Long distance trip alone?

[RussSeaton]

A close friend of mine is an EMT and he stated that they are explicitly trained to check for medical alert items, be they dog tags, wrist straps, ankle straps, or shoe tags.

But the huge problem with the Road ID is no one knows its an ID.  To an EMT it looks like one of those Armstrong bands.  And an EMT is not gooing to waste time checking an Armstrong band as ID.  Its a piece of jewelry, sort of.  And that is what the Road ID is.  Its a colorful wrist band.  If you want an ID that the paramedics and police are familiar with and know one when they see it, get a Medic Alert necklace or bracelet.  An emergency ID only works if people look at it and know its an ID.  People don't look at Road ID.  They do look at Medic Alert.  Get the basic stainless steel Medic Alert.  Not the gold or even silver ones.  Those look too much like jewelry and a paramedic would easily ignore them.

[golferdevo3]

I'm in the middle of the Southern Tier alone. If you want to follow my blog it's: becksbiketrip.blogspot.com. I'm doing it for a nonprofit in Haiti and its been great so far. 1200 miles in!

[DaveB]

But the huge problem with the Road ID is no one knows its an ID.  To an EMT it looks like one of those Armstrong bands.  And an EMT is not gooing to waste time checking an Armstrong band as ID.  Its a piece of jewelry, sort of.  And that is what the Road ID is.  Its a colorful wrist band.  If you want an ID that the paramedics and police are familiar with and know one when they see it, get a Medic Alert necklace or bracelet.  An emergency ID only works if people look at it and know its an ID.  People don't look at Road ID.  They do look at Medic Alert.  Get the basic stainless steel Medic Alert.  Not the gold or even silver ones.  Those look too much like jewelry and a paramedic would easily ignore them.

Good point about an ID looking too much like jewelery being ineffective.  That's what I like about plain stainless steel dog tags on a bead chain around your neck.  They can't be mistaken for anything else.  And I've never found my noisy in any riding position.

[tonythomson]

Hi Dave - go it alone, only way as far as I'm concerned.  You will meet plenty of people along the way. 
Bit hot in Orlando in the summer!!!! Are you living in this area as although I live in UK I also hav a house here so I can ride in the winter.  If you are around now send me an IM and happy to talk about touring 

[mikefm58]

My thanks to all who have responded and given me their words of wisdom.  I'm really leaning towards doing this, probably start in the April time frame due to weather.  My reasons for being unsure about riding alone is really a safety issue, not from the stand point of getting hit by a car but more from meeting up with a "not so nice" person.  I expect to use motels almost exclusively as well as have a smart phone with me.

And a special thanks to golferdevo3 for the blog on their trip, very informative reading.

[staehpj1]

My reasons for being unsure about riding alone is really a safety issue, not from the stand point of getting hit by a car but more from meeting up with a "not so nice" person.

I think that is just as or more likely to happen at home in your normal life.

I hope you go and have a nice trip.

[John Nelson]

"Not so nice" people are much more common on TV than in real life. Your chances of a significant problem due to one are miniscule, and I'm not sure those chances are increased by going alone, or in fact by going at all.

[Blackbear]

I road St. Louis to Greeensboro, NC last May.  Wore a metal dogtag for ID. Used a SPOT device so family and friends could locate me  ( Also good for immediate help if first responders are necessary) and enjoyed the challenge and solitude I found. You will be amazed at the Friendly people you will meet------DO IT!  Blackbear

[haakon]

I agree about the not-so-nice-people. It's a good thing to have on your radar, but unlikely to factor into your ride much. I just biked 2000 miles of the Northern Tier alone and met countless people who stopped to talk, wanted to know about the ride, offered a ride or a place to stay etc. I even have a stack of papers of people who gave me their phone numbers on the back of a receipt or something, saying if I needed anything or if I ran into trouble that I should just call them. No creepy people come to mind at all. Not that they don't exist, but the positive interactions by far outweighed any negative ones. Between all the friendly strangers and an iphone, traveling alone was awesome, even for an extrovert.

[gypsysue]

I'm in the middle of the Southern Tier alone. If you want to follow my blog it's: becksbiketrip.blogspot.com. I'm doing it for a nonprofit in Haiti and its been great so far. 1200 miles in!

Your blog is very awesome, and inspiring. I've saved it to my 'favorites'. 

I've already posted on this thread that I enjoy riding alone, and after some failed attempts to hook up with riding partners, I pretty much ride alone.  My husband is my favorite riding partner but he's not as into it as I am.

[golferdevo3]

Thank you so much Gypsysue!  It really makes me feel good when I hear people enjoying my blog and following it. I appreciate the comment!

[Wuwei]

I rode across Canada alone last summer and there was hardly a day that I didn't meet another cyclist at camp or along the road. You are more likely to meet and chat with people when alone.

[PJinNJ]

ROADID, get one or two. I have talked to litteraly hndreds of EMT's and first responders and they think it's awesome. If only anyone thought it was Jewelery you don't want them touching you. If you don't get one get anything that goes on your neck or wrist. It's universal and will be checked. As for the ride, go, live and enjoy it. It's about the journey and the fantastic people you'll meet.

[BikeFreak]

I'm considering a long distance trip this summer, biking from Orlando to upstate NY.  I don't have any riding partners so I'd be taking this alone.  Am I crazy and stupid?  LOL, but seriously I'd like to here from anyone else who has done a cycling trip alone and hear their experiences and words of wisdom.

Let me put it this way:

When I tell non-cyclists about one of my long distance tours, the absolutely first question is always:

"Who did you travel with"?

Then I answer "I travel by myself, always". Then their next comment is:

"Didn't you feel lonely ... I could never do that". Generally, people are not interested in the travel/tour itself, but only this particular social aspect. I typically calm those non-cyclists down by ensuring them that I do meet and talk to strangers on the road. That puts me in their "normal-person" category gain ... just a little bit.

I would say that most people need a lot of attention from other people, but there is a certain "breed" who can live without. As stated in one of the initial answers: If you even considered doing it alone, you should be fine :-).

Lucas

[Westinghouse]

I usually get lonely on a long solo tour, and I often with I had a female partner. Meeting women is one matter. Getting someone to take off across the continent on a bicycle is a whole other matter, and she must have money, time off to do it then, the same window of opportunity, the ability, the inclination to do it, and compatibility. That narrows it down to fewer and fewer possibilities, and then I go alone.

Feeling lonely isn't all that bad.



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