Solo riders word of caution

[flash]

Apple watch does not work with android......pity.

Samsung Galaxy Watch has eSim (number sharing). A few have a micro sim.

Gordon

 

[ChrisB NZ]

Apple watch or ANGI?

The trouble with Apple Watch is that the fall detection is tuned to detect falls rather than bike crashes - and the dynamics will be different. I've done a fair bit of work with similar devices for the elderly and false positives are an issue. Fall detection is inherently difficult. I haven't tested the Apple Watch but their fall detection is probably the best of the bunch. You may be able to tweak it for bike crashes but how the heck would you test it!

Specialized have tuned their algorithms to detect bike crashes from helmet impact. It will need GPS and mobile connectivity from the phone. It looks good.

You can get 3rd party apps for Samsung Gear watch which do fall detection and emergency calling. You can also get dedicated little devices/pendants which contain both a simple mobile phone, fall detection and GPS.

 

[Pdoz]

, i will pack a phone and maybe a flair now . tracks here during a working day are often like ghost towns , something u think will never happen .

Why would you pack explosives? ( flares) I can't imagine many situations where I'd want to risk a bushfire whilst injured - even on the boat I resent having to carry them when we have such better technology ( plb with gps or spot / inreach beacons , a phone as back up, whistles on our camelback harness....)

 

[Rich the gasman]

Have a speedy recovery mate.

 

[steve_sordy]

Ouch! Get well soon matey!

Most of my miles are solo and there are some features that I choose only to ride when I have some potential stretcher bearers with me! But I have had nasty offs even on benign trails that I have covered many times (me not paying attention)! No broken bones so far (chipped a kneecap once, that hurt!), just plenty of ligament and tendon damage, massive bruises and so forth. My wife knows where I'm going, but never the exact route because I change it very frequently, either because I'm looking for something new, or if I meet someone.

I have a whistle attached to my backpack and I carry a mobile in my pack too. I tried carrying the mobile in various pockets, but the phone gets smashed eventually. On the trail I ride the most, I can rarely get a signal, so I urge @Rob Hancill to take the hint and do a review of trackers and location devices very soon. That would be a very useful service. There seems to be a lot of experience already on this site, so he'd be off to a flying start.

 

[R120]

The whistle is a very good idea

 

[nickw1965]

Thanks to all for words of encouragement for my recovery.Much appreciated.Had first consultant appointment this morning and another 5 weeks minimum on crutches.
Anyway back to topic.I think looking at responses that this effects us all and has had a positive feedback.We do what we do because we love the sport but I think no matter what you’re riding ability is you got to have a backup.
The whistle is a simple and great idea.I did actually see someone in the distance while lying in the woods,tried calling out but the broken ribs said not happening.This could of been on a cord hanging off my back pack.

 

[steve_sordy]

The whistle is a very good idea

I have it attached to the left strap, high up on the front, so that I can reach it easily with my mouth.
I am uncomfortably aware that my mobile is inside my backpack and probably out of reach if I am badly injured, but anywhere else and they just get broken.

 

[R120]

Yup I always carry a whistle with me when out snowboarding, was drummed into me to have one from my very first time on the slopes over 30 years ago, dont know why it never occurred to me to take one out on my bike, seems obvious in hindsight

 

[nickB]

Whistle is definitely a good idea - make sure it's a proper loud rescue whistle - the type you get on marine life vests. Also make sure it's easily within reach incase you are immobile.
Of course saying that I realize I keep my Spot is in the top pocket of my backpack! Not easy to get to without removing pack.
My wife jokes that whilst I am trying to fight of the Mountain Lion (or Bear) with my 1inch pen knife how the hell am I supposed to take of my pack, get my Spot out and press the Rescue button! Oh well! as long as she knows where the life insurance details are!

 

[davez]

This is exactly why I bought the Specialized Ambush helmet with Angi and recommended it to my father. Both of us do ride solo frequently. Though the system works only as long as you have mobile coverage and your phone is working. Still it adds safety and I think it makes as much sense as good protective wear

 

[Woodcutter's Son]

Ouch! Ride the same areas solo and can just imagine dropping blind into a fallen tree. Hope the recovery is going well. Plus one for the Element Bolt tracking. Nice feature if you've already planned a route is it shows those that care the route and your progress along it. Actually not sure how that helps but it's a neat feature ?

 

[Mr CRUD]

I urge @Rob Hancill to take the hint and do a review of trackers and location devices very soon. That would be a very useful service. There seems to be a lot of experience already on this site, so he'd be off to a flying start.

Go for it Rob! I ride almost always on my own, flat-out, and where I go, I never see a soul. I'd buy a reliable device. Does Strava work in real time?

 

[Jpla9849]

At work we use an app called What3words. The app has assigned three random words to every 3m square on earth. Providing after you crash you can get your phone out you can tell someone exactly where you are and they can follow their map directly to you.

We use it all the time for any sort of location based stuff so in an emergency it will vastly speed up time in getting aid to you.

Safe recovery! Keep focused on the goal of getting back on the bike!

 

[nickw1965]

At work we use an app called What3words. The app has assigned three random words to every 3m square on earth. Providing after you crash you can get your phone out you can tell someone exactly where you are and they can follow their map directly to you.

We use it all the time for any sort of location based stuff so in an emergency it will vastly speed up time in getting aid to you.

Safe recovery! Keep focused on the goal of getting back on the bike!

Just downloaded.Wow it is very accurate.Thanks for sharing this would make a great backup.Looking through the posts it appears that we have so many options but no real comparison of pros and cons.
Hoping Rob takes a look at reviewing what’s available as can’t find anything online.
One thing is clear we all need a plan b.I only had my mobile Phone and my plan b was good luck.If Phone has smashed or ended up out of reach I think my circumstances may of taken turn for the worst.
Not forgetting I was only 200m from a road but off the beaten track.Looking at some of the awesome places people ride on here they could be miles from anyone.

 

[R120]

Rob has already started a thread on doing a review, and is looking for any suggestions people may have for the products/apps to include in the review:

Solo Riding Safety device trackers a - which ones to review? - EMTB Forums

Post up any suggestions on the thread

 

[nickw1965]

Rob has already started a thread on doing a review, and is looking for any suggestions people may have for the products/apps to include in the review:

Solo Riding Safety device trackers a - which ones to review? - EMTB Forums

Post up any suggestions on the thread

Spot on

 

[nickw1965]

Dressing now off and swelling down.Thinking if asked on holiday about scar ,will go with shark attack ?

 

[Pike]

From the sounds of it, rather glad to live in the uk, what with snakes and mountain lions; scariest thing I’ve encountered is a toss up between farmer Palmer chasing us on his quad, or the irate walkers we buzzed coming off mam tor!!

 

[R120]

I am in Sweden at the moment, and i would want full on sat phone with me out here - you literally walk ten minutes into the forrest and you could be lost for days if you dont know your way around.

 

[Weeds]

I was riding around NE Washington this week and the neighbor warned me there was supposedly a wounded cougar in the area. He had looked for birds flying over a carcass and had seen none. I never smelled anything like a dead animal and I did keep my eyes open. Cougars can be very quiet and sneaky.

I do carry a spot and I guess maybe next trip a pistol. Do they make a holster to mount on your bike?

 

[R120]

I was riding around NE Washington this week and the neighbor warned me there was supposedly a wounded cougar in the area. He had looked for birds flying over a carcass and had seen none. I never smelled anything like a dead animal and I did keep my eyes open. Cougars can be very quiet and sneaky.

I do carry a spot and I guess maybe next trip a pistol. Do they make a holster to mount on your bike?

?

 

[racinghelmi]

Wow
Mountain lions, cougars , bears ,brown snakes .I think the most threatening thing that’s jumped out on me has been a rabbit.
Since my accident I have had flashbacks and I think a log or tree was across the trail as I dropped in. I tried to explain to my family the feeling of freedom when riding solo is hard to beat.
Our sport has its dangers but the rewards are far greater.How many of us have had that close call, the rush of adrenaline afterwards is incredible.I think that is the moment when we feel most alive.It was google maps that saved my bacon that morning as I managed to send my daughter my location, not easy with no reading glasses.
If my post has made you think about a backup plan for just a minute then it was worth posting.

It did make me think!!!!!!
I had a nasty accident in November in the Forest of Dean and was super lucky that a fellow biker was close enough behind me and reacted fast (thank you forever Edward!). Called the ranger, ambulance......
I think it would have taken me some time to figure out what to do in my agony.
When the paramedics came and I heard one saying "we have to try to save the foot" I knew it was bad. They flew me to Bristol and saved the foot
I'm looking now into all the available devices mentioned to find out which would have been the best in my situation.
Thanks!!!!!
Helmut

 

[nickw1965]

Check out Robs thread.Glad you came out the other side in one piece.I can’t believe the response from my initial post,it appears to have affected so many of us but we have kept quiet about it.
Solo Riding Safety device trackers a - which ones to review? - EMTB Forums