Bobsled has a good point, that illustrates what I was talking about with the self-defense classes. Punks expect a victim to act a certain way, in this case stop. When you do the expected you are telling the punks, "yes, I am a victim, do with me what you will." The second thing you'll learn in a self-defense class is to act immediately, confidently, and unexpectedly.

For example, if, when the punks first blocked your path you'd suddenly displayed a huge grin, let out a joyous war whoop and ridden straight at the one nearest the center of the trail as fast as you could pedal they'd probably be home changing their pants about now. At the very least they would almost certainly have reacted with a very natural flinch to this totally unexpected behaviour and by the time they recovered you'd be well past them with a good head of steam up and on wheels while they're on foot.

The key to being able to react to an "unexpected" situation so quickly is to have planned in advance what you will do to in certain "imaginary" situations. If you try to figure it out in real-time you've already become a victim!

Oh, BTW, the first thing you'll learn in a good self defense class is situational awareness. You were probably riding along enjoying the scenery and "smelling the flowers." Chances are good that if you'd been a little more aware you would have seen at least one of the punks lurking about in the bushes as I've yet to meet a gangbanger wannabe who was any sort of woodsman. Forewarned early you could have either turned around or changed your demeanor so you were riding fast with a determined expression like an athlete in training and even stupid gang-banger wannabes aren't going to step in front of a bike that's moving really fast.

John