Chased
 

This is the second time this year that this has happened to me. I was kind of embarrassed to mention the first time as I was in Las Vegas, so it stayed in Vegas. I was heading back to my Hotel at Fremont Street. I was one block west of the main street thru there riding fast on empty streets full of apartments. Suddenly two young men came flying out of a door and just missed tackling me as I bunny hopped the curb and dashed up the sidewalk and thru some landscaping. I could hear them right behind me for a moment till they pulled up out of breath. I looked back to see them laughing and swigging beers. This time it was closer to home so I thought I would mention it. I ride a loop twice a week that involves riding a mile up Main street in Santa Ana just south of the 5 fwy and crossing the bridge to the bike trail across from Discovery Science Center. On Saturday there was a lot of traffic on Main so I went one street to the east. It was an empty street with large trees and was shady and nice. Then two men jumped over a bannister and tried to corner me into a wall and a house but I accelerated out of there and they missed the final lunge. There was a chain crossing the end of the street blocking my exit into a parking lot but as I slowed for it I saw a footpath to the side and was out of there. Both close calls. I've been riding along time but this seems like a new threat emerging. I have a weapon now. But I wish I didn't have too. Has this happened to anybody else ? I'm pretty low profile, not a dress up or showy in any way. Just kinda fast.

Glad you got out with only bad scares. Fact is that late nights on deserted streets (in any town) are not as friendly as they appear. While Vegas isn't Detroit, it still isn't a quiet little town where folks don't need to lock their doors. Try to ride in at least small groups.

Riding a bike can tend to make you ride calmer side streets not to deal with any non-sense but that could also be a setup for shady characters to prey on you. Nononsenseselfdefense guy would definitely be against this idea esp. at night, but the funny thing is the only time i was nearly jumped was actually sticking to the main highway at night with just a few cars around. You're damned if you damned if you don't and living in CA you aren't even allowed to defend yourself :crash: