I still ride alone during the week, but have cut it down a lot, with all these awful event reports. But, I still like being on my own, not having to worry about keeping up, and just toodling along in my own head. But, ffs, I can’t be in my head. I have to be hyper alert.
I have taken the following “protective” measures:
i do the majority of my rides in a particular bike park, where I feel totally safe. But boredom has set in. so, I have actually given it a break.
on the road, i only ride “back roads” and stay within a 20 km radius of my house, where I (perhaps stupidly) feel quite safe;
always use Garmin livetrack but ya, it often gives sh#t;
have added my wife, daughter, brother to the find my Iphone app;
i have set up a spare cycling dedicated old phone, on which i have deleted my banking app;
Always ride with a canister of pepper spray. Its worked for me once, where 2 guys approached me with what i felt was bad intent. I took out the spray, pointed the nozzle, and they ran off before before I squeezed. That said, it’s probably useless.
I have insured , all bikes, phones, Garmins, at replacement cost.
i am kidding myself with all this though. None of it will help. Except the insurance, the plan being to just succumb and hand over everything. If i walk away bodily intact i will cry, claim, be happy that i am unharmed.
But, at the end of the day, Zwift is still my happy place, and I am grateful for it.
