newkie

Was at the pub last night on my old mtb beater, had 2 pints, and said farewell to my friends who left ahead of me. Getting on vest and unlocking bike and some kid around 13 comes over and says:

him: "gimmie your bike"
me: "feck off!.... what?" (thinking maybe i didn't hear that right as I continue to zip jacket)
him: "gimmie your bike"
me: "feck off!"
him: "gimmie your bike before i take it off ya"

At this point I was on the bike hurling a string of obsenities but also worried there could be a group of his friends lurking around the corner. It's a fairly straight shot home on a main road further making me paranoid if he was with someone who had a car I'd be fairly easy to track. Battled internally should I have popped him to have taught him a lesson to thinking just how vulnerable a lone cyclist is at 1am.

Was probably just some chancer kid. Kinda put the kibosh on the evening. Last time I was there someone twisted and broke off my headlight. This is not really that bad an area.

Just had to vent....

robyr

Man, that's crap. I have only had one time where a kid has approached me like that, he wanted my wallet. I told him if he was man enough he could take it from me. He didn't. Possibly related the the 7in hunting knife strapped to my pannier.

vtjim

Irish neds?

rumrunn6

I was almost car-jacked once. I saw him coming at me with his right hand hiding something and i surprised him. so instead of surprising me he just asked me what time it was. didn't answer just took off. he was getting out the passneger side front door with their car to my left at a traffic light. the boys in the car seat were terrified and that tipped me off.

americanlt2

I plan on getting one of those King Kong type chains. It will help with theft and I can swing it around in a threatening "Indiana Jones" type manner.

enigmaT120

Just don't let the chain hit you in the head. It really ruins the effect.

fietsbob

I understand passing on the right is useful as most swords wielding men,
are right handed.

the Irish economy going down 'the Loo'
after the banksters embezzling frenzy
probably doesn't help..

RT

Punks suck, especially small ones out past their bedtime.

SurlyLaika

My friend had a similar experience. He didn't lose his bike. All he kept saying is "no, i'm not giving you my bike" and he didn't get off it. This went on for ten minutes. Mind you, it was a 2 on 1. The point is that these people want an easy target usually. Don't be that for them.

and if it was only one, and just a scrawny, barely teenager....you should have bopped him and taught him to stop being a jackass. But staying on the bike is good, too. Kind of difficult to get a grown man off a bike and take off with it without a serious struggle.

Also, a while back...there was a thread about u-lock justice. That seems like a pretty good line of defense to brandish around, if you have one. I personally carry pepper spray.

SurlyLaika

This. just let punks know that robbing you isn't going to be easy or fun, and it might even be dangerous for them. Turn the tables; don't show any fear.

But carrying a knife probably means you should know how to fight with a knife or it might just work against you. Also, weapons like these might escalate any encounter if they bring out a more serious weapon.

neotheone

So what happened? Did you just sit on the bike till he left?

Hasn't happened to me yet. But then again That's probably because I'm 6'2 and 240 pounds. If someone ever did mess with me I have a blade in my hand on the handlebars.

robyr

If they brought a more serious weapon, you have already lost. Still good advice, if you carry a knife or any weapon, rule #1 is to not let it go in a struggle. Rule #0 is to avoid the conflict entirely.

SactoDoug

No one with a gun is going to waste their time trying to steal a cheap commuter bike. I carry a small can of pepper spray and a knife. The knife is in case I am pulled off the bike by an attacker or dog.

I have never been mugged. I make it a point to look directly at people as I walk by and look around whenever I am stopped at a light. If someone starts walking towards me, even in the cross walk, I look directly at for for a second or two, which is long enough that they know I can ID them and that I am aware of where they are and what they are doing.

Thugs look for an easy victim. Someone that is distracted or not paying attention are their ideal prey. They can walk up to them and get the drop on them. They don't like it when they are being watched and are most likely to look for someone else that is an easier mark if you look directly at them.

If you are in a bad part of town or suspect that someone just might try to mug you anyway, then act pissed off. Start cursing loudly. Make up stuff. You can curse about that imaginary driver that almost ran you over or that imaginary dog that chased you for two blocks. Thugs don't want to rob someone that is pissed off because they are very likely to put up a fight.

Doohickie

This is pretty much what I do as well. I ride through some unsavory neighborhoods but really, they aren't that bad. When I see people or groups of people, I look right at them, usually even greet them- say hi or ring my bell. Bells have a magical effect; they lighten the situation. And the underlying impression I it sends, I think, is that when I ring a bell I am comfortable, either because I am a local or because I'm a guy they don't want to mess with. I know you're there. Don't even think about it.

SurlyLaika

haha, that's actually a good idea.

SurlyLaika

haha, just act like a crazy man!

Ira B

Had a similar encounter once but can not divulge the details because I am unsure of the statute of limitations.

My advice is to always try to de-escalate such a situation if possible but if you decide this is not possible and that you must resort to violence, do so suddenly and with great energy and ruthlessness. As soon as you can extract yourself from the situation safely, do so.

SouthFLpix

Where I live there are 2 main types of bike thieves.

The first are usually guys looking for a quick $50-$100 to put towards drugs or alcohol. They will target any bike that is not locked with a U-lock or hardened steel chain, even 'beaters'. They carry wire cutters that fit into a coat pocket or cargo pocket and occasionally small bolt cutters. Once they get your bike they will sell it in a 'garage sale' type setting to avoid it being ID'd on craigslist or the internet.

The second type of thief only targets high end racing bikes. It will typically be a two man group, one being the driver. They will work out of a van and have power tools available that will defeat any type of lock. They do not sell your bike as a complete build. They disassemble and sell the components as a 'grouppo' or will occasionally use your components on another frame so that the bike cannot be identified.

To defeat the first group you just need to employ a good locking strategy. To defeat the second group you don't walk away from your expensive bike. If you have to leave your bike, then you ride a 'beater'.

colleen c

If it was dark and you had a really bright helmet light, then turning it on and shining at him will help a lot.

Two times I had cars coming to a full stop to hassle me. One time the car did not want my partner and I on the road and the second time, the car stop and waited for me after they purposely force me to stop. Both times I had at least 700+ lumens of lights on top of my helmet right at their eyes. Both times I think it made them think twice.

pallen

You did the right thing, but part of me wishes you had taught that punk kid a lesson about the dangers of acting like a thug.

MNBikeguy

+1
I'm certainly not one to post grand exploits of bravado.
I hope to never have a confrontation, but a 13 yr old?
You should have boxed his squeaky little ears....

Doohickie

Yeah, that's what the bell does for me.

Booger1

If I look up and they look like they mean it,they won't be saying it a second time....

exile

You surveyed the situation, kept the bike, and got home safe. That's what really matters .

scroca

Not if you are wearing a helmet.