Foo - I think it is time to invest in some "thug repellent spray"

or pepper spray. Had a nice long ride today along the lakefront path before being approached by a bunch of 14 year old thugs. I'm glad they didn't jack my bike or anything, but doubt I will be as lucky next time.

Welcome to Chicago.

A co-worker was jacked by a group (7-8) 13/14 year old punks. They took his bike and wallet, they were however stupid enough to try and use his ATM card and were ID'd, arrested and taken to juvi.

Oh, Jeez. I don't even want to know about this.:twitchy:

Wasp spray is effective.

You aren't going to be able to do much with pepper spray against "a bunch" of thugs. Best practice is to keep aware of your surroundings and stay away from them if at all possible.

http://www.army-technology.com/contractor_images/us_ordnance/2M60E4Commando.jpg

This is the best thug repellent "spray" that I know of.

http://www.dreadgazebo.com/gunporn/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/mac10.jpg

Or for the weight weenies...

Wasp spray is effective.

I don't suppose you mean these kinds of wasps?
http://www.sidedown.org/blog_pics/1397/1397_1.jpg

Maybe riding on the road instead of the path may help?

One day a long time ago my father relayed this helpful bit of information to me concerning groups of unfriendlies: if you pick one to concentrate on beating the living piss out of like a madman, his screams will scare the others off.

Of course, you can't just attack a 14 year old. :D

Kids these days.

If 7-8, 14 year olds tried to jack me.. I'd beat the hell out of them and enjoy doing it. I'd expect no less if I was trying to jack someone 2-3x my age.

It might be hard to beat someone up if you're wearing cleats.

These guys managed to fight, I guess:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwKaeWkYbqk&feature=related

I wear SPD shoes, no problem here.

or pepper spray. Had a nice long ride today along the lakefront path before being approached by a bunch of 14 year old thugs. I'm glad they didn't jack my bike or anything, but doubt I will be as lucky next time.

Welcome to Chicago.
what area?

what area?

18th and Solider Field

Maybe riding on the road instead of the path may help?

Not that area, where the closest road is expressway-equivalent (Lake Shore Drive), and the adjacent city streets are more problematic in terms of personal safety. The bike path is usually the best option, at least daytime. Unfortunately, since it's not a heavily-traveled path other than rush hours, unimpeded travel of sparse use means you're the target of the moment. One can't assume they have no weapons, so the best option may be increased speed, or quickly turning back to Soldier Field/Museum campus, the marina, or McCormick Place and try to alert police, who sometimes ride bikes there, use Segways, or sit in squad cars. Your cell phone can also be useful, even if only to convey the impression that you're speaking with 911.


18th and Solider Field

A few years ago, my education about riding that stretch of the bike path came in the form of a kid (about that age, 14) exclaiming to his friends (and me) "THAT's the bike I want!"

Maybe riding on the road instead of the path may help?

Not that area, where the closest road is expressway-equivalent no bikes allowed (Lake Shore Drive, other than the 1 day each year when the Drive is closed except to bikes), and the adjacent city streets are more problematic in terms of personal safety. The bike path is usually the best option, at least daytime. Unfortunately, since it's not a heavily-traveled path other than rush hours, unimpeded travel of sparse use means you're the target of the moment. One can't assume they have no weapons, so the best option may be increased speed, or quickly turning back to Soldier Field/Museum campus, the marina, or McCormick Place and try to alert police, who sometimes ride bikes there, use Segways, or sit in squad cars. Your cell phone can also be useful, even if only to convey the impression that you're speaking with 911.


18th and Solider Field

A few years ago, my education about riding that stretch of the bike path came in the form of a kid (about that age, 14) exclaiming to his friends (and me) "THAT's the bike I want!"

These guys managed to fight, I guess:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwKaeWkYbqk&feature=related

LOL...I wouldn't call that a fight:roflmao2:...I don't know what you would call what they were doing?:rolleyes:

stand up and sprint right into them, see if any of the little punks step in front of you.*

*most effective if you are going 30+ mph

I wonder if these arrests contained any of the new friends you met the other day?
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/05/8-arrests-in-incidents-on-north-side-lakeshore.html

G0L0UD, the comments on that article are pretty depressing. I've been noticing a lot of people hanging out in Chinatown here with nothing better to do than walk around and sit on the north steps of the National Portrait Gallery. I hope it doesn't turn crappy.


One day a long time ago my father relayed this helpful bit of information to me concerning groups of unfriendlies: if you pick one to concentrate on beating the living piss out of like a madman, his screams will scare the others off.

Of course, you can't just attack a 14 year old. :D

Kids these days.

Speak for yerself -- I'd love the chance to put the fear of God into a little brat since his parents didn't do it already.

One of these would be fun, too:
http://www.kingofswords.com/images/bride.jpg

http://www.vpc.org/graphics/glock26.jpg

Will fit snuggly in your saddle bag.

Democrat voters of the future. Gotta love 'em.

Democrat voters of the future. Gotta love 'em.

I was thinking the same thing ------- they need to mozy on back to their section 8 pad. Lp

If you live in a big city and your most easily stolen possession is also your most expensive by weight (besides jewelry), you need to pack heat.

I pack a badge, pepper mace, cuffs, and FLASHLIGHT. I also have an attitude which stood well at Independence Ave. and Woodland + Truman rd and Hardesty on nights in KC MO. You may want to carry the hornet spray with the attitude you will use it if you have to. Just use the minimum force necessary to gain and maintain control of the situation. Go to a better part of town and do mostly daylight rides. More riders if possible will help. Good luck. Wing Nut

Welcome to Chicago.

Huh. The best anti-thug spray is lead. Except you live in a civilized place that doesn't allow free men to carry arms in self defense.

Move to TX, get a piece, let the thugs worry about you.

Wasp spray is very effective, and will shoot a long way. I keep it in my water bottle cage when I ride in through the indian reservation here. lots of dogs and coyotes. Mostly they leave me alone but I can tell you about one time...

Fox Labs - FIVE POINT THREE Pepper Spray, 2oz Flip-Top Stream

http://shop.fortresstactical.com/v/vspfiles/photos/22FTS-2.jpg

I second the comment on Fox Labs. But be sure to check what is legal in your state. Unfortunately for me Michigan only allows 2% OC in a container not more than 35 grams.

A preemptive strike is the only way to take care of groups of thugs. Throw a flash-bang at them even if they ignore you. They won't call the police because chances are they have illicit materials on them at all times.

Let's take this thug crap to Foo, huh . . . how about that?

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/2828/barknife.jpg (http://img710.imageshack.us/i/barknife.jpg/) Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)
coming fall of 2010


It's a cheap mockup but my solution none the less.

You aren't going to be able to do much with pepper spray against "a bunch" of thugs. Best practice is to keep aware of your surroundings and stay away from them if at all possible.

That and carry a gun, I carry my Glock 21 everywhere I go, would I have a second thought about shooting a 14 year old thug if my life were on the line, no. 9 or 90 a thug is a thug.

Ride a horse.
Wouldn't have to worry about thugs trying to steal it or attack you.

Ride a horse.
Wouldn't have to worry about thugs trying to steal it or attack you.

doesn't matter what you ride, these days a thug steals your **** just to have bragging rights. Do you think those groups of teen aged kids that go around beating the **** out of people have a problem with every person they beat up? Think its a "revenge" type beating? No, they just do it 'cause they know they can and chances are even if they get caught they know nothings really going to happen to them. They'll beat you the **** up, take your bike, ride it around for a bit then dump it!

yeah, but have you ever been kicked by a horse?

I haven't, and I hope I never will.

actually, I have an idea...

how about stuffing some of the tubing of the bike with C4 and a detonator?
If it ever stolen by a bunch of thugs, you just hit the switch conveniently packed into the heel of your shoe and voila!

You obviously don't want to be riding a really rare frame when you do this.

actually, I have an idea...

how about stuffing some of the tubing of the bike with C4 and a detonator?
If it ever stolen by a bunch of thugs, you just hit the switch conveniently packed into the heel of your shoe and voila!

You obviously don't want to be riding a really rare frame when you do this.

or a horse! :twitchy:

yeah, but have you ever been kicked by a horse?

I haven't, and I hope I never will.

"She falls down a well, her eyes go cross. She gets kicked by a mule. They go back. I don't know."

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/stumpyspic/cousineddie.jpg

or a horse! :twitchy:

it would be best if your horse was selective of whom handles it.
It would throw a tantrum if the thugs try and handle it.

My current piece is a bit big for conceal carry, especially in bike gear. Guess I tend to do most of my riding in a fairly large group so I figure there's safety in the numbers.

it would be best if your horse was selective of whom handles it.
It would throw a tantrum if the thugs try and handle it.

Then get the horse to do a Capriole in the thugs' faces:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/27/KochCapriole.jpeg/100px-KochCapriole.jpeg

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/2828/barknife.jpg (http://img710.imageshack.us/i/barknife.jpg/) Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)
coming fall of 2010


It's a cheap mockup but my solution none the less.

Siu's gonna want a pair of those, for her bike.

Siu's gonna want a pair of those, for her bike.

People are no longer going to be Cinzano'd...they will be Ginsu'd!

My current piece is a bit big for conceal carry, especially in bike gear. Guess I tend to do most of my riding in a fairly large group so I figure there's safety in the numbers.

Thats what I was told about the Glock 21, but its just fine.

I had some punks in Houston hold me up at gun point once for my dyno when I was 14. Long story short they didn't get it! I was more willing to use my pair of needle nose pliers than they a gun. I do not recommend getting in to a battle over material items. I travel some fairly bad streets in Fort Worth now a days but I don't seem to get any flack. I may look like I belong and it takes balls to ride a 20'' pink GT with pink star bar grips.

A few pointers.
Don�t carry a weapon that you do not want used agents you. Guns are great but not in a close skirmish.
Carry a dummy wallet with a one spot hanging out of it. If you get in a pinch you can scream "this is all I have!!!" toss it and take off with quickness.
If you need to ride in bad areas ride your beater bike and try not to look like Peter Pan in your bike shorts. People in low income high crime areas ride bikes as well and do not get harassed.
If I have to ride in bad areas I ride my BMX. I just feel more comfortable cutting fields or riding down flights of stairs. If a Mt. bike works for you go with it. I am not getting away on my 1 1/4 wheals.
The police at one point in time told people to be corporate and do whatever they want. Now a days they tell you go down fighting with whatever you have. Do whatever you need to and get away.
I�ve had two of my pizza drivers get mugged in the same area I ride to and from work in. One was nearly beaten to death with a bat over $20 and some pizza. It�s the fact they can do it, not what they can get away with. DON�T LOOK LIKE A TARGET!!

In prospective I have been hit with more cars than I have been mugged.

I had some punks in Houston hold me up at gun point once for my dyno when I was 14. Long story short they didn't get it! I was more willing to use my pair of needle nose pliers than they a gun. I do not recommend getting in to a battle over material items. I travel some fairly bad streets in Fort Worth now a days but I don't seem to get any flack. I may look like I belong and it takes balls to ride a 20'' pink GT with pink star bar grips.

A few pointers.
Don�t carry a weapon that you do not want used agents you. Guns are great but not in a close skirmish. Carry a dummy wallet with a one spot hanging out of it. If you get in a pinch you can scream "this is all I have!!!" toss it and take off with quickness.If you need to ride in bad areas ride your beater bike and try not to look like Peter Pan in your bike shorts. People in low income high crime areas ride bikes as well and do not get harassed.
If I have to ride in bad areas I ride my BMX. I just feel more comfortable cutting fields or riding down flights of stairs. If a Mt. bike works for you go with it. I am not getting away on my 1 1/4 wheals.
The police at one point in time told people to be corporate and do whatever they want. Now a days they tell you go down fighting with whatever you have. Do whatever you need to and get away.
I�ve had two of my pizza drivers get mugged in the same area I ride to and from work in. One was nearly beaten to death with a bat over $20 and some pizza. It�s the fact they can do it, not what they can get away with. DON�T LOOK LIKE A TARGET!!



Wrong on all counts. I wouldn't fight against a gun with anything, loose my life for a ****ing bike?! Yeah, **** that!
A gun is the best weapon (besides your mind) that one can carry, and it wil work fine in close combat if you know how to use it.
Try throwing a "dummy wallet" with a one spot hanging out of it and taking off with the quickness and you may end up with a bullet in your back.
If your pizza delivery driver was carrying a gun I'll bet things would have turned out a tad bit different.

I'm not saying that a gun is the answer as we all know its not, but it may keep you from getting yourself beat the **** up and/or killed!