Riding Alone?

[halfwing]

How many of us have paused over Melinda's absence and thought about those times we've gone on solo rides?

After spending Thursday and Friday searching the back roads I realized that solo rides in the hills may not be the smartest thing. Too many things can go wrong and a bike leaves little evidence when it leaves the road. Even a skid mark isn't a sure thing because I've seen locked wheels leave no trace on the pavement.

Other than too much speed resulting in a blown corner, some of my thoughts as I was searching were that a deer could have suddenly bounded onto the road, a car could have come wide in a turn, a car could have run her off the road while making a pass.

Just these few scenarios create a lot of opportunities for a lost rider.

Then I read about Adam's adventure up to Hwy 36. Kudos for taking it on Adam, but I have to wonder how long it would have taken for someone to find you if something had gone wrong.

In the future, if I end up taking a solo ride anywhere, I'm going to file a plan, complete with a map of my route and I'm going to stick with that route. At least if I'm down somewhere with relatively minor injuries and can't help myself, folks will know where to look.

Ride safe,

John "halfwing" Faulkner

[G8ESCAP]

This has brought up whole new awareness about my riding habits. Although I make general ride plans and let Julie know, I always seem to have route changes. I do my best to inform her asap of changes but it's not always possible when I'm on a remote ride and there is no phone service of any kind.

On long solo rides I carry some MSR fuel bottles to give me some emergency range. A Camelbak is a permanent fixture on my back when on 2 wheels so hydration is not a problem. A large first aid kit accompanies me as well.

I'll be making a better effort to communicate route changes, and maybe slow down a little on the remote roads. I think I need to review my bike emergency repair stuff a well.

[TourOnTwo]

John that is a great idea. Even a simple email to family or riding friends with your plans can point people in the right direction.

I ride alone and live alone. So loved ones do not always know with whom or where I ride. So I have given the phone numbers (cell and home phones) of "my riding group" to loved ones. This helps in a few ways. One, who knows better where you like to ride but your rider friends? In case you don't have a riding plan. Also you don’t always have to give out names and numbers, just names of who you’re riding with. Two, if you come up missing these riders may know where you were headed. And if an emergency comes up during a group ride, you have the rider’s home/emergency number.

Just a few simple things can make riding safer.

Also remember to add to your cell or carry the non-911 emergency numbers for the counties you ride. Calling 911 from a cell can cause delays. I hope these numbers are in your phone book.

Ned

[NorCalBusa]

There is a forum or two that have created "Ride Plan" areas. You post your route, then delete or "Close" it on your return. You can make changes via Blackberry or email to someone who is online. They've got a DBase of screen names and phone #'s- and the mods or someone else who has your number give ya a call if you are overdue. We're a village!

[FishWitch]

Originally Posted by NorCalBusa

There is a forum or two that have created "Ride Plan" areas. You post your route, then delete or "Close" it on your return. You can make changes via Blackberry or email to someone who is online. They've got a DBase of screen names and phone #'s- and the mods or someone else who has your number give ya a call if you are overdue. We're a village!

Great ideas! I also ride alone most of the time. I usually have a game plan but not always.

I do have my cell with although in the mountains it doesnt always work.

ICE is a great idea! In Case of Emergency as one of your names in your listings of contacts. Then list your emergency contacts.

You can do ICE1, ICE2, etc

I also carry ALL my emergency contacts & medical insurance numbers & info always in a zip lock baggy in my bags. Hopefully someone will think to look if, God forbid, something happen.

Is there a link to that Ride Plans Forum?

[anrfknm]

like others i ride alone quite a bit. i file a route with my wife and call in any changes. she worries more then i do as i suffer the usual masculine overconfidence. hope it doesn't come up and bite me one day.

[JPM]

Just like pilots filing a flight plan. Good Idea.

[Fastfar]

Originally Posted by JPM

Just like pilots filing a flight plan. Good Idea.

I concur...letting others know where you are scheduled to be/arrive is a token of respect for the folks left at home who care about us

I give the GF a route and time estimates for a check-in call and a return time. Then I honor that commitment by sticking to the plan, or advising of changes enroute.

The less she worries while I'm riding, the better the homecomings too!

[SBDOC99]

I ride almost exclusively alone. A cell is a must but service is unreliable. I also don't usually have a destination in mind when I ride, so posting a route with JAYNER is useless for the most part because I rarely wind up where I thought I was going. However, due to the recent ugliness, I am considering changing my ways, like posting a route and only changing it after I call Home to let someone know it is changed. I think I owe it to my four family members who count on me coming home. It will take a little getting used to, but I fear the thought of being stranded in a ditch with broken limbs wondering if and when help will arrive. Also, as usual, I will continue to carry a first aid kit, tools and basic repair kit (duct tape, zipties, oil, spark plug etc.) if not for me then for another stranded rider.

[FishWitch]

Originally Posted by SBDOC99

.....so posting a route with JAYNER .....

Is that one of the sites refered to earlier?

....Is there a link to that Ride Plans Forum?