Do you feel this is safe?

[sundial]

I realize this is an American based board but please realize that even the mention of carrying a gun whilst biking is scaring the sheepies out of me . I know it's your "right" but a gun on a bike? I don't get it.

CC, I really do understand and empathize with your position on handguns. I remember as a kid jumping on my bike and riding anywhere and staying out until dark thirty and not having to worry about pedophiles, kidnappers, and rapists. It's sad that things have changed so much--for the worse. Around here, women are getting mugged in the Wal-Mart parking lot. A Barnes & Noble had an armed robbery at high noon. Meth addicts are breaking in and stealing whatever they can to pawn for cash. And with the rise in addictions to pornography, crimes against women have increased exponentially. I don't want to be another statistic.

[Trek420]

I'm with Tuck, I agree that people have a right to bare arms but I have a healthy respect for and positively fear of guns. I won't own one, nor will I have one in my house.

I'm also not sure there was less crime when I was a kid. There were pedophiles, rapists, addicts etc. I think we were less aware of it.

I think we need a healthy balance as women of taking normal precautions, using common sense and sometimes I think this "be afraid, very afraid" message keeps women down. Is it meant to do that? I'm not sure.

But you say "Trek, you're a 2nd degree black belt, in training for 3rd, it's different for you"

No, it's not.

As a martial artist I train for that 'ah hah! " moment of "oh,it's supposed to be my other left foot". I try to get one technique right every class. Really. It's fun, essential part of my physical training and part of my eclectic spiritual practice. I don't train to be the biggest baddest Mo Fo on the block. People come to MA for a variety of reasons including that, few last long with that attitude . Most find other satisfactions from training, drop out the moment they get 1st degree black belt .... or just leave.

I will say this. I believe in avoiding confrontation, escalation or dangerous situations at all costs. On the other hand I hope this is true of me that if an unavoidable conflict occurred .... I'd either win or there's going to be enough pieces of him on me that there's going to be an airtight case based on DNA evidence.

But let's just not get into that situation in the first place shall we?

Now, get out there and RIDE!

[sundial]

I believe in avoiding confrontation, escalation or dangerous situations at all costs.

I think that's the key here. Be alert, be safe, and be reactive.

[Grog]

And with the rise in addictions to pornography, crimes against women have increased exponentially. I don't want to be another statistic.

Do you have any stats on that??? An "exponential" increase is a REALLY big increase.

(There are slightly different - and really maddening - realities going on in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, but I don't think that's what we're talking about here.)

I don't want women to live in fear, especially when it's not warranted.

As far as I know, women are still a lot more likely to suffer from domestic abuse than from random violence, in the USA as in Canada.

[sundial]

Grog, I pm'd you.

[stacie13]

I ride mostly on a highway, but there isn't a huge amount of traffic. Cell phones are a no-go in my area (the boonies), I just let my hubby know where I am heading out and if I'm not back in x-amount of hours, come looking! I am more concerned about wildlife (bears) than kooky humans, though you really never know about humans either sometimes... it's good to keep your eyes open!

I never really worry, but I also have family/friends telling me I'm crazy for riding alone. Hey, I'd rather be out on the road than in a gym!