livedarklions

"The human race thinks itself intelligent, then goes out of its way to prove otherwise.
Have you ever wondered why it is that, in other countries, few cyclists carry pepper sprays? "

You did a compare and contrast between the behavior of the human race and cyclists of other countries, unless you're implying that cyclists of other countries prove themselves unintelligent by NOT carrying pepper sprays. I know you didn't mean to do either, so I was just teasing you. I even said I knew you didn't mean to.

avole

COBikeLover

MAKE SURE YOU BUY THE 18 FOOT SPRAY BECAUSE THEIR REGULAR PRODUCT SUCKS!

In a time of emergency, with pooch hot on my tail, the one I linked was terrible. I could have pee'd further and not a single drop on the dog. And that was either the second or third time the little bastard came after me. And I have lost complete confidence in pepper spray as a result of that incident.

I do carry the 18 foot one now. I sincerely hope under duress, it lives up to what it says because the other one I linked was beyond disappointing. I am surprised the dog actually didn't break the normal bounds or reality to stop and laugh at me after the attempt it looked like.

As far as the rest of the comments in the threads...it's just stupid to "not" carry pepper spray if you legally can. Just because you have never been chased by a dog doesn't mean it isn't a good thing to have. I was never chased by a dog either. In the last two years I have been chased 4 times that I can recall in fast memory, not counting a German Shepard on a leash launching himself inches from me with an owner that I looked back on that could care less. After that dog, pepper spray goes EVERYWHERE with me.

The biggest thing to carrying it is having it within reach, quick release, so that you can get it out fast enough in emergency. This is the #1 biggest obstacle to overcome. Top tube or handlebars is where mine will eventually make it. Currently it is in reach around behind my seat.

The ones I worry about are the ones that are already up on me because they came from the side too fast. If they are behind me, 98% of the time I am out peddling them anyway.

As for people...you show your teeth, growling, charging at me with intent to hurt, harm, maybe even scare...you're getting pepper sprayed also. Period.

And that is coming from someone who is passive, loves people, and a vegan.

You're not killing anyone or anything. Just planting seeds in their mind to never make that mistake again. I accidentally got mace in my eyes when I was a kid. I know exactly what it feels like, how awful it is, and how long you are miserable. But once it is over, it's over. Having walked those shoes makes you more compassionate to be less trigger happy...but I also now find comfort in knowing "exactly" how miserable anything is going to be "after" it decided to charge at me in some type of violence.

+1 for pepper spray under the context of conversation.

The other thing I would say is if you can afford to buy multiple cans of it so you can test one out first, then that would be better. You can setup a target somewhere outside, watch a couple of youtube videos on what is the best way to use them, because there is a tactical science behind it, and practice with one can so you know exactly what it will do under duress. I didn't do that prior to carrying the product and found out the hard way.

Witterings

European dogs don't chase people on bikes so it's not necessary over here ...

livedarklions

I was quoting someone else, but bs.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SUj41fDoBWw

TimothyH

The small canister to which you linked does not spray 17 ft as claimed. Whomever wrote that copy is simply wrong.

I have four of them half empty in my garage right now. They spray maybe 8 to 10 feet. You have to slow down and let them get close.


Keep in mind that they are pack hunters.

If one is sitting on the side of the road staring at you or alternately looking at you and then somewhere else then it is likely a decoy. If a dog, especially a small one, is making a demonstration in front of you then look behind you because one or more might be sneaking up behind you.

Also keep in mind that you can't outrun some dogs. A pit bull can run 25 MPH for 1/4 mile. Outrunning a dog is an option but it should not be relied upon.


-Tim-

Witterings

Dogs 2 ... riders nil

Iride01 

That must be what some automobile drivers think we are doing when a group ride of cyclists come up on them.

indyfabz

Jesus H. Christmas! Domesticated dogs are not pack animals, much less pack hunters.

TimothyH

I'm sorry, but yes they are. Dogs in a group have strong social hierarchy with clear leadership and pack behavior is instinctive.

One small dog will demonstrate in front while another circles behind. This is very common behavior.

Or one will sit or stand as a decoy while others hide out of sight. This is less common but it has happened to me.

Again, I talking about rural farm dogs, not well heeled urban fru-fru dogs.


-Tim-

livedarklions

If you ever watch dogs herd sheep, it's absolutely pack hunting behavior modified by the humans who have taken over the role of pack leadership.

livedarklions

I didn't misunderstand, you misspoke.

Witterings

This is true so YOU have to be the pack leader and the strongest and when you take that stance they back down ... it's when people are wary of dogs you send off the wrong signals and they will seem to be more aggressive than they are.

Dog's pick up on either positive or negative feelings and react accordingly so if you're happy and relaxed so are they, if you're wary / scared of them you send out a very different signal which they see as negative / threatening and hence why they may seem to be aggressive towards you as it's the best form of defense in their world.

This may start from their owner is boring and just taking them for a bog standard walk in the park ... someone cycles past ... hey that's a lot more fun I'd like to chase / go play with you ... you're going at much more the pace I like to play at and are much more interesting than my boring owner so I'll run next to you and bark because it's a new and exciting adventure ... person that's not used to dogs sees this as the dog is chasing me and threatening so they send off the negative vibe that makes dog feel uneasy.

I'm not saying this is 100% of the time but I'll bet it's true in at least 95% of occasions where the riders aren't used to / had dogs.
There have also been people in here complaining about dogs on MUP's .... wake up smell the coffee, they're MUP's which means the dog / owner has as much right to be there as you and unless there's a law against it they're allowed off the lead ...... If you don't like that cycle somewhere else because I've seen as many irresponsible cyclists that believe they own the MUP's as I have irresponsible dog owners .... riding at ridiculous / totally irresponsible speeds with absolutely no idea what may be on the next blind bend .... dog, young child or woman pushing a pram.

Maybe the parents with young children and dog owners should carry pepper spray to slow down the cyclist that is riding irresponsibly and spray them in the eyes as they approach ... after all it doesn't do them any harm and they'll recover from it after 2/3 hours so what's the problem.

For those that are about to jump all over me as it may seem I'm all about the dog ...... I'm not currently a dog owner but have been in the past and am probably 1st and foremost cyclist now.

There are some lovely rides near me down canals that are MUP's ... I avoid them in the summer months because I know there will be an abundance of walkers, dog walkers, people with young children, recreational cyclists who are often oblivious to what's going on around them and I don't sit and whinge because they have as much right to be there as I do but find other areas to ride where I won't be affected.

TimothyH

This thread has lost all connection to reality.

To answer the OP's question, if he is still around, the best pepper spray is Sabre Red Pepper Gel in the tactical canister.

https://www.sabrered.com/pepper-spra...p-belt-holster


-Tim-

avole

f4rrest

Thanks for the reminder, @tim , I just ordered replenishments. The old ones need to be replaced.

I keep a personal sized canister Velcro'd to my dog leash for easy access if needed.

On certain rides, I'll Velcro one to my drops.

Mrs F has one on her running belt.

Rollfast

Well, that's four pages and an OP who made all of one post, at least one member was banned along the way and nobody said the magic word so the $50 is increased by $10 for our next show.

Rollfast

Okay, it's fake Banned. which is also not kosher.

indyfabz

You're right. In fact, when I left work yesterday I stopped by Petco to pick up some cat food. There was a pack of dogs that had surrounded the kibble aisle and were moving in for the kill. I left before things turned violent.

fietsbob

Spiracha ? Kimchee?

Doctor Morbius

As you should have. I've witnessed the carnage at such an event. It was almost as bad as the Black Friday sales at Lane Bryant. Horrid! I had nightmares for weeks!

TimothyH

Condescend if you want but a group of six dogs came at me and user @bonsai171 today.

I was riding on point. Two small ones came out first, one to my front and another to my rear. Four larger dogs came at me from the side. I sprayed the four large dogs when they got within range and hit two. One of the dogs I hit must have been the alpha because he turned to run and the rest followed immediately. Only the dog to my rear stayed anywhere near. This is pack behavior.

I'll be reporting the incident to county animal control on Monday.


-Tim-

livedarklions

Wow, you're working pretty hard to blame me for your typo.

livedarklions

You know that southern plantations and prisons used to let packs of tracking dogs maul and kill the escaping slaves and prisoners, right?

I'm finding it fascinating that people just assume all dogs are cute little harmless pooches who would never really hurt people.

Witterings

They would have trained the dogs to act in such a way and in case you hadn't noticed slavery's been banned for quite a few years now so probably not too many of those dogs still around.

Funny how so many people assume every dog's a vicious killer and their sole purpose is to rip your throat out even if they're just running up to you to play.