No solo rides?

[OTB_again]

The Blackstar mountain lion thread contains several posts reiterating how unsafe it is to ride alone. I certainly agree, and encountering a lion on a solo would indeed be a harrowing experience. I've actually seen one lion on a solo but it was probably 100 yards away and took off when it saw me, so it really wasn't the type of experience that made me re-think doing solo rides. I believe Mark Reynolds was solo at Whiting a few years ago.

But, the Blackstar account has me thinking because I solo it on a pretty frequent basis. If I never rode solo, I'd probably only ride about 1/4 of the amount I do now...definitely not appealing. Just wondering what other folks' thoughts are concerning solo rides. Never? Only on certain trails/areas? Ride solo and don't worry about it? I'm probably in the latter camp, but as I said, this topic defintely got me thinking, and wondering what other peeps think about this too.

[cjwally]

I have no problem riding solo as long as it isn't dark. I have not seen a cat...yet...knock on wood.

[Code Blue]

Originally Posted by trojanorder

The Blackstar mountain lion thread contains several posts reiterating how unsafe it is to ride alone. I certainly agree, and encountering a lion on a solo would indeed be a harrowing experience. I've actually seen one lion on a solo but it was probably 100 yards away and took off when it saw me, so it really wasn't the type of experience that made me re-think doing solo rides. I believe Mark Reynolds was solo at Whiting a few years ago.

But, the Blackstar account has me thinking because I solo it on a pretty frequent basis. If I never rode solo, I'd probably only ride about 1/4 of the amount I do now...definitely not appealing. Just wondering what other folks' thoughts are concerning solo rides. Never? Only on certain trails/areas? Ride solo and don't worry about it? I'm probably in the latter camp, but as I said, this topic defintely got me thinking, and wondering what other peeps think about this too.

Riding solo is not smart. With that being said I do it all the time

I just take my phone and let wifey know where I am going

Safer and more fun riding with others

[dubjay]

I tend to ride solo a lot since I end my workday around 3PM.

For most trails, I don't really mind riding solo during the day time, especially on the weekends. However, during the weekdays, I'm a bit hesitant to ride San Juan or like Holy Jim if I'm by myself.

I guess on the weekends, you figure if you need help, somebody will come along at some point. However, on the weekdays..who knows...

Because of that, I sometimes limit myself to the local norm during the week - Aliso, El Moro, Santiago Oaks, Fullerton Loops, Chino Hills, etc.

[faded1004]

i think in those remote areas, buddy system is always good... break down help and also help to take pics... not just for wildlife emergencies...

i think if there are concerns, just call up a buddy... can't hurt at all to ride with 1 other person...

[lardbutt]

I ride solo a lot too. I use a bell when solo to help alert and fend off the critters...

[Rawhead]

I too ride solo most of the time. I've done Blackstar solo countless times leaving at dusk and returning in the dark. I've seen a bobcat, but never a mountain lion (knock on wood). Like DeeZee, I always take my phone and inform family where I'm riding. One option to help you find a riding partner is to post your ride locations and time at least a day in advance here on the boards. Most of the time others will join you.

[Code Blue]

Originally Posted by faded1004

i think in those remote areas, buddy system is always good... break down help and also help to take pics... not just for wildlife emergencies...

i think if there are concerns, just call up a buddy... can't hurt at all to ride with 1 other person...

However last night about 4:00 I asked my wife what time she wanted to feed the boys dinner. She said 6:30.

Kewl "Do you mind if I go for a quick ride" She said OK but DON"T @$%$#@^$(@$&@($

I agreed and took off before she changed her mind. No time to call a bud and I have two guys on my street that ride!

[tbowren]

Originally Posted by DeeZee

Riding solo is not smart. With that being said I do it all the time

I just take my phone and let wifey know where I am going

Safer and more fun riding with others

Ya I was just mentioning in another thread I ride blackstar at sunrise solo frequently.

I think it can be dangerous to ride solo because if you get hurt there is nobody to help you. However, by 9:30 there are lots of people on Blackstar so I don't worry about that aspect too much.

This weekend I did my early Saturday solo ride up Holy Jim and ended up riding with Cpatcrash and Keith for a good part of it. Plus there were many hikers as well so I never felt truly alone.

I have done Upper Holy Jim solo once, and I was very aware that if I fell I could be laying there for a very long time. Luckily I walked the tricky stuff on that so it was unlikely I was going to fall.

I honestly can't see myself stopping my solo rides completely unless there is another attack. It's so wonderful being up in the trails at that time of day.

At this point in time, the risk / reward ratio isn't high enough. Hopefully I won't NOT live to regret it.

[faded1004]

Originally Posted by DeeZee

However last night about 4:00 I asked my wife what time she wanted to feed the boys dinner. She said 6:30.

Kewl "Do you mind if I go for a quick ride" She said OK but DON"T @$%$#@^$(@$&@($

I agreed and took off before she changed her mind. No time to call a bud and I have two guys on my street that ride!

this is where " emergency ride, wife said okay, meet me at XXXXXXX" text message comes in handy...

[emfc]

Is the mountain lion less likely to attack you if you have a buddy with you?

[Code Blue]

Originally Posted by Rawhead

I too ride solo most of the time. I've done Blackstar solo countless times leaving at dusk and returning in the dark. I've seen a bobcat, but never a mountain lion (knock on wood). Like DeeZee, I always take my phone and inform family where I'm riding. One option to help you find a riding partner is to post your ride locations and time at least a day in advance here on the boards. Most of the time others will join you.

Haro "We don't sell Haro's"

Riding Thursday with Scutr if you want to join

[faded1004]

Originally Posted by emfc

Is the mountain lion less likly to attack you if you have a buddy with you?

i think wild animals are less likely to attach if there is a pair? i thought wild animals like to hunt lone prey?

don't forget, runnign away gets them in the mood to chase... i think you are supposed to retreat slowly if you ever encounter one....

[craig z]

Originally Posted by emfc

Is the mountain lion less likly to attack you if you have a buddy with you?

Yep, especially when I tuck the Slim Jims in my buddy's pack without him knowing.

[BoingBoing]

As I meet people on STR rides, talk my friends into buying bikes, etc. my need to ride solo gets less. I know it's safer to ride w/ others, but not always possible (for me). So I ride in high traffic areas, take my phone, and basically do what I can to minimize the risk.

That being said, nothing is 100% safe. I live with a risk/fun ballance that I find acceptable. I'll probably behave differently after I actually see a lion. But I'm always happy to see coyotes (I say 'hi' to them!)

My cycle-computer has a warning in the manual that boils down to "Don't crash cause you're looking at, or pushing buttons, on this thing."

MTBing is dangerous. If it weren't, I'd probably have to find something else to do.

[faded1004]

may be this is a cue to try to make a slim jim bomb to use as a decoy... i wonder how short their attention span is?

this is definately a very difficult topic, you always hear how fast they can leap and pounce... awareness is definatly the key... definately stay away from ear bud headphones...

there are definately lots to think about... but thing to basically stop riding... unless you crash pressing the buttons on your cyclo-computer and get attacked by a skunk... then you just have really bad luck and you need to stay off the trails for a week or so...

[ericfoltz]

I ride solo all the time, all over the country on some of the most remote trails you can imagine.

I always have first aid supplies, plenty of tubes/patches/tools, map/compass, food and enough sense to get off my bike when things get iffy.

If I ever don't make it back out, I just hope it's someone cool who finds my bike and gives it a good home.

[dstepper]

I don't think about it, I never have. If I want to ride solo I go. The only thing I really wish I had was a good trail dog...someday.

I have rode solo for years on Granite Mountain in Prescott, it has the one of highest concentrations of Lions in the West.

Dean

[Fired Yo Momma]

I ride solo all the time. I do let someone know where I am and when I should be back. When I ride solo their are certain technical trails that I stay away from but if I am in group I am inclined to do stuff that I would not have the confidence to do.