Riding Solo - staying safe

[Eden]

geeez, I hardly said anything at all. My apologies.

It may have been a short sentence, but it spoke volumes.........

[kamikazejane]

It may have been a short sentence, but it spoke volumes.........

It's called subtle sarcasm. I am pretty proficient at it.

[indigoiis]

I do not carry pepper spray or a firearm, but I did take self-defense classes after learning about Sherry Arnold, the runner in Montana. In SD class, our teacher was extremely adamant about only using self-defense when cornered. The key, he said, is to get away from the situation. If you are intentionally brought down off of your bike, run and make a lot of noise. This doesn't really help in a rural situation (because who would hear you) but we could be better about putting our phones in our jersey instead of our backpacks or seatpost bags if we ride rurally. That way, if we get brought down off our bikes, our phones are on our persons and we can dial 911 while running.

I read a study somewhere that said that criminals usually don't use their guns right away - they try to lure first. And when / if they do use their guns, it's to threaten. If they fire, you have a chance they won't hit you if you are running away. If they grab you, that's where self-defense comes in to play. They only have two arms.

That's how I play it in my mind. Also awareness is key.

[trailrider]

Lots of good reading. I am new here. Went for my first solo ride today. I was so proud of myself for getting the rack on the car by myself lol...I am sort of new to riding and so far only ride the trails. We have a great trail system here in Ohio but today I did turn around because I just got a little spooked by myself. It felt like I was in the woods all by myself. I'm 53 and don't go all that fast when riding and felt like if someone chased me, I wouldn't have enough energy to get away if I rode too far out.

I've been thinking of taking firearm classes and after today and reading this forum it is sounding like a better idea all the time.

I look forward to participating in this forum and learning all I can about solo riding. My husband rides with me on the weekends and we really enjoy it, but during the week I want to get out more.

[Owlie]

I do almost all of my riding on my own. I carry ID and a charged cell phone, and stay vigilant. The trails are fairly well-traveled, but in the evening I can ride ten miles and not see anyone. If I get caught after dark, then I make my way back to the car as fast as I can.

Trailrider, I see you're in OH. PM me your location, if you feel comfortable.

[Eden]

It's called subtle sarcasm. I am pretty proficient at it.

Just so's there's no misunderstanding... I didn't find your remark to be subtle in the least, nor do I agree with it...

[Anyabeth]

I think this is a really interesting conversation. I feel much less vulnerable riding alone than I do running - even though I am farther from home while riding. There is a big cycling community around so I usually see other riders and I ride much faster than I can run.

It does make me uncomfortable to see the tone that somehow some one who is attacked might be responsible for that happening to them. Honestly, we only have an illusion of control. How you dress or whatever won't stop some one who wants to hurt some one.

I consider myself careful and I like the idea of having my route pre-marked so a friend can monitor me. But mostly I just know that I can't control the behavior of sociopaths who want to attack people.

[Crankin]

+1, Eden.
I usually stay out of these discussions, but other than taking the usual precautions, I don't think about it. Bad sh*t happens and if I spent my life worrying about it, I wouldn't go out of my house.
I'm not totally opposed to guns, as having a child in the military has forced me to learn about them. But, I still don't like the whole "thing" about this issue. I also did not think there was any subtleness in some of the comments. Of course, everyone has opinions, but these are mine, and I am sure people won't like them.

[Chile Pepper]

+1 to Eden and Crankin. I am firmly in the anti-gun camp. Guns don't equalize—they escalate.

When I first started riding solo way back in the early 80s, my friendly bike shop manager told me his wife's philosophy: keep your head up, your eyes open, and your mouth closed. In other words, be aware; don't look tired (even if you are); don't look like a victim. I refuse to live in fear of remote possibilities. I am far more likely to be hit by a texting teenager than deliberately assaulted by a stranger out in the middle of nowhere. Besides, what's the point of lightening up with a carbon frame and superlight wheels, only to add the considerable weight of a firearm?

[Catrin]

+1 to Eden and Crankin. I am firmly in the anti-gun camp. Guns don't equalize—they escalate.

When I first started riding solo way back in the early 80s, my friendly bike shop manager told me his wife's philosophy: keep your head up, your eyes open, and your mouth closed. In other words, be aware; don't look tired (even if you are); don't look like a victim. I refuse to live in fear of remote possibilities. I am far more likely to be hit by a texting teenager than deliberately assaulted by a stranger out in the middle of nowhere. Besides, what's the point of lightening up with a carbon frame and superlight wheels, only to add the considerable weight of a firearm?

+1 to Eden, Crankin, and Chile Pepper. I've written three posts on this thread and deleted each of them. Use common sense, take normal precautions, and enjoy riding. I refuse to be ruled by what MIGHT happen and I agree that an inattentive driver is far more likely a danger to most of us.

[pll]

+1 Eden, Crankin and Chile Pepper!

I have been following this thread and thinking that I'd rather rely on awareness and common sense precautions than on carrying a gun. That cannot be aerodynamic! And if I ever carry a knife it is in anticipation of buying cheese.

More seriously, those considering carrying a gun would do well to get some advanced combat and gun handling training. Standing calmly at a shooting range, aiming at a non threatening target is very different from being knocked off your bike. A gun might be helpful in a tiny fraction of an unlikely type of event, but to each their own.

ETA: I could not agree more with Catrin.

[kamikazejane]

Just so's there's no misunderstanding... I didn't find your remark to be subtle in the least, nor do I agree with it...

Ummm oookkkk, I wasn't really sitting here all worried and concerned about any misunderstanding or if anyone agreed or disagreed with me.....everyone is entitled to their own opinion and view points and I respect that. There are alot of great comments for both sides of the fence.