would scare them away. Even if you can't get to the camera part of the phone easily, you could LOOK like you were taking one.

This is a great thread and as one who also rides alone on a regular basis(but hopefully less now that DH is retired), I now have some very good ideas of what to do. Thanks to all for the good suggestions.

Act confident, ladies, and read the book!

[skinimini]

This is such great advice for all of us, and advice I've already taken to heart. I've programmed the local PD number in my phone. Fortunately, the 911 operators stayed on the phone with me until my husband arrived. We only live about 5 minutes away by car, so my husband arrived quickly. In fact, the local PD called last evening just to check in. After I made the call, they surveilled the area, but of course, no one was to be seen. The interstate is only a couple of minutes away.

I've talked to my friend and asked her to pass on the information to her neighbors. I never thought to take his picture, but it would have been very easy and my phone is very accessible, right on the handlebars. The confrontation scenario sounds like a good idea, and probably just enough to make him turn tail and run.

I won't let this one incident interfere with my future rides, but I will certainly be more vigilant. I don't have a set schedule or route, so I'm not so worried about people picking up on a pattern. Of course, I can't really know his motivation or intentions, but he probably wasn't targeting me specifically. More likely, he thought he would have some sick fun scaring the pants off of a middle aged woman.

On an entirely different note: one good thing to come out of this is I learned very quickly how to get my front tire off and back on securely (no bike rack on DH's car) As many times as I've seen it done, never had to do it. There's a first time for everything!