I like to bike ride in the conuntry a lot, what are some means of self protection for myself?
470479
get a concealed weapons permit, and a good pistol that your handle, powerful enough to kill a mountain lion if you have to.  At least .40 caliber I prefer the Springfield XD, But I usually carry a 1911 .45 caliber pistol.  \n\nI don't trust pepper spray due to the possibility of back spray where you could end up with pepper spray in your face, Tasers might be ok but you have to factor in if an attacker is on drugs and there have been issues of tasers killing people.\n\nI think that it would better knowing that your going to kill someone than be surprised.  It would be easier to deal with
749501
A pedal powered bicycle;\nYou get sweaty on a hot day and that's not a good thing if you plan to stop at a restaurant and flirt with the waiter/waitress.\nDogs can catch a bicycle. (At least when I am riding it)\nSteep uphills are a pain, and downhills are scary unless you have really good brakes.\n\nOn a motorcycle;\nHMMM,\nDon't rush me I'm thinking.\nHMMM\nHey I'm trying here......\n\nNope, can't think of one bad thing about riding my Harley.\nSORRY>>>>>>>>>>>
236457
i would reccoment low impact cardiovascular exercise such as bike riding\n\nresearch HYBRID style bicycles\n-hybrids have an upright seating position, this helps in taking off stress from leaning over like on mountain bikes. Hybrids also have a suspension seatpost which reduces impact on your back from bumps in the road. Bicycling involves smooth pedal motions which wont hurt your knee's as bad as walking. With the amount of gears available on bikes now-a-days, your sure to find one that is comfortable for your body. Try this, I work in a bike shop and get people with knee and back injurys all the time. This is highly reccomended
1183215
Also, try the Breezers... Very well thought out bikes for the Commute/Townie thing. The "Townie" bikes are a little more involved than the standard "comfort" bikes, as they have eyelets for racks or are made to mount lights, and other features that're nicer. \n\nSome "comfort" bikes will fall into the "Townie" catagory, and vice versa. And then if you take a road "Sport Tourer" and add a rack, fenders, and maybe some swept back/upright bars, it'd could be considered a "Townie" as well.\n\nIt's sort of a marketing buzzword, sort of a small clasification.  I'd say, find the bike that meets your needs and you are comfortable on, regardless of what it's called.
856494
A Jacket and Pants are a good start but Gloves and a Beanie (or any other hat that will stay on) are just as important.  Other things that you may need are thermal underwear, Googles (or sunglasses) and thermal socks are very importants.  Make sure your outer clothing is waterproof.  I don't know where you live but most sporting goods places will carry these items and of course ski and snowboarding specialty stores.   In California we have consumer sporting goods like Sports Authority, Sport Chalet and Big 5.  However, places like Sears, Wal-mart, etc. will also carry low-end items.  \n\nThe best advice I can give you is to give yourself two days on the mountain.  You will hate life the first day and may never want to do it again but that second consecutive day is essential to reinforcing what you learned and giving your body a good night's rest to recover.  Make sure you figure out which is your lead foot.  Most of your weight should be placed on that foot even though your natural tendancy will be to lean back on the rear foot.  Keep the weight on the lead leg!!  Try to use minute motions when turning.  Think of it as driving and how much force you place on the gas pedal.  Very light motions or you will jerk the car... in the case of snowboarding you will fall hard.  Commit to your turn and don't overcompensate or you will go the other way.  \n\nSorry about the info overload.  Just relax and remember it's fun.  You're not out there trying to impress anyone, no one is judging you (or looking at you), they are too busy having fun.  If your boyfriend and his friends are too critical, then they are not worth your time.  Just go have fun and do it for yourself!
783670
GET INTO THE SADDLE!!!\nMake certain you have a HELMET (probably the MOST IMPORTANT piece of equipment), proper cycling clothing like riding shorts (bib shorts are the best), t-shirt or jersey, light jacket for cooler temperatures, etc...\n\nRide wherever there is NOT A LOT OF TRAFFIC! Make certain to wear reflectors! A bright YELLOW or ORANGE or PINK VEST with reflectors is BEST!\n\nTake a 20 minute ride minimum and build up everyday! You will NOT REGRET IT!\n\nSafety is MOST IMPORTANT! Riding will give you POSITIVE THOUGHTS, BUILD YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM, PRODUCE WHITE BLOOD CELLS, OXYGEN TO YOUR MUSCLES AND BLOOD STREAM, and produce ADRENALIN!\n\nGET OUT AND GET INTO YOUR SADDLE!\nRIDE ON!!!
629589
Well, as with anything that you risk assess, you could ask the same question about anything and it would be equally vague. "Is it safe to drive a car?", "Is it safe to live on your own?", "Is it safe to walk alone?".\n\nAs with anything solo, so long as you know the risks, are aware of the possible consequences and how to control those risks if you choose to, then it's down to personal choice. There is no "yes" or "no" to your question and since you have not provided anymore information about where you're going walking, what equipment you own, there is little I can say to advise you.\n\nI've been hiking and camping on my own several times, sometimes I've left a routeplan with someone, sometimes not. It's up to you. Only you know how aware and in control you are of the situation and environment and only you can decide how much risk you want to take.
591304
Wind protection! On an upright cruiser bike, anything over 70mph makes you have to hold on for dear life... Haivng a windshield protects you from wind hitting your chest and wanting to pull you off the bike... Also stops bugs from getting in your mouth (if you wear an open faced helmet), and rain from pelting you...being hit on the flesh with a bug or rain drops at 75mph is like getting shot with a BB gun...its stings! \n\nI have a new Kawi Z1000 which is a "naked" bike - has no fairings. But, it has a small little "flyscreen" windshield. Surprisingly, this provides enough protection to get the wind off your chest and at least up and over your shoulders...
875040
These are the typical precautions you should take before heading out on an outdoor excursion:\n\n1.Know where you are going and get a map of the area\n2.Know the weather and be prepared for it\n3.Make a trip plan and leave a copy of it with someone who can be trusted\n4.Bring the ten essentials plus any overnight/multiday gear you may need\n\nTen Essentials:\n1. Map/Compass\n2. Flashlight / Headlamp (with spare batteries/bulb)\n3. Extra Water \n4. Extra Clothes (Rain Gear)\n5. Extra Food \n6. First-Aid Kit\n7. Pocket Knife or Multi Purpose Tool\n8. Waterproof Matches/Fire starter\n9. Sunglasses/Sunscreen\n10. Whistle/signal mirror\n\nMulti-day/Overnight Gear\n1.Shelter (Tent, Tarp or other)\n2.Sleeping Bag (appropriate temp rating)\n3.Backpack\n4.Stove and Fuel\n\nThis is a basic list, you may need other things like bug spray, winter travel gear, or other equipment depending on where and when you are traveling.  It is always better to travel with a group of 4 or more people so that if one person becomes injured someone can stay with them while allowing at least two people to go for help.
40026
A nice pair of silk long johns is a good place to start. Other little treats for yourself include down clothing, they even make pants. I have a pair of down booties for use in the sleeping bag. Other little clothing tidbits. Wear a hat at all times, even sleeping. You can also sleep with a warm water bottle. Some cautions with this: make sure you know whether the bottle leaks and Nalgene's are notoriously leaky, if you or your bag gets wet, you may be having a harder time keeping warm. If so you can contain it in a ziplock bag or a roll down velcro closure bag. If the water is too hot, you should put it in a sock or something to keep from burning your skin. My hiking buddy/co worker went to bed with a hot water nalgene between his thighs one night. He thought that was clever because a LOT of blood passes through there and warm blood travels to other parts of the body, warming them. But he woke up with blisters on his thighs...dangerously close to the family jewels. Last word about hot water bottle, if you use a collapsible canteen or bottle, make sure you fill it allllll the way up, because even then your bottle will cave in as the water cools down. At the very least you want to minimize this so you don't ruin your bottle. If the bottle cools this way, it will never hold as much as it used to.\n\nA good camping mat. The closed cell foam ones that roll up are cheap and effective and very lightweight, the next step up is the self inflating ones but they are heavier. And you can buy covers for those inflating mats that convert them into a chair.\n\nYou need to dress warm. The most effective thing in my opinion, and also more versatile, is to dress in multiple light layers. In the winter, I wear about 8 layers in the coldest weather...long john shirt, tee shirt, maybe a button down shirt, a fleece vest, as many fleece crewneck tops (the fuzzy polartec type, not sweathshirt fleece) as I can pile on, and my rain jacket. The good news is that if I can add or remove pieces at will until I am perfectly comfortable. IF you go the other route of a couple indoor layers and then one big poofy piece you need to understand the principles of loft, which includes your sleeping bag.\n\nLoft is the way insulation in a comforter, parka, or sleeping bag works. They create tiny little air pockets around you and hold YOUR OWN body heat in them. IF you have a lot of clothing between you and the insulating item, you will actually defeat the purpose of the item because you insulate the item FROM your body heat. This is why many things are true: it is better to sleep with fewer clothing items when you want to be warmer in the bag. It is also important not to compromise loft by choosing an item that doesn't fit your body and causes you to squash it from the inside out, or with a bunch of heavy layers on top of it to squash it from the outside in. If you compress your item too much, even in storage, or in your pack or its stuff sack, there are fewer air pockets formed and the item doesn't work as well.\n\nSO choose ONE dressing strategy and know how to apply it.\n\nOther important facts:\n\nAll the things discussed so far are only ways to insulate yourself. They are not generating any heat on their own. To do that, you need to DRINK plenty of water, and you need to EAT, warm foods that are high in sugars and fats are excellent, and you need to MOVE. A bedtime snack can be anything from a candy bar to a stick of butter, NO kidding! A bedtime activity could be a couple minutes jumping up and down, then one last go at the fire. AND YOU MUST DRINK WATER. \n\nEven if you can't stand cold liquids. EVEN IF you don't want to be up all night peeing. Your body needs the water to circulate the blood, and to metabolize food, both of which assist you in staying warm. Another thing you need to know about water is that both dehydration and hypothermia have the early warning sign of disorientation and confusion. The trouble is, if YOU are the one
907830
I  say  go  ahead,  just  make  sure  that  you  protect  yourself.
704321
anything on a bike is risky. as soon as you swing your leg over the seat and ride down the street, your taking a risk.\n\nstunts are even more dangerous. if you want to start doing stunts, start out small than gradually work your way up to the bigger stuff. nobody starts out as a pro.\n\nand be prepared to fall a lot.
821787
I'm not sure if you have tried this, but;\n\nObviously, adjust your bike to a comfortable position (bike fitting and adding spacers to handlebar post.)\n\nAlso, this is so important-\n\nFOR PETE'S SAKE DO NOT WEAR BOXERS ON LONGER RIDES!\nI have personal experience with this.........very painful.\nWear something that will keep (everything) packaged in, like good briefs.
411722
Try cliff diving...although the benefits are limited.\n\nYou're either a grand champion or stuff on a rock.
1051270
DON'T MESS UP MY BODY'S SYSTEM\nJUST WEAR GOOD PROTECTION LIKE TAMPONS AND/OR PADS
675059
Riding on the road takes a lot of courage and patience.  I'm a road rider, and although I've never been hit, I have been forced off the road a couple times.  I would say that 99% of the motorists out there are very careful of cyclists, but there is that 1% who can be dangerous.  Keep in mind...as a cyclist riding on the road, you have just as much of a right to be there as a car does.  Follow the rules of the road.  Go with the flow of traffic.  Stop at all red lights and stop signs.  And always ignore those cars or pick-ups that try to scare you.  They aren't worth the attention.\n\nAnd here are a few tips to help make riding with traffic a little safer and easier.  Always ride several feet away from the curb or the edge of the road.  This will give you room to maneuver if you need to without going into the curb or off-road.  Remember that it's the car's job to go around you, not for you to avoid the car.  Always listen for cars coming up behind you.  Be aware that they are there.  Ride predictably.  Ride in a straight line, don't make the car behind you have to guess if you will keep your line.  Don't ride in the dark.  Always wear bright, highly visible clothing.\n\nThe more you ride on the road, the more your confidence will grow, and the more enjoyable your ride will be.  Good luck!
12912
I live in a city too, ostensibly.  A few years ago, the bike I chose was exactly that, a light mountain bike.  I chose a Haro Escape.  It's expensive (good-quality) enough that I don't feat pot-holes and our crazy streets here.  Cheap enough I recognize its weaknesses and don't sweat (too much) when I lock it up to grab a video or soda on my routes.