Lilly's Unsafe Encounter on her Long-Distance Tour
Lilly’s Ride: A Scare on the Mississippi River Route Quick Take: Even the most confident cyclists can face danger on the road. Lilly’s story reminds us why instincts, awareness, and action matter when safety is on the line. Lilly loved cycling — the wind in her hair, the sun on her face, the hum of tires on open road. The bike was her freedom, her reset button, her way to test herself against the miles. But even freedom has its risks, especially for women riding alone. One afternoon, while pedaling along the Mississippi River route, she noticed a car staying just a little too close behind her. When she glanced back, the driver — a man — was staring at her. The kind of stare that makes your stomach tighten. Her pulse jumped. She shifted up and rode harder, but the car didn’t back off. The road stretched empty ahead, nowhere to turn, and every instinct screamed that something was wrong. Lilly eased to the shoulder, pulled out her phone, and called 911. The dispatcher ke...
