Long training rides solo??

[nolemom]

I do ride long rides by myself at times but I prefer to go with someone else. Talk to the local bike shops and the cycling group to see if there is anyone who would be willing to ride with you. I found that there were several riders that did not ride with the main group because they too were not fast enough or not riding long enough. I have moved through several groups as I progressed but have remained good friends with all of them. I now ride with the cycling group for the majority of my rides because I have worked up to that level. Good luck!

[lph]

On the other hand some people, like my daughter, who refers to herself as a herd animal

That was funny

I like riding both with others and alone, I train harder with others but like my own company a lot for the long haul. But I would really recommend that every rider know how to change a flat. It depends on your tires and where you ride, I'm sure, but in my neck of the woods I'm pretty much guaranteed a flat or two or three in the course of the road riding season. If not me, then someone else out there who could use a helping hand. I've been on group rides where 3 or 4 people have flatted, and not always been able to fix it themselves. But with only a little practice it's a matter of minutes to fix a flat, so I consider it right up there with knowing how to fill gas on your car.

Commuting I don't bother, because it's harder to fix my mtb and faster to hop on a bus and fix it later.

[Bike Chick]

There are great instructions for learning to change a tire right here on TE.
http://www.teamestrogen.com/content/asa_levers

This is what I used to teach myself. I printed them out, took the wheel off my bike, sat on the patio and did it over and over until I could do it. I did use my levers though. They are a dandy little tool.

As far as riding solo, I do a lot. Like Indy, I am sure that I have my RoadID, cash, food and a cell phone. Even when I ride with others, the "others" are usually the guys, ie. DH and friends, and I'm still riding solo since I get dropped on hills and can't catch back up. I'm always just out of earshot of the conversation and they don't always stop and wait where I think they should But that's the subject of another thread. I sure wish I lived in an area where there are other lady riders.

[KnottedYet]

I generally prefer to ride alone.

Folks may scoff at the big honkin' bag I always have on my bike, but I've got the stuff I need (and sometimes the stuff other riders I find stranded along the road need, too!)

Road ID, wallet, phone, regional bus pass, ALWAYS. 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.

Better World Auto Club not only covers bicycles, they also give a discount if you use mass transit. http://www.betterworldclub.com/

Oh, and if you consider yourself a family, they give you the family rate.

[Owlie]

I like riding alone.
If I'm at home, I'm doing bike trail riding. I have my cell phone, food, various tools and a first-aid kit (as well as a spare tube and a small roll of duct tape) in my bag or on my person. I have my insurance card and driver's license in my jacket pocket (it has a zippered one), or in my camelbak pocket. I'm also in the process of typing up a cheat sheet of "basic on the road bike maintanence" There are also plenty of other cyclists on that trail, and most of the time, they'll help.

If I'm at school, someone (usually DBF) knows my route. I take everything mentioned above, plus my bus pass. I also tend to stick to doing loops on routes that are within walking distance of my building. A bit boring, but I don't know Cleveland that well despite being there for four years, and campus borders a bad area.

[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...