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Mace/Pepper Spray

Old 08-27-09, 11:52 PM
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Mace/Pepper Spray

If you carry such an item with you while you ride, could you answer:

1) What kind do you have?

2) What do you like about it?

3) What do you dislike about it?

4) Have you ever used it for its intended purpose?
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Old 08-28-09, 05:23 AM
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The only spray I've carried (and still do) is Halt. There are a couple of houses on my commute that leave their dogs out unleashed. I get chased at least twice each month by one of them. Usually early morning.

I've actually only used the Halt twice that I can remember in the 30+ years of commuting/touring. Both time were on a tour, not my commute to work. It isn't my favorite way to deter a dog but I've been bitten and I don't like it.
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Old 08-28-09, 07:30 AM
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There are two kinds you can get these days - Ordinary spray and the newer powdered-puff boxes. Remember to familiarize yourself with how to use the kind you choose, how to close your eyes and stop breathing for a minute-or-so while you're disengaging from conflict, and NEVER use upwind of yourself from a distance.
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Old 08-28-09, 08:22 AM
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I use Halt, because it works. Also, Nashbar sells a convenient handlebar clip for very little money.
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Old 08-28-09, 09:28 AM
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I wish they had like a wrist mounted option, so you could be like spider man, only maybe more like a bombardier beetle-man. You'd think they could figure a way so that it's ready to use in an instant, instead of 2 instants while you remove it from the holster or clip or something.

EDIT:: WRIST MOUNTED FLAME THROWER (VID)!!!!! seriously...
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Old 08-28-09, 10:58 AM
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I carry Halt in a Bento Box on the top tube- quick and easy to get to.

I've used it only once- on a mongrel pitbull that used to harass me every time I passed by. I barely got him, and not with the direct spray, only with a little "overspray" but it was enough, and it was VERY funny.

He backed off into his yard and gave me a look that I will never forget- a look that plainly said "Man, I can't believe you'd do something like that to me!" I guess it offended his sense of fair play.

Months later, he watches me from the yard as I pass by.
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Old 08-28-09, 12:54 PM
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I bought this one after learning of it here. It's the one with the bicycle mount. Hope I don't need to use it.
https://www.defensedevices.com/firemaster3oz.html
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Old 08-28-09, 04:26 PM
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also, look up "bear spray"
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Old 08-28-09, 04:48 PM
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I carry Sabre because that's all I could find near me (and where I live it's illegal to buy online).

I don't know what I like or dislike about it, because I've never had to use it. I do wish I had a bicycle mount for it though. For my normal commute, I can just clip it onto the waistband of my shorts, because I don't usually wear bike shorts for my commute. When I wear my bicycling clothes it's hard to find a good place to put it.
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Old 08-28-09, 08:29 PM
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I use Halt. I wrap one of my velcro-backed reflective bands around my arm and clip the Halt to that. It stays put. Do a Barney Fife impersonation and practice whipping it out acouple of times to get used to the feel of the can.
I like that it works and repels dogs.
I hate that the spray button is not more user friendly. Punch, the stuff that police use can't be sprayed if you hold the can the wrong way. Halt should do the same for their can so the average person don't spray themselves in a panicky moment.
I went through awhole can when I first started commuting but lately there haven't been any dogs out.
Not that I'm complaining!
Ernest
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Old 08-28-09, 08:36 PM
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Originally Posted by DanBraden
I wish they had like a wrist mounted option, so you could be like spider man, only maybe more like a bombardier beetle-man. You'd think they could figure a way so that it's ready to use in an instant, instead of 2 instants while you remove it from the holster or clip or something.
How about a ring??
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Old 08-28-09, 11:07 PM
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Originally Posted by alicestrong
How about a ring??
Well, I'm pretty flamboyant, but THAT ring is just a little TOO fabulous. Besides, I don't wanna kill, I wanna OVERKILL. I wonder if they have anything in size MAN, BABY!!!
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Old 08-29-09, 01:05 AM
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best idea is to carry foam pepper spray. you will be moving on a bike and pepper spray is affected by wind.

would suck to take 5.3 million shu to the on accident.
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Old 08-29-09, 06:09 AM
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Originally Posted by chipcom
I don't carry it. I prefer to deal with both dogs and humans by other means.
(No, I don't carry a gun either)
machete?
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Old 08-29-09, 06:20 AM
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I carry the foam pepper spray:

https://cgi.ebay.com/Keychain-Self-De...#ht_2438wt_937

Less risk of blowback and I've used it from a moving bike on a pesky Pit Bull that was roaming the bike trail near my house. Worked like a charm.
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Old 08-29-09, 08:27 PM
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I carry a small .357 magnum.
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Old 08-29-09, 08:29 PM
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Originally Posted by trekker pete
machete?
k-bar
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Old 08-30-09, 07:11 AM
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A squirt from the water bottle works fine. If you want overkill add tabasco to the water.

Last edited by capejohn; 08-30-09 at 07:19 AM.
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Old 08-30-09, 08:28 AM
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Originally Posted by capejohn
A squirt from the water bottle works fine. If you want overkill add tabasco to the water.
My family goes through about a bottle of that stuff in a week or so. We use it on everything, but I don't think adding it to your water bottle is going to do much in the way of deterring an aggressive attacker.

However I might try adding to my water bottle just to, you know, spice it up a bit
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Old 08-30-09, 10:06 AM
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I've seen some pretty solid looking pumps that could be defensive. You would probably break the pump, but safety is worth it.

I carry my Ulock in the net pocketing on my backpack, If I really needed to defend myself I would have a VERY heavy oversized piece of metal to do such, but I think the best defense is to go fast.

If you know a "bad" area is coming up just peddle fast. Your drivetrain will be quieter (I think that might agitate dogs)

(is C - H - U - N - K really censored? Really?!?!)
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Old 08-30-09, 10:25 AM
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Old 08-30-09, 05:24 PM
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in winnipeg yould need bear spray, heck the can would fit in a bottle cage. not neccessarily for dogs but prolly for those wanting your bike
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Old 08-30-09, 05:30 PM
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Pretty sure it's illegal to have pepper spray here even to defend yourself against vicious dogs these days. Vancouver, the city where only criminals are allowed to have weapons. :roll eyes:
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Old 08-30-09, 05:43 PM
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The day after I was attacked by two pit bulls and walked into the hospital with a shoe full of blood and six tooth holes (not marks, HOLES) in my leg, I went out and bought a can of pepper spray, which I've never had occasion to use, except once, to see whether it worked. I hope I never need it, because I'm pretty sure by the time I get it out, aim it, and get the button down, I'll have my leg chewed off. It's a little like the old sodbuster going to town to call out the hired gunslinger: by the time he gets his gun out of his holster, he'll have six bullets in him.
The fact is that I carry it only to keep my wife convinced I'm doing what I can to protect myself.
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Old 08-30-09, 06:05 PM
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Did you call the cops??? the SPCA??? The owners of those weapons need to be punished, have the dogs taken away. At least make sure the beasts are current on their rabies vaccinations.
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