Any cyclists? (CCW)

[MrCleanOK]

Hi! I'm new to the forum, so I hope I'm posting this in the right place.

I plan on buying my first pistol next weekend (my 21st birthday present to myself), and I have a question about concealed carry that doesn't seem to have been beaten to death on the forum already.

If I were only buying a gun to carry when I ride, I would have chosen something smaller (both caliber and size), but for other reasons I have decided on an XD in .45 ACP, 4" service model. Between my permanent residence, college, summer internship, and job after graduation, I'm calling three or four different towns "home" in just a few years' time, and I frequently find myself riding alone in unfamiliar places, 20 or 30 miles from home. Sometimes I really wish I could carry.

The question now is how can I carry when I'm on the bike? For those of you that ride, you probably know what I'm talking about. For those of you who are curious about what the big deal is, here is what I'm working with for concealment. . .

That isn't me, and none of my jerseys are purple, but you can get the idea. Jerseys do have pockets on the back, but I would think that using them would result in a noticable gun-shaped bulge, and would not be very secure in the event of a crash. Wearing a loose Hawaiian shirt (or similar) is not an option.

There you have as much pertinent info as I know to give you. I am happy to answer any questions you might have, and I would appreciate hearing your suggestions.

Thank you!

 

[BullfrogKen]

With clothes like that, you'll probably have to find a way to keep it on the bike. You're not out riding just for exercise, are you? Do you arrive at your destination and change? Do you have a pack of some sort with other clothes and valuables?

 

[hexidismal]

Really the only viable thing I can think of to accommodate a gun of that size with a get-up like that, while retaining the gun on your body, would be some kind of fanny/belly pack.

 

[MrCleanOK]

I do commute when I'm in my college town, and in that circumstance I am wearing plain clothes and could carry in a normal fashion or in my messenger bag. For the rides when I really feel the need to carry the only bag on my bike is a small one under my saddle for the tools needed to change flat tires and make minor repairs.

I could get a bag that attaches to the frame, but it would rub against my legs. Also, I would prefer to carry on my body so that in the event of a crash in which I am separated from my bike, I am still armed.

 

[Dave P]

fanny pack, right hip.

 

[kd7nqb]

belly belt or Smart carry might be an option. Also I see a lot of bike riders with those super simple Nylon drawstring backpacks. That might work well.

 

[mike101]

I've used a frame bag for years, and it doesn't rub against my legs. It goes in the front of the frame, and connects to the head tube, down tube, and top tube. You could also use a handlebar bag. However, I think a fanny pack is the best way to go for a gun that size. I think fanny packs are dorky looking, but when we wear cycling clothes, we look pretty dorky already, even if our jersies aren't purple.

 

[DesertDawg]

A friend of mine carries a full-sized pistol in a shoulder rig, and wears a thin nylon windbreaker over a tee shirt when he rides. He put some "male" Velcro on the underside of the holster (nearest to the torso) and "female" Velcro strip on the edge of the windbreaker, so that when the two strips are meshed together it merely looks like the windbreaker is flapped over.

There's also a hydration/concealed carry bag that I saw somewhere, but I don't recall the brand. It looked pretty good. The pistol is in a padded "envelope" next to the body, with the hydration system covering it. For all intents and purposes, it merely looked like a hydration pack.

 

[Chris Rhines]

You might be talking about the Camelbak Goblin. It's a fanny pack holster that doesn't actually look like a holster. I don't own one myself, but it might be worth checking out.

- Chris

 

[Isildur]

You might also consider using a pocket holster if you want to carry the gun in of of the existing pockets. This way it would be safe in the case of a crash and the gun-shape would be concealed.

 

[Bwana John]

Find a undersaddle bag intended to be used with sew-up tires, they are much bigger than the one you have now, it will fit a pistol.

How about a rack and small panniers?

I also used to have frame mounted bag on my mtn bike and never had a problem with rubbing.

Avoid a handlebar mounted bag, the extra weight up there is not cool.

The "Hawiian shirt" is not as bad a idea as you think, around here we wear board shorts and ratty t-shirts over our bike togs so we dont look like lycra-fags. You probly still couldnt conceal a pistol but you wouldnt look like a target.

 

[langenc]

I bike. Dont wear the fancy suit like pictured. Tshirt and shorts with jframe on a clipdraw-3 shirts if you want to-one tucked-one not. For the outer shirt get some tshirts that are made for Tall-longer to cover belt area more.

 

[YammyMonkey]

You might try using a Smart Carry & tucking the slide into the shorts. It's kinda hit or miss though, might pinch things between the saddle & gun though. It conceals pretty well when you're bent down riding, but standing up it does print; less if you're wearing a loose jersey.

You could always wear a Camelbak & use one of the storage compartments to hold the gun.

 

[VARifleman]

P3AT in pocket holster in the jersey pocket. It works, and doesn't add as much weight/bulk as the other ideas that have been mentioned here. I'm not sure where people get the idea that fanny packs or smartcarry are a good idea on a roadbike, but those are just silly. You get a little zipper pouch with the keltec as well so you can use that, perhaps adding or subtracting to it to hold the gun better.

 

[hexidismal]

VARifleman: I think everyone who suggested a fanny/belly pack (me included) would easily agree that what you say would be more optimal, but the point of this thread is working around the fact that the gun in question is fairly large and he won't be immediately buying another.

 

[bltmonty]

I have been biking for many years and carry when I bike--legal in NM without a CHL because the bike is like a car.

I carry my Kel-tec P-11 in the front bottom pocket of a Camelbak Rogue hydration pack, which is a thin, narrow backpack. About 35 dollars on ebay. It's common for road bikers to use this pack, so I does not attract attention. It completely hides the P-11, but the gun is accessible. I reach back and I pull up the pack near my head with my left hand and am able to grab the gun with my right. It takes some practice but is very doable. I have also carried my compact Glock 23 in that pocket, but it does show a bit.

Carrying the gun on the bike frame pack significantly alters the way the bike handles. I could never get used to that.

I am a fairly serious road biker (4000 miles a year) , so I have tried many other types of packs, but many of the options offered in other posts will leave you out of balance on the bike or looking like you are carrying a gun. Also, you have to be very careful about sweat getting to the gun, and you need to think about the effects of crashing--that's why I don't use a fanny pack or belly wrap. The narrow backpack keeps the weight (and gun) close to my body so as to not affect balance and it will be much easier to roll in the event of a crash.

Serious bikers do not use loose t-shirts because of their significant wind resistance and they usually don't dissipate moisture.

You might be able to carry a Kel-tec 3AT in the back pocket of your bike shirt, but you will get lot's of sweat on it--from my own experience

good luck, Barry

 

[BullfrogKen]

MrCleanOK said: Also, I would prefer to carry on my body so that in the event of a crash in which I am separated from my bike, I am still armed.

Well you can't do both dressed like that unless you're willing to wear a pack of some sort somewhere. That's just the way it is.

 

[MrCleanOK]

Thanks for the input, folks. I appreciate the warm welcome.

I think the Camelback suggestions show the most promise so far. I've never worn one because it gets very hot here in the summer, but I might just have to bite the bullet and get one.

bltmonty, I never considered that the extra weight of a gun would affect the handling of my bike, but that makes perfect sense. That confirms my aversion to carrying on the bike itself.

 

[VARifleman]

VARifleman: I think everyone who suggested a fanny/belly pack (me included) would easily agree that what you say would be more optimal, but the point of this thread is working around the fact that the gun in question is fairly large and he won't be immediately buying another.

He hasn't bought the gun yet, it's something to consider as the P3AT is a great pistol at only 250 bucks. It can go with you where ever/how ever you want, is accurate, and reliable. The way mentioned is my method of carrying on my road bike. If I could justify buying a set of bike shorts with belt loops I'd probably open carry the Glock 34. I don't know if open carry is an option where MCO is, but I wouldn't hesitate to do it except for my current bike clothes don't allow for it.

 

[Skofnung]

I wrestled with this very problem when I first started riding 3 years ago. I am more of an off road rider, but I frequently ride in town.

My solution was to wear a jersey or Underarmor top, and regular "street" shorts, the best of which I have found to be Old Navy cargo shorts. I carry my Glock 26 in a holster in my right front pocket. For shorts that have less pocket room, I have my P3AT.

I decided that keeping the gun in my pack would is useless, as when one needs a gun, one needs it right away.

Yes, I get disdainful looks from the "serious" biking crowd, but I don't care. If I've got an 80 lb ghetto pitbull tearing at my leg, I don't want to have to go rifling through my backpack to find my piece.

 

[DesertDawg]

Suggestion: Since you mentioned that it gets HOT where you cycle, the "Camelback" might actually be a blessing!

Fill the bladder about 1/3 of the way and put it in the freezer! Before going for a ride, fill the bladder the rest of the way, so that you'll have ICE water to drink AND to cool your back! I have also used some ice cube trays that make ROUND ice cubes that fit into the neck of most soda bottles....and those ROUND cubes would allow for more flexibility of the bladder. Just don't FILL the bladder with water and freeze it!

I'm going out to the HOT Mojave Desert in the next couple of weeks, and the temps are up to 100+ right now. I'll be doing a lot of hiking, and I'll try to remember to freeze enough ROUND ice cubes to take along, for some "research". I'll FILL the hydration bladder with as many round cubes as I can, then top it off with water. My guess is that I'll have ice water for several hours!

Oh, my! Why did I even THINK of this? Wear your concealed firearm in a "fanny pack", and if someone asks you about what you're carrying in it, tell them..."Oh, thanks for reminding me! That's my colostomy bag, and I need to empty it!" HAHA! I seriously doubt if they'll want to LOOK at it!

Pedal away, my friend! It's one of the best things to do for staying in good shape! "Buns" and "abs" of "steel", and great cardio-vascular exercise! Just don't forget to do some upper-body stuff!

 

[mec]

I've actually needed the gun a couple of times when riding. I needed it fairly quickly. What works for me is a strong side belt holster or Iwb under a vest or loose shirt. I do not wear spandex or other bicycle clothing.

 

[MillCreek]

I carry a Taurus 651 titanium revolver (19 oz. loaded) in a handlebar bag. I have a handlebar bag on all five bikes. I have not noticed any significant changes in bike handling by virtue of using a bar bag. However, these days, I ride recreationally, not as a racer.

 

[speedball]

Kahr PM9. Plastic sandwich bag with a square piece of cardboard to breakup the gun profile. Center pocket back of jersey. If you practice you can get it out quick. That may or may not be how I do it. I will never tell. Good to see I am not the only cyclist to consider this.

 

[Geronimo45]

He hasn't bought the gun yet, it's something to consider as the P3AT is a great pistol at only 250 bucks.

Sure, there's plenty of nice-sized guns... but he's a-wantin' a(n) XD45... not a lot of cash, so the gun would serve HD and CC roles. That's how I see it, anyhow.