Rocket-Boy Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 Yesterday I decided to go for a cycle by myself, my usual riding buddies werent keen and I needed to get on my MTB.I have done this many times before and its never been a problem so I figured why not?Half way through in a steep off camber section I got my sidewall sliced through, instant flat and fell down an embankment into a tree. Fortunately I wasnt hurt aside from my pride but I was stuck with a bad sidewall cut that I couldnt fix. This resulted in a nice long 8k walk back to the carpark.After reading about the guy in the cradle having broken 9 ribs I have to wonder how good an idea that really was.Safety in terms of crime isnt a problem on the route so that isnt a concern, but if I had broken ribs, broken collarbone and a punctured lung then I would have been in serious poo. I didnt see another rides on that particular trail the whole way back and I had left my cycling cellphone at home because it was flat. I guess being more prepared would help but it wouldnt make much difference in a serious accident. So who else rides alone and has thought about stuff like that?
Johny Bravo Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 I mostly ride alone aswell. I ride after work, not a morning person. But my main concern is the same as yours. If I fall and hurt myself badly, and end up lying somewhere for hours. That scares me. When I ride alone I take it slow on the descents and keep single track and technical riding to a minimum. Thats why last year I ended up doing over 40 races.
Eddy Gordo Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 I also ride alone 99% of the time. Also dont like mornings, more an afternoon guy when averything is out of the way and will determine how much time I can use. Cellphone is always with.
DJR Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 75% of the time it's just me myself I! When alone I stick to well travelled mtb routes and I don't do crazy stuff. On the road I stick to the routes that are safer and I ride with a bright flashing light front and back. I carry ID and medical aid card as well as the essentials for get-me-home bike repairs. My wife knows where I am going and when I plan to be back.
dee_biker Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 95% of the time. My prayers and hope is that I still awake to be able to phone someone! Risky, but my friends don't train as hard as me.
Mojoman Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 I ride on my own all the time, one of the reasons I started mapping some routes in my area was so that in the event of an accident at least there is a fair idea of where to start looking! Although its not a big place there are some remote sections out here. I also give time frames and where I will be more or less and what time I expect to be home, I check in with the wife every hour or so and just let someone know where I am because I have the same affliction as hikers..The 'What's over that next hill?' syndrome!Endomondo has a tracking function that will at least help people know where to start looking for you. I generally have 2 phones most of the time, my crappy old phone that lives in my backpack (be aware that if you do this you need to make a call at least once a month otherwise muppets like Cell C don't tell you and terminate the service!) and then my office phone.For some of us riding alone is just what we have to do...but personally I quite enjoy it!
Waynehans Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 Weekdays is 99% alone, weekends are 90% alone....!!!!! Doesnt bother me, If I see a group up ahead that I am a bit afraid of, I will turn around, Else I just pedal hard and go by.... If you gonna die that day, It's your time!!!! MUST RIDE!!!
GLuvsMtb Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 Most of my weekday rides are alone. I use Garmin's live track and tell my wife that I am riding, so that she can check up on me. If I commute and I stand still for too long she actually calls to find out if I am ok, unless I am at the coffee shop... or the bike shop...or at my girlfriends place All jokes aside. Use the tech if you have it available, or do what you did as a laaitie. Tell someone that you are going for a ride, tell them where you are riding and tell them when you are due to be back home, and once home tell them you are back.
Surv0MTB Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 Lynton - I go for rides alone sometimes, however I am very aware of the fact that I am alone, and any mechanical I cant immediately fix could mean a painful/long walk back to the car/home (often ride from home), let alone any injury. I take the technical sections a little bit slower and try avoid doing any stupid/risky things. I always let me wife know where I am riding as well, just incase. Cellphone fully charged, and I generally have reception. Take my multitool and a bomb kit with me in the hope that nothing more serious happens.I remember breaking a wheel spoke in Karlkloof in PMB - The wheel luckily managed to hold enough for me to get back to the car, but that was like 20km in the middle of nowhere with absolutely zero other people on the trail. 40km's of it. That freaked me out enough to now make me aware of these types of situations.With the crime as well lately, I just havent really wanted to ride alone.
_David_ Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 99% I have a cell phone. +1 and to be honest I prefer riding on my own.
leaboy Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 95% of the time.Apart from building physical strength you also build on self-motivation
Long Wheel Base Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 I commute to work basically 5 days a week unless I have to go do something else after work where rocking up in lycra is not on. Sometimes I Leave earlier in the mornings to join a few club mates and do part of their ride before branching off to work but otherwise I ride alone. When I ride alone I go straight to work and my wife knows what route I take and how long it takes me, so if I don't check in she will start to worry but luckily its never happened. After work if I go a long way home I let the misses know and I just try ride on routes near to my home. Obviously as its a commute I have my bag with wallet, phone, clothes the whole works. On the weekends I hardly ever ride alone but the standard ice ID bracelet, phone and some cash is always with me regardless.
Dubbin Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 Also ride alone 90% of the time due to infrequent time available for cycling. But, I live in the platteland with relatively safe roads. Cell phone always with me. (Wife had to come fetch me a few times when I had mechanical problems) Always try to do cycling in 30 - 40 km radius from home. Lots of nice loops to do round home. If I lived in the city I probably would do it differently.
EmptyB Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 95% of my rides are on my own. Always with a cell phone and most of the time at least one person knows what route I'm on. Love riding on my own and often travel away to ride on my own. For the solitude and riding places that feel like the middle of nowhere I think its worth it. That said, I never take stupid unnecessary risks when alone....
Vetseun Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 I have to ride alone. Nobody can keep up with me.
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