s8tannorm wrote: Perhaps living somewhere where a phone is useless 90% of the time has some bearing on choices.

I was gonna bring up that very point, that it may well be pointless for you to carry a phone anyway

Since then I definitely feel like I'm not on as much of an adventure as I can just call for help if something goes wrong - where's the fun in that?

I've never been a watch kinda guy either and look to my biking for an bit of escape and freedom from time watching and responsibilities.

Not that I don't enjoy the positives of a modern phone on a ride (music, great camera, route recording, instant access to t'interweb etc...) but it detracts from the pureness of my wild time a little.

I suppose being phone/gadget free is similar to enjoying the simplicity of riding SS. Some people love it, others don't get it but it's definitely a different experience to regular riding.

Sums it up for me, well put. I was thinking about this as I rode today - took the phone as I had to be back in time. 'an affectation' is one way of seeing it but could be said for so many things. Only true if it's about image and superficial stuff. I remembered going riding as a 13-14 yo and it was a leap in freedom, a real thrill to be out so many miles from home on the trails. Dealing with crashes and broken bike bits with a rucsc full of kit. No phones then. No difference in how I feel about riding 'cut-off' now, I just need to go a bit further out there to feel that free. Like many things about riding it keeps my inner kid happy and I don't want to grow up. If it's seen as irresponsible, well it may be but only in the context of phone saturation now. My lookout.. and Joe Simpson made it home alive. It's just a bike ride eh?

Just for Stu & James I left my watch at home & only used my phone to take pics today.

Just for Stu & James I left my watch at home & only used my phone to take pics today.

Well, you obviously survived the ordeal

s8tannorm wrote:

Just for Stu & James I left my watch at home & only used my phone to take pics today.

Well, you obviously survived the ordeal

Only just.
Chain snapped 30 miles in. Fixed it and bought spare, repair lasted the next 82 miles of course. Did the 26 miles of Marriots way to Aylsham.

I had used Cycle streets to make me a "quietest" road route home and it sent me along the Weavers way bridleway (good job I was on the fargo & not the road bike) and a deep sand trail along the beach at Winterton. True to its word I guess, no cars!

Surprised No one has mentioned yet about caring one to keep in to touch with wife & kids? Or is that part of the attraction of not taking one

Also are we talking just no phone or no phone/tracker/communication device?

Both me and my better half work in the NHS, so we proberbly have a bit of biased view on this but ,the other thing that needs highlighting is the consequence of not getting treated quickly. Having fallen off my bike and fractured my neck of femur it was the fact my friends had a mobile phone that got me air lifted out and on an operating table within 2-3hr. The fact it was fixed so quick meant it limited my complications and improved my chances of recovery. A few years previously a friend was walking in Scotland and fell over and broke his leg. He had no mobile phone so spent 6hr crawling the 3 mile back to get help. The delay in treatment and the damage he did crawling back turned what was a straight forward fracture into a very complicated one which he never fully recovered from.

Both me and my better half work in the NHS, so we proberbly have a bit of biased view on this but ,the other thing that needs highlighting is the consequence of not getting treated quickly. Having fallen off my bike and fractured my neck of femur it was the fact my friends had a mobile phone that got me air lifted out and on an operating table within 2-3hr. The fact it was fixed so quick meant it limited my complications and improved my chances of recovery. A few years previously a friend was walking in Scotland and fell over and broke his leg. He had no mobile phone so spent 6hr crawling the 3 mile back to get help. The delay in treatment and the damage he did crawling back turned what was a straight forward fracture into a very complicated one which he never fully recovered from.

I suppose this now lifts the lid on the question ... is it really safe to ride alone?

I take mine normally. Its not really out of any sense of safety though. It's currently my only camera, I also use it to track my mileage for 1 or 2 day rides (and short ones). I like tracking it this way as I cant see it and dont chase mileage, just enjoy the ride.
I normally have it on silent unless I know i'm going to need to answer it.

Riding alone... If I didnt I'd never ride. I actually quite like it too...

Being self employed & essentially 'on call' all of the time, i have to carry my phone pretty much all of the time.

I know many will frown on this, but it's my livelihood & not being available could mean losing a customer. That said, it only normally happens once or twice a year & rarely during a ride, so most of the time it goes unnoticed.

I also think that when riding alone it's one of, if not the most important piece of safety equipment that you can take with you.

Just a note as not sure if people are aware, but you can also text 999 if in trouble. This could be handy in an area where there isn't a strong enough signal for a phonecall, but a text will go.

You ideally have to register your phone before using-
http://www.emergencysms.org.uk/about_emergencysms.php

Wotsits wrote:
Just a note as not sure if people are aware, but you can also text 999 if in trouble. This could be handy in an area where there isn't a strong enough signal for a phonecall, but a text will go.

You ideally have to register your phone before using-
http://www.emergencysms.org.uk/about_emergencysms.php

did not know that. good info

I suppose this now lifts the lid on the question ... is it really safe to ride alone?

Yes, as long as you have a phone

I kinda like watches, sorry!

Don't wear one on the bike though.

What ID do you guys carry? I have a onelifeid band with a QR code for my contact / medical info plus a tag from them on the zip of my mtb pack.

Solo wrote:
What ID do you guys carry?

My phone

ScotRoutes wrote:

Solo wrote:
What ID do you guys carry?

My phone

That can help