I love getting lost but perhaps consider we all should consider planned routes?
 

I love to jump on my bike with no particular destination, see a new road and decide to take it to see where it leads, BUT lately I've been reading about so many bikers while out riding alone crashing and not being found until days later has me thinking that if I am going alone then perhaps I should have a planned route and let my wife and/or others know along with an expected return time. That way if too much time passes and no one has heard from me, they at least know which route/direction to begin any searches.

I don't push as hard when alone but still things happen. There are some nasty places along the side of the mountain roads where only hunters may find you and passing cars can not see you.

I've heard about other things such as gps on your cell phone, some sort of technology that pinpoints your location(can't recall the name though) What other technology or safeguards do you all know of?

I hate reading stories about fallen riders who could have possibly lived with sooner intervention.

Sorry just realized I messed up the title, should read I love getting lost but perhaps we all should consider planned routes

The GPS system you are probably thinking about is called SPOT. I am thinking about getting one.

http://www.findmespot.com/en/

I have a friend with one that really likes it and have ready stories online of it helping, saving people on ADV rider. It still has its flaws (have to been in direct line with sky) but its better than nothing.

I've got the GPS on my phone so my hubby can see where I am at, in a non creepy sort of way, primarily so if I am out riding by myself and turn up missing, he has a good idea where I was. If I am out of phone signal range however I dont think it will work...

Planned routes are a great idea for solo riders. Until I moved, I never worried about being solo, but I feel ya. Now, if I do go riding it will be alone and its not a bad thought to make sure someone can find me.

When I am going to take a long ride by myself, I usually leave a note with the route I intend to take, at home in case I don't come back. I always deviate from it somewhat, but at least there is an idea of the area I'm in anyway.

Not really completely bike related, but goes along with the theme here - when I run I leave a note or text or something for Erik letting him know that I left, which route I took and how many miles I'm running (he can approx time from that). I also have a RoadID on me that velcros to my shoes lace with my name/address/phone/contact/blood type.

The only time I ride alone is when I go to work and Erik knows I go the main roads. I always send him a quick text or email when I get there so he knows. He can be a worry wart.

My brother does a lot of solo hiking and has some sort of thing that you press the button and it lets people know where you are and you're hurt. Its sold with camping stuff.

Yeah your phone is screwed outside of signal range.

Spot will work anywhere as long as you can see sky. Especially if you have off road routes planned. That's probably why I am going to pick it up.

I have GPS on my phone too, but it doesn't share my location with anyone else. What program do you use to broadcast your location to your husband's phone? Is there a subscription fee?

Its called the AT&T family map. I think it only works with phones on your plan or those you give permission to, but Im not certain of the specifics, he plays with it, I rarely do.