Originally Posted by
Machka
And one thing with "getting around" like that is this ... carrying a gun (outside of hunting purposes) is illegal here in Canada where I live, and I cannot take a weapon with me when I fly to other countries.
So I have to resort to other tactics ... basically Chipcom sums it up with this: "Best weapon for any situation is a brain." ... and for me I also add a bit of women's intuition. There have been many times on my travels where I have suddenly felt uncomfortable with the situation. Often I can't put my finger on why I feel uncomfortable ... I just know that
something isn't right. For example, that has happened a few times when we were looking for a place to camp ... I'll have a look around a potential camping area and if
something feels uncomfortable about it to me, we move on. Another time it happened while walking through a certain area of downtown Sydney (Australia) after dark. My hair practically stood on end I felt so uncomfortable. We grabbed the first bus and got into a more populated, less run-down and graffiti covered area.
Went and checked out the website and have much respect for your opinion. Have advised my son when he became of age never to ignore the feeling in the pit of his stomach...get away because something's about to go down. It's gratifying tp have him share w/me several situations that were either defused or avoided. I love these posts because this is where the rubber meets the road in being a cycle-commuter.
Years ago I started commuting by bike in West Chicago over to Rand McNally ever day and then down to th Old Town School of Folk Music on Armitage where I taught voice/guitar 3-4 times per week. I was rather timmid when first starting out...on the wrong side of the road!! Almost hit a fellow commuter head on. He hit me w/'Get ON THE RIGHT SIDE A55HOLE!! So, this whole thing's been a bit of an eyeopener. As time went on and I gained experience and confidence. My riding began to become more assertive. Then I went through a period when I was harrassed frequently. Finally, one night when I'd had enough I spoke something back to my tormentors and they responded by throwing beer bottles in my path and laughing as they drove away.
I caught them down the street about 2/3 lights. They were boxed in by a few cars. As I rode by them I grabbed my krypto-lock by the curved end and slammed it down HARD on the upper arm/elbow. Didn't plan on doing it, but just did. I heard him yell and I knew I'd hurt him, but didn't know how bad. I took off and they were boxed in and I was able to make a couple of turns, shut my lights off and I was gone.
Avoided that area for a week or two and I saw the guy getting on an El about 3 weeks later and he had a cast on his arm. He didn't know who I was, but I knew him right away. Started riding through there the same way a/t same times and never had a lick of trouble again.
I ride rural and carry and 'air zounds', pepper spray, 480 ftprsec bb gun w/an 18 shot mag, and a small sharp bowieknife. If I was urban I'd carry either a Berretta Tomcat or a 5 clip .380 instead of the pellet gun. When touring in foreign countries I've got a 3 piece spring load telescopic billy club. Use cable ties and leave it right in full view. 3 trips abroad and still have it.
Sorry, starting to get repetativre so I'll just say this: We all have to make our own decicions as to what to carry and what to not carry. Whether it's Clif Bars, Gatoraid or a .44 magnum. People who choose to NOT carry have that right, aslo. For me and my family we've decicded that the reality is that in micro time one can become a stat overwhom everyone sheds a tear and remembers fondly as a good,(man/woman)cyclyst. Or you can attend a funeral of one though foolish in life won his/her eternal salvation w/a deathgbed confession and a truly renpentant heart. At some point in our society/push will come to shove and if you aint packing you're going to need to be.
