dbg

Outside cellular coverage you'd need some fairly expensive satellite based system. Sat phones are expensive but there are emergency notification systems that forward your gps coordinates when you push the help button (Google "spot" and "SEND"). I'm thinking they're in the neighborhood of $200 devices and $100 annual fees.

Louis Le Tour

I've had one for a number of years but when I get on the road next year I'm going to ditch it and just go with a laptop or tablet. That way I'll have fewer things to charge.

Louis Le Tour

+1

fietsbob

I brought an AM/FM/LW/SW radio , on my paper map guided trips . and a Pocket Mandolin so I could sit in on Pub-Jams.

ModeratedUser150120149

Rules for solo travel:
-Be mentally comfortable with whatever can happen. Imagine the worst. If you can accept that go. If not don't go.
-Take with you whatever you think appropriate while keeping in mind that sooner or later you won't have what you need for the situation and you will have to punt.
-Don't rely on anything short of a certified PLB that needs a battery.

overbyte

Were you wearing a helmet? I wonder how effective helmets are for protection against intracranial bleeding.

overbyte

Cell phone coverage is like a sponge, full of holes but from a distance looks solid.

Even those satellite communicators, like the DeLorme InReach, have problems because they need to have a view of the satellite, so if you're under heavy tree coverage or under a bridge or in a building or tunnel or deep canyon, you'd have to get to a place where there is open sky. Even then, the satellite is not stationary (geosyncronous) but rather passes by periodically, so sometimes the message is held in the device until it detects the satellite and then it transmits. However, these satellite communicators are better than cell phones in the countryside. They're not all the same, so look carefully at the features, such as whether you can send a custom ad hoc message such as to inform family or rescuers that you're physically ok and just need a ride because bike is disabled, versus you have a serious injury and need medical rescue.

StephenH

A lot of problems are not that hard to deal with if you really need to. So I would hate to have to hitchhike back to the start with a bike, but I know of several people that have done it, too, so if it's really important, it can be done.

If it's just absolutely a desolate area, probably the best bet is to let someone know where you're going, when you'll be back, what route, so they can send out a search party if need be.

Some time back, I read about a woman and her teenage son that were riding an ATV around midnight on a county road. They wrecked, the woman was killed, and her son laid out there until about 5:30 the next morning before anyone saw him. I've ridden on roads like that, where there's little local traffic, and once everyone goes to bed, there is ZERO traffic. It's great for riding, not for flagging down rides!

Years back, I did a lot of hiking in reasonably deserted places. I always read the advice "Never hike alone!" But I didn't have any friends that hiked, so it was either hike by myself or stay home. So I did what I could to prepare for possible problems, tried to be a little extra cautious, and otherwise, just acknowledged that it might be a little more hazardous than otherwise, but so be it.

FBinNY 

I've been riding solo since before cell phones, GPS, or many other things we take for granted. I also used to lead youth trips miles from New York, including day, weekend, and longer. You learn self reliance, and managing problems as they arise.

These days, riding solo, I carry a spare tire (tubulars), and a 5mm hex key. Anything else that may arise I'll figure out how to deal with as I come to it.

One thing pre-cellphone riders learned to use was the "car telegraph". You simply flagged down a car (yes they will stop for you), ask them to pass a message to someone up the road, or phone police at the next phone (or these days, when they have cell coverage).

BTW- Hitch-hiking when a bicycle is broken down too much to ride, still works, and you can meet some real nice people that way.

Weatherby

I met a 78 year old going up the col des aravis going towards the lake....I can't remember but it is near Annecy. He carried only a small seat bag and handlebar bag and was concluding a 6,000 mile tour solo down thru the Alps and Turkey. This was well before cellphones. His Secretary made all the arrangements. He arrived each night to fresh shorts and clothing that the hotel staff mailed back. He said he could fix anything on his bike. The reality is that in France on a steep climb if you raised your left hand when a motorist is passing, they will have a front wheel for you. I have had motorists help me several times in the US. At about 9:30 in a remote campground in Colorado I awoke to a plate with steak, potatoes and asparagus being thrust into my tent. It was from a family who said they drive past me on several mountain passes and they saw that I had very little food (true). They invited me to the campfire and popcorn, etc. My goretex jacket lost its waterproofness after about 30 staight days of rain in New Zealand and with sleet coming down, I huddled under a little shed that I found on the road. Fired up the stove and made tea. Off in the distance I heard a 2 stroke engine rip to life and a mom and a 7 year old boy came to get me. From a mile away, he thought I was dying (funny but I was hurting) and the little hut was his school bus stop covering. THey took care of me and invited me sailing. Visited a winery in Australia (Rosemont) and the restaurant was closed for a private function (Swiss buyers), they not only fed me but let me join in on the tasting of the library wines. Some of the Swiss buyers were cyclists, too. The Owner convinced me to take their guest cottage for the weekend, fully stocked and tons of free food. I didn't get much help with the wild monkeys in the Malasian jungles.

The bottomline is know how to fix your bike and have some faith in your fellow man.

FBinNY 

+1,000,000.

Also, if you open yourself up to meet strangers, those encounters end up being the most memorable parts of a trip.

ModeratedUser150120149

The annals of life are filled with exploits of people who have overcome tremendous odds to not only survive solo events but have flourished. Others have deliberately gone on long term solo endeavors and have thoroughly enjoyed overcoming. At the same time there are many instances where others, in similar circumstance, failed. Consequences of their failure were serious injury or death. Difference? Mental attitude.

This thread has focused mainly on the technology. In my experience that is the least important ingredient for successful solo travel or living. Understanding that you will encounter situations for which you are neither prepared nor equipped and having a plan for coping is key.

Relying on rescue by someone who responds to a call, or who stumbles upon you may work some times. But, often it does not. There are a lot of lonely places even in the midst of a suburb.

Resilience.

Biker395 

Well, the caveman phone finally bit the dust. I'm no an iPhoner.

FBinNY 

Welcome to the world where you can enjoy time in your own company, and attuned to what is happening around you. I got rid of mine 10+ years ago because I was tired of folks complaining that I didn't return calls fast enough. Even a message saying I was out of touch and would return the call if and when I got around to it, didn't help.

Biker395 

Yup. My outgoing message told people I almost never carried the cellphone, and since it was a 10key phone ... to NOT send me texts.

Virtually everyone ignored me.

I suppose I should keep it on, even sitting at my desk in front of a computer. ... I just can't help viewing them as best suited to emergencies.

dbg

Make that "twice". I was near the peak of a cloverleaf on Sat when my pedal crank fell off (still clipped to my foot). I discovered my multi-tool was not with me. Arrghhh! Several passers by offered cell phone but I figured I deserved the walk home. I coasted down some hills and even tried some one foot pedalling until I realized it was a bad idea (sparing you the details). Nice afternoon for a walk.