Carrying while cycling

[Headshot]

I once rode with a pistol - in my hydration back pack - not for protection but to keep the firearm on my person as there was no safe where were were staying on holiday. 

I can't imagine trying to carry a pistol on every ride and where it would be located for quick draw without drawing attention to the fact that you have one. A backpack is not the place for that unless you have lots of time to react.

For me its a definite no to carrying while riding.  

[Gripen_85]

On 5/17/2024 at 3:18 PM, V18 said:

@Duane_Boschhave a look at chest packs. SW holsters and taakmag and helicon tech. They're not quite slimline and inconspicuous enough for me... Yet. But they are fast. Very fast. And ideally located for retention. But when I see one I still think... Gun.

@V18 you and someone else have mentioned EDC bags a couple of times.

 

Do you have any examples? 

 

Thanks.

[Guest Mike Dewing]

On 5/20/2024 at 2:16 PM, Headshot said:

I once rode with a pistol - in my hydration back pack - not for protection but to keep the firearm on my person as there was no safe where were were staying on holiday. 

I can't imagine trying to carry a pistol on every ride and where it would be located for quick draw without drawing attention to the fact that you have one. A backpack is not the place for that unless you have lots of time to react.

For me its a definite no to carrying while riding.  

Yeah i dont carry at all anymore actually.. life has thrown me too many devastating curveballs and im too emotionally unstable so my guns are all in storage..  threw 8 years sobriety down the drain.. 

but even before i dont think road cycling is for guns.. mtb is a bit better as you can have a chest pack quite comfortably.. 

[Guest Mike Dewing]

15 minutes ago, Gripen_85 said:

@V18 you and someone else have mentioned EDC bags a couple of times.

 

Do you have any examples? 

 

Thanks.

Yes, my friends company Taakmag makes a chest rig that works well.. it was actually my old company south west holsters that designed it with morne.. 

but i wouldnt support that company.. theres a good reason i left.. support taakmag, its a really good solution for off body carry out on the trails.. 

[V18]

Give "rvn.mfg" on insta a look. They make great conceal carry waist-sling bags amongst other cool goetters. Just got mine a few weeks ago. 10/10 quality. Not sure about carrying while cycling. But excellent for comfy conceal carry. 

[ChrisF]

9 minutes ago, V18 said:

Give "rvn.mfg" on insta a look. They make great conceal carry waist-sling bags amongst other cool goetters. Just got mine a few weeks ago. 10/10 quality. Not sure about carrying while cycling. But excellent for comfy conceal carry. 

 

Any updates on the "chain vest" for those opportunistic knife wounds ...... certainly not for long rides, but if one has to commute past known hot spots.

[V18]

9 minutes ago, ChrisF said:

 

Any updates on the "chain vest" for those opportunistic knife wounds ...... certainly not for long rides, but if one has to commute past known hot spots.

Very comfy indeed. Don't notice it anymore. Like a cold baselayer. 

[betaboy]

I see the business opportunity for a water gun bottle in the near future, and here outlined are the benefits:

-it’s a common practice, so your quick draw speed will already be sharpened and years of drinking and riding, you’ve already mastered the one hand draw while holding your line in a pack of shaved wolfs.

-You can active it with your mouth. You instantly become the trigger without the enemy knowing your next move.

-You have time in a given situation, you can even ask the prep aka MF, if you can take just one sip or please just leave me with my watergunbottle. 

-the weapon comes in..500/750/ 1lite variety’s, a suitable size for any water bottle cage.. I mean .. drink holster!

anybody? Kickstarter….😅

[Famous Amos]

As a licensed firearm holder, having encountered several moments where I was all most knocked off intentionally, grabbed, forced off the road by a taxi driver, etc. Carrying a firearm is a big no for me.

First of all, printing, no way to conceal a firearm effectively UNLESS you are commuting and can put it in your backpack. Even then, this is a massive risk. If you get knocked over and unconscious, we live in a society where nobody will stop and help while your possessions get ransacked, therefore, you will lose your firearm.

Secondly, should you decide to use a firearm designed holster for cyclists, thats just a massive ad and screams "LOOK, I GOT A GUN", which paints a moerse target on you for would be opportunists. Granted, carrying like this is legal, however extremely stupid.

On a bike, you're an easy target, 1 swerve from a car and its game over. I want to lower my chances as much as possible of getting hit.

If safety is a concern, change routes and insure your gear. Most thieves just want the bike, computer and cellphone. If they get caught, its a light slap on the wrist and they'll be free due to how congested the courts are. They dont want to murder you, thats a long jail sentence and they dont want that.

[Shebeen]

15 hours ago, betaboy said:

I see the business opportunity for a water gun bottle in the near future, and here outlined are the benefits:

-it’s a common practice, so your quick draw speed will already be sharpened and years of drinking and riding, you’ve already mastered the one hand draw while holding your line in a pack of shaved wolfs.

-You can active it with your mouth. You instantly become the trigger without the enemy knowing your next move.

-You have time in a given situation, you can even ask the prep aka MF, if you can take just one sip or please just leave me with my watergunbottle. 

-the weapon comes in..500/750/ 1lite variety’s, a suitable size for any water bottle cage.. I mean .. drink holster!

anybody? Kickstarter….😅

cool idea. but I'm not sure how accurate you could be with it?

 

I would consider loading the bottle as a big ass pepper spray/smoke bomb delivery device.

[Guest Mike Dewing]

4 hours ago, Bl4d3 said:

As a licensed firearm holder, having encountered several moments where I was all most knocked off intentionally, grabbed, forced off the road by a taxi driver, etc. Carrying a firearm is a big no for me.

First of all, printing, no way to conceal a firearm effectively UNLESS you are commuting and can put it in your backpack. Even then, this is a massive risk. If you get knocked over and unconscious, we live in a society where nobody will stop and help while your possessions get ransacked, therefore, you will lose your firearm.

Secondly, should you decide to use a firearm designed holster for cyclists, thats just a massive ad and screams "LOOK, I GOT A GUN", which paints a moerse target on you for would be opportunists. Granted, carrying like this is legal, however extremely stupid.

On a bike, you're an easy target, 1 swerve from a car and its game over. I want to lower my chances as much as possible of getting hit.

If safety is a concern, change routes and insure your gear. Most thieves just want the bike, computer and cellphone. If they get caught, its a light slap on the wrist and they'll be free due to how congested the courts are. They dont want to murder you, thats a long jail sentence and they dont want that.

Yeah i tend to agree.. the more i cycle the more im okay with leaving the “Gat” at home..

Its not a practical accessory🤣🤣.. 

[Guest Mike Dewing]

3 hours ago, Shebeen said:

cool idea. but I'm not sure how accurate you could be with it?

 

I would consider loading the bottle as a big ass pepper spray/smoke bomb delivery device.

Imagine getting a jump or turn wrong and you are now yourself a big tumbling pepper bomb down the mountain.. 🤣🤣🤣 leaving a peppery wake of hatred behind you.. 🤷🏼‍♂️🤣🤣

funny though..

[betaboy]

I guess it’s best we leave all weapons at home, unless its made of carbon with titanium bolts 🤭

[M L]

Would be interesting to know how our comments have aged..especially in the Western Cape.

There have been a few developments:

1. It's increasingly common for robbers to attempt to kill on the spot using pangas, knives, guns - either because they don't value life or they are drugged.
2. There have been multiple cyclist/jogger kidnapping or attempted kidnapping cases, just in the Western Cape.

It's becoming more and more difficult to simply hand over all belongings and just walk away. We seem to struggle to understand that some people simply don't value life like the rest of humanity. 

 

https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/news/three-cyclists-attacked-in-less-than-48-hours-over-the-weekend-7ca55981-56a3-46de-8ffa-1708684470b2#google_vignette

https://www.2oceansvibe.com/2024/06/19/the-weekend-saw-two-separate-attacks-on-cyclists-in-less-than-48-hours/

https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/crime/manhunt-for-two-suspects-after-cyclist-shot-dead-in-n1-attack/

https://x.com/Netcare911_sa/status/1444629044516032514/photo/4

https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=49722

Edited April 3, 2025 by M L

[Scott roy]

1 hour ago, M L said:

Would be interesting to know how our comments have aged..especially in the Western Cape.

There have been a few developments:

1. It's increasingly common for robbers to attempt to kill on the spot using pangas, knives, guns - either because they don't value life or they are drugged.
2. There have been multiple cyclist/jogger kidnapping or attempted kidnapping cases, just in the Western Cape.

It's becoming more and more difficult to simply hand over all belongings and just walk away. We seem to struggle to understand that some people simply don't value life like the rest of humanity. 

 

https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/news/three-cyclists-attacked-in-less-than-48-hours-over-the-weekend-7ca55981-56a3-46de-8ffa-1708684470b2#google_vignette

https://www.2oceansvibe.com/2024/06/19/the-weekend-saw-two-separate-attacks-on-cyclists-in-less-than-48-hours/

https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/crime/manhunt-for-two-suspects-after-cyclist-shot-dead-in-n1-attack/

https://x.com/Netcare911_sa/status/1444629044516032514/photo/4

https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=49722

There is no doubt about it, cycling is rapidly becoming very unsafe in SA. In November I was riding to wolvespruit at about 6:30 am, I turned off of Atterbury onto January masilela and slowed down for the first robot after the dip. Luckily it went green because as I accelerated again I heard a gunshot in close proximity as well as the bullet flying right past me. Gave me a proper fright and I sprinted away rapidly while looking around, there wasn’t any cars or people in sight so it must have come from the uncut grass on the left. This is a civilised residential area right by Menlyn main and not where you’d think you should worry. 

[M L]

12 hours ago, Scott roy said:

There is no doubt about it, cycling is rapidly becoming very unsafe in SA. In November I was riding to wolvespruit at about 6:30 am, I turned off of Atterbury onto January masilela and slowed down for the first robot after the dip. Luckily it went green because as I accelerated again I heard a gunshot in close proximity as well as the bullet flying right past me. Gave me a proper fright and I sprinted away rapidly while looking around, there wasn’t any cars or people in sight so it must have come from the uncut grass on the left. This is a civilised residential area right by Menlyn main and not where you’d think you should worry. 

That's hectic.. Feels like things have seriously escalated the past 2 years. Scary stuff.