Attempted mugging: Woodstock - 30 December 2012

[organism]

Lovely.

 

I was cycling from the CBD to Claremont via Sir Lowry Rd at 13:00 on 30 Dec 2012. Just passed the Good Hope Centre, under the overpass, three young black guys were sitting. One on the left side and the other two on the other side of the road. As I got closer to the overpass one of the guys got up and started sauntering across the road, I didn't think anything of it, when I was closer he stopped in the road and started doing a little dance, similar to when you meet someone on the pavement and neither person knows which way to pass. By the time I realised what was going on he had grabbed me and thrown me to the ground and was tugging at my backpack, an experience not dissimilar to a zombie trying to get at you. I was up in a flash and ready for a fight. Thankfully his two mates were too drugged up or weary of traffic to come to his assistance. Two cars stopped, one a taxi and they slinked off into the scenery.

 

I was very very lucky, this time. No weapons were visible and it appeared to me to be nothing but an opportunistic attack. Things could have easily gone another way though. A thanks must be said to the two motorists that stopped, one a minicab who escorted me a little bit of the way out of the hot zone.

 

Some expletives using the K word were used, I'm not proud of that, but stuff it, I was fkn livid, fkn zombies. Apart from some scrapes and many bruises all over my body, I'm ready to fight another day.

 

Tips:

- If possible don't cycle alone, it's not worth it. I had no choice in this instance as I was commuting, not riding for pleasure.

- Always wear a helmet. You're going to come off at some point.

- Always wear gloves. You're going to come off at some point.

- Always report a crime.

- Be vigilant.

- Get some pepper spray.

Edited December 31, 2012 by organism

[Cippo]

Geez dude. Glad to hear you are okay.

[Larry King]

Balls man... I ride there often, now another hotspot to worry about. Thanks for the info, glad you are ok.

['Dale]

Glad you're okay.

 

You were perfect prey for a few loafers.

[organism]

Cheers all, sh*t happens. Ride safe.

[Eddy Gordo]

Bru that area is infested with these okes. The police and the city dont or cant do anything about them. They living on the fields and on the pavement in the circle behind the AA building. There are constant muggings around this area and drug dealings. The police have relocated them on a number of times and they just come back the same day.

[kosmonooit]

Tik monsters? !

[Tubehunter]

Glad to hear you are OK! Never a lekka situation for anyone.

 

Gympie Street used to be the hotspot! Be vigilant when going through this area!!

[Joeboy69]

During our morning ride the discussion turned to pepper spray as well. Those that do use it, where did you buy ? Is it the little bottle on the key-ring? We were thinking that a bottle with Velcro that you could fix to the top-tube or so will work well.

 

Ideas?

[Micky Mouse]

During our morning ride the discussion turned to pepper spray as well. Those that do use it, where did you buy ? Is it the little bottle on the key-ring? We were thinking that a bottle with Velcro that you could fix to the top-tube or so will work well.

 

Ideas?

never mind the pepper spray, get a small stun-gun!!

[Trivium]

Maybe invest in a knife too, I ride with pepper spray and a knife. Most potent Pepper Spray is SWAT.

[kosmonooit]

re: pepper spray, you can get a small cannister with a clip at those security shops, in the malls, all over the place, or most hardware stores.

 

I clip it to the outside of the small day back i always ride with, been practising drawing it in time....

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=lQkpes3dgzg

[davidl]

Glad that you are OK. There will be times when you would have to cycle alone. All you can do, is to be vigilant and avoid the hotspots.

Safe cycling in 2013 to all cyclists!

[organism]

I think pepper spray would act more as a deterrent than anything else. If you hold a small can in your hand, your assailant might think a little before executing his next move. Mind you, with the CT wind, pepper spray might not be ideal. In the instance mentioned above I recommend having it Velcroed to your person not the bike, when I landed I was a good .5m away from my bike and the piece of rubbish was standing over me between me and my bike.

 

I'm going to get me a little can, just for in case. I'll be looking for something I can carry at most times. Just needs a short burst to diffuse the situation.

Edited December 31, 2012 by organism

[bj horn]

Got pepperspray attached to the stem and whistle attached to backpack.Will have to get another pepperspray for the backpack.Dont know about the knife ,by the time I get it out of the bottom of the pack my wallet ,phone ,etc will be all over the road.

 

I try shouting and making a lot of noise to try to fool them into believing i am not scared. Elbows out and go like hell

[Hairy]

Yo, glad to hear you are ok and you still have your possessions.

 

Pepperspray.

 

Go to Cape Union Mart, they have a brand called Uzzi. The spray canister fits into a plastic tube via friction and tube has a key ring clip which I attached a small clip to so now I have this attached to the shoulder strap of my commuting bag on the left shoulder as I am right handed and I reach over, grip the canister and pull it out in a second.

 

Practice the action used to get the canister out so that out becomes a natural reflex and you won't fumble when you need to use the spray.

 

Fitting spray to your bike with velcro straps or keeping it in your pockets is a waste of time as you require instant and reliable/un hindered access to the canister.

 

The draw back on a stun gun is that it is often stored in its own pouch, needs to be switched on and you have to make sure you keep it charged. Now the pouch is already a hindrance and if you did not switch on the stun gun before starting your ride you have lost valuable moments......then if you forgot to keep the unit charged you are in serious trouble.

 

The advantage of spray over the gun is that you need not make direct contact with the baddy to use the spray Like the stun gun and you can use the spray in a crazed arms flapping arc should you need to get more than one person.