iPOD or no iPOD I'm pretty sure these punks would have assulted this cyclist regardless and have taken something else instead.

^ Exactly. They probably didn't even know he had an ipod before they attacked.

Well ya could have taken a cue from Breaking Away...........The old tire pump in the front wheel trick.

You would have lost your tire pump, but it might have been fun watching the punk fly over the handlebars.

I was thinking it as I believe wearing earplugs on a bike path is not only dangerous but seriously foolish, but since the gun argument was already started in here, I felt the iPods while riding argument could be saved for another day. :D

About which part of the SGRT do you ride, after reading these threads, I have second thoughts of riding alone now.

I was on the 'Los Coyotes' branch that goes to La Palma.

Well depending. I ride all parts of it. Some parts are rather desolate, that's true. It is safer with a buddy. The vast majority of incidents on any of the paths happen to single riders. But, I have ridden the SGRT for many years without any major problems. Keep in mind I am often with friends, but almost as often alone.

They probably would have taken his gun! Everyone knows that a cyclist is not going to carry a gun because it is unnecessary weight! The gun would most likely be in the jersey pocket and do you no good in the situation that was described in post #1.

Avoide the situations when ever possable and if it happens fight like a dog in a corner. You may get hurt, you may hurt a few of them, but they will think twice about trying that with the next person.

Since first reading this thread, I've noticed a handful more similar assaults in this very same area.

How many incidents need to occur before someone does something about this?

Its frequency is enough that no one should be riding/jogging in this area anymore.

Sorry, but *this* is how I feel, too:

Wow, this thread continues! Alicestrong - be careful and don't ride there alone.

I opt for a big can of "Bear Spray" from REI. It fits very well in a water bottle holder. Wouldn't recommend spraying while riding. Nothing worse than having to ride through the fog you just sprayed and ending up wiped out!

* Contains 2% Capsaicin and other Capsaicinoids, red pepper derivatives that affect the eyes and respiratory system, staving off attack
* Spray reaches 12 to 32 feet and empties in approximately 9.2 seconds
* Features a safety cap to help prevent accidental discharge
* Use with extreme caution--if not used properly, it can disable the user, rather than the attacker


Caution: Strength is such that it may cause permanent blindness in Humans.

My thoughts on guns: If you can't use it don't carry it. If you carry it and bring it out then be prepared to pull the trigger. Once it is brandished the situation will escalate faster than you could imagine. A firearm is not a substitute for good judgment and avoiding a confrontation if at all possible. If not possible it is an invaluable tool for bringing a life threatening situation to a very decisive conclusion. Don't even think that you will just "wing" or "wound" someone. That isn't what a firearm is made for.

People have been killed for less, just so we can stop using this worthless smokescreen of an argument.

Not that I think you need to ride around packing, but I'm irked by stupid arguments. This is one of them. You turn a complex idea into a simple one in hope of convincing people using the notion that it's ridiculous, when in reality anyone can see through this weak tactic towards arguing the real issue at hand.

Funny, that's the same argument people use when they tell me I shouldn't be riding on roads.

(DScott, I'm seriously going to have to create a macro for "DScott, word.")

let me correct that for you... brandishing a weapon without using the weapon is worthless. If you pull it out, use it correctly and immediately with the most devastating effects possible!

Nah, I'm just quoting you! :)

Classic blaming the victim.

Ya. that's absurd.

And to be exact, any choice made by the victim could have probably avoided it, not just the iPod. If he left 10 minutes later someone else would have probably be jumped, but is that really a viable solution to being jumped? He shouldn't have to try to avoid being jumped.

I have retrofitted my mountain bike. Instead of mounting my air pump on the rail I now mount a pump action 12ga shotgun. It basically just looks like how the police mount their motorcycles. Trust me, the sight alone of this thing rolling down the strand is enough to scare off anyone thinking of attacking me.
If its really crowded or I am riding alone at night i'll take it off and pump the action while riding to get peoples attention. They always yield.

Is that legal?