Originally Posted by
SurlyLaika
I used to have pepper spray for things like this.
Originally Posted by
SurlyLaika
I lost it, though. Maybe I should replace it. Also, I never ride on MUPs after dark. That's where all the transients live and they're more likely to be inebriated after dark. Then again, my sister's bike was jacked on a MUP in the afternoon. Luckily, she wasn't on it. She let a friend borrow it to meet the track team up ahead on the path. They were drunk teenage gangsters.
Uh, pepper spray has a limited effectiveness. As it's just as likely to blow back into your own face as it is to "disable" your attacker. Plus in all likelihood you're only going to be able to use it against one attacker at a time.
Even the more potent bear spray has the same limitations.
The best bet, I'm thinking is as others have said safety in numbers. Ride with as many cyclists/friends as you can. Also report any attacks to law enforcement.