GP

I agree that your best protection is situational awareness and common sense.

Like a lot of you I carry a small utility knife. I had a really nice blue Leatherman that I lost. I carried it on one short tour and actually used the pliers to repair something.

J.Higgins 

I doubt anyone will fault anyone for carrying bear spray. Of course it makes common sense to NOT spray someone with a gun.

Nonlethal protection is probably the safest route if you feel you must have something. Probably the smartest thing to do is to take self-defense courses. Again, I'm kind of in the way of thinking that prepping yourself for trouble will only lead trouble to you. Maybe I'm just an old superstitious hippy.

NerdLord

Part of the reason I posted the question is that if I go out, it will most likely be solo (being single, no GF, no prospects either, kind of forces a guy to plan it that way) and I have some residual disabilities from auto and motorcycle wrecks in the past (soon to get knee replacement, some lingering nerve damage in feet, etc) nothing serious but but enough to hamper me as I run different scenarios through my thoughts and think 'what/how do I do/react...'.

So asking is more for reassurance from those that 'been there, done that'...

Overthinking, yes..I admittedly I do that (like packing lists I make and go over and over, reducing this, pairing down that...). But it seems to help with the 'pre-jitters' before I do things 'outside my comfort zone'.

NerdLord

Most of the things I've lost weren't stolen, but lost through my own carelessness, those that weren't where loaners I never got back.

J.Higgins 

I thru-hiked the AT after a very debilitating motorcycle crash, which left me with 13 broken bones and traumatic brain injury. After I was able to walk again, I started aerobic exercise and strength training for the first time in my life. That was ten years ago. Now that I'm 59, I do have my share of trepidation about doing the GDMBR tour, which I will at age of 60, heading south on the day of my birthday. I say to you, that exercise is key.

If you are fit, your brain will be fit. You don't have to be Jack LaLanne, but if your core is strong and your endurance is good, then touring will seem to be less daunting, and your comfort zone will have more acreage! This is my opinion, and I follow this myself.

linus

How American this thread is. Weapon pictures and all.

NerdLord

thanks NoControl, already lost 110 lbs in 2 years...

oh, and linus...
we can also be opinionated, stubborn, generous and open-minded...in short the full spectrum, a hobo stew of what ever one wants to toss into the goop. <place smiley emoticon here>

Roughstuff

On my world cycling website I have a sub-page, with some serious stuff and other stuff in jest, about "cycling in dangerous places." One of them, very effective, is early day riding, especially when crossing borders. But in my 35 years of bicycle touring, I have encountered very little "danger." While I have met numerous cyclists out west who have a concealed weapon, I would not carry a gun unless and until I am thoroughly trained in its use. Rifles are far more effective but not particularly bike friendly!

Big Lew

I am curious about just how many touring cyclists have actually needed
to protect themselves. I realize several have had items stolen, and maybe
I'm wrong, but I don't believe that many have got into a physical conflict
with thieves while trying to protect themselves or equipment. It's the same
with traveling and camping in the wilderness....when you consider the huge
number of people dong it, very few run into wildlife problems. I've spent a
great deal of my 71 years traveling in the outdoors and have never needed
to defend myself from either man or animal. Of course it happens, but with
today's media etc even isolated incidents get splashed all around the world
in seconds so tend to give unknowledgeable people the sense that there's
danger hiding around every tree and bush.