Suitable carry for bicycling

[MrBorland]

I have ridden down the road and had ITEMS thrown at me. Do you think that could lead into something? I am lucky that coat hangers and other stuff such as apples have not killed me. No one had attempted to digest any morsel of that apple btw.

We had people in the club ride that became targets of verbal threats from people passing by.

Here is an example of something that happened to a friend recently that yelled out "car right" as a car pulls to the edge of the road at a McDonalds. The car pulls out in front of us like we are not there. It does a u turn and the guy comes back threatening to kick our butts.

Two weeks ago I had two women walking a dog unleashed that yelled at me for bothering their dog. I was riding up the hill when the dog went running down the hill at me. I was twenty feet away from them when their dog left them for the playful attack against me. This was a minor incident, but ever worry about a big dog that is trying to hurt you?

Well, Doc, I started riding competitively in 1980, and I still ride competitively. I log in 15-20 hours and 250-300 miles a week during the season. I have 3 bikes, each costing at least $5k, and no one's been the slightest bit interested in stealing my bike while I'm riding. I commute to work. I put lights on my bike and ride in the dark. All that you describe happens to me and other cyclists routinely, yet, despite this, I don't know of a single instance where I felt I or any other cyclist "needed" a firearm.

A decision to carry while riding is a personal one and yours to make. I don't know your circumstances, so it's not my place to judge, but keep in mind that the rules for defending yourself apply to a cyclist with a gun as much as anyone else with a gun. I understand your concern that getting stuff thrown at you or getting run off the road or chased by a dog might lead to a grave thread to your life, but in my experience, unless the cyclist allows the situation to escalate by flipping them off or getting of their bike and engaging them, the motorist simply wants you out of the way or is having some perverse fun at your expense. Yeah, it sucks. Yeah, you might even have gotten hit by an object, or even crashed when they ran you off the road, but once it's over, it's over. Don't let it escalte beyond that. And even when it's not "over", they just want to give you a piece of their mind. Ignore them. Do not look at them. Do not speak to them. Do not stop and get off the bike and engage them.

And dogs? Ignore them, too. I ride in the country here in the south, and yup, we have dogs. Lots of 'em. They're just interested in the chase. I can't even recall the last time I really and truly felt in danger when a dog chases me. 90% of the time, I don't even speed up. It's kinda funny to see their face when they realize you're not sprinting away - a kinda "aw crap, now what?" look. And if you do feel in danger, a blast of water from your bottle in their face usually stops them in their tracks, at least for a little while.

FWIW, I do carry a canister of pepper spray in my rear jersey, right next to my Gu's. Thankfully, I've never had to even reach for it.

 

[10-Ring]

I used to carry either my Beretta 950 or my S&W j frame when I rode my street or my mountain bikes

 

[kayl]

Search for the camelbak goblin; it's gotten good reviews from a couple xdtalk members

 

[Captain Bligh]

I carry a S & W Model 60 in a fanny pack. Fanny pack doesn't look so out of place on a bike.

I am totally against off body carry on the bicycle. I would never carry in a frame or handlebar mounted bag. If someone knocks you off your bike, you are separated from you gun. In my opinion, it defeats the purpse of carry and leaves you vulnerable. YMMV

 

[jeepmor]

I used to hit agressive dogs with my Zefal bicycle pump. It's one of the long models that mounted between the frame. It would extend as I swung it and give a nice little love tap to fido as I kicked my cadence up.

Settled a couple moving disputes with dogs in that fashion and recommend this method before a boomstick for obvious reasons. If this doesn't work, boom stick away. If you go the shot shell route, realize these are made for many autos, but they do not cycle the action.

I really like the bag options that cyclist illustrated. The frame pack close to the seat is ideal in my experience.

I rode extensively in my college years, but I never carried a gun. I always figured I could outrun any trouble or hop the curb and escape any yahoos in cars since I was in a fairly rural community at that time.

I don't care how or why you want to carry, I'm just happy that you take personal responsibility for your own safety. Kudos man, good luck in your selection. I'd start with a Kel Tec or the like. Light guns, heavy triggers, should be very safe should you bite it at 20mph. I remember that feeling, I have a few scars to remind me.

 

[cyclist]

I was thinking of the carry bags due to crash issues, it isn't fun to fall on a gun. I ride motorcycles too and this type of discussion comes up often enough. Hopefully one will have enough notice before resorting to displaying the firearm becomes necessary. The bike mounted bag helps to contain the firearm in the event of a crash or if the need to jump a ditch or curb comes up.

I'm thinking that the Camelback option might be best if one is concerned about bike-jackings. Not sure how accessible the gun compartment is on them though, I's have to see on in person first. Hmmm, wonder if I could get one on order through REI-Coop....
Clerk: "We have all these other options, why do you want to order this particular model?"
Me: "I want to keep my GPS unit both secure, out of sight, and easy to get to quickly if I need it right away."
Clerk: "We have handlebar mounts for the GPS unit."
Me: "Part of my ride is in a bad neighborhood and I'd rather the bad guys not see anything expensive worth stealing."
Clerk: "Oh."

Another possible plus of the Camelback option is when in a NPE where some might frown upon what is concealed inside. Hmmm, off to do a little shopping I think.

 

[mekender]

pistol grip 12ga laid across the handlebars? or a holster for one mounted on the frame cowboy style?

 

[jefnvk]

I often have a PPK in the upper chest pockets of a rather tight softshell fleece jacket, not uncomfortable and prints like a wallet or notepad. I'd imagien it would work in your back pocket.

Don't know how much I would count on it going through glass, but it'll punch through sheet metal real good.

 

[mekender]

ppk will go through glass just fine, ive tested it... it will deflect depending on the angle, so say you are shooting at a car front window, youll have to aim about 3-6 inches high to hit your mark

 

[middlechainringguy]

Biathlon

So what's the pedal-power equivalent of our foot-based brothers' and sisters' IDPA and ISPC? Anyone in Central Texas up for joining me in setting up a concealed carry biathlon? ARC has land and berms and nice roads nearby, and so does Karl at KR Training ... seems like we could make this happen.

I'm a roadie and would probably need to borrow someone's mountain bike. A really high-zoot one, please. But in a generous community like this, I figure that shouldn't be a problem.

--middlechainringguy

 

[woad_yurt]

To those who wondered why anyone would want to be armed when they ride:
A long time back, when I was out riding a bike and some freak in a car going 50-60 mph threw a beer bottle at me. It smashed almost to dust on my handlebars. Another time, I got pelted with french fries full of ketchup from another passing car. I understand why the guy wants a gun with him.

 

[joshk-k]

"Hey Guys...
Wow! I feel kinda antiquated here. Not being critical - just trying to understand.
The thought of having to "carry" while cycling is (for me, a non-cyclist) a notable surprise. Am (sincerely) curious about why you have decided to "carry" while cycling. ?????"

Many people, myself included, commute by bike. I happen to live in one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country, but still get hassled a lot.

If it makes sense to you for people to keep a gun in their car or on their person, then it should make sense to you why someone might want one on a bike.

I don't have a CCL and my workplace is "weapon-free" so it's a moot point for me, but I choose a 30-inch length of sturdy chain as part of my locking system and keep it readily available (draped over my neck) when mounted in case I need a weapon.

Josh

 

[markmc753]

Back in the 80's I raced road bikes and logged about 10k miles/yr. I learned to take the tact of just ignoring the jerks who yell, throw stuff etc... they mostly just go away. I only had one instance of a fellow insisting on a confrontation -- though not as popular on newer models car as the use to be, if found that a car's antenna is a very effective defensive weapon.

Now days most of my riding is off road and confrontations have been nil

 

[OpFlash]

Kel-Tec PF-9 in a belly band.

I went mountain biking with the above setup and took a rather nasty spill. I didn't even think about the gun until I had climbed back on and pedaled a good distance away, luckily it was still there snug as a bug in a rug. It weighs so little it doesn't have much inertia so it moves with you.

I'm real impressed with the PF-9. After some early teething issues, they have been shipping very reliable examples since around the beginning of 2007. I got mine about 3 months ago and it has been 100% with about 300 rounds down the pipe. It is similar to the old P11 but lighter, thinner, and with a much lighter trigger.

Belly bands are underrated IMHO. They don't require a belt, allow you to carry IWB at 3:00 and are much quicker on the draw than a Smartcarry. They also retain quite well because they utilize not only the tension of the band itself but also whatever is holding your pants up, i.e. belt, shorts string tie, etc. I can run in shorts (no belt) with my PF-9 in a belly band with no retention strap and be confident the pistol is not moving around or in danger of coming out.

 

[MrBorland]

some freak in a car going 50-60 mph threw a beer bottle at me. It smashed almost to dust on my handlebars. Another time, I got pelted with french fries full of ketchup from another passing car.

...and how would carrying a firearm have prevented this? Did the knuckleheads come back and threaten your life? Unless you did your part to escalate the situation, very likely they didn't, which is the point I and markmc753 were trying to make. You couldn't have prevented the incident, and once the bottle shattered or the ketchup splattered, the incident was over.

If a rider can honestly say they have a reasonable idea that their life may be threatened on a ride, I'd say sure, go ahead and carry, but so far, I haven't seen anything on this thread that constitutes anything more than the usual harassment that all cyclists normally recieve. And in my 27 years of cycling, I learned that if you leave your ego at home before you go out for a ride, this "usual harassment" doesn't turn into much more than just that.

I was fortunate to have started riding in an area where a lot of pros lived and I rode & learned from them. In retrospect, one of the best pieces of advice they ever gave was "Just shut up & ride".

And btw, these raise my eyebrows:

Ever ride a $5,000 bike? They are out there, even more than that price is available!

Consider this. I ride an expensive bicycle. It cost me approximately $1200. I no longer accessorize. My old bicycle cost me more money in replacement parts for upgrading. I am riding along on a vehicle that costs a substantial amount of money to some people(myself included). This vehicle can also been perceived as a 8,000$ or more bicycle by the general public.

I know many people that carry their weapon in the car as they are worried about being carjacked. I know people whose cars COST less than my bicycle.

Are you saying you'd feel justified in shooting anyone trying to steal your bike?! Any bike can be replaced. Write the serial # down. Get your insurance to cover it if it's stolen. Or if you're that worried about it, don't ride it.

 

[jefnvk]

If a rider can honestly say they have a reasonable idea that their life may be threatened on a ride, I'd say sure, go ahead and carry, but so far, I haven't seen anything on this thread that constitutes anything more than the usual harassment that all cyclists normally recieve

And only those that have threats against them or restraining orders on stalkers, or off duty police, should be able carry a gun in public, if you ask me.

 

[woad_yurt]

MrBorland:
Just because the idiots who threw stuff at me rode away doesn't lessen the desire or need to defend myself if I have to do so. A carry piece is there to protect one's self against miscreants, and miscreants can pop up anywhere. Why would one go through the trouble of getting a permit, a gun and ammo, only to leave it home when one is on a bicycle? I think people get accosted out of their homes more often than in. Should we not have a gun handy in the house? If something goes wrong, the victim of assault or robbery or whatever doesn't get to choose where or when it will happen. What's the point of having a gun if you don't have it handy? People carry them in their car and no one here says that's crazy. It is called a carry permit for a reason, so one can carry.

To paraphrase you:
Would you feel justified in shooting anyone trying to steal your car?! Any car can be replaced. Write the serial # down. Get your insurance to cover it if it's stolen. Or if you're that worried about it, don't drive it.

That's your reasoning, not mine. I totally disagree with you.

 

[Kevinch]

I used to ride a good bit - although all recreational. Still have my Rockhopper (with an upgrade to an original Judy suspension fork that I installed myself ) and a Specialized Epic.

Anyway, I sold a Taurus .38 snubnose & used the funds to help with the purchase of a Colt Mustang Pocketlite to carry when I rode my bicycle. I thought that little .380ACP was just about ideal in that application. Hard to find now for any reasonable amount, a Keltec without 1 in the chute (you mentioned concern about jarring a striker-fired pistol) might be your best bet.

 

[yesit'sloaded]

I just have to post it.

 

[MrBorland]

Would you feel justified in shooting anyone trying to steal your car?! Any car can be replaced. Write the serial # down. Get your insurance to cover it if it's stolen. Or if you're that worried about it, don't drive it.

They can have it. No car and no bike is worth a life. If they threaten my life in the process of trying to get it though, that's another matter.

Regarding carrying while you ride, re-read my posts - if you feel the need, then do it. It's simply been my experience that harassment is common, but has never led to anything more and I've never felt the need to carry myself. YMMV.

 

[Vonderek]

MrBorland,
I'm not much of a bicyclist but I've been driving a car for 30 years and have never been in fear for my life so I guess there's no need for me to have a gun in my car. Heck, I've been a pedestrian for 40+ years and haven't been assaulted yet so I may as well throw away my CCW and get rid of my guns...guess I'll never need 'em!

 

[Phydeaux642]

Well, Doc, I started riding competitively in 1980, and I still ride competitively. I log in 15-20 hours and 250-300 miles a week during the season. I have 3 bikes, each costing at least $5k, and no one's been the slightest bit interested in stealing my bike while I'm riding. I commute to work. I put lights on my bike and ride in the dark. All that you describe happens to me and other cyclists routinely, yet, despite this, I don't know of a single instance where I felt I or any other cyclist "needed" a firearm.

A decision to carry while riding is a personal one and yours to make. I don't know your circumstances, so it's not my place to judge, but keep in mind that the rules for defending yourself apply to a cyclist with a gun as much as anyone else with a gun. I understand your concern that getting stuff thrown at you or getting run off the road or chased by a dog might lead to a grave thread to your life, but in my experience, unless the cyclist allows the situation to escalate by flipping them off or getting of their bike and engaging them, the motorist simply wants you out of the way or is having some perverse fun at your expense. Yeah, it sucks. Yeah, you might even have gotten hit by an object, or even crashed when they ran you off the road, but once it's over, it's over. Don't let it escalte beyond that. And even when it's not "over", they just want to give you a piece of their mind. Ignore them. Do not look at them. Do not speak to them. Do not stop and get off the bike and engage them.

I've been riding for quite some time myself. In the not so distant past I averaged 900-1000 miles per month commuting because I made a decision to use my bike as my main source of transportation. Dogs have never really bothered me as far as being a threat. Most of them are just curious and loose interest quickly. I have had to use mace one time for a dog and it worked very well. I have only had one dog chase me that I felt was dangerous (running at me without barking, ears back and tail straight), however, I was able to outrun it. People, however, are another matter.

I have had someone in a car cross over into my lane forcing me into the ditch. Then the driver took his car into the ditch coming straight for me. I stopped, then he stopped. I had no idea what to expect out of him at this point. After what seemed like a very long time he drove away and I continued on my way. This was at 5:30 am.
I have had a car full of drunk guys try to chase me down for some unkown reason. They actually did a u-turn to come after me, but I rode into the shadows of a side street and they missed me. I did nothing to escalate the situation either time, but they both kept coming.
I have more stories but my point is that people that act in this manner are generally not stable and you really never know how a situation will play out. I never want to be in a situation where I feel threatened enough to draw a weapon because that means I am in fear for my life. I won't, on the other hand, be caught with my pants down hoping that that situation doesn't arise. The two incidents mentioned above could have played out very differently and that is why I now carry my 642 with me when I ride. I desperately hope that I never need it.

_______________

"Phydeaux, bad dog....no biscuit!"

 

[Rexster]

Mocean makes bicycle shorts and wind pants, for the police bike patrol market, that have belt loops. The Wilderness makes a product called the Safepacker, which, to put it simply, is a squared-off flap holster. The Safepacker can be carried while riding, either in shoulder bag mode on a strap, or in belt-pouch mode on a belt. Before the anti-carry ninnyhammers chime in, no, the Safepacker does not "scream gun" at all; I have carried mine many times to such bastions of grass-eaters as Whole Foods Market and the Galleria Mall in Houston.

 

[Rexster]

BTW, I do not carry while cycling because I think cycling is dangerous, I carry while cycling because I carry anytime when I am out and about. Well, OK, I also carry because I am a peace officer and sworn to be subject to duty at all times, but the first reason is most important.

 

[marley]

For the reasons listed above a g-26 in a fanny pack always goes with me. It is light, it is a " real " gun, and it will work. YMMV Ride safe