with working pay phones few and far between these days (at least here)... If I needed a ride home, it would be handy...

Other than at the airport I can't remember the last time I've seen a functional payphone.

First, how many people carry any change in the pockets these days vs. using a debit/credit card everywhere and second, how many people even remember other people's phone numbers vs. dialing them from their contacts lists?

I did have another thought on having a cell phone. If you don't have anyone to call, and nobody that's going to call you, then there might well be no need for one.

What the HELL does commuting have to do with having a cell phone in the bag?

I commute without a bag of pistachios in my bag too - what difference does it make?

Is it "let's pick something completely unrelated to the topic and post on it" week?

I just dumped my smart phone for a dumb phone and I ride with it...I'm pretty cool!

Wish I could, but what would you do if there is an accident or crime, or you are late due to a flat? I'd be interested because I prefer minimum weight on any ride.

I also don't own a TV or a car...But I do own a cell phone and laptop.

A person can have a cell phone and not be addicted to it...Use it only when necessary.

There was a lot of things we didn't have in the 80's that we're lucky enough to have available now.

Resistance to change or (as we called it in the 80's) future shock.... isn't new nor does it preserve anything of value from a previous time. Take a deep breath.... cast off the fears and feelings of being overwhelmed by the change.... and find yourself a good [mobile] rate plan.

Not owning a cell phone or a computer in this modern age would be far more abnormal then not owning a TV or a car. It's important to be "connected" in this modern age.

I can relate to the OP although I carry my fancy new SMART Phone that my wife got me for Christmas because it gives her comfort. I have zero need for a cell phone while riding, it merely comes along for the ride.

I find it interesting how many couples and families will be independently attending to their social media chores while out to dinner.

Without my iPhone, my Garmin won't instantly upload my rides to my account when my commute is over. I would have to wait until I'm on wifi. Unthinkable!

This is the most hipster thread I've ever seen on bikeforums. It's amazing that anyone thinks that anyone else cares what you don't own. Just making the statement in public "I don't own a cell phone" without someone asking first is the height of narcissism.

I haven't watched any broadcast TV for something like 25 years now either, but I don't really talk about it, because I realize that NOBODY CARES.

It's considered so important that the US Federal Government subsidizes part or all of the cost of a cell phone for individuals below a certain income level. How to Get an Obama Phone For Free

Best decision I made the day I broke my leg was carry a cell phone in my saddle bag.

Financial assistance for phone service was initiated in the Reaen Administration!

Extracted from the cited reference:
"In all truthfulness, the term “Obama Phone” isn’t the official name of the free government cell phones program. In fact, government assistance for phones has been around since the 80’s under a program called the Federal Lifeline Assistance program. For people who are living below the poverty guidelines, the Federal Lifeline program exists to provide discounted phone service. Originally, the program provided landlines, but now it has transitioned into cell phones."

I own a cell phone but I don't take it on rides with me either. I don't want to be bothered when I'm riding nor do I want to use the phone to call to have my mommy come get me if I break down; and by the time I call a cop and they come to get someone for trying to sideswipe me or whatever the person is long gone anyways. Most places I ride into I can't even get cell service anyways.

Use a phone for directions? really? you know why there are no bike riders over the age of 50 anymore? They all got lost and are still wandering around trying to find their way back home...my god what a dumb thing to say. People toured all over the world for years before cell phones or GPS's and never cried for something better than just a plain paper map. I'm not saying that a gps isn't a handy little gadget, I'll probably get one to tour the USA, I don't know yet, but I know I will carry a cell phone when that trip happens because today there are very few pay phones around, but for just riding 50 to 70 miles from home I don't carry one.

Look, if you're comfortable having a cell phone with you then fine carry one, but I'm 61 years old and rode for many years before these devices came out and to this day I have no need for one while riding.

Gadgets are just toys for us to amuse ourselves with, I know people who don't even use a bike computer! There's probably some on this forum who don't either, they just want to ride a bike for fun without the hassle of knowing how far they went.

I don't own this or that; ain't I special? is the unofficial mantra for some of the posters on the LCF list. It apparently has infected the commuting list too.

Some of you should read Carlos Castaneda, specifically the part of "Journey to Ixtlan" concerning "being inaccessible." I have a cell phone, a Motorola Droid. (I could also do a Mitch Hedberg take off and state that, if we called things by what we use them for the most, I actually have a big flat watch that occasionally makes phone calls and takes pictures!) My phone is usually WITH me, but not usually in or at hand. I have a phone to make calls when I want, ignore texts and calls when I want, and take pictures when I want. I do sometimes use the internet stuff when on a road trip. I use the calender to schedule patient appointments. Video? Never. I spent most of my life working up to a large screen HDTV--- why would I want to watch anything on a 2x4" screen? People who are more aware than average do not need constant sensory input. "A ShaoLin priest is one with himself." People who substitute tech for higher brain functions will be mystified.

I don't even own a bread machine.

Sometimes I ride my bike, sometimes I don't. Would you or your "ShaoLin priest" approve of such a radical concept?

Absolutely. It's like other passtimes. As long as you're doing them, you're probably fine. It's when THEY start to do you that you get into trouble.

Tough Audience.

Probably the wrong time to say that I sometimes ride without fenders or... underwear

Though I do own of set of each.

But do you post rants about how you HATE underwear or fenders, or about your issues with the people who use or even own them? Are you somebody special because you don't use these items? That is the ticket to being one of the CRAZY people!

this whole thread has a "41-like" quality to it - I request that the moderator move it