Survival skills for mountain bikers ...

[Enticement]

My 2 sons and I we have been involved in 8 bike jackings over the past 7 years - which probably makes us the most "experienced" bike jack victims in South Africa. We have survived 4 of these without any loss but, although we have made a stand and put up a fight on 3 of these incidents, we have lost 3 bikes so far (the last one was a vicious fight for survival with 4 armed attackers that went on for about 20min). However, apart from my martial arts and survival skills knowledge, we have learned with each incident as no-one is the same. We will be posting video clips on YouTube on "Survival skills for mountain bikers" shortly - some of it will be on SuperCycling.

[Wayne68]

_{ninja moves!! :ph34r:}

[DJR]

Perhaps also research how to avoid/prevent hijackings!?

[Wayne68]

more ninja moves.... :ph34r:

[North Shore]

Perhaps also research how to avoid/prevent hijackings!?

Honestly this just sounds irresponsible to me, as someone with a black belt (2nd Dan kickboxing) we are always taught to avoid conflict first. Is your life, or the lives of your sons really worth a measly bicycle? My advice is get bike insurance, avoid these clearly dangerous routes and if you get attacked for your bike hand it over gracefully and look forward to insurance getting you a new one.

[patches]

Perhaps also research how to avoid/prevent hijackings!?

 

ride faster

[American Flyers]

It is difficult to avoid/prevent because last year I was cycling on way home and all of sudden there were 5/6 guys walking towards to me. I had 2 options, cycle back quickly or jump off their path, but I did not have time to act. I was cycling fast and I prayed, luckily they let me thru...

[Pants Boy]

avoid these clearly dangerous routes

+1

ride faster

+1 lol

[MariusC]

Stop Hammer Time

[Guest]

This is a bad idea...

Just because I watch Jean Claude movies, doesn't mean I should think I can donner like him....

 

Just be true to yourself, can I do those moves? will I lose to a guy with a knife?

No, and Yes, probably.

 

Oh and Admin... The Text edit doesn't like the word "movies" <-- why not?!

[geecee]

sounds dodgy

Edited May 16, 2012 by geecee

[Tankman]

It is difficult to avoid/prevent because last year I was cycling on way home and all of sudden there were 5/6 guys walking towards to me. I had 2 options, cycle back quickly or jump off their path, but I did not have time to act. I was cycling fast and I prayed, luckily they let me thru...

 

You were lucky ... I was not!

 

I noticed a piece of plank being swung at my head before I noticed the two bike jackers. The pank struck me on the side of my head just underneath my helmet and split my ear open.

 

I did not have time to react or "prevent" this situation. The second guy had a screwdriver in his hand and should I have tried to fight back in my dazed and confused state, I would have been "screwed" for sure!

 

I now pay a lot more attention and ride armed with pepper spray and an extension batten used by U.S cops.

 

And trust me, if you don't have this stuff in your hand at the time of the attack, you are not going to have time to react and fiddle in your back pockets looking for stuff. The element of surprise is their big weapon, that and a big klap of violence immediately has you on the back foot. Lately I hear that the simply push guys off without even needing any weapons. They know that the cyclist is going to be bracing for the fall and be gearing up to defend themselves.

 

Luckily they didn't get my bike in the end

[Trivium]

Spyderco Civilian

http://www.knifeworks.com/ProductImages/spyderco/sc12gs.jpg

[Big H*]

As Bill Jordan, the famous Texan lawman said...... "a hit with a .22 is better than a miss with a 44 Magnum"!!!!!!!!

 

North American Arms 4 shot single shot in .22 Magnum

 

CSA should issue everycyclist one with his licence

Edited June 17, 2012 by eccentric1