Carrying Pepper Spray

[mucknort]

I would never recommend to anyone to carry a firearm while bike riding, or anywhere in public for that matter.  I wish a keyboard had the sarcasm key or something along those lines.  It was merely a jest, and I hope it was received that way.  Pepper spray is a great idea, just be sure not to carry anything you don't intend to use. 

There are plenty of "smilies" available to ensure folks recognize your post as being sarcastic. I took your post as a serious endorsement to carry firearms, since I've read too many posts from gun nuts on other forums who are deadly serious.

[clark1]

me too, I always carry my pepper spray. Just to be sure if there are bad people will come, I have my personal self defense.

[ronnie421]

I'm just curious... I am planning my very first TA tour next year (I cant wait!) with my girlfriend and I do have a concealed handgun permit from the State of Texas.  But does anyone know someone or know OF someone who has ever been robbed of their equipment, bikes, supplies, etc. by worthless punks just looking for something "cool" to do while way out in the middle of nowhere and police assistance is miles away? There ARE people who will do that, I'm sure.  And I dont plan on shooting anyone if all they want is our stuff.  A person's life (even a bad person) is not worth taking if all he wants is our stuff.  Let them take it. All our stuff is replaceable... bikes and all.   I'm sure someone will help out and give us a ride to the next town to get help and plan a way to get home.  But I am traveling with my girlfriend. She is a highly attractive 22 year old that I would die if I was not able to defend her IF these creeps decided that they wanted MORE than our stuff. Out in the middle of nowhere? No help for miles and miles away? Maybe its a bigger picture in my head than it should be, but has this ever happened to anyone? I never leave my HOUSE without my SIG P220 .45 cal strapped to my hip.  I cant imagine leaving the STATE without it.     

[tonythomson]

I find this fascinating as of course here in UK we don't carry any kind of weapon.  I have cycled most places around the world and as yet have never encountered any situation needing to take up arms.  I did develop the snear that  guy from Hill Street Blues used  but that just made people laugh.

Of course you need to be aware of who  is around and use your common sense for your own protection.  I always work on the assumption that if it doesn't feel OK move on.  I think you have to be very unlucky to meet these characters out in the country side, more danger from a passing truck.  There are many women travelling by bike alone out there maybe they can give good advise.  I have also spent a lot of time in the USA, cycled across twice and  all the people I have met have been great  - never felt once in any danger. 

I agree material things can be replaced and no one is worth getting hurt for them. 

Now dogs are a different thing, right p in the a.  But I like the get off and confront them with a loud command way of doing things, or use them to your advantage if going up hill, amazing how it helps you reach the top having one snapping at your heals.

Ronnie and girl friend have a great trip and enjoy - they're not really out to get you.
Tony

[ronnie421]

Thanks Tony,...

Maybe those are some words that I just needed to hear (read).  I'm not overly paranoid over it or anything.  I dont let that thought consume my whole trip.  But it has occasionally crossed my mind.  Well, maybe I won't carry.  Maybe just a good can of pepper spray for the four legged creeps!     

[mikedirectory2]

I find this fascinating as of course here in UK we don't carry any kind of weapon.  I have cycled most places around the world and as yet have never encountered any situation needing to take up arms.  I did develop the snear that  guy from Hill Street Blues used  but that just made people laugh.

Of course you need to be aware of who  is around and use your common sense for your own protection.  I always work on the assumption that if it doesn't feel OK move on.  I think you have to be very unlucky to meet these characters out in the country side, more danger from a passing truck.  There are many women travelling by bike alone out there maybe they can give good advise.  I have also spent a lot of time in the USA, cycled across twice and  all the people I have met have been great  - never felt once in any danger. 

I agree material things can be replaced and no one is worth getting hurt for them. 

Now dogs are a different thing, right p in the a.  But I like the get off and confront them with a loud command way of doing things, or use them to your advantage if going up hill, amazing how it helps you reach the top having one snapping at your heals.

Ronnie and girl friend have a great trip and enjoy - they're not really out to get you.
Tony

Good advice!

[driftlessregion]

Don't bring your concealed weapon here to Wisconsin. We're still somewhat civilized and concealed carry is illegal.

Now to your question, being robbed the way you describe is extremely rare. The tales of anything like this far exceed the reality and yet I have never heard of a case.

[tearlach]

Well, here we go again. First, best response to a dog: stop and yell. Works almost every time. If you use spray, get a BIG jug, you want to hit the dog before you run out. As for Wisconsin, the laws have changed. Keep up. As for the UK, highest rate of violent assault in the world. Enough said. If you are out in nowhere,  you are alone and on your own. No cops, no help. They can do what they want, unless you can stop them. Different states have different laws, check if TX has reciprocity with the state in question. I carry all the time, I am civilized, educated, and experienced. I choose to defend myself. If you don't, fine. I am not a gun nut. Just been alive over half a century and seen some bad things happen. If you have not, cool. As for Iderho, that first paragraph was cute. Really. You should write for a junior high paper. Some years ago, I was in your state. Had to shoot and kill a man committing a rape at a roadside rest in broad daylight. Don't tell me about Idaho. Thanks.

[tonythomson]

"Easy Tiger"  don't take Davids amusing comments to heart, we all love them.  As for us peace loving bunch over here in UK well I agree like all countries there are places you just do not go at night (unfortunately) but they are not the kind of places you would be cycling in anyway.  So let's leave the paranoia behind and enjoy our riding - (maybe enhanced a little by spraying a pooch now and again for fun)

[Tourista829]

This whole thread has become truly crazy. I believe if you carry a hand gun, someday you will use it. I know someone who did. He was a former police officer and faced civil and criminal prosecution. In 40 years of cycling, although I have kept Halt on my stem, or now with the thicker stems, put it on the side of my handle bar bag, I have never had to use it. I do not like to outrun dogs because I also know of another person that was seriously injured when the dog got tangled in his front wheel. Common sense is the key to a safe resolution. Like the others, if it is a difficult situation, I stop, put the bike between me and the dog(s) and depending on the dog, determines what tone I use. I sometimes take a couple of Milk Bone snacks and throw them about ten feet away. I have had good success with that. Animals are abused enough, I am not going to contribute to it, unless I have no other choice. I have read somewhere that bicycle wheels emit a high frequency that irritate the dogs. Answering your original question, like another respondent said, I took my Jandd handle bar bag to a shoemaker, since it didn't have side pockets, and he sewed an elastic band, on the right side and I simply clip the Halt to it

[weight loss log]

Yeah the one with the clip is definitly the best for me at least.

[10speed]

This whole thread has become truly crazy.

And I love it    

most entertainment this forum has offered yet

[mucknort]

I have read somewhere that bicycle wheels emit a high frequency that irritate the dogs.

Oooh, never heard of that one. Sounds like a good one to submit to Mythbusters!

[tonythomson]

"I have read somewhere that bicycle wheels emit a high frequency that irritate the dogs."

Is that a bit like dog whistles are such high frequency that they are inaudible to the human ear.  And all these years I never realised my dog was whistling at me!

Seriously it would be good to know what about bikes cause dogs to go bananas - Set a dog off the other day and there was no way he could have seen me.

[Tourista829]

I actually heard it from our veterinarian. At the time, it sounded as good as any of the above explanations. I guess it is time to change vets LOL.