Advocacy & Safety - Arming Bicyclists

There was an article in the Columbus Dispatch earlier this week about problems unleashed dogs were causing to cyclists and pedestrians (it was in the print edition only, sorry I can't link to it). A local cycling leader was quoted as saying some of his members planned to take advantage of Ohio's new conceal-carry law, suggesting that firearms might be used if dog owners don't keep their dogs in check. Adding firearms to the mix of bicycle-car-pedestrian confrontations takes this thing to a whole new level. What do you think?

Just because a part of the population chooses to be armed, does not mean that people get shot automatically. Most of those who procure a conceal carry permt will not draw down on anyone or anything.
Of course I have found in the 10 years I rode everywhere to do everything without a motor, that a swift kick, or continue to ride got rid of dogs. It is those who stop, or try to invoke thier ego that typically get bit by dogs while on bikes.
I know this sounds harsh, but I have owned dogs for ever, and continue to do so. I have had a dog that ran with me for years while riding.
There are alternatives to guns and or mace (which never worked with my Pit Bull) like undiluted white vinegar in a spray bottle, ultrasonic trainers, etc.
However back to the original topic I think that those who wish to see a disarmed populace should move to another country. just because people have guns does not mean the end of society. My guns have never gotten up and fired by themselves. A person has t obe on the end of the trigger for that to work. Also if someone wants to damage others, and has no guns there are always other melee weapons that work.

If attacked, I'd shoot. Riding around Cleveland I've run into packs of dogs. I've not been chases yet, but I'm sure that day is comming.

I don't think you will have to worry about confrontations going to a whole new level, there is no evidence from the other 47 States that have a CCW provision that support the assertion. All the data I've seen indicates a drop in crime when concealed carry laws are introduced. Law abiding, sane, and trained individuals don't generally jeopardize themselves the way the folks at HCI/MMM would want you to think.

April 8th is the day the Sherrifs will start taking applications.

Unfortunately, I don't trust the majority of folks to share your control/reserve.




Just because a part of the population chooses to be armed, does not mean that people get shot automatically. Most of those who procure a conceal carry permt will not draw down on anyone or anything.
...
However back to the original topic I think that those who wish to see a disarmed populace should move to another country. just because people have guns does not mean the end of society. My guns have never gotten up and fired by themselves. A person has t obe on the end of the trigger for that to work. Also if someone wants to damage others, and has no guns there are always other melee weapons that work.

Unfortunately, I don't trust the majority of folks to share your control/reserve.

I can trust those who legally obtain carry permits. It is the criminal who have no regard for the law I don't trust, and there are plenty of them in our community. I guess we will have our answer within the year.

I know that in Cleveland it might be a good idea to carry a gun, especially if you are out after dark. I was aggro in-line skating in downtown Cleveland at 10:30 pm, and my buddy got mugged! They took his wallet, keys, etc. The other guy who we were skating with had a big-ass hunting knife in his car, so we got the other guy's stuff back, but still...

Our 2 ways of getting rid of chasing dogs while on our tandem:
Pilot YELLS out loud "Get off the couch!" If that does not work, stoker uses a loud whistle; which has worked.
Dogs are territorial and are protecting their turf. Having said that, some places have leash laws.
At one tandem event in Indiana a group of tandems was chased by 2 dogs; we all yelled at 'em. Then a stoker whipped a starter pistol and pulled the trigger! Instant stop for the dogs! But man, our ears hurt!
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy & Kay/Zona tandem

I know that in Cleveland it might be a good idea to carry a gun, especially if you are out after dark. I was aggro in-line skating in downtown Cleveland at 10:30 pm, and my buddy got mugged! They took his wallet, keys, etc. The other guy who we were skating with had a big-ass hunting knife in his car, so we got the other guy's stuff back, but still...

And perhaps rather than kicking someone's door in you'll just shoot them? See thread below:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=48823

Paul

When encountering a dog, hold your water bottle high and eject a stream downward either at the animal or between you and it. The typical dog will fear that some huge animal is marking territory.

I think that a gun is a horrible overreaction to a dog. There are far less lethal--and probably more effective--ways of protecting yourself against dogs. And given the road rage stories I've seen on these threads, the introduction of firearms into the situations could have left someone dead. I'll draw the line at buying dog spray.

The few times I've yelled at leash-less dog owners, I've told them that they were putting fido at risk of getting killed in a bicycle-dog accident. That kind of accident would be painful for the cyclist, but could break the back of a dog.

I will say that I carry a gun when I am touring, but no other time. Even when I am touring, I keep it unloaded during the day and load it at night. It's for protection while camping, no while cycling!

People already think bad enough about us, it's all we would need to kill an animal, or a human due to rage, even if we are in the right. They would be ready to throw the book at us!

I think that a gun is a horrible overreaction to a dog. There are far less lethal--and probably more effective--ways of protecting yourself against dogs. And given the road rage stories I've seen on these threads, the introduction of firearms into the situations could have left someone dead. I'll draw the line at buying dog spray.

The few times I've yelled at leash-less dog owners, I've told them that they were putting fido at risk of getting killed in a bicycle-dog accident. That kind of accident would be painful for the cyclist, but could break the back of a dog.

Let me make this clear so there is no confusion as to my intent in shooting a dog.

If my life is in danger, ie, If I'm getting my faced ripped off by a pit-bull, I'm trapped in a corner by a pack, or one of the hood-rats decides it is fun to play "sick-um" with their fighting dog, I will shoot the dog.

I've ridden for 35 years in more than a dozen US states in both rural areas and places like New York city, but I appear to have ridden in an entirely different America than lots of others on this board.

I've never been attacked by packs of dogs, had to defend my campsite against mauraders, or been set upon by homicidal drivers. I've had a few rude people annoy me, but not once has my life been in danger through malice.

The day I feel the need to carry a firearm while cycling or cycle camping is the day I hang up my helmet and quit.

Paul

Let me make this clear so there is no confusion as to my intent in shooting a dog.

If my life is in danger, ie, If I'm getting my faced ripped off by a pit-bull, I'm trapped in a corner by a pack, or one of the hood-rats decides it is fun to play "sick-um" with their fighting dog, I will shoot the dog.

Amen. Not to mention all other potential problems that could ensue after getting bitten by a dog with rabbies etc...

I've ridden for 35 years in more than a dozen US states in both rural areas and places like New York city, but I appear to have ridden in an entirely different America than lots of others on this board.

I've never been attacked by packs of dogs, had to defend my campsite against mauraders, or been set upon by homicidal drivers. I've had a few rude people annoy me, but not once has my life been in danger through malice.

The day I feel the need to carry a firearm while cycling or cycle camping is the day I hang up my helmet and quit.

Paul

Well said.

The day I feel the need to carry a firearm while cycling or cycle camping is the day I hang up my helmet and quit.

Paul

Not if you loved cycling as much as me! :D

I thank the good Lord every day that I live in Canada and don't have to worry about people bustin caps into doggies.

I've ridden for 35 years in more than a dozen US states in both rural areas and places like New York city, but I appear to have ridden in an entirely different America than lots of others on this board.

I've never been attacked by packs of dogs, had to defend my campsite against mauraders, or been set upon by homicidal drivers. I've had a few rude people annoy me, but not once has my life been in danger through malice.

The day I feel the need to carry a firearm while cycling or cycle camping is the day I hang up my helmet and quit.

Paul
Well, I guess I'm another one who wonders if I have been in an entirely different America. I was a letter carrier for seven years, attacked by dogs over 400 times, bitten more than 20. Guess I'm a wuss for never having shot any of those SOBs. I've bike commuted tens of thousands of miles and never had to shoot a driver yet (even though I have had my hands on, at various times, equipment such as M-16, AR-180. AR-15, M-2, M1911A, P-.08, P38, etc., etc.). What am I doing wrong? why can't I muster the effort to want to kill?

Well, I guess I'm another one who wonders if I have been in an entirely different America. I was a letter carrier for seven years, attacked by dogs over 400 times, bitten more than 20. Guess I'm a wuss for never having shot any of those SOBs. I've bike commuted tens of thousands of miles and never had to shoot a driver yet (even though I have had my hands on, at various times, equipment such as M-16, AR-180. AR-15, M-2, M1911A, P-.08, P38, etc., etc.). What am I doing wrong? why can't I muster the effort to want to kill?

That makes you NOT a "wuss" ;)

It may have to do with perspective. If you were a previous **** victim you might think differently. The same could be had if you were ever mugged, jumped, robbed, or knew some who died from not being prepared. Where you live, how you grew up, and even what you watched on t.v. make impressions.

There are tons of gun laws in my City, none of them make me any safer.

2002 Data:

Cleveland Murders 80
Cleveland Forcible Rapes 619
Cleveland Robberies 3263
Cleveland Aggravated Assaults 2406
Cleveland Burglaries 8096
Cleveland Larceny/Thefts 13250
Cleveland Motor Vehicle Thefts 5499
Cleveland Arsons 489

This gives me a 1:20 chance of being a victim this year, even odds for someone in my immediate family. Not to mention my occupation/commute puts me in the middle of some fairly disfunctional surroundings.

All things being equal, I'd rather have non-sporting guns removed from society (civilian AND law enforcment). But the way things are, that is not going to happen in my lifetime. I'm all for being noble, but martyrdum is not for me on this issue. If someone figures out a way to stop human violence, I'm all for it. But until then, let me have the tools I feel I need to keep my family safe, just in case.

I think that a gun is a horrible overreaction to a dog.

Why? A cop can shoot a dog just for barking at him if he claims to have felt threatened by the dog, and there's nothing (legally) you can do about it because you'll just get laughed out of court (if they don't charge you with assaulting an officer because your dog "threatened" the cop). Why shouldn't I be able to shoot a dog that is actually attacking me?

I own several guns, and they've never been fired (or even loaded) outside of a firing range. That being said, if it wasn't near impossible to get a ccw permit in Los Angeles County (unless you're rich, funny how they have more rights than me) I'd be carrying all the time. I've had people try to attack me on the streets, including trying to run my bike off the road (which IS attempted murder or at the very least assault with a deadly weapon, but try to find a cop when you need one, maybe Lance Armstrong can find a cop when he needs one but I sure can't), pulling weapons on me, etc. In some (but not all) of those situations, it would have been nice to have my Glock.

Back on the topic of dogs, I would NOT shoot a dog even if it was attacking me because I'm more than capable of defending myself against a dog with my bare hands if I have to, but I can understand someone shooting a dog if it's actually attacking them.

Back on the topic of dogs, I would NOT shoot a dog even if it was attacking me because I'm more than capable of defending myself against a dog with my bare hands if I have to, but I can understand someone shooting a dog if it's actually attacking them.

Wow someone who can defend against a dog with their bare hands, try that next time a Pit Bull latches onto your leg and have someone filming it, I need a good laugh! Even cops won't mess with a Pit...ever wonder why? When it comes to certain types of dogs, it's shoot first ask questions later.

And perhaps rather than kicking someone's door in you'll just shoot them? See thread below:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=48823

Paul

Do you honestly feel that I am some lunatic who would do that? Do you think that I would turn something like some idiots in a car trying to be funny by flicking a cigarette butt at me into assault with a deadly weapon? If so, you have some strange misconception of a 20 year old. The only reason I would think of using a gun would be if I were being put in a situation where it was my life on the line, as in getting mugged. Maybe there is some fine line between getting stuff thrown at me and someone threatening my life, I don't know. I think that you need to leave the issue of me kicking the guys door alone and realize that I handled it in the wrong way, and also realize that I would NOT threaten a motorist with a gun for doing something such as cutting me off or driving too close, or throwing things at me in an attempt to be funny. The only way I advocate carrying a firearm is if my commute took me into Clevelands east side at night, which many Clevelanders can vouch for me is not a pleasant area. In Bowling Green Ohio there is no need for it, and would cause many more problems than it would "solve".

The whole philosophy of concealed-carry (at least as it was pushed by those supporting it here) is that it's a deterrent, not a direct defense. That is, a person contemplating commiting a crime will think twice about doing so if it's thinkable that any citizen in the are might be packing. It's interesting that this law is now being advocated for use on those incapable of making such decisions.

I'm afraid that if you shot my pit-mix, I'd have to shoot you. I am so tired of this ridiculous breed bias. I guess I am for the concealed weapons law, after all. Time to get registered, etc. Perhaps I'll have to get a couple knives, too.



Wow someone who can defend against a dog with their bare hands, try that next time a Pit Bull latches onto your leg and have someone filming it, I need a good laugh! Even cops won't mess with a Pit...ever wonder why? When it comes to certain types of dogs, it's shoot first ask questions later.

I've been mugged at knife-point, I'm not really sure how a gun would have helped... since generally the thief has the upperhand of surprise and close-proximity, you'd first have to disarm the person and then open a gap and pull the firearm. Now, perhaps after the incident as the perp. escaped you could pull your firearm and ask the person to please stop and return the items he/she has stolen. Of course this is assuming that said criminal has not already decided it was a good idea to remove and acquire your firearm for his or her own personal use. Now, imagine you didn't have that gun that you legally acquired - then this criminal would not have a gun - this is a situation in which is a legally acquired firearm falls into the hands of a criminal. Whatever. Just don't shoot me or anyone I know. I've never fired a gun, but wouldn't mind going to a range and renting one to see what its like. Firearms are legal so far in this country, I'm not exactly sure what the process is of acquiring a gun and/or a permit... but the last time I did a quick check (I was looking into working as an armed transport guard) it was like, one saturday afternoon qualified you to carry a weapon in Mass. at least. Seems to me like there should be some extensive training and screening required (a la police officers). <Shrug> As for the pups... just keep riding... if you feel very threatened, dismount and put the bike between you and the pup - that usually confuses the hell out of most dogs... starter pistols, chemical deterrants, carry your own dog with ;). I was pursued going up a big ol'hill into the Wendell State Forrest on a singlesspeed by three loud spirited dogs... I kept riding (scared to hell), but kept riding and as I left their percieved property line... they stopped.. they could have easily caught up to me... I dunno... I'm just rambling now.

Do you honestly feel that I am some lunatic who would do that? Do you think that I would turn something like some idiots in a car trying to be funny by flicking a cigarette butt at me into assault with a deadly weapon?

Well, since you asked, yes. People do strange things when they're not in control. You've already equated someone throwing a cigarette butt with assault. Who's to say you wouldn't just lose your temper and having a gun handy, decide that a couple rounds in the back window is better than kicking in a door?

Funny how previous threads can come back to haunt you.

Paul

Funny how previous threads can come back to haunt you.

Paul

Funny how A) You don't let it go, and B) think that I would shoot someone over a cigarette butt. Did you miss the part where I talked to them first? Or do you still think that I am just some manical 20 year old who wants to become an inmate? :rolleyes:

You've already equated someone throwing a cigarette butt with assault. Um, throwing a cigarette butt at someone is assault.

Who's to say you wouldn't just lose your temper and having a gun handy, decide that a couple rounds in the back window is better than kicking in a door?


Paul

Certainly not you, treekie makes that call, it is his right.

Certainly not you, treekie makes that call, it is his right.

You are truly and totally out of touch with reality. Welcome to my killfile.

Paul

You are truely and totally out of touch with reality. Welcome to my killfile.

Paul

Not a very interesting rebuttal to violating a person's rights, can't you do better than name calling?

BTW, does eveyone who disagrees with you get put in the "killfile" (whatever that means)?

Edit: Never mind, I figured it out. Hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil......"reality" based thinking.

hunter! this white vinegar this really works with dogs? (i cant outrun dogs... you must be a steroidite or something) is there any spray bottle er whatever that you recomend?

(the rest of you need to chill a little ;) )

I've never felt like I need to cycle armed either…until last Saturday that is.

I ride on mostly rural roads so there's no one around (most of the time) which is (most of the time) a good thing. Last Saturday I was out enjoying the nice weather on a gently rolling stretch of road through farmland, when the driver (overweight male, mid 40’s) of a car (beat up clunker) that was passing me going the other way thought it was necessary to slow down and yell "******" at me as he passed.

Now, I'm not thin skinned by any means and I can laugh off being taken for a homosexual because I'm wearing lycra quite easily. Unfortunately, it wasn't the name calling that bothered me, it was the look on the guy's face, a look which I have never seen before and can only describe as being one of pure hate. It's a look that you don't encounter everyday (or ever) yet when you see it, you know it, and it's *very* unnerving—I’ve had people mad at me, angry even, but such emotions are personal; hate isn’t.

My presence had obviously irritated something that was raw in that guy— maybe he had a childhood trauma, maybe he had gone sour on life, maybe his wife ran away with a professional bike racer—I didn’t care. For one of the few times in my life as a male, I felt myself to be in danger.

I watched him in my mirror as a hill came between us and I turned off onto my usual side road, wondering all the time if he had turned around and was looking for me. I felt very helpless—no witnesses, no cell phone coverage, and no weapon except my multitool (which would make a decent hand load, I suppose). What would I have done had he decided to act on the rage that he so clearly had boiling inside of him?

So, now I’m thinking about taking a gun along—something small and light—and keep it in a bag on my frame when I'm riding alone. I resent the fact that I’m even *thinking* about it, but I also can’t pretend that everyone out there is rational, reasonable, and willing to give me what little room I require to live in this world—some people aren’t.

ExMachina,

Suppose this motorist did turn around and approach you again. At what point will you pull the gun out of your bag, pocket or whatever?

I'm not a gun control nut, but keeping a gun at home for security is a lot different than having one on your bike. If you have to pull a gun you should be ready to fire it immediately and have just cause for doing so.

foxlabs.com mr. machina.

keeping a gun at home for security is a lot different than having one on your bike. If you have to pull a gun you should be ready to fire it immediately and have just cause for doing so.

I agree, though I trust that you do not think that just cause only occurs at ones home?

While riding my best weapon is certainly my bike--as long as I'm on it I shouldn't feel like another weapon would benefit me in the slightest. However, bikes can fail and I can fail—in fact that is why I carry repair supplies, both for the bike and for me, as well as a cell phone for when those supplies are not enough. I am also aware that other people can in certain ways fail, fail in their obligations to respect their fellow human beings and instead cause them gratuitous harm. Why should I not prepare for this last type of failure as well? Why not *especially* this last type, when my very life could be at stake?

foxlabs.com mr. machina.

Thanks Merton.

From what I've read, Fox makes some fantastic products

There was an article in the Columbus Dispatch earlier this week about problems unleashed dogs were causing to cyclists and pedestrians (it was in the print edition only, sorry I can't link to it). A local cycling leader was quoted as saying some of his members planned to take advantage of Ohio's new conceal-carry law, suggesting that firearms might be used if dog owners don't keep their dogs in check. Adding firearms to the mix of bicycle-car-pedestrian confrontations takes this thing to a whole new level. What do you think?

I think carrying fire arms and shooting dogs is a very, very bad idea. The problem is, can you hit a dog from a bike with a hand gun? Where do the bullets go if you miss? Also there are such things as richocets. The odds of a bullet bouncing off the road and hitting some innocent bystander are pretty remote but it is feasible. Another, even more unsettling notion is dog owners love their mangy, untrained brutes and I bet a fair number of them have firearms. If you shoot their beloved pet, they are likely to go ballistic and come out shooting. I think the Gun Fight at OK Corral is fine to watch on TV but I don't want to take part in one and certainly not over some dog in the road.

A squirt from the water bottle will make virtually any dog stop in its tracks. If you want more stopping power, there is always pepper spray. And if you want to be more proactive then that, carry a cell phone and report every incident to the County Animal Control Officer immediately. Of course, animal countrol varies widely by county. In some counties they do nothing and in others they are as zealous as even the most vindictive cyclist could want.

When encountering a dog, hold your water bottle high and eject a stream downward either at the animal or between you and it. The typical dog will fear that some huge animal is marking territory.

I wonder if it would work even better if you happen to fill the bottle with your own pre-ride liver-drain!

Why? A cop can shoot a dog just for barking at him if he claims to have felt threatened by the dog, and there's nothing (legally) you can do about * * *

* * *, I would NOT shoot a dog even if it was attacking me because I'm more than capable of defending myself against a dog with my bare hands if I have to, but I can understand someone shooting a dog if it's actually attacking them.

I was a paperboy for years, and I never had a problem with a dog that dog spray couldn't solve. Dog spray stops the dog with only temporary discomfort. And the price of making a bad decision--or of mishandling the "weapon"--is a lot less grave. As for the pack-of-pit-bull arguments, I just don't see the threat.

I see the logic behind some of the pro-conceal-carry posts (guns in the hands of responsible people deter crime), but for every thoughtful post, there seem to be multiple aggressively macho posts. Whether we like them or not, guns might become part of life on the bike path. I guess we'll see who is right.

I was a paperboy for years, and I never had a problem with a dog that dog spray couldn't solve. Dog spray stops the dog with only temporary discomfort. And the price of making a bad decision--or of mishandling the "weapon"--is a lot less grave. As for the pack-of-pit-bull arguments, I just don't see the threat.

I see the logic behind some of the pro-conceal-carry posts (guns in the hands of responsible people deter crime), but for every thoughtful post, there seem to be multiple aggressively macho posts. Whether we like them or not, guns might become part of life on the bike path. I guess we'll see who is right.


heh. it'll be like the wild west with bike shorts... heh... dorky gun slingers... :rolleyes:

I'm afraid that if you shot my pit-mix, I'd have to shoot you. I am so tired of this ridiculous breed bias. I guess I am for the concealed weapons law, after all. Time to get registered, etc. Perhaps I'll have to get a couple knives, too.

I think the breed "bias" stems from all the drug boys and wanna-bee's that misuse the breed. There are just a lot of dangerous pits running around these days.

"Wade", my rescued chow from Wade Park (saw him riding home one rainy cold night) gets the same flack. Many groomers have stopped taking chows. So, I do know what you mean, though.

ehenz
my other dog is a Lab :)

heh. it'll be like the wild west with bike shorts... heh... dorky gun slingers... :rolleyes:

Title of the movie: "Dorks in Spandex: Guns on their Hips, Chips on their Shoulders"

I was a paperboy for years, and I never had a problem with a dog that dog spray couldn't solve. Dog spray stops the dog with only temporary discomfort. And the price of making a bad decision--or of mishandling the "weapon"--is a lot less grave. As for the pack-of-pit-bull arguments, I just don't see the threat.

I see the logic behind some of the pro-conceal-carry posts (guns in the hands of responsible people deter crime), but for every thoughtful post, there seem to be multiple aggressively macho posts. Whether we like them or not, guns might become part of life on the bike path. I guess we'll see who is right.


Pepper spray for dogs is the lowest concentrate sold. Better to get the one intended to stop humans for use, that way you're covered for all occassions. The spray we use for the USPS actually says right on the can that it will not stop "guard dogs". The bigger dogs shake it off if they are really intent on getting to you.

I see the logic behind some of the pro-conceal-carry posts (guns in the hands of responsible people deter crime), but for every thoughtful post, there seem to be multiple aggressively macho posts. Whether we like them or not, guns might become part of life on the bike path. I guess we'll see who is right.

Years ago,I was riding alone on a rural dirt road and had a bad encounter with a couple of farm dogs. These particular dogs were hiding along the ditch somewhere, as I had no warning until they were right on me. So it was very suprizing to say the least. Anyway, they worked as a team, one would run right in front of my front wheel, slowly, so as to slow me down. The other would try to take shots at my ankle/leg. Well I am riding near the right side of the dirt road to start with, and when these two dogs showed up, they had run me over into the deep sand crest along the edge of the road, which was not good. So I had to try to drive my way out of this deep sand, while trying to keep my legs pedalling fast enough to avoid bites by the side dog. I somehow was able to get out of that sand, and pedal away., with sky-high adrenaline!!!!

This whole event happened so quickly, that a gun, pepper spray, water bottle, etc, would not have been any use, UNLESS I would have already had it in my hand. But yeah, If I would have fallen off the bike, I would have definitely wanted a weapon of some sort. I think a handlebar-mounted air horn might work well in such situations. Its gotta be easy to get to. Sometimes there's no time to dig a gun out of a pack, or even to grab a water bottle. I was in deep sand, I had to have both hands on the handlebars.

Its often very windy where I live, pepper spray might be hard to spray accurately, at a dog's head, in 20 mph wind, while riding a bike. They worst thing that could happen then, is to have it blow back into your own eyes!!!

Well on my typical road route I have to ride through a slum filled with heroin addict prostitutes, crack dealers, homeless psychopaths, etc... I've very seriously considered a gun recently, especially since last night my truck was broken into... pepper spray is almost usless because you have to be in such close proximity to use it...

Support the second amendment.

I think that a gun is a horrible overreaction to a dog. There are far less lethal--and probably more effective--ways of protecting yourself against dogs.
The human mind has proven, over thousands of years, to be the most effective weapon of all.

Putting all my trust in a weapon might give me a false sense of security, especially since it would mean being ready to use it in the blink of an eye, something that yields unpredictable results. The scenarios we imagine ourselves in are often very different from those that actually occur.

Thinking of a gun as protection against dogs offers me a very limited range of responses, which is totally unrealistic.

Besides, what if I kill some little boy's best friend?

I am all for anyone who wants to carry for personal reasons. It is one of our fundamental rights to be armed.

There are high probabilities for legal problems however if a firearm is in fact discharged on public rights of way against dogs and such. I kid a lot about being quick to shoot but in reality a firearm is a last last resort defense in a life or death situation only. If you are on the trigger end you had best have solid probable cause for using it.

I carry a scented dog spray called DirectStop that has helped me out on two occasions. Both times I have used it the dogs were not being aggressive, they were just running along with a pack or riders. We didnt fear being bitten, just smacking a dog at full speed. I highly reccomend this stuff. About $12 a bottle.

Now to the Gun issue. It is early in the season so far, but I have had a few encounters that have made me consider carying some sort of protection, most recently this weekend. I was out on the trail towards the "bad" side of town. I was crusing along and approaching three men walking towards me on the trail. I could see then about 45 seconds before we would cross. Getting closer I tried to get them to move over, but they spread out, taking up the entire trail. I slowed down. These guys looked rough! i don't want to stereotype, but they looked like some kind of gang (same colors on, etc). They were trying to either drive me off the trail or get me to stop. I fealt uncomfortable with either option. After trying to notify a few times I moved over as far right as I could and just hammered the bike. I though my safest course of action was a game of chicken. This dude at a slow pace and small, versus me + bike (200 pounds) at around 27mph. I was betting that he didnt want to get smacked that hard. The bet payed off and he moved out of the way last few seconds. They were all yelling at me after I passed, but I wasnt slowing down to figure out what insults were coming my way.

Getting home and rethinking the situation I believe I did the right thing. I am sure that stopping, or slowing down would have been a bad idea. Maybe they just wanted to feel that they had power of me, or maybe they wanted my bike/wallet/cell phone. I am glad I didnt have the chance to figure that one out. I am not the type to carry fire arms, but I might pack my big pocket knife next time I venture out that way just in case.

I think it is very sad when we cannot enjoy such a harmless hobby in peace.