mnichols wrote:I cycled Canada to Mexico a couple of years ago and had similar concerns, but if you are with someone then it's unlikely that you would both be injured at the same time, so the other one can attend to the injured party and also get help .. ..
They might be on a tandem, could come to grief together In Europe at least the signal for emergency calls is stronger and works nearly everywhere It would be good not to stray far from the road, in a real wilderness one could get lost
Cyclists worrying about roads that might have too little motor traffic, +1!
Entertainer, juvenile, curmudgeon, PoB, 30120 Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
pwa wrote:If you haven't seen it Touching the Void is a great docu-drama about survival after an injury in the middle of nowhere.
+1. Good film, better book.
I read the book. Did he survive? Cannae remember
That would spoil it for others on here.
To be honest have headed off solo on most of my trips (see trips you have been on or might plan for future...) Hadn't ever considered what would happen if I had an accident... would just deal with it at the time. Nor have I informed accommodation as I left or where I was heading to what my plans were.... as they often changed and accommodation would be whatever I found when I got to a suitable time to stop for the night... though I usually aimed for a small town in the hope they would have some sort of accommodation if they did not have a YHA.
A few years ago a friend was walking solo in Lancs hill country, fell as he climbed over a style 2 miles from any road, broke his thigh... luckily had a GPS and a phone that had an intermittent signal, it took 3 attempts to raise emergency services though by the time he got through 3rd time they were waiting for his call and had logged previous details just wanted a bit more info...... local mountain rescue and air ambulance were scrambled.
I stand and rejoice everytime I see a woman ride by on a wheel the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood. HG Wells
It really is last ditch use only. You still have to be conscious enough to switch it on. Response depends on the local government's agencies, but every government is treaty bound to respond somehow. Help might take some time coming, but somebody will eventually turn up just to switch the beacon off.
Don't worry about it. I cycled the Southern Tier in 2013. There are no sections where you are on roads so quiet there will not be a pickup truckor large car along in a short time. Americans, especially in the less populated areas are generally friendly and in an emergency I am sure you could either get a lift to a town or whatever other help was required.
There are plenty Southern Tier blogs on crazyguyonabike.com
Generally it's a nice route though there are a few sections with heavy traffic and narrow/no shoulders. In particular watch for the Globe Tunnel if you are going W-E. About 400 miles east of San Diego it is uphill for eastbound riders and following traffic can't see you until they are in the tunnel when the are going from bright sunlight to dim light. There have been some injuries there. My approach was to wait for a big gap while pedalling slowly then go up a couple of gears and really go for it while watching my mirror.
otherwise just make sure your first aid knowledge is average and carry suitably flexible gear. come up with scenarios and how you would maybe deal with it.
pwa wrote:You could face the same problem in remoter parts of the UK, especially if riding at night. No phone signal and no buildings for ten miles or more. If you need to do CPR any distance at all is too far. Before the age of the mobile phone we just accepted the risk and got on with it. But if there is a technical fix, great.
There are places near me with no phone coverage and it's hardly wild in downtown Sheffield! Yes there are some sensible things you can do as precaution but if it actually bothers you that much don't go there - it could easily become a self fulfilling problem. If you think you are going to trip, fall off etc there is a good chance you will.
Don't over think things and you'll almost certainly be fine. )ou've probably got half the Fora worrying now just by asking the question!
Convention? what's that then? Airnimal Chameleon touring, Orbit Pro hack, Orbit Photon audax, Focus Mares AX tour, Peugeot Carbon sportive, Owen Blower vintage race - all running Tulio's finest!
It really is last ditch use only. You still have to be conscious enough to switch it on. Response depends on the local government's agencies, but every government is treaty bound to respond somehow. Help might take some time coming, but somebody will eventually turn up just to switch the beacon off.
Do you have this just for cycle touring? Where do you go?
Tigerbiten wrote:But if your really worried about something like that, then the answer is to carry a Satellite Phone. Satellite phones don't rely on a terrestrial cell phone network, they beam their data directly to and from satellites orbiting Earth. But how much they cost is another matter ..........
As well as satellite phones, there are alternatives such as Garmin Inreach that allow the sending of regular "I'm OK" text messages, with website tracking and a "rescue me" panic button. Also search "Spot tracker". They are subscription-based, but should be a fair bit cheaper than a generic satellite phone.
I really don't know how good they are, but Garmin does the "In Reach" (about £400) and "In Reach Mini (about £300)
I have chosen a specific video as there are lots of official ones, and unofficial reviews. This would answer your concern
Cooper1988 wrote:What would be your advice for a someone in a pair picking up a nasty injury, say a broken limb, in a remote area with no mobile coverage? Being the Southern Tier, it is likely that there would be a reasonable number of passing cars to flag down. G
As others have said, I don't think there will be a significant lack of passing traffic.
However, if this is a genuine fear that may impact on your trip, I'd suggest stopping off at a Police/Fire Station in places along the way, explaining your trip and asking for their local knowledge. They know the landscape & terrain best.
