Raindrop "I agree totally with Trek420 about listening to your gut feelings."

Thanks, its not about fear. Gut feelings cover a lot of stuff, Like the first time I met someone sight unseen from this board (AG at the SF Grand Prixe). I just felt "I don't think she'll try to steal my kidneys" I was right, still have kidneys.

And you don't have to do a martial art. I feel anything we do to make you feel strong, comfortable in your body is the best self defense. Some bad guy may be thinking today "I don't think so, she looks strong" when S/he looks at you. Bad guys have gut instinct too ;-)

The fight that never happens is the one you win.

Some of you who have had encounters with violence you did nothing wrong. It's truly never the victoms fault.

Some days, wrong place and time..nothing you can do.

But if you're reading this you survived and that's all that matters, you're here.

I don't train to be the biggest baddest..whatever (ignore the hysterical laughter in the background of those who have met me ).

I hope to never use my training outside of class...again.

If I could snap my fingers and there would be no violence, no chance I'd ever need it....I'd still train.

On good days it's the next best thing to flying, and I love to learn. On bad days it's like fixing that 3rd flat ;-)

It's like cycling that way and that's why we ride. So keep pedaling TE gals (and guys).

But back to the topic at hand, don't give into fear but trust your gut.

Sure you may feel silly turning around and going the opposite way because of something you feel about that car, or pulling out your cell phone to call for help because of something about the way that person looks at you, or stopping at a store or business if you feel something's wrong about the situation.

Better silly than hurt. But it's important to take action imediately.

If you turn out to be wrong and that person was me or another peacefull harmless person we can laugh about it later.

I guess I'm feeling pensive, sad because of the rider who died. I like to think if I was attacked I'd do what she did, she fought back, hard and continualy from all reports.

I'd never know how I'd react and hope to never find out.

I like to think that in a true emergency life/death situation that if I loose that fight at minimum there will be enough remains bits and peices flecks of blood and parts *of my attacker* on me to pin the case on him.

can we talk about chocolate now?