Cycling on your own

[TexanCzexican]

Any advice or plan for my situation is appreciated:

I recently moved(for work) about 3 hours from everyone I know. I'm slowly making friends here and work has been lovely.

I haven't been cycling as much as I would like to, because I have this nagging worry that I'm going to break my bike, get lost, or get into an accident and there is no one for me to call. Last night was the first time I have really spent serious time on my bike and that was going repeatedly on a 5 mile loop around my place on my mtb as the roads around my place have serious debris.

I generally prefer road cycling, so I'm missing my other bike.

I tried the local cycling group, but the problem I'm having is that there is a BIG difference between their B and C groups. The 'social' ride is only about 8-10 miles and goes so slow and truly a social-let's chitchat while on bikes-not what I'm looking for. Their B group does much longer rides, but go so fast that I'm not able to keep up.....so there lies my dilemna. I explained my concerns during a group ride and basically left with the impression that I just had to train more to get faster (duh, but who do I go to help me train?)

Any and all opinions welcome.

[Aggie_Ama]

Are you in Texas? We have a few Texans on here, maybe you will get lucky and one of us is in your area?

I don't have suggestions on riding alone, as the area I am in is country and I do not do it. It is my own personal choice to ride with someone as I am usually on isolated county roads.

[li10up]

Have you met any of your neighbors? Maybe you could ask them if they would be your safety net in case of emergency. Explain that you are new to the area, etc., etc.

[indysteel]

Just a few thoughts:

First, take a look at this website, which others have posted on TE about. Perhaps it would give you a meausure of comfort.

http://www.betterworldclub.com/bicyc...assistance.htm

I ride alone a fair amount on country roads, but I realize that not everyone feel okay doing that. If it's something you're willing to try, there are things that you can do to feel more comfortable and safe. Always tell someone where you're going and about how long you'll be gone. They don't necessarily have to live nearby; just make sure someone knows that you're riding. Wear the brightest clothes you can. Carry pepper spray or mace and a fully charged cell phone. Program in emergency numbers for local police and the sheriff. Have enough supplies to change two flats (and know how to change a flat). Carry ID and medical insurance and emergency contact information, as well as some cash.

As for finding places to ride and people to ride with. Go back to your club and see if anyone would be interested in getting together more informally. Ask if they have any suggestions for routes or route maps. Go to any area bike shops and ask for suggestions for routes and/or fellow riders. And try the club ride again.

Good luck.

K-

[lauraelmore1033]

You could try a Better World Club membership which would entitle you to roadside assistance in the case of a break down.http://www.betterworldclub.com/bicycles/index.htm I ride alone a lot and I bought a membership just in case I should have a bike related problem while out in the boonies alone, but I've never actually needed to use it. Between that and the cell phone, I feel pretty confident about riding by myself.

[Torrilin]

If you're in an apartment building, ask the manager if they're ok being an emergency contact. In a good building, they'll say yes, or even be available for you to "check out" and "check in". Since my asthma kicked back in, my building's manager has been great about that kind of thing. She's also a cyclist and understands why I want someone keeping an eye out .

I've also had online friends keep an eye out, or called my mom. Even if you don't have someone in town, you can still have someone who can raise the alarm. Modern telecommunications are *great*.

[TexanCzexican]

Thanks for your responses.

The Better World might be a worthwhile investment! I like riding by myself, I did it all the time where I previously lived, I just was able to call folks if I needed help.

Thanks, y'all!

[meridian]

I live in west texas and I found myself in a silimar position not too long ago. My riding partner got me started with cycling and he was pretty much the only one I ever road with, and I never went out alone.

But he moved off, and I didn't really know any other cyclists in the area, so for a long while I didn't really ride because I was pretty darn scared for the same reasons you are right now.

I came here looking for a new riding partner in the area, and even though I didn't find one here, in the end I got enough encouragement to take the plunge and go out on my own. I started off small, in the area's close to home, then branched out as I felt more comfortable.

Low and behold nothing terrible has happened to me, and I now enjoy riding by myself more so than with other people. I ride various tracks.. some dozens of miles out in rural territory, and some in the city parks, traffic, etc.

What helps me feel more confident is being very vigilant with my safety by using a mirror, high vis clothing, and lights, following traffic rules, carrying a cell phone, an ID, the tools and knowledge to fix a flat and other mechanical issues, and letting a co-worker/friend know what route I'm cruising on if necessary.

While out and about and through bringing my bike into the LBS I've met several people over time that I can regularly ride with when I feel the urge, but it's great to be able to get out there whenever you want, go wherever you want, as fast or as slow as you want, without other cyclists with different expectations.

If you realy want to ride with those faster local groups, maybe take your car out and drive around until you find a route you're comfortable with doing alone, map it well for yourself so you won't get lost, and start doing that regularly so you can more easily get the training miles in and the speed up to start hanging with them if you prefer riding with others more than solo. Or, if the courage just isn't there, you can torture yourself on a trainer!

[Pedal Wench]

Instead of asking the B group to slow down, maybe you could do the C ride and see if there is anyone else in a similar predicament.

[RolliePollie]

I almost always ride alone on isolated country roads. I feel pretty safe, but that may be because I grew up around here and I know the area quite well. I always have my cell phone and pepper spray along, and several people know my typical routes, so my hope is that if I were to disappear, someone would have an idea about where to start looking.

I sure hope you are able to find someone to ride with. But if not, maybe riding alone will start to grow on you once you get more comfortable with it. I try to be very alert and safe, but you never know what might happen. That goes for other activities too, though.

It's interesting that all of us have such different comfort levels with riding situations. I would be scared to death to ride in city traffic whether I was alone or with a group. I'm scared of stop lights and intersections! But others would not feel comfortable riding the roads that I ride every day.

[sundial]

I, like others here on TE, ride long solo rides. I choose to do so because 1.) there are no other female roadies that like to ride and 2) the guys are sooo competitive.

I choose roads that have few blind spots, hills, and good shoulders (well, most of the time) with little traffic. I recently purchased a RoadID to give me peace of mind in case someone wants to use me as a hood ornament. Here is the website for the ID-- www.roadid.com

Is there a chance that your co-workers might be interested in cycling? How about any motorcyclists that could pace you? Check with your local bike shop and see if there is an individual who would be willing to ride at your pace. I know many cyclists will find a friend to ride at least once a week with them. Maybe you can find someone to match your training goals and who will ride at your pace.

If you cannot find someone to ride with you, consider carrying personal protection, wear high vis clothing, keep a cell phone handy, and if possible, leave information of your route with someone so that they know where you will be. Have some form of emergency contact numbers on your person (preferably) or in your seat bag. I printed out a small card that listed my name, address, phone number, and emergency contact numbers and had it laminated. I wore it around my neck, under my jersey, in case someone needed this info.

I hope you meet more cyclists in the near future and I wish you luck.

[jusdooit]

I too ride alone. Sometimes on country roads, sometimes in the "city" on paved multi use trails. But I don't have many people to call in case of an emergency. I have one person I work with who knows she may get a "I need help" call. But in my cell phone is my emergency contact info programmed as ICE (In Case of Emergency). I read in a magazine the emergency personnel look for this nowadays. I always carry 2 tubes, cell phone, and Id.

Good luck!!!!!!! Hope you can find someone to ride with.

[DarcyInOregon]

I also ride solo just about every day, though I have a few friends with whom I cycle now and then. Everyone else gave good advice. The only things I can add is to have the LBS programmed into your cell phone, along with the numbers of anyone who can give you a ride if you get an acute mechanical failure, including a taxi company. Also, always carry enough liquid and keep an emergency stash of sports fitness powder and calories in your saddle pack, just in case you take a wrong turn and go miles out of your way. If you run low on water, and you are rural, stop at a farmhouse and use their outside faucet. The farmers don't mind.

When you conquer your fear and get out on your own, the entire process is very self-affirming and it makes you a stronger women, more confident and self-assured in all aspects of your life. If you can go out and bike 70 miles on your own, then you realize you can achieve just about anything you desire.

The solo riding becomes addictive, wanting to explore new roads and go longer distances, and before you know it the miles add up.

Also, you get compliments from total strangers and friends, not normal ones such as gosh you've lost weight, but ones like wow you sure look fit.

I put my road bike on the car rack and go park at the state park for my daily rides. The state parks all have a permit you can purchase that give you something like two years of parking for twenty dollars. In addition, your car will be safe, and there will be water and restroom facilities. To map out your routes, use an internet site like http://www.routeslip.com. You can start out by looking at other cyclists' routes in your area, and using another route, then from there figure out your own.

Really, though, you just need to get out and do it, then your fear will go away.

Darcy

[TexanCzexican]

Hello again.

I managed my second by myself ride again today. Basically just exploring.

Thnx to Aggie, I found a local listserv and they have a PMS ride (heehee, once a month ride) that is a mix of people, so I'm going to try to go to that and see who I can find.

Until then, I keep on exploring.

[Aquila]

I'd like to second what Darcy said above about feeling stronger and such from riding alone. I carry a cell phone, my wallet, and car keys, and wear a road id on my shoe (some folks already suggested those).

For me, riding alone on the country roads is like being a kid and getting that feeling of freedom and exploration (except I explore 20 or so miles at a time and am way more fit than when I was younger). And people on the roads and such tend to wave and smile, and I always feel good about that.