Mountain Bikers and Runners

[janie1234]

Do you bring a cell phone with you? I'm thinking of upgrading my phone to one of those cell phone/mp3 players. Can anyone reccomend one? I went running the other day and an elderly woman literaly hit me and I landed on the roof of her car. I was not hurt and I think I scared her more than she scared me but it got me thinking that if I was seriously hurt that I did not have a cell phone with me. Sometimes I'm out mountain biking or running far away from people and I think I've just been lucky that I've never needed to use a cell. I would appreciate any reccomendations.

 

[syzygy314]

OMG! I'm glad you are alright! How horrible to get hit by a car! I hope you get checked out anyway to make sure you don't have any slow to show injuries!

I have an iPhone and it works great! I can get a call or make a call while my music is on as it pauses automatically. I have a set of headphones that has a button on it to answer calls and hang up and the music just picks up where it left off. I have all my podcasts, CC, etc on it. It also has maps and you can download apps to run or bike trails that can be saved and reused, etc.

 

[lioness]

Janie,

I'm so glad you are ok. How scary!! I run with my cell phone. I have zippered back pocket and it fits fine there. I don't run with music especially when I'm alone.

You might want to get a Road ID. It's something that you can either put on your shoe, wrist or ankle that has emergency information (family members to call) in case something happens to you.

 

[andtckrtoo]

I run and ride (mountain/road) with a cell phone (and I do usually have one ear bud in and the music on a low volume).

I've done search and rescue, though, so I'm a little more cautious than most, but I do strongly recommend doing the following:

1. Let someone know when you are leaving and when you should be back.
2. Write down your expected route and leave it on the kitchen counter if you are leaving from your house. Make sure if you are carrying a phone, you put the phone number on it.
3. Do the same and copy it - leave one on the counter and one on the dashboard of your car if you are parking and running/hiking/riding - Include you cell phone number on both sheets of paper.

You'd be surprised at the number of people who get knocked off bikes, or even their feet (Janie - the elderly woman is a perfect example - I am so happy you are okay!!) and are injured, but because they are in the brush, people don't see them. If you list your exact route, search teams will find you a lot faster (even if you get lost) and that can literally mean the different between life and death. I will often times put start times on the paper on my dashboard, even if it's a trail I know well. A local man just got lost and was never found, on a trail he hiked frequently. You just never know. It's an extra step, but man, so worth it - especially in the wilderness.

 

[janie1234]

Awe thanks everyone, . . .but I'm fine really, . . it was more like one of those stunt hits in the movies that people just walk away from. I really think I scared her more than she scared me, . . . .maybe got her thinking about whether or not she should be driving. She was going slow enough that I don't have any broken bones, bruising but no broken bones, . . .but I am surprised she didn't see me. I saw her from a good distance away she really should have seen me. I sometimes run with a reflective vest and wrist band but my husband always makes fun of me says I look like I'm working on a road crew.

Tricia I was thinking I-phone, . . .not having buttons is kinda weird though. I'm not void of understanding techie gadgets but I'm no Bill Gates either. Would I be able to transfer all my ipod nano music and videos to it? Is it sweat proof? I sorta sweat a lot.

Jane when you say zippered back pocket is that on your shorts or tank? Where do you get them from? My shorts have a zip pocket that is only big enough to hold my house key.

Christine great ideas. If there is anyone out there that would know about biking safety it would be someone who has bike 100 miles!! I do the same thing with my music, . . on low with one bud. I'm a bit of a chicken and not as fearless as I was when I was younger but your post has made my caution much more valid. I love your ideas and will deffinitely use them.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[lioness]

Jane when you say zippered back pocket is that on your shorts or tank? Where do you get them from? My shorts have a zip pocket that is only big enough to hold my house key.

Janie,

I have 2 pairs of shorts from REI that have a zippered pocket on the back where I stash my phone. I love them. I bought them last year. I looked on the REI website and I couldn't find them. When I get home, I'll do more searching and if I can find them online, I'll send you a PM with the info.

 

[janie1234]

Janie,

I have 2 pairs of shorts from REI that have a zippered pocket on the back where I stash my phone. I love them. I bought them last year. I looked on the REI website and I couldn't find them. When I get home, I'll do more searching and if I can find them online, I'll send you a PM with the info.

Thanks Jane! I would appreciate that. That sounds just like what I am looking for.

 

[horseshowmom]

I had the juke and loved it....until my dog ate it ...yes, really, the dog ate my cell phone! It's very small and easy easy to use even for a techno phobe like myself.
Becky

 

[syzygy314]

Tricia I was thinking I-phone, . . .not having buttons is kinda weird though. I'm not void of understanding techie gadgets but I'm no Bill Gates either. Would I be able to transfer all my ipod nano music and videos to it? Is it sweat proof? I sorta sweat a lot.

Thanks again everyone.

Hi Janie!

Absolutely! Just make sure you get one with enough memory to hold it all. If you're not big on the Apps, you should be fine. Me, I'm an App addict, so I have to split my 8 GB between those and my music, podcasts and videos! I just got a 16 GB iPod Nano just for my workouts. However, I run on a bike path that's built just for foot and bicycle traffic, so I don't worry too much if I don't have my phone. I keep it in the car though! Um, not so sure about sweat proof, but I use it in the kitchen when I cook if I need to look up a recipe or something. I keep it in one of those hardshell cases. I tend to drop mine now and then! That seems to protect it very well! It has a clip that will hold under most circumstances (except jumping rope). I'm sure if you use an armband, it will stay dry and you shouldn't have to worry about it getting wet.

 

[andtckrtoo]

Christine great ideas. If there is anyone out there that would know about biking safety it would be someone who has bike 100 miles!! I do the same thing with my music, . . on low with one bud. I'm a bit of a chicken and not as fearless as I was when I was younger but your post has made my caution much more valid. I love your ideas and will deffinitely use them. Thanks again everyone.

You mentioned my century ride. One thing I did do when I was training distance was to text my husband and daughter every 15/20 miles or so (every hour or so - if you're running), so they would have a point of reference if I did not check in. I would text something like - at the top of Kings Mountain Hwy and now on Hwy 34 heading south). I did this especially when I was riding the mountains. But I'm also talking a 5 hour ride without much traffic and a lot of things that could go wrong. And believe it or not, I do not consider myself a worry wort. I simply consider this safe practices.

 

[janie1234]

Hi Janie!

Absolutely! Just make sure you get one with enough memory to hold it all. If you're not big on the Apps, you should be fine. Me, I'm an App addict, so I have to split my 8 GB between those and my music, podcasts and videos! I just got a 16 GB iPod Nano just for my workouts. However, I run on a bike path that's built just for foot and bicycle traffic, so I don't worry too much if I don't have my phone. I keep it in the car though! Um, not so sure about sweat proof, but I use it in the kitchen when I cook if I need to look up a recipe or something. I keep it in one of those hardshell cases. I tend to drop mine now and then! That seems to protect it very well! It has a clip that will hold under most circumstances (except jumping rope). I'm sure if you use an armband, it will stay dry and you shouldn't have to worry about it getting wet.

Hey Tricia. I just looked into the Iphone, . . do you HAVE to use AT & T? That might be a problem since my verizon contract does not end till Feb 2010.

 

[horseshowmom]

The JUKE is a Verizon phone

 

[janie1234]

The JUKE is a Verizon phone

Is the Juke easy to use? Thanks.

 

[syzygy314]

Hey Tricia. I just looked into the Iphone, . . do you HAVE to use AT & T? That might be a problem since my verizon contract does not end till Feb 2010.

Hi Janie!

Oops! Yes, that could be a problem if you're looking to do something right away. Unfortunately, they are strictly with AT&T right now. There are plans to expand the service to other providers, but we probably won't see that happen for another year, maybe two. My DH can't wait! He wants to go with Verizon eventually. Apple really shot themselves in the foot with that one. Not that it hurt their sales any, but they would have seen even bigger numbers if iPhone users had more of a choice!

 

[Miss Lee]

Janie, I know your predicament. I wanted the iPhone in the WORST way, but I, too, have a contract with Verizon. I went ahead and got an iPhone because I LOVE it so much, and when the day comes that Verizon and Apple reach an agreement, and I think they will, I'll probably stop the AT&T service.

I have to say, Verizon's service is WAY better than AT&T's. They have better coverage. I had to go out of town over the weekend where there was no AT&T service and I was so irritated that I couldn't use my iPhone! That rarely happens with Verizon.

If you run, you'll absolutely love the iPhone 3Gs. It has a built in Nike sensor and it is SO COOL!!!!

It is not waterproof but I believe you can find waterproof cases.

ETA clarity -- I have BOTH an iPhone with AT&T and a Verizon phone. I can't get rid of my Verizon phone because I need good coverage and they service more areas. I just got the most basic plan Verizon offers and my bill is only about $40 a month.

 

[janie1234]

Janie, I know your predicament. I wanted the iPhone in the WORST way, but I, too, have a contract with Verizon. I went ahead and got an iPhone because I LOVE it so much, and when the day comes that Verizon and Apple reach an agreement, and I think they will, I'll probably stop the AT&T service.

I have to say, Verizon's service is WAY better than AT&T's. They have better coverage. I had to go out of town over the weekend where there was no AT&T service and I was so irritated that I couldn't use my iPhone! That rarely happens with Verizon.

If you run, you'll absolutely love the iPhone 3Gs. It has a built in Nike sensor and it is SO COOL!!!!

It is not waterproof but I believe you can find waterproof cases.

ETA clarity -- I have BOTH an iPhone with AT&T and a Verizon phone. I can't get rid of my Verizon phone because I need good coverage and they service more areas. I just got the most basic plan Verizon offers and my bill is only about $40 a month.

Michele, . .this is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you so much. I totally agree with Verizon having better coverage.
I too have the $40 a month plan with verizon, . .I only use my phone for emergencies so I didn't need all the minutes.
I know that there are a lot of different AT & T plans but do they have affordable plans? I just may have to copy cat you and get both. Do you think the $99 Iphone has enough space for movies and music?
Thanks again!