Hopefully Lesson Learnt To Take A Phone

[Flick of the Elbow]

I once suffered an irreparable mechanical 30 miles from the start of an audax, middle of nowhere. I didn't have a phone and had to abandon the bike but managed to get back to the car ok, you find ways and means when you have to.

 

[snorri]

What do you do if you're miles from nowhere and you have an unfixable mechanical?

Set up the tent and prepare a meal, while it is cooking there is time to consider the situation in a calm frame of mind. Usually some sort of solution evolves before I've got the dirty dishes washed and dried.

 

[400bhp]

Set up the tent and prepare a meal, while it is cooking there is time to consider the situation in a calm frame of mind. Usually some sort of solution evolves before I've got the dirty dishes washed and dried.

Yes, take a huge tent and cooking utensils, but not a phone that can weigh about 100g and the size of a large matchbox.

That makes perfect sense

 

[400bhp]

Simple, you flag down a passing motorist, they usually have a phone

So, for the sake of carrying something that weighs 100g and can fit in your back pocket, you'd rather rely on the luck of flagging down a passing motorist who you then expect to (a) allow you to use their phone, (b) fit you (perhaps slightly bloody or dirty) and your bike to a location of your choice or (c) bum you.

Sounds a sensible reason not to carry a 100g phone.

 

[screenman]

I have my business phone and my cycling phone, guess which one is left at home when riding.
I carry a phone at all times when out, not just for myself but for anybody else I come across who may need it. Just the same as spare bike tubes and a pump is in my car, for the benefit of the less prepared who may need them.

 

[nickyboy]

Not carrying a phone.......join the 21st century Grandad.

Often in the middle of nowhere cycling on my own. If I have a mechanical or, worse still, an accident, the phone is essential. It's also a useful backup navigation tool if the Garmin plays up

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

Some of us are quite happy to not join the 21st century thank you very much

 

[Kookas]

I carry my phone everywhere, goes in the saddle bag when I'm riding. But I wouldn't rely on it for ICE details - they're pretty fragile things, after all.

 

[screenman]

Some of us are quite happy to not join the 21st century thank you very much

That is funny or at least it put a smile on my face. I take it you do not use modern things like the internet.

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

Not when I'm riding my bike, no

 

[Mr Celine]

Or if you come across someone ill or injured, as working telephone boxes are becoming rare.

Sometimes having a working method of communication is pointless, because the person at the other end simply doesn't listen.
I've already pointed out that I often ride in areas WITHOUT A MOBILE PHONE SIGNAL. There have never been any phone boxes in these areas either. Did no one ride a bike before mobile phones were invented? If I have a mechanical I fix it. If I couldn't fix it I'd just have to walk.

 

[Hacienda71]

I was quite glad I had my phone with me a couple of weeks ago when my qr skewer snapped.

 

[John the Canuck]

got a red medical dog-tag from eBay

4 lines engraved - was £3 i think

my name
blood type/allergies
contact name
phone number

 

[screenman]

For the size and what they weigh and the massive benefits that can be gained by having one on you, I just cannot see a reason not to carry one. However like the helmet threads I am happy for people to make their own choices.

Not forgetting of course should you ever need assistance somebody with a phone will be along very shortly, not many place are that remote in the UK.

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

And I rely exclusively on paper maps too.