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Anyone carry pepper spray while riding?

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rec.bicycles.soc
Published
17 June 2004
Last activity
31 July 2004
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J999w
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  1. Not so much for dogs ... I'll either spray some Gatorade on them or wack them
    with my pump ... but more for when encountering rowdy kids just starting their
    summer vacation, have had a few too many cans of beer, and getting just a
    little too abusive while half hanging out of the window of their friend's car.

    Had such an encounter tonight while out riding about 10:30pm (sometimes 'ya
    gotta ride whenever you can). Now, I'm a big guy (6'5" and 200+ lbs) and
    normally don't get harrassed, but every once and a while I come across some
    buzzed social bottom feeder feeling brave and is ready to take on the 'faggy
    bicyclist'. My normal reaction is to flip them the finger, or give them a
    stream of expletives and some suggestions of physical impossible feats, but I
    fear that some hot night, when I'm out riding, I'll come across someone looking
    for a fight and I'm thinking that the full water bottle I bounce off their car
    will just entice them more and I'm going to need an edge (something legal).

    Anyone carry pepper spray? Ever use it? What kind?

    Thanks.

    jw
    Milwaukee

  2. "J999w" <[email hidden]> schreef in bericht
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:


    Anyone carry pepper spray? Ever use it? What kind?

    Thanks.

    jw
    Milwaukee

    http://www.roseversand.de/rose_main.cfm?cid=160&spr_id=1&mid=0&vip=0&art=0


  3. Quoted message said:

    Anyone carry pepper spray? Ever use it? What kind?

    Ruger GP-100 4in barrel, stainless.
    148gr. FJHP Federal Hydroshock
    Gun control - The ability to put two rounds through the same hole.

  4. I carry Halt to deal with dogs, but my Air Zound horn works just as well. I
    suppose the Halt would work pretty well against two legged predators, but my
    tiny little North American Arms 22 revolver will work better.

  5. J999w said:

    Anyone carry pepper spray? Ever use it? What kind?

    I started carrying Halt! after a homeless guy took a swing at
    me with his cane as I was riding by (he missed). I never did
    use it though. I was using that clip they make for it and
    about 6 months after I bought it, it fell off when I was on a
    long fast downhill. I haven't replaced it. I recomend not
    using that clip. I seem to get more threats from drivers who
    can roll their windows up and render it ineffective. Loose
    dogs are rare where I ride.

  6. Bill Davidson <[email hidden]> wrote in news:OE1Bc.8231$tC5.7408
    @fed1read02:

    Quoted message said:
    J999w said:

    Anyone carry pepper spray? Ever use it? What kind?

    I seem to get more threats from drivers who
    can roll their windows up and render it ineffective. Loose
    dogs are rare where I ride.

    In front of the windshield is the air intake vents. Some pepper spray
    directed to this area would be forced into the vehicle by the ventilation
    system regardless of whether the windows are up or not. I think most
    vehicles have some flow-through ventilation even if the system is
    switched off.

    --
    Mike DeMicco <[email hidden]>

  7. "J999w" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Not so much for dogs ... I'll either spray some Gatorade on them or wack


    them

    Quoted message said:

    with my pump ... but more for when encountering rowdy kids just starting


    their

    Quoted message said:

    summer vacation, have had a few too many cans of beer, and getting just a
    little too abusive while half hanging out of the window of their friend's


    car.

    Quoted message said:


    Had such an encounter tonight while out riding about 10:30pm (sometimes


    'ya

    Quoted message said:

    gotta ride whenever you can). Now, I'm a big guy (6'5" and 200+ lbs) and
    normally don't get harrassed, but every once and a while I come across


    some

    Quoted message said:

    buzzed social bottom feeder feeling brave and is ready to take on the


    'faggy

    Quoted message said:

    bicyclist'. My normal reaction is to flip them the finger, or give them a
    stream of expletives and some suggestions of physical impossible feats,


    but I

    Quoted message said:

    fear that some hot night, when I'm out riding, I'll come across someone


    looking

    Quoted message said:

    for a fight and I'm thinking that the full water bottle I bounce off their


    car

    Quoted message said:

    will just entice them more and I'm going to need an edge (something


    legal).

    Quoted message said:


    Anyone carry pepper spray? Ever use it? What kind?

    Thanks.

    jw
    Milwaukee

    Colt .380 Mustang Pocketlite w/ 102 gr Golden Sabre ammo. Started carrying
    it all of the time (legally with gun permit) after 2 drunken hoofties tried
    to run me off of the road with their pickup truck.

  8. Mike,

    This is a pretty dangerous recommendation. Drivers of the ilk under
    discussion lack the talent to drive safely in the first place. Rendering
    them effectively blind in this manner could present a serious danger to a
    significant number of people. Even if you could prove you acted in
    self-defense, I think it likely that should the driver subsequently injure
    someone due to impairment, the responsibility would not land there.

    Despite their lack of skills, I cannot advocate the use of violence against
    drivers. Even the insolent hand gesture does nothing to improve my mood and
    potentially escalates a no-win situation into one where injuries may occur.
    Since I adopted a more mellow response to dangerous drivers, I find that I
    often forget about them and forget to even discuss them after the ride is
    over. Oh, I still mumble something under my breath while smiling and waving
    at them, but I am amused, rather than angry, at them when they look at me
    with total bewilderment.

    There may be times where weapons, sprays, or bad attitudes are an
    understandable response (I doubt, for example, that I'd be any too mellow if
    someone actually hit me), but most of the time, I find that I feel better
    about myself and the world, as a whole, if I just let it go.

    Rick

    "Mike DeMicco" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Bill Davidson <[email hidden]> wrote in news:OE1Bc.8231$tC5.7408
    @fed1read02:

    Quoted message said:
    J999w said:

    Anyone carry pepper spray? Ever use it? What kind?

    I seem to get more threats from drivers who
    can roll their windows up and render it ineffective. Loose
    dogs are rare where I ride.

    In front of the windshield is the air intake vents. Some pepper spray
    directed to this area would be forced into the vehicle by the ventilation
    system regardless of whether the windows are up or not. I think most
    vehicles have some flow-through ventilation even if the system is
    switched off.

    --
    Mike DeMicco <[email hidden]>

  9. J999w said:

    Not so much for dogs ... I'll either spray some Gatorade on them or wack
    them with my pump ... but more for when encountering rowdy kids just
    starting their summer vacation, have had a few too many cans of beer,
    and getting just a little too abusive while half hanging out of the
    window of their friend's car.
    Had such an encounter tonight while out riding about 10:30pm (sometimes
    'ya gotta ride whenever you can). Now, I'm a big guy (6'5" and 200+ lbs)
    and normally don't get harrassed, but every once and a while I come
    across some buzzed social bottom feeder feeling brave and is ready to
    take on the 'faggy bicyclist'. My normal reaction is to flip them the
    finger, or give them a stream of expletives and some suggestions of
    physical impossible feats, but I fear that some hot night, when I'm out
    riding, I'll come across someone looking for a fight and I'm thinking
    that the full water bottle I bounce off their car will just entice them
    more and I'm going to need an edge (something legal).
    Anyone carry pepper spray? Ever use it? What kind?
    Thanks.
    jw Milwaukee

    You're not one of those guys who rides in the road, even though there' a
    bike lane, are you? Many people get freaked out because of people on
    bicycles. Many are just idiots. But most don't want to hurt us. Those
    that do don't deserve a bullet (as many on this thread have basically
    siggested, and which, honestly at times, I might have condoned myself, I
    am after all a cyclist), but should be ignored.

    Now, if some big ass dude comes up to you and wants to kick your ass
    simply because your riding a bicycle, then call the cops (you do take
    your cell phone with you when you ride, right?)

    --

  10. zperrys said:

    Now, if some big ass dude comes up to you and wants to kick your ass
    simply because your riding a bicycle, then call the cops (you do take
    your cell phone with you when you ride, right?)

    And what good will that do, aside from getting medical attention
    more quickly? Do you think the cops are capable of protecting you
    if you call them when you're already under attack?
    Seems the only two choices are being prepared to defend yourself
    or fleeing from danger.
    Mitch.

  11. In article <[email hidden]>, George

    Quoted message said:

    "J999w" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Not so much for dogs ... I'll either spray some Gatorade on them or wack


    them

    Quoted message said:

    with my pump ... but more for when encountering rowdy kids just starting


    their

    Quoted message said:

    summer vacation, have had a few too many cans of beer, and getting just a
    little too abusive while half hanging out of the window of their friend's


    car.

    Quoted message said:


    Had such an encounter tonight while out riding about 10:30pm (sometimes


    'ya

    Quoted message said:

    gotta ride whenever you can). Now, I'm a big guy (6'5" and 200+ lbs) and
    normally don't get harrassed, but every once and a while I come across


    some

    Quoted message said:

    buzzed social bottom feeder feeling brave and is ready to take on the


    'faggy

    Quoted message said:

    bicyclist'. My normal reaction is to flip them the finger, or give them a
    stream of expletives and some suggestions of physical impossible feats,


    but I

    Quoted message said:

    fear that some hot night, when I'm out riding, I'll come across someone


    looking

    Quoted message said:

    for a fight and I'm thinking that the full water bottle I bounce off their


    car

    Quoted message said:

    will just entice them more and I'm going to need an edge (something


    legal).

    Quoted message said:


    Anyone carry pepper spray? Ever use it? What kind?

    Thanks.

    jw
    Milwaukee

    Colt .380 Mustang Pocketlite w/ 102 gr Golden Sabre ammo. Started carrying
    it all of the time (legally with gun permit) after 2 drunken hoofties tried
    to run me off of the road with their pickup truck.

    What, you going to shoot them as they drive away next time? (Not that
    they don't deserve it but I can't see the gun being of much value in
    this context.)

    Quoted message said:


    --
    James P. Spencer
    Rochester, MN

    "Badges?? We don't need no stinkin badges!"

  12. James Spencer said:

    What, you going to shoot them as they drive away next time? (Not that
    they don't deserve it but I can't see the gun being of much value in
    this context.)

    About all you can do is have it ready in case they come around again.
    If somebody nearly strikes you with a 2 ton blunt object, and then
    turns around and aims it at you again, I'd consider that a good reason
    to respond with force.
    Mitch.

  13. Gooserider said:

    I carry Halt to deal with dogs, but my Air Zound horn works just as
    well. I suppose the Halt would work pretty well against two legged
    predators, but my tiny little North American Arms 22 revolver will
    work better.

    What kind of ammo do you carry in that thing for dogs? Snake shot?

  14. zperrys said:

    You're not one of those guys who rides in the road, even though
    there' a bike lane, are you? Many people get freaked out because of

    In my state, there is no provision that states you *must* use the bike lane
    if there is one. Bicycles are just as much vehicles as cars, (pardon me, no
    one drives 'cars' anymore...) SUV's are.

    Quoted message said:

    people on bicycles. Many are just idiots. But most don't want to hurt
    us. Those
    that do don't deserve a bullet (as many on this thread have basically

    What [censored] planet are you living on? Anyone who has choosen to use their
    vehicle to attack me, deserves a bullet. Preferably two.

    Quoted message said:

    siggested, and which, honestly at times, I might have condoned
    myself, I
    am after all a cyclist), but should be ignored.

    That's right, just ignore the people that suggested that the use of force in
    response to an attack by a two-ton moron-piloted vehicle is justified. Just
    lie down and let them run you over next time. God forbid you actually
    defend yourself. Grow some balls, dude!

    Quoted message said:

    Now, if some big ass dude comes up to you and wants to kick your ass
    simply because your riding a bicycle, then call the cops (you do take
    your cell phone with you when you ride, right?)

    Riiiight, and Mr. Big Ass Dude will very patiently wait for you to fumble
    out your phone, call 911 and wait while you describe him, the situation, and
    your location. I'm sure his fear of the police will freeze him in his
    tracks. Fight or flight, those are your only two choices in that situation.
    I prefer to have to have both options.

    Where do you live? I would much rather be there than here in the real
    world.

    Regards,
    H.

  15. J999w said:

    Not so much for dogs ... I'll either spray some Gatorade on them or
    wack them with my pump ... but more for when encountering rowdy kids
    just starting their summer vacation, have had a few too many cans of
    beer, and getting just a little too abusive while half hanging out of
    the window of their friend's car.

    Had such an encounter tonight while out riding about 10:30pm
    (sometimes 'ya gotta ride whenever you can). Now, I'm a big guy (6'5"
    and 200+ lbs) and normally don't get harrassed, but every once and a
    while I come across some buzzed social bottom feeder feeling brave
    and is ready to take on the 'faggy bicyclist'. My normal reaction is
    to flip them the finger, or give them a stream of expletives and some
    suggestions of physical impossible feats, but I fear that some hot
    night, when I'm out riding, I'll come across someone looking for a
    fight and I'm thinking that the full water bottle I bounce off their
    car will just entice them more and I'm going to need an edge
    (something legal).

    Anyone carry pepper spray? Ever use it? What kind?

    Thanks.

    jw
    Milwaukee

    If I were to carry something non-lethal other than a gun, I think I would
    probably prefer a air-powered cartridge loaded taser (the kind that looks
    like a gun and shoots 15 feet,*NOT* the cheap contact kind) over a can of
    pepper spray. I believe that they're legal to carry concealed in most
    states without a license. They require some training and practice to use
    effectively, but the training is easy to get.

    People who are enraged (or just pumped on adrenaline) and/or on drugs can
    still function and continue attacking you even after being sprayed
    (especially with consumer-grade sprays), whereas 50,000 volts will stop
    anything short of a bull elephant dead in his tracks.

    I have been trained to use both, and when facing a single attacker, I would
    feel much more confident of stopping an attacker with a taser in my hand
    than a can of pepper spray, but that's just me. If you are facing multiple
    attackers, then I might give the nod to the spray, assuming you are properly
    trained and practice it's use.

    Regards,
    H.

  16. "Gooserider" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I carry Halt to deal with dogs, but my Air Zound horn works just as well.


    I

    Quoted message said:

    suppose the Halt would work pretty well against two legged predators, but


    my

    Quoted message said:

    tiny little North American Arms 22 revolver will work better.

    With all due respect, your NAA mini revolver is a cute, fun little toy, but
    I would hope you would never consider one to be a serious defense weapon.

    Dave

  17. Raoul Duke said:

    "Gooserider" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I carry Halt to deal with dogs, but my Air Zound horn works just as
    well. I suppose the Halt would work pretty well against two legged
    predators, but my tiny little North American Arms 22 revolver will
    work better.

    With all due respect, your NAA mini revolver is a cute, fun little
    toy, but I would hope you would never consider one to be a serious
    defense weapon.

    Dave

    Well, in context, if I had to choose only one between a can of Halt!, an air
    horn, or a NAA .22 revolver, I'd take the (tiny) revolver over the other two
    choices, although I think that there are much better choices for a carry gun
    available.

    Dogs are usually pretty easy to scare off, so I'd probably prefer to have
    two choices, one for two-legged perpetrators, and one for the four-legged
    kind. Oddly enough, the thought of shooting a dog disturbs me a great deal
    more than a person. I'd much prefer to use a non-lethal form of persuasion
    on our four-legged friends.

    Regards,
    H.

  18. "J999w" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Not so much for dogs ... I'll either spray some Gatorade on them or wack


    them

    Quoted message said:

    with my pump ... but more for when encountering rowdy kids just starting


    their

    Quoted message said:

    summer vacation, have had a few too many cans of beer, and getting just a
    little too abusive while half hanging out of the window of their friend's


    car.

    Quoted message said:


    Had such an encounter tonight while out riding about 10:30pm (sometimes


    'ya

    Quoted message said:

    gotta ride whenever you can). Now, I'm a big guy (6'5" and 200+ lbs) and
    normally don't get harrassed, but every once and a while I come across


    some

    Quoted message said:

    buzzed social bottom feeder feeling brave and is ready to take on the


    'faggy

    Quoted message said:

    bicyclist'. My normal reaction is to flip them the finger, or give them a
    stream of expletives and some suggestions of physical impossible feats,


    but I

    Quoted message said:

    fear that some hot night, when I'm out riding, I'll come across someone


    looking

    Quoted message said:

    for a fight and I'm thinking that the full water bottle I bounce off their


    car

    Quoted message said:

    will just entice them more and I'm going to need an edge (something


    legal).

    Quoted message said:


    Anyone carry pepper spray? Ever use it? What kind?

    Thanks.

    jw
    Milwaukee

    Yes...I carry "10% Pepper Spray". Halt might be OK for dogs, but it is very
    weak pepper spray, and would not be a good choice against two-legged
    varmints.

    A small pepper spray fits neatly in the jersey pocket and can be deployed
    quickly. I've used it several times on dogs, and the effect is impressive.
    They seem to immediately lose all interest in chasing me, and sometimes go
    to the side of the road to rub their muzzles in the grass. They don't
    whimper or cry, so I'm assuming it doesn't hurt them too much.

    I've never used it on a person, but I've seen it used by a cop on a
    belligerent drunk and feel comforted by how "persuasive" the pepper can be.

    ~_-*
    ....G/ \G
    http://www.CycliStats.com
    CycliStats - Software for Cyclists

  19. Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    Now, if some big ass dude comes up to you and wants to kick your ass
    simply because your riding a bicycle, then call the cops (you do take
    your cell phone with you when you ride, right?)

    And what good will that do, aside from getting medical attention
    more quickly? Do you think the cops are capable of protecting you
    if you call them when you're already under attack?
    Seems the only two choices are being prepared to defend yourself
    or fleeing from danger.
    Mitch.

    I agree. The phone is good if you've got time to call in a license number, but
    if someone's jamming you into the curb, you've got no time for dialing.

    Do I ride the bike lane? Sure if it's not full of gravel, or mud from the last
    rain. Otherwise I have no problem taking a full lane until it's safe to move
    right again.

    I'll let 'yall know what kind of spray I end up buying.

    jw (j999w)
    Milwaukee

  20. "Raoul Duke" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:


    "Gooserider" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I carry Halt to deal with dogs, but my Air Zound horn works just as


    well.

    Quoted message said:

    I

    Quoted message said:

    suppose the Halt would work pretty well against two legged predators,


    but

    Quoted message said:

    my

    Quoted message said:

    tiny little North American Arms 22 revolver will work better.

    With all due respect, your NAA mini revolver is a cute, fun little toy,


    but

    Quoted message said:

    I would hope you would never consider one to be a serious defense weapon.

    Dave

    I wouldn't want to get shot with one. It's a last ditch option which fits
    nicely in a jersey pocket. Is it the equal of my Kahr P9? No. But a single
    22 shot is likely to be enough to deter anybody. Or at least give me time to
    get away.

    Mike

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