Before I got into cycling, this was exactly what I did, on my own. I bought an Ordnance Survey map of the area I lived in, planned routes and off I went. I’d finish work at 5 and head off (in the summer) and catch a bus home. I lived in a city so a circular walk wouldn’t have been much fun. Weekends I’d get the bus or train further afield into the local national park. This was in the days before mobile phones were common place, likewise GPS units weren’t really a thing. That makes me sound old, but it was only 15 years ago. At the time I also lived alone. So nobody knew where I was or when I’d be back. ‘Safety’ issues of being a lone woman in remote places never even crossed my mind. Needless to say I had absolutely no problems. I did grow up with parents who’d do this kind of thing with me and as a teenager I was a member of a wonderful walking group. So I’ve always had that sense and spirit of adventure and known the only limiter is my body.
Now I cycle for leisure rather than walk. I don’t think twice about going out alone, in the dark. I’m self sufficient in the sense that if I get into difficulties (flat, mechanical) I can fix it on the road.
The only precaution I take is ensuring I have adequate clothing for the conditions, including ‘worst case scenario’ (a survival bag if walking and a waterproof jacket if cycling). Ensuring I have a map if I’m not familiar with the area (stupid relying on technology!). Adequate food and water. Emergency food (usually a few gels) to be eaten if I start to bonk to get me home. If I’m on the bike - tools, pump, patches etc. Cash and a credit card.
Now I have a child I yearn for adventuring again alone. I had planned a week long backpacking trip, camping wild in the Pyrenees last year, also flying my bike out somewhere remote abroad and doing a solo tour, alone. Anyway Covid put pay to that! But soon!
There are some wonderful books put there by solo female adventurers which I thoroughly recommend. My favourite is a book by Emily Chappel. Emily has raced various endurance cycling events like the transcontinental. You ride completely self sufficiently, even planning your own route. There is a mass start, checkpoints to fit in along the way and an end point. The winner gets to the end first.
If you ever feel a bit wobbly/ unsure/ unsafe going off walking (or anything else) alone I really recommend reading a book like this for inspiration.
Get out there and enjoy it. It is such a blooming marvellous way to see places and experience things. There’s something utterly magic about getting somewhere entirely under your own steam via routes you’ve not travelled.