Do you feel this is safe?

[sundial]

That's one of my choices. Fits perfectly in the jersey pocket without advertising.

[OakLeaf]

7.2 oz in a jersey pocket? Wouldn't fit in mine! My 3.3 oz phone is a lot.

And wouldn't you have to put it in a ziploc bag... kind of defeating the purpose?

[latelatebloomer]

I'm a solo country road rider, too. I did decide last year that I would like to have a cell phone with me, it has my emergency numbers under "ICE" and also the numbers of a few neighbors who are home during the day.

I think it is good to vary your route - and good for your training, anyway.

And I stay alert - twice, vans have passed me and stopped, as if waiting for me to pass them. I turned and headed the other way. Most likely they were just folks lost on our confusing back roads, but my intuition said to keep away.

When I head out, I always say a little prayer/blessing - Ride strong, ride safe.

[Trek420]

Trust your gut, if it feels unsafe .... it probably is. Ride safe, ride strong, ride anyway

+1 on self defense classes if you feel you need one and have a good instructor nearby. Ask your local PD ro reccommend one.

I feel strongly that anything we do to make us feel confident, self aware, strong IS self defense. Run, swim, rollerblade .... it all counts. After over 25 years of martial arts training IMHO nothing makes you bullet-proof so let's just try not to do anything foolhardy.

Be safe, be aware, use common sense .... and ride. 'Cause if we don't they win. Ride to erase fear.

I have no desire to use my training again and I think you'll find most MA students feel the same way; we'd do anything to avoid "using it" and always as a last resort. It's not why we train.

If I feel I may be in a dicey area I sometimes carry a knife. Folded it fits nicely and unobtrusively into a Ibex jacket breast pocket, unfolded it slips into the back of my left glove.

I don't know how nor have any desire to learn to handle a gun. I'm pretty good with a knife, here, hand me that head of garlic, some tomato, a few onions, some cilantro ... I'll make salsa!

But again, I hope and pray that I never use what I know.

[Aggie_Ama]

Sundial- You confirmed what I suspected, that cyclists are sometimes packing. My DH and I debated this once.

[SouthernBelle]

Something can happen to you anywhere, rural or urban. But my gut says it's more likely to be in an urban area.

[Starfish]

7.2 oz in a jersey pocket? Wouldn't fit in mine! My 3.3 oz phone is a lot.

And wouldn't you have to put it in a ziploc bag... kind of defeating the purpose?

This thing is small. It fits. And, even if you did want to put it inside something, the couple of seconds it would take to free it would be a lot shorter than the 20 minutes or half hour, depending on where you are, for a sheriff to show up after a cell phone call (and that can be an optimistic response time in some areas where I ride, which I know from experience).

[Trek420]

There are a few of us here who've experienced simply reaching for the phone, some even miming that you're calling or about to take a picture (cell phones are so small these days who can see that you actually have one in hand ) and someone leaves who you'd like to leave.

I've used mine to send myself a txt message of a plate of an aggressive driver and once .... of a very polite truck driver I wanted to commend to the company he works for

[alpinerabbit]

I remain with the opinion that neither a gun, knife of pepper spray will protect you. Much rather it will be used against you or cause an accident.

Ride as if you own the road. Anything else, you can't control it.

[Trek420]

Ride as if you own the road. Anything else, you can't control it.

I agree, best to be alert (the world needs more 'lerts ), aware, trust your gut instincts. I don't recommend carrying weapons of any sort nor is it possible to cover every situation that could occur.

I just try to live the best I can in a spirit of non-violence, protecting others (even potential opponents/attackers), diffusing confrontation. It's a difficult goal in a violent world but one worth striving for.

But I gotta go, I'm off to train with this gal, my teacher of these 25 years

[KnottedYet]

I've seen Trek flinging folks around in a protective, respectful, and non-violent manner.

I want her with me on rides!

[Harley]

I agree with Alpine Rabbit. Weapons give false security.

I live in rural areas. I have ridden, hiked, x-c skied alone for years, never had a problem. The solitude is wonderful, one of the reasons you take up a solo sport.

Use common sense.
Tell someone where you are going and when you'll return.
Carry ID (I have all my contact info on a card in my saddlebag)
Be prepared with tools, water, first aid kit, and knowledge.
Turn around if you feel unsafe, listen to your gut.
I carry a cell phone, but it doesn't work in most areas.

Enjoy the ride!... I did almost hit a deer the other day and a huge golden eagle was circling, sizing me up on a slow uphill slog.

[OakLeaf]

... and choose a cell phone that works in more areas.

That means a phone with analog capability (yes, still - the carriers now have the green light to phase out analog, but many rural areas are served by only one digital protocol or even none). And definitely no PCS phones.

[SouthernBelle]

Enjoy the ride!... I did almost hit a deer the other day and a huge golden eagle was circling, sizing me up on a slow uphill slog.

Are you sure it wasn't a buzzard?

[Trek420]

I've seen Trek flinging folks around in a protective, respectful, and non-violent manner.

I want her with me on rides!

Thanks dear

And as you can see from the image above, Aikido also helps you cycling, I know how to fall off the bike (in theory) I want Knott to put me back together if I take a high-fall like that

But seriously I have no desire to ever "use it". I've had two such occaisions and both times I was ok, bad guy not hurt but verbatim both said "I'm sorry , I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry ...." one while running the other way.

I have no desire for a 3rd.

Trust your gut. If the situation feels odd...it probably is. Don't be ashamed to stop and just head another direction ...... and get out and ride!