Solo Female Ryder

[phantomlady]

I have been doing most of my riding with spouse (on 2 wheels of his own). But due to different work schedules, riding together is limited. I want to ride by myself, but still be safe. The Sypder attracts a lot of attention, and I don't want any problems. Any suggestions?

 

[jnt]

Just ryde! Usual caution about where to ride. Be aware of non-attentive cagers. Use your "Spydie Sense"!

I'm sure Laughing Heart will chime in soon . . . . .

 

[COOLMACHINE]

Hello Phantomlady.

Hello Phantomlady,
Probably things you already have thought of but I thought I would mention them to you anyway.
I don't want any trouble when riding either and I am a 46 year old man.
As a precaution, I try to always keep my spyder in gear and running while at stoplights.
I keep an eye on any approaching vehicles from behind.
I also leave room in front of me at stoplights so I have an EXIT in case of
trouble.
If someone is angry or being aggresive at me, I try not to engage in, similiar behavior. Make a left or right turn and hopefully continue to enjoy my ride.
Get out there and ride and have a great time. :thumbup:

 

[flamingobabe]

I too have always riden on the back of my husband...now I have the Spyder...I usually just follow him around.... but I'm begining to venture out on my own....

Just be smart...safe....what would you do if you were traveling in a car by yourself? triple that caution...I just got back from a trip from Houston to Natchez Trace by myself...stayed on the main roads...always have a map...cell phone....stop where there are several people...not out of the way places....when eating stop at populated places.....just for day rides do the same.....it will probably make you a better rider...I think it is making me a better rider...I have to make all decisions...and live with them...if I can do it you can do it ...just think before you act..

this is good info.....
As a precaution, I try to always keep my spyder in gear and running while at stoplights.
I keep an eye on any approaching vehicles from behind.
I also leave room in front of me at stoplights so I have an EXIT in case of
trouble.
If someone is angry or being aggresive at me, I try not to engage in, similiar behavior. Make a left or right turn and hopefully continue to enjoy my ride.
Get out there and ride and have a great time. :thumbup:
__________________
..

 

[MotorTony]

All good advice. Just be aware. Take care where you ride and who is around you. Don't look like a victim....that means be sure of yourself. Many people approach us when on Spyders...just be cool. And the "spydie sense" thing is right on. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. Find an out and go.

Don't worry...have fun.

 

[Smylinacha]

After you go out once on your own on the Spyder, you won't wanna go back home! When I was on two wheels, I was always worried about being on my own, not being able to back it into a parking space if there was a slight hill, or dropping the bike w/ nobody to help me pick it up. Also when we did long days of riding, my neck and back would be killing me - I don't have that problem with the Spyder - I'm pretty comfy for a day's ride.

My husband works 2nd shift so we don't see eachother much except for weekends. I have been riding passenger with him lately on the weekends just because we aren't together all week. But during the week, I love it - I can take off on my Spyder and not worry and he doesn't have to worry about me.:2thumbs:

 

[SpyderGirl]

Just ride and be merry!! :2thumbs:

 

[canam9]

welcome, Go for it.:ani29:

 

[truck 85]

all verry good advice but dont forget the eyes in the back of your head as they are very use full. nojoke and have fun

 

[RoadHammer]

First thing as a few have said be aware of your surroundings, ALL of them. What's behind beside and in front. Always have an escape route on and off your bike. If your stopped look assertive, don't look like a whimp, if you see scumbags make sure they know you saw them too, scumbags don't want a confrontation. Scumbags want you when you have no idea they exist.Don't forget about your escape route.......
ARM YOURSELF, get properly trained with a firearm your comfortable with, take a training course whatever. When your done with that, go in the stix and learn how to "point shoot" with your gun. Google it. It's a definite asset to know how to do that.
Take a good hardcore self defense course, not karate or judo or bjj. Some no nonsense close combat training is probably the way to go.

Be safe always........ that's my moto:2thumbs:

 

[altonk]

Much more likely to be hurt by a soccer mom or businessman pulling in front of you while talking on their cell than a scumbag at a gas station

Situational awareness is the key to being safe
Assume every car rolling to a stop is gonna pull out in front of you and have an escape route be aware of traffic to your left so you know if you can lane change to avoid or swing right behind them

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Know where you are going and if you wouldn't feel safe in an area in a car then you surely won't feel safe on your Spyder.

 

[Lamonster]

welcome
You should be fine. It will attract a lot of attention. :doorag:

 

[SPYDER4FUN]

:2thumbs:

Start out with a few short trips around the area, where you are comfortable & then expand out ...
I agree with everyone's input about safety and being aware .. life is too short get out there and rYde .. you should be fine

 

[Raptor]

All good stuff. My Wife (1spydercat1) was a bit nervous at first but she practices most if not all the things mentioned here already and she is getting out there more and more now. Work schedules preclude us from riding together alot as well.

The one thing I always tell her is try to know your terrain whenever possible. Don't just go wandering off somewhere and get lost. In other words, try to plan your route as best you can. If you pull into a place and don't get a good feeling, get out of there. ALWAYS have your cell on and fully charged before you take off. Starting off with a full tank of fuel is not a bad idea either. That way you are not put in a strange position because you find yourself low on gas!

Use your good judgement and have fun! :2thumbs:

 

[GaryTheBadger]

Take an MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) training course, start here...
http://nm.msf-usa.org/msf/ridercourses.aspx?state=NC
and always wear a helmet.

 

[LaughingHeart]

I also always rode double with my husband until I got my Spyder. At first I felt most safe when he rode his Beemer while I was on my Spyder. I built up my confidence riding alone by taking short trips to familiar areas. As I felt more confident, I wanted to expand out further.

The biggest rule I follow is to be aware of everything around me. If I am surprised by something, (like a car passing me) I know I haven't been paying attention well enough. I can get away with that (somewhat!) in a car, but not on the bike. That way I have more time to react to any situation that arises. It's taking practice to learn how to do that and I am learning.

Otherwise I just follow my common sense about where it is safe to ride and what to do to stay safe. So far so good. I have always done that, and so it is the same when I am on the Spyder. Actually, the attention it attracts means there are a lot people around me, and I am less likely to have a problem. I've never had any trouble with anyone who came up to ask about the Spyder.

So just start doing it and you will get more comfortable.

 

[murphybrown]

The majority of my Spyder Ryding is done solo. Agreed with others comments. BE CONFIDENT and "pack heat" (lady smith fits right in my jacket pocket). I have permit for all available states (that offer)...a great insurance plan!!!!:clap: I took a women's only hand gun class...definitely worth it. I am always amazed that when folks come to talk to me about the Spyder most of them look around for the man of the trike and then they'll say you ryde this all over alone. My standard answer is absolutely!!! So saddle up and go for it....

 

[Questions]

Msg to SpyderLady

Go for it. I too have started riding solo. All replies are good advise. My advise is to continue the journey and enjoy the ride. :congrats:

 

[VaughnCat]

Ditto above

:agree: You've got some great advice here from your fellow spyderlovers.
Especially, knowing your route, having a full tank of gas, and carrying your cell phone.

:congrats: and enjoy your ryde!

Cat