Long training rides solo??

[ny biker]

If I get into a situation I can't get out of easily with those, I also have Better World. They are an auto club (like AAA only a lot cooler) with bicycle coverage.

!!!!!

I was just going through some old piles of papers last night and I came across an ad for Better World that I had cut out of a magazine and then promptly forgotten about. And I put it in the recycle pile because, well, I don't know, I guess because I never hear anyone mention them so I thought maybe they're not all that good or have gone out of business or whatever.

But now less than 24 hours later you mention them!! Which means I need to look into getting coverage from them. I have Geico roadside assistance which is fine for my car but I wouldn't mind some bike coverage.

If any of you alls have ever seen the movie "Repo Man," you'll recognize this as a "plate of shrimp" moment...

[owlice]

I ride solo most of the time. I let someone know where I'm going if I'm not riding my usual trail; I have different friends who I will call to ask to be that day's "trailkeeper," just so someone knows which river or stream to drag for my carcass. And I call or text that person when I'm done with my ride.

I've done the one-trail/circuit-a-bunch-of-times thing, and also the out-and-back thing. I ride in a few areas that I'm sure some people would NOT feel comfortable in, but I'm very familiar with these areas and have never had a problem.

I take my phone and what passes for my wallet, so have my driver's license, ATM card, insurance card, etc., with me, and have a most impressive handlebar bag with a most impressive collection of Stuff I Or Someone Else Might Possibly Need in it; this has mainly been used to hand out band-aids to parents for their small children. Also the usual tools in a seat bag.

[Catrin]

I ride solo most of the time. I let someone know where I'm going if I'm not riding my usual trail; I have different friends who I will call to ask to be that day's "trailkeeper," just so someone knows which river or stream to drag for my carcass. And I call or text that person when I'm done with my ride.

I've done the one-trail/circuit-a-bunch-of-times thing, and also the out-and-back thing. I ride in a few areas that I'm sure some people would NOT feel comfortable in, but I'm very familiar with these areas and have never had a problem.

I take my phone and what passes for my wallet, so have my driver's license, ATM card, insurance card, etc., with me, and have a most impressive handlebar bag with a most impressive collection of Stuff I Or Someone Else Might Possibly Need in it; this has mainly been used to hand out band-aids to parents for their small children. Also the usual tools in a seat bag.

I like the idea of having a "trailkeeper" for the day, I think that most of my rides will be solo. Now I have to consider which friends to contact about this - a couple would be happy to do this but would totally freak out if something actually happened

[ny biker]

Last year I started posting my rides on facebook before I started out. So if I disappear, someone can tell the cops where to look.

[crazycanuck]

I road & mtn bike on my own.

For my dirt time, I have a 3G network phone as my other one doesn't get coverage on many trails. My dear knows where i'm dirt time & always text him when i return to the vehicle informing that i've not been swallowed up by trail gremlins. I ride on singletrack where I know the nearest fire trail that leads to X road.

I just go out n ride..At mtb races, i'm not out to win but rather out to beat my speed & food gremlins.

Just ride ride ride ride ride

[TrekTheKaty]

I ride alone a lot. I stick to populated bike paths or known routes where DH would know to come look for me. I leave a note on the counter with departure time and anticipated arrival time (when I was single, I used to call my answering machine with the info!)

Like everyone said above, carry everything you would need. Even if you aren't comfortable changing a tire, don't expect a friendly cyclist to have your tube with them (air cartridges are much easier on the side of the trail).

I also ride with a DH who rides so far ahead, I might as well be alone. He can't hear me yell, and sometimes, doesn't answer his phone! He'll eventually turn around, but not before I could change it myself!

[kermit]

I like to ride alone. It lets me keep my pace and hammer when I want. It always seems that I wind up riding with someone along the way, and thats cool, meeting fellow cyclists. It's either that or pulling my 6'6" husband who insists on staying behind me...ugh!