Author Topic: women cycling solo across the US  (Read 10254 times)

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Offline michelecrf

women cycling solo across the US
« on: January 06, 2008, 06:13:05 pm »
hi everyone-

i am planning to bike across the us in july 2008.  i'm thinking about doing it alone, and staying at motels and hostels.  has anyone done this alone?  is it safe for a woman?

any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

happy new year--- michele


FredHiltz

  • Guest
women cycling solo across the US
« Reply #1 on: January 07, 2008, 08:22:38 am »
Hi Michele,

We have discussed this several times, so a good start is to find what has gone before. Try the "search" button at the top right of this page. Keyword = woman, leave "In the past" blank to search all the way back, and All Forums to get started.

A good friend of mine does a long solo trip once or twice a year, two of which have been all the way across the US. Needless to say, she loves it.

Fred


Offline michelecrf

women cycling solo across the US
« Reply #2 on: January 08, 2008, 02:45:31 am »
hi fred

thanks so much for the advice!!!--- and the great forum!!

happy riding-

michele


Offline leo

women cycling solo across the US
« Reply #3 on: January 08, 2008, 03:48:00 am »
Hi

  Some years ago I  wrote a feature on women's safety for a national newspaper in Britain. I went through police statistics, government figures and who knows what else until my eyes crossed. And the outcome? That in any age group, men are more likely to be attacked than women.

You are most at risk as a man of 17 or 18. Then come men of 50-60. You have to go way, way down the list before women begin to figure.

I wanted to see if that was because women were perhaps more likely to travel in company or at "safer" times of day. I went to an organisation called the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, started by a woman whose daughter was killed by a stranger. The trust confirmed my "more dangerous for men" figures and referred me to London Transport, the people who ran the Tubes and buses.

London Transport's figures showed no difference from the national picture. They confirmed that men and women are as likely to travel alone as in company and that there is no difference in the percentages at night or in little-used trains. In other words, women are still less likely to be attacked when alone than men.

Conclusion: news is the unusual. We hear about assaults on grannies not because they are common but because they are so rare. We don't hear about assaults on teenage boys because they happen too often to be remarkable.

Relax. Be happy. Have a great ride!

Happy days

léo


Offline valygrl

women cycling solo across the US
« Reply #4 on: January 09, 2008, 08:33:07 pm »
I've answered questions like this here before, the short answer is: it's not a problem, do be smart about it, enjoy your tour!


Offline lisaharris

women cycling solo across the US
« Reply #5 on: January 13, 2008, 07:20:13 pm »
hello to all the women bicycle tourers. I am interested in bicycling along the Natchez Trace fom Lewis co. TN to northern Ala. Are there any women who are interested in joining me? I live on The Farm in Summertown TN.  A wonderful place to stop and camp unroute to the Trace. I would love to be connected with other riders on the way. Thanks, Lisa


Offline staehpj1

women cycling solo across the US
« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2008, 08:14:07 pm »
Solo women were in the minority among the folks we met when we did the TA, but they seemed to do OK.  I didn't meet any folks who weren't camping most of the time, but the motel, hostel option would not create additional issues that I can think of.

Especially if you are doing one of the Adventure Cycling routes I suggest that you stay in some of the churches that welcome cyclists.  Meeting the nice folks we camped with, the folks that invited us into their homes, and the folks at the churches we stayed at was one of the highlights of our trip.

I wouldn't rule out some camping if your only reason for avoiding is safety.


Offline Cupocoffee

women cycling solo across the US
« Reply #7 on: February 03, 2008, 01:44:59 am »
Michele, I met at least four women riding solo on the TransAmerica Trail last summer. There were quite a few others riding with partners. Those who were riding solo were having as much fun as I was. One of the most fun parts of a ride like that is meeting and visiting with other cyclists. I never once had a lady say she had any problems or was afraid except maybe for a dog or two. That was my experience as well. I carried UDAP bear spray as a precaution but never touched the stuff. I camped and stayed in motels or churches. I pretty much planned my ride from day to day because I didn't know how strong I would be. On the TA you can pretty much find accomodations every 50 to 70 miles. There are some pretty barren areas however. I know as long as you make it to any town that you can find a church and get permission to sleep somewhere on their property. Most motels I stayed in were at least $35 per night to $70. I loved traveling alone and think you will too. I left Oregon around the end of April and there are a lot of motels and eating places that don't even open until the middle of May or later. My biggest worry was cars and not people. Good luck and just use common sense.
www.grandpalosthismind.com


Offline njdaniel

women cycling solo across the US
« Reply #8 on: February 10, 2008, 09:24:11 pm »
Let me know if you want a riding mate for a few days if going across iowa!