Do you feel this is safe?

[Harley]

...no, not a buzzard, I wasn't dead yet, it was a golden eagle

On cell phones... in mountainous areas I haven't found a service yet that is consistent. Analog is no longer available in Northern Washington, I had to switch. But it's still a comfort carrying one, I know where I have to crawl to to get service.

Used to carry a pistol on my Harley, never had to use it... but if I lived in a city, like some of you, I may have a change of heart and start packin' again.

[cyclinnewbie]

Weapons give false security.

:

I'd have to disagree (respectfully, of course ) I was in one situation where my weapon was what got me out and alive. I always have a little something with me now. Not a gun, even though I have my permit and I'm a darned good shot....just something I can use to get me enough time to get away. Having said that, though, I do not depend on my weapon of choice, I depend on my gut and my head, and my darned legs to pedal me the heck away!!! Or run, if need be, but I'm a better peddeler than runner...

[sundial]

Weapons give false security.

With the meth addicts around, I'm not going to take a chance that I'll become victim. Since I can't pack a policeman around, I'll carry my .45.

[crazycanuck]

I'm not sure how to put this a nice way but i'll give it a shot...(no pun intended)

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.

[lph]

ayh, me too, gives me the heebie-jeebies.... up here in my protected corner of the world. But I can't really imagine riding someplace where people around me might be carrying guns either.

This thread did remind me that it might be an idea to keep my cell phone on me where I can actually get hold of it easily, and not crammed into my impossible-to-open-under-seat-bag. If I wake up crumpled in the bushes with a headache I might not want to move around too much to call for help.

[Tuckervill]

I'm not sure how to put this a nice way but i'll give it a shot...(no pun intended)

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.

I'm an American and it scares me, too!

But I do get it. What it all boils down to for me--I don't own a gun and never will, and I was an expert marksman in the Army. But, I don't want to live in a society where only the government is allowed to have weapons. I'm just sayin'.

Karen

[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!

[RoadRaven]

Well... just adding my voice to those others saying ride where you want with sense...

I live in the country, my commute to work takes me to the edge of a town - so almost all my training rides and commuting trips are on country roads. I mostly ride on my own also.

My precautions - always carry a cell phone which is always on and ready to use. I always tell someone where I am going and when I expect to get there - and then ring them once I arrive...