Trekaholic

The only things I bring on rides are tools that can help in a pinch, and a cell phone certainly qualifies. I always put mine in a ziplok bag --- phones don't handle rain and sweat very well.

Shimano-Cranker may think we're "wussing out" for carrying phones, but I'd bet he'd welcome using some of his/her riding partners' minutes in an emergency. The reality of this sport is that sooner or later, something will go wrong on a ride. Remember the Boy Scout motto: "Be Prepared."

TriEngineer

Heck, I guess what do we know eh? LA has an earbud when he is ride the Tour, I am sure it's either blasting AC/DC or he is whispering sweet nothings into Sheryl in the support car....

Steelrider

Good friend of mine has been hit twice by cars - didn't have one on the first one and wished he did, had one the second time and was glad he did. Although neither was a hit-and-run, his wife had to take him to the hospital the second time. I like to ride distances in places that are less populated, so I carry one charged up and don't turn it on. The idea is for me to be able to call out if I have to, not for anyone to be able to get hold of me - I don't want to be bothered when I'm out riding.

madopa

I carry a cell phone, tools, and a .357. Between the three I can fix just about any trouble I encounter.

JMPetersen

Hear, hear, shokhead! While I agree that cellphones are a positive step in technology (mine has gotten me out of a jam more than once), some people are way too dependent on them and can't seem to stay off of them for more than twelve seconds. When I am on my bike I absolutely refuse to talk on my phone. If someone calls AND I feel like answering or am expecting the call, here's what I do:

I PULL OVER and stop the bike. THEN I answer the phone.

I know that seems entirely sacreligious in today's modern American go-go-go-oh-my-god-I-have-a-lunch-meeting-rush-rush society, but for Chrissakes, how do you expect to work both brakes and handle the phone at the same time?! And don't give me that "I use a hands-free phone so I'm perfectly safe" hoo-hah. There have been scientific studies that show that that you are less alert while talking on the phone than when not. We're not sure what it is, but something about talking on the phone puts people in a different state of mind. And just to enlighten anyone that lacks basic knowledge of proper ettiquete, I have provided, out of the goodness of my heart, a list of situations where it is either inappropriate or dangerous to talk on a cell phone. To paraphrase Maddox, if you disagree with any of these, you are wrong:

1. On a date, especially a first date.
2. In a movie theater.
3. IN A MOVIE THEATER, DAMMIT!!!
4. At someone's wake, while standing in line to pay respects (this actually happened).
5. While having sex (pay attention, Ms. Hilton).
6. While driving a moving vehicle.
7. While riding a moving bicycle.
8. In a place of worship.
9. While visiting someone in their hospital/nursing home room.
10. In a library or study room.
11. While dining in a restaurant, especially a nice one.

Whenever anyone gives me crap about not being able to get in touch with me, I always reply "What did you do before I had a cell phone?"

jlin453

I usually have it in my bag under the saddle for emergencies. I never leave home without my cell

WayneS460

Since my business is based on quick responses to clients 24 hours per day, 7 days per week my choice is 1) carry the cell phone on, 2) don't ride a bicycle (or do many of the other diversions I enjoy out of the house, or 3) lose clients who are trying to reach me while I am out bike riding.

However, safety and respect for others is paramount. I will never talk on a cellphone while riding. I stop and answer the call. If I'm on a bike trail I usually ask for a few minutes to call back so that I can leave the trail so as to not bother any other bikers, walkers, etc. I only continue riding once my phone call is complete.

Chad's Colnago

I seem to ride alone a lot more than with someone else so a cell phone for me is a must.

roadie gal

I'm with most of you, the cell phone comes with me and lives in my camelbak. But it's always OFF when I'm riding. I ride alone most of the time and I have a heart condition that would make it very important to get to a hospital quickly if I had a problem. I never carried the phone before I developed the condition. Now, it only makes sense to have it handy.

Hipcycler

Always with me.
Always turned off.

Just good knowing that I have a support system in place in speed dial to call in case I need help. Another tip: An old sock in the bottom of a water bottle, and the cell fits right in there...providing of course you have two bottle holders and only drink from one!

Trauma1

I always have my pager and my phone with me. It is just part of life. (Even when I am not on call)

axxalink

that's why i carry one. when it rings , i pull over and call back. i'm fortunate that i'm able to go when and as long as i please...the least i can do is be accessible when needed!

Cerberusgl

I little bit away from cycling but a friend of mine was riding a horse and was thrown when a train went buy the horse reared up a second time and step on my friends stomach. The horse took off and she was alone in tall grass with a lacerated liver and other forms of internal bleeding. Cell phone saved her life. Take it when you ride and turn it off so it doesn't ring.

4.6MustangSteve

I keep my cell phone clipped to my shorts. It's always on, and if I get a call I will pull over to the side and answer... or I'll just flip the top up and shut it (basically answering, then promptly hanging up on my idiot friends who call) and keep riding.

Maj.Taylor

I always carry my cell phone--turned off, and in a ziplock baggie. I've needed it only once. As I rounded a curve, I came upon a head-on collision between a motorcyclist and an automobile. The motorcyclist was in god-awful shape. Lots of bleeding, likely internal injuries, and a compound fracture of a lower leg. The driver of the car was freaking out. I had her call 911 while I slowed the bleeding and comforted the motorcyclist. My cell phone may well have saved his life. I began carrying it for myself, but now more often think to pick it up should someone else need it.

(In fact, my cell phone is turned off 99.99% of the time, riding or not. Not a single person has its number. I carry it only for those times when having one is absolutely essential.)

auricpoe

always have it, never answer it or call from it while riding

John00

I have two teenage kids and if I'm going to be away for 3-4 hours 4-5 times a week I want to be available. Also when I crashed and broke my collarbone I was glad I was able to call and have my son come pick me up. As It was I had to ride 3 miles before reached an area where my phone got reception.

msparks

Hmm,

Went on a 50 miler this am. Called my daughter who was at home to be sure she was okay. I figure that it stress releive as opposed to worring if she is alright. I usually don't take any other calls when I'm riding though. If I didn't have my cell phone I doubt I could ride much right now, as I'm a geographical single parent.

TriEngineer

actually one of my buddies ride with a cellphone, it's one of those does-it-all cellphones with MP3 player, he has one earbud stuck in his ear to hear music....and he wears it around his neck.

Too hot one day and he had it hanging out of the jersey, came loose and fell onto the ground, million pieces later, he uses his new phone only in emergencies and keeps it in his jersey pocket all the time.

lrzipris

I was on a ride once out in the country where I came across a fellow sitting by the side of the road, one tire flat. Pretty fancy bike, too, as I recall. Not fixing it, just sitting there: he didn't have a spare tube, pump, or patch kit. Thinking I'd give him one of my two spare tubes, I asked if he had everything he needed, and he said, yep, he had his cellphone and had called his wife to come get him.

galen_52657

Hope his wife did not get a flat on the way to pick him up.....

simsi

Nearly always carry mine with me, but it's switched off. If I need to use it(or worse someone finds me in the midel of the road and needs to use it), they can switch it on. Mind you, around here the chances of being in cellphone coverage can be a bit iffy,

Whoodie

I will never leave mine behind if riding alone you never know.

lrzipris

And if she did, she'd probably call him!

powerhouse

How did I cope before owning a cellphone?

I am both a bicyclist and a pedestrian. I live in a city but do my riding practically everywhere else. At first, anyone who wanted to reach me while I'd be out would just have to leave a telephone message at my apartment. If I needed to make a call while out doing errands, I had the patience (and still do) to walk or ride to the nearest available telephone (usually a public telephone).
Whenever I went riding in the country and had mechanical or medical difficulties, I was lucky enough to get the aid of someone passing by or to walk to the nearest place to request a ride.

In the present day I own a cellphone for emergencies and other practical uses. If I were out riding and got a call from one of the short list of people who know the number, I would pull over to stop and answer it. I'm not the empty-headed, half-wit types who blathers on while operating a bicycle, possibly putting others at risk as well as oneself