"Protection" necessary?

[mzimmerm]

What are thoughts on the need for "Protection" on a ride in California and Oregon (adventure cycling routes) in May? My wife and I on the Bike for a month on the road/ campgrounds/ B&B's/ Warmshowers/ etc.  Dogs/animals/unwanted humans etc.
-No need
-Mace
-club
-horn
-heavy artillery
??

[BrianW]

Didn't you already ask this in your other thread? Why repost?

[mzimmerm]

Still no real response.

[mzimmerm]

My apologies. There were responses on the other thread that I missed. It wasn't necessary to repost. I'm new to the site and apparently impatient.

[zerodish]

Good luck with that the parks have had so many problems with the homeless many of them will not allow a cyclist to stay at a campground. That said watch out for snakes coming out of the showers they are attracted to the water. In the dryer areas there are scorpions they like to hide under rocks so be careful what you touch making camp. Scorpions don't like a bunch of commotion so they will eventually leave. Coyotes are not a problem they will give you a wide berth. I've never been bitten by a dog and I chase them back in the yard if they get too aggressive. A hunter took a shot at me on highway 395 I saw it hit the rock face but decided not to hang around and find the bullet.  The drug addicts will grab and run with anything not nailed down I've seen it happen with a cyclist standing a foot from the bicycle. The worlds greatest tourer Ian Hibell said it's best to look poor so the thieves will leave you alone.   

[DaveB]

A hunter took a shot at me on highway 395 I saw it hit the rock face but decided not to hang around and find the bullet.

Are you sure you weren't a bit too near a meth lab or a pot field?  Those people are rather protective of their "crops" and California has lots of them.

[Grumpybear]

I live in California and have toured in various parts of both Oregon and California. I have never needed any sort of "protection". There has been a few camp sites that no longer have hiker-biker sites due to the homeless problem. I've run into two, one in Pismo Beach, Ca. and the other in Carlsbad, Ca.

[staehpj1]

I own a variety of firearms, but have never carried one when touring.  I definitely do not consider it necessary.

[Greg in MO]

I carry a firearm pretty much everywhere I go, and on the bike is no exception.  Is it necessary?  Probably not.  But then again I've never needed my smoke detectors or fire extinguishers either, and only very rarely needed my seat belts.  I'm still glad I have them all. 

However, if you are planning on riding in CA and OR, neither of those states are particularly gun friendly, and neither honor any other state's CCW permits.  Therefore, it is likely illegal in those states for you to carry a firearm, and it is also illegal to carry a taser apparently in CA.  Pepper spray/mace seems to be legal.

No matter what option you choose, the best defense of your person is situational awareness and not being oblivious to what is around you.

Enjoy your ride!

[staehpj1]

However, if you are planning on riding in CA and OR, neither of those states are particularly gun friendly, and neither honor any other state's CCW permits.

Additionally, there may be other places where having a firearm could be problematic.  You may want to enter some federally owned building in a national park or a post office, or what ever where it is illegal.  Also there may be towns where it is illegal.  You may want to stay with hosts.  I would feel uncomfortable carrying a firearm into someone's home without knowing they were OK with it and it is not a subject that I would care to broach with a new acquaintance who invited me into their home.  Leaving a firearm out on my bike does not seem like a good idea to me.

Then there is the weight.  Guns, even small ones are kind of heavy and I worked long and hard to get my gear weight as low as possible trimming ounces everywhere I could.

No matter what option you choose, the best defense of your person is situational awareness and not being oblivious to what is around you.

+1

[mzimmerm]

Truly excellent and helpful dialogue. It is appreciated.