Solo travel and safety?

[Ered_Lithui]

I'm sure that the issue of safety for solo travelers (and particularly solo women travelers) been discussed before, but I couldn't find it mentioned and I hope this is the right place to post about it.

I'm planning a solo bike trip across the United States this summer. (Given the fact that it will be a research trip, it has to be solo in order to allow for flexibility in scheduling.) It will be a self-supported camping trip (around 8-10 weeks).

From my personal experience and what I've heard/read, the most dangerous aspect of a bike tour is the motor traffic. Nevertheless, mention of solo travel often stirs up shocked reactions and warnings about dangers particular to women.

I am genuinely concerned about my own safety, and I know that self-interest does not equate to paranoia. Much as the independent spirit in me is furious that I should have to address this question, I'm not going to deny that being 19 and female (as I am) can translate to certain risks that would not be experienced by, say, a 50-year-old man.

One of my hurdles is that I want to get grant funding for my project, and thus want to convince the committee that I will be as safe as humanly possible. Secondly, I want peace of mind for my parents. And the most important thing, of course, is that I actually be safe.

What are your thoughts on this issue? How can I minimize risks while still carrying out this trip alone? I will be carting a cell phone and GPS, traveling mostly on popular bike routes, and staying in established campgrounds as much as possible.

I have gotten tremendously enthusiastic support from the men and women I have consulted about my project. A good friend and mentor did say she wished I were traveling with a friend or a dog, but also suggested that if challenged I should pose the question of whether the committee would allow a man to do the same project.

That turned into a rant. Apologies--I hope it helps somewhat in explaining where I'm coming from, and the clash of independence vs. practicality. Any input would be tremendously appreciated.

[jobob]

Hi, and welcome. There are a lot of tour journals at www.crazyguyonabike.com , many by women - you might want to take a look. A few of those journals are by a frequent poster to this list, hopefully she'll chime in.

[DeniseGoldberg]

It's still amazing to me that people often think that solo bicycle touring isn't safe (or a good idea). I started in the wonderful world of touring by taking supported tours, but back in 1998 I realized that the supported tours were no longer what I wanted - I wanted to go to different places and to experience different things that solo travel provided. I had been taking vacations alone for years, but for some reason striking out on my own on my bicycle just seemed to freak people out, both family and friends.

Anyway, in 1998 I really wanted to ride across the USA, but I couldn't get enough time off of work. Instead, I took a month-long tour, riding across the panhandle of Idaho, turning north through Montana heading for Glacier National Park, then following the spine of the Rockies through Alberta and British Columbia - getting as far north as Jasper. The first 3 weeks were solo, and as a safety net (that it turned out I didn't need), I booked a week-long trip with Backroads in the Canadian Rockies as the last week of my trip. I figured that if it turned out that I didn't like solo touring that I would have something to look forward to. As it turns out, I could have done the whole trip solo and been very happy. You can find my journal about that trip here. I haven't looked back, but continued to go forward with solo touring, including a 50th birthday celebration (taking advantage of getting laid off from my job) of touring across the United States.

OK, so how did I convince people that everything would be OK? My mom was excited about my trips, but my dad & brother and sister weren't very happy. My boss at the time - who is also a friend - threatened to take the month off too and drive a support vehicle for me. That would have helped his worry, but it would not have made me happy! Somehow I managed to get people to understand that riding across the country isn't a whole lot different from doing a long ride near home. It's just as possible to need help from a crash (or other situation) from riding at home as it is when you're traveling long distances! I wish I could give you a hint about what to say, but I don't think I came up with anything brilliant!

On my cross-country trip I did take a cell phone with me, which made some people more comfortable. I didn't have a cell phone back in 1998, and the area I was traveling through didn't have good cell coverage, so that was a trip where I figured I'd have to rely on strangers if I needed help. Nothing happened, and I'd do another trip without a cell phone with no hesitation.

I am relatively careful about where I ride, and if I wind up in an area that makes me nervous (and that doesn't happen very often) then I get out of that area as fast as I can. I tour with an open mind and with the idea that I want to meet people who live in the areas I am wandering through. A loaded bicycle - whether loaded with panniers or a trailer - is a conversation starter. I can't tell you how many wonderful conversations I had with strangers. In fact, a man named Chuck absolutely made my day in Yellowstone National Park when he walked up to me and asked "Are you Denise?"! He had been following along in my journal which I had been faithfully updating from the road! Other people offered me places to stay (a camping spot in their yard), offered me rides when I was unhappily changing a flat on the side of the road at the end of a long day, or just handed me a cold drink on a very hot day.

Jobob is right - there are many other women out there touring on their own, and you will find many journals on crazyguyonabike.com that might give you some more information about how other women have done this. And I have more journals out there too - at denisegoldberg.crazyguyonabike.com.

If you have other specific questions, please post them - I'll try to answer them (if I can)!

Happy trip planning!
--- Denise

[DeniseGoldberg]

Another thing that might help is to keep a journal of your trip. crazyguyonabike.com is a free site that allows you to build a journal that contains both text and pictures. You can post to the site by logging on and posting directly, or you can email your posts that will then automatically be added to your journal. Alternatively, you could post a journal in a blog - but I really recommend crazyguyonabike because there are a lot of people (strangers) who will also follow along, and who will offer suggestions if you're looking for help along the way. When I was thinking about changing my route and noted that in my journal, I had people sign my guestbook and make suggestions for roads that they had traveled through that area. Very helpful...

The biggest problem I've had is that if you post from the road and have a few days that you can't get to the web, people can get nervous. If I knew I was going to be out of contact for a few days I usually added a note to my journal to let people know.

My 1998 and 1999 trips were posted after the trip, but ever since my 2002 xc trip I've been attempting to post from the road - but I uploaded the pictures after I got home.

[jobob]

Heh, I knew Denise would come through with plenty of sage advice!

Along with Denise, here are a couple of other women who have written very thoughtful journals about their solo tours - perhaps they might be helpful too.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journ...cycle_girl&v=y

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journ...gladyssims&v=0


- jobob, who lives vicariously through the adventures of others

Help, I've been sucked back into reading those journals, they're addictive. But then it's pouring rain out with chance of thundershowers - good a day as any !

[Surlygirl]

Check out Adventure cycling. They have all kinds of information for bicycle touring, including maps to get you across the country and off the main motor routes. There are also journals, equipment lists and good info.
The web site is www.adventurecycling.org
I think you'll find most people are helpful, and from what I've read there are places that the drivers are kind and courteous and there are places where they are not. It might help to call them and I'm sure they can give you the heads up on a lot of these issues.

[Ered_Lithui]

Another thing that might help is to keep a journal of your trip. crazyguyonabike.com is a free site that allows you to build a journal that contains both text and pictures.

I'm tickled pink by the fact that you posted this here.... I discovered crazyguyonabike just a week ago and have been enjoying following other people's travels (and had in fact been reading some of your entries on Yellowstone).

And I just checked on a post regarding route plans and realized that you replied to my question about Lolo Pass! The Internet does make for a small world.

Thank you so much for your help on both forums!

Fortunately, both of my parents are quite gung-ho and green with envy (although still reasonably concerned). it's the faculty on the grant committee who worry me the most. I figure I'll bring up previous biking/camping/biking+camping experience and hope that I don't come off as insane.

Would it be all right with you if I referenced you and your journals in my gant application? I would love to present them with accounts of someone who has biked solo on multiple occasions.

Leila

[Ered_Lithui]

Surlygirl, re. the ACA maps:
Thanks! Their routes look ideal for a good portion of my trip.

[Ered_Lithui]

Help, I've been sucked back into reading those journals, they're addictive.

No kidding! Thanks for the links to those two journals in particular.

[DeniseGoldberg]

Would it be all right with you if I referenced you and your journals in my gant application? I would love to present them with accounts of someone who has biked solo on multiple occasions.

Leila -
Absolutely - if you think it would help to reference me and my journals, feel free to do so. Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help.
--- Denise

[DeniseGoldberg]

Surlygirl, re. the ACA maps:
Thanks! Their routes look ideal for a good portion of my trip.

Leila -
The Adventure Cycling maps are a great resource - but even if you are following one of their routes I'd recommend carrying state highway maps too. The ACA maps don't show you much outside of the official route, and I found a number of times that I preferred to take a slightly different route than the one they were recommending. I picked up maps in chunks (a couple of states at once) in AAA offices - but if I had the opportunity to pick up an official state map I did. I found that the state maps were usually better than the AAA maps. When I was done with the maps I usually mailed them home, no sense in carrying unnecessary things with me!
--- Denise

[JanT]

Leila,
Whatever tips you garner from all these experiences solo riders/adventurers, be forewarned that you cannot give your parents peace of mind! When I was young, I headed west by myself in my car, camping along the way, and there was nothing that could convince my parents I would be safe. After I arrived safely in Phoenix and made my home here, they still worried. Worrying is a parent's job! My parents are gone now, but I have a husband who worries about me when I head off on a bike adventure. I think it's a matter of preparing for possible complications, and then just going for it.
I'm sure you'll have a blast preparing for the trip, dreaming about it, and then living it. Good luck! Please keep us informed about how it's going!
Jan

[MomOnBike]

Ered_Lithui,

It seems to me that there are two problems here. One, your safety; and Two, talking the grant committee into giving the OK.

The simple fact that you are aware that there can be problems will go a long way toward keeping you safe. Still, for the grant people, I think I'd try to take an Effective Cycling class (I think that's what it's called), or something similar. Committees like documentation - and a class on cycling in traffic won't hurt anything, especially if you pass .

As long as I'm suggesting classes, I think I'd also take a basic first aid class and a bike repair clinic. Again, the committee will like it and there's no way it can hurt.

If you've already done these, just be sure you add them to your documentation.

That's my advice, and worth every penny you've paid for it.

Good luck.

[Dogmama]

Ered_Lithui,

I think I'd try to take an Effective Cycling class (I think that's what it's called), .

Effective Cycling is the best thing I've ever done for myself & my bike. I highly recommend it for everybody. Teaches you all kinds of tips & tricks for getting around in traffic. I took it ~15 years ago and still use it

[Ered_Lithui]

Thanks to all of you for your help and advice!

And now for the verdict...my grant application was approved! Now the real planning can commence. As soon as I can get myself to stop dancing in circles.