I think this is the best idea so far. Keep a few on your person at all time.

Legal concern is always an issue, PC should NEVER be an issue when dealing with safety.

The 18" length of rope with golf ball is commonly called a "Monkey's Fist", among other things. VERY effective against many threats. If you have one of those and you choose or are forced to stand and fight you have a very good weapon. No good against a firearm, etc. but that's generally not the threat you get.

There you go.

Here are few others: Paracord Monkeys Fist - Self Defense - Paracordist Creations LLC

There are even videos on how to make your own if you are adventurous.

Also, and sorry for multiple posts... but like a pistol a monkey's fist may not be legal where you are so make sure you check.

I'd be cautious about carrying weapons through states and communities where you are not a resident. However a frame pump is a normal bicycle tool... that could I guess also be swung at any aggressor no matter how many legs. And it might be a good idea to carry some bear spray to protect yourself from bear attacks.... not that you would ever spray anyones pet.

Some years ago I was on a club ride when a dog came after us. One guy took his frame pump swung it at the dog, he missed and it went into his front wheel. Result; Broken collarbone.

Instant Karma

Valid point. Laws change as you ride. One one hand we can want to be smart along the whole route but it doesn't always work out that way.

I used to deal with a MAJOR amount of loose dogs when I grew up on Guam(yes the tropical island). The worst offenders were policemen who would let thier large breed healthy dogs out after dinner until they left for work the next morning. Some rides would be as many as 10-15 chases in sequence, which is motivating in a certain fear for your life way to a young teenager on a 10 speed.

After some discussion, my Dad and I concluded to take the battle to the dog instead of being the victim. We have wheels and brakes, they don't.

1. Dog barks coming out from driveway. Backtrace their trajectory for a head on collision. Dog runs away yelping.
2. Dog comes in from behind, typically silent. More of a concern since they don't give away the stealth as quick. Slow enough for the dog to come close, then either bunny hop sideways to whack it with the back wheel(admittedly not as effective when touring) or come to as sharp of an all stop as you can, driving the dog into the back wheel. Same effect as hitting it with the bike. Most commonly used move with most success in my experience.
3. Repellant. Get a set of super bright LED headlights that can strobe, mount them to the back on a switch with 45 deg separation from the rear. Full flashing strobe has a remarkable effect at throwing off their concentration, often resulting in inability to walk or run. If red-lensed it works for a tail light too, but for a strictly dog repellant I would keep them white. Rather entertaining to see in action and the best part is no-contact.

Main thing with these methods is they are not considered to be 'illegal' or 'assaulting' on the dog, which can breed major problems with police if self defense was unproven.

I have had good luck with a quick stop and dismount, pick the bike up over my head, then charge at the dog, it seems to scare the crap out of them. If they keep coming (so far none have), you can use the bike as a weapon.

Started making my baton today. I am laminating thin strips of white oak together and then I mount the blank on my lathe and turn it down to a slender "Canine Deterrent"!

I use a lock and cable on the bike.....He it gets me off the bike,I use Buck.

Back in the early 60s my dad would ride his bike to work. He carried a squeeze-bulb with an ammonia solution for dogs. He never had a repeat 'customer'.

I started riding in the mid '70s, and often waved or struck my frame pump in the doggies direction - result was a bent pump. A good "NO!" works better and is less costly.

Fast forward - I have carried mail for 33+ years and have never been bitten by a dog I have seen first. Halt spray? forgetaboutit!!! The loud primeval yell works best - it doesn't matter what word/sound you use. Act bigger/tougher than the dog. Keep eye contact. Watch for secondary doggies. MAYBE I would carry one of those collapsible coiled-spring-steel batons.

squeeze bottle would be better than anything that remotely resembles a real Gun.


monkeys fist is in its normal element , on the water, wanting to go ashore.

1st you throw it with a small line, tied to the end of a really big line,
that you actually use to tie the ship up to the quayside in Port .

Yelling and stopping works about 90% of the time for me, although I hate stopping.

For the other 10%, maybe in conjunction with stopping, Halt! See if you can find the plastic clip that holds it on your handlebars. Make sure the nozzle is pointed away from you, not as a safety issue, but because when you hear the clicking sound of dog toenails 15 feet behind you and closing fast, you don't want to have to mess around figuring out which end is which. Grab it, wait for the beast to get in range, and spray. Practice in a calm area ahead of time, it's pretty easy to aim well enough and you'd have to work hard at it to spray yourself. It doesn't matter if the plastic clip stays on the bars or the can, you can get it back together later.

For a pack, hit the closest one. The rest will learn quickly.

Add 100% ammonia for added effect.

In south Alabama a deputy said, "Jus' shoot 'em."

What ultrasonic frequency actually hurts dogs?

The above says "put four or five marbles into a large, empty can and cap it. If you shake it vigorously, the noise frightens most dogs and cats so much they cease any aggressive actions."

Also, how about those toy pellet guns that shoot plastic BBs? I don't think it will leave any long lasting injuries. I would not like to get close enough to use something like a monkey fist keychian on a dog.
New Airsoft Gun Handgun Pistol Plastic Gear Spring Guns w Starter BBs | eBay

On a tour I did last summer from Vancouver to San Francisco, we encountered dogs on a number of occasions. Despite what anyone may say it will happen and it's worse, generally in those isolated areas we so affectionately began to call "meth country" where people don't fence or chain their dogs. You will get chased, which is instinctively what dogs will do.

You really have two choices: outrun the dogs or stand your ground. On a open downhill you can just outrun them but on the flats or uphill you are best getting off the bike and putting it between you and the dog. Yelling loudly at the dog as suggested usually works. Don't make sudden movements, stand your ground and they'll just end up getting bored and walk away. We also carried pepper spray and I had it mounted to the handlebars. Never had to use it but was good for piece of mind, even though I probably would have just sprayed myself in the face by accident anyway!

Here is a map of our trip: Hiker-Biker Sites of Washington, Oregon, and Northern California ? Pedal Inn: Bike Camping Guide, Provisions, and Cookbook . The biggest dog problem spot for us, by far, was Western Washington.

All that said, consider it part of the adventure, and know that you'll be okay. It is all part of the touring experience and something that you'll have in common with every one on bike tour you meet.

Something like this. Tie a knot in it and keep it in a back pocket of your short or riding shirt...and locks are legal everywhere. I actually like the water bottle idea a bit better though.

I like thos odea, but im rarely ready with it when he approaches suddenly. I think whatever the choice, we need to keep it at the ready ( velcro holder? )

Beware the baton- swinging a baton can cause you to lose your balance and crash- it doesn't even need to go into the spokes as above- if you're holding a club then only one hand is on the handlebars. I nearly crashed just brushing a bee off a riding partner's back.

Best to stop, put the bike between you and the dog, then grab the baton/pepper spray/ammonia if necessary.

bird shot, as I recall, is like a shotgun pellet load , in small caliber. accurate aiming less important.

I've swung at many a dog with my frame pump. I only connected a couple of times, and only once hard enough to bend the pump. Generally, yelling and swinging anything is enough deterrent. I'd never stop to yell/wave my arms. Too much chance of another dog circling from behind. Or having to answer Farmer John's questions at the pointy end of a 12ga as to why you sprayed/hit/antagonized his dog. Most people do not take kindly to their dog getting sprayed even if the dog was in the wrong. Most dogs are just protecting the turf/territory in front of the farm, so the quicker you exit the area, the better off for everyone. Adrenaline is your friend!!! As they say elsewhere on BF - HTFU!!

My college cycling club had at least one dog as a 'kill' to its credit. One little yapper raced out to the road and was so fixated on the ride leader that it literally got ran over by the paceline (twisting a few bikes in the process) Try to explain that to Farmer John...

I had one incident on the way home from the tennis courts one night while I was still in High School. I was carrying the tennis racquet across my handlebars and this dog came out the shadows. One swift instinctual reaction backstroke with the edge of the racquet and there was one piled-up dog on the side of the road... Worse was the fact that I knew whose dog it was. They thought that it had gotten hit by a car...