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Is there a good way to attach something to the handlebar (riser bars in my case) to hold a container of dog spray? I intend on getting some, but I don't want it to live in a pocket - that could take too long to reach should I need it. This likely wouldn't have helped much the other day since I didn't see it coming, but it might have cut it short.
I've heard of someone who has something like this on his road bike, but the person telling me couldn't give me details.
I just looked up "dog spray" online to see the shape. Looks like your typical spray can. I'm wondering about that company called Built that makes neoprene cases for all sorts of things. You could zip tie something made of neoprene (you might have to cut and custom stitch something for yourself) to the bike stem and slide the dog spray into it.
Or...here's the real creative part of me speaking. Get a toilet paper roll, cut it to the correct height, waterproof it with duct tape all around (inside & out), zip tie it to your stem and your dog spray should slide right in.
Not very fashionable for your pretty bike, but it would do the trick.
Velcro?
OOPS. You'd have to have a bottom on that toilet paper roll. But actually if the dog spray container had a little piece on it to slide over the edge of the toilet paper roll, you wouldn't want a bottom - in case it rained. You wouldn't want it to get full of water.
Or you could get a pvc pipe that's a little bigger in diameter than the spray can, drill 2 sets of parallel holes in it, then snake zip ties through and around your stem. OR if you don't want to scratch your stem with zip ties, go to a craft store and buy strips of velcro that you could cut, slide through the holes on the pvc pipe and wrap that around the stem.
Who knows? Maybe there is a product already invented just for this purpose that I don't know about. ;)
Oh, we need fashion :) I suspect there is something out there, but if I need to I will come up with something. The cans are small, so it wouldn't need to be very big - perhaps something mounted on the inside of the stem? Hmmmmm
I found this top tube holder made for the purpose, but the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of something on the inside of the stem - if I am calling it the right name. Easy to reach and won't rub the paint :)
This one is better, it attaches to the bar itself.
Has anyone used a holder like this? Hopefully I won't ever have to actually spray a dog, but after the other day I will feel better if I have something like this out there for my solo country rides.
Velo, you are quite creative - and have more tools than I do :o Great ideas though, and they encourage me to think outside the box!
would a stubby holder/beer cooler work?
They're small neoprene casings for keeping beer bottles cold - if you cut two holes in the sides (closer together or further apart depending on fit) you could slide it over your handlebars and then slide your can in
Or some of them use velcro closures which would make it really easy to mount it on the stem
Hope you weren't hurt after the dog incident :(
I have one similar to this -- believe I bought it from Nashbar (years ago) specifically to hold cans of Halt. I have a drop bar bike, and it sits on the top of the bar very close to the stem. Very convenient.Quote:
Originally Posted by Catrin
Problem is, you still can't always get to it in time if a dog or dogs startle you by coming out of nowhere. When I had my accident in which I fractured my pelvis, the dogs came running from the side from behind trees and caught me totally by surprised. I was reaching for my Halt (in the holder) when I touched my DH's rear wheel and went down. Hard.
If you tend to freeze in panic situations, as I sometimes do, it may not keep you safe. Still, it's better than not at all, and much faster than reaching into a pocket.
@Catrin, my creativity comes from necessity (didn't have a lot of $$$ growing up). I totally understand your need for fashion.
Let us know what you figure out.
Yikes! I hope there are no lasting ramifications to that injury.Quote:
Originally Posted by emily_in_nc
I think having it in a pocket would be about the same as not having one. It wouldn't have helped Saturday but hopefully there won't be any repeats of that situation....
I understand this perfectly, I will let you know what I settle on. I certainly need something that I can access quickly and easily - and won't clash with my bike :o :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Velocivixen
Catrin, I hope your wounds are healing!
The one thing that I want to caution you about is wind... I've had a couple of customers who have been cycling for many years, but somehow didn't realize that the wind was blowing and the spray ended up back in their face... which of course made the situation much worse.
Take care and be careful !!
Any ideas about using an air horn rather than chemicals? My supervisor is thinking this might be a better choice as dogs have such sensitive ears and could work from a further distance....
I wouldn't bother with an air horn. Most dogs will retreat if you hell at them in a stern and loud voice. Or they'll at least retreat long enough to buy you a bit more time to get away or dismount and shield yourself with your bike. Shouting and a squirt of water from a water bottle (carry one for just this purpose since you use a Camelback) will usually do the trick, at least in my experience.
Now dogs that ambush you are simply tough to deal with. I've had some come pretty darn close. All I could really do in that adrenaline rush was yell and sprint. I'm not sure I'd have the presence to grab anything, even if it was easy to reach.
Most dogs know what "NO!" means and it at least makes them pause. I do have spray that's clipped to my handlebar, but I have had some that were FAST and trying to bite at my tires before I knew it.
All the dogs see is someone "running" past their territory - and in the dog world, if you are running that means you don't belong there. If you were walking and taking your time and strutting like you owned the place, they'd leave you alone. It's really weird. That's also why they bark if someone knocks at the door and stands there - if you belong there, you just walk right in and... no barking ensues.
I have both. The nice thing about an airhorn is that it works on cars too! It's also a bit easier to get to than Halt. It can be used before the dog is close enough to spray. I have used it much more than the Halt, which is best reserved when a dog is right on you, nipping at your ankles, or about to. That said, I hardly ever need to use my horn. It is ugly, though and has an air part and a horn part that both have to be mounted to your bike. Definitely not for folks who care about looking chic on their bike. I long since got over that (after my accident).Quote:
Originally Posted by Catrin
And yes, I have chronic pain from my accident. One of my fractures was serious and required surgery. I have a 5" metal plate and 4 pins in my right ilium, and it affects me to this day. I used to be a fast rider and do 3000-4000 miles a year, but I can't do that anymore. Still, it could have been worse. At least I am still able to ride, and recently have started using a TENS unit during rides; it helps quite a bit.
Catrin--
You need to find out how Bob Roll carries the Bazooka he talks about in those TV ads!
There's a bike shop in Defiance, MO that has a bazooka-type device that sounds like a train (Katy Trail is a rail-trail. Get it?)
Catrin I find that clipping my Halt to a Bento Box works best. Since the box is up by your hands u can get to it easily. A Bento Box is one of those little square bags that velcros to your bike right up near ur stem. I use the Velcro straps to clip the can to. Holds just tight enough and easy to get at when u need it.
I'd really like to start running with an air-horn. Just yesterday a kid was very obviously texting while rolling down the road. I would have gotten great pleasure out of scaring the crap out of the little turd. If the law and potential fine doesn't scare him, maybe I should.