Pluck and Dash and Dealing with Ruffians

[hoopdriver]

Having read a few stories lately about cyclists getting mugged and robbed of their pricey bicycles, and being aware of the possibility of such a thing happening on my own very early morning rides that take me through the centre of a rather rough town, I found a delightful 19th century book on the gentlemanly art of self-defense that includes a chapter on how to defend yourself if you're attacked by ruffians whilst riding a bicycle. While I'm not sure of the legality or even practicality of some of the more colourful ideas being suggested, it sure does make for an amusing read.

I've reviewed the book here:

http://my-bicycle-and-i.co.uk/2012/pluck-dash-and-dealing-with-ruffians/

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I'd have my butler give the rapscallion a damn good thrashing.

 

[hoopdriver]

I'd have my butler give the rapscallion a damn good thrashing.

I'm not sure but what that isn't in there too.

 

[Arjimlad]

"very early morning rides " should be your saviour. The little horrors won't be up & about !

 

[hoopdriver]

"very early morning rides " should be your saviour. The little horrors won't be up & about !

Alas they are very much up and about - especially on weekend mornings after warm summer nights; still up and about, fueled by cheap booze and simmering adolescent hormones, just aching for trouble.

 

[Arjimlad]

Excellent article and lovely blog there !

 

[ColinJ]

"very early morning rides " should be your saviour. The little horrors won't be up & about !

They'll still be staggering back from the night before!

 

[Andrew_Culture]

So do a wheelie and fall off the back or go over the handlers? I never knew I was so well practiced at self defense!

 

[Arjimlad]

I have to admit riding through Bristol city centre at 1am would certainly be interesting - not so sure about 5am or 6am though !

 

[swee'pea99]

"you spring forward like a tiger, leaping off the pedals, over the handlebars and tackle your would-be assailant at head height and at speed". I say, rather.

 

[hoopdriver]

So do a wheelie and fall off the back or go over the handlers? I never knew I was so well practiced at self defense!

Yeah, the leaping over the handlebars bit as a self defense tactic is pretty speccy - it would sure take just about anybody by surprise. I well remember how surprised I was the last time I went over the handlebars; I am sure had there been anyone in front of me they'd have been flabbergasted

 

[ColinJ]

I did

Yeah, the leaping over the handlebars bit as a self defense tactic is pretty speccy - it would sure take just about anybody by surprise. I well remember how surprised I was the last time I went over the handlebars; I am sure had there been anyone in front of me they'd have been flabbergasted

I did it by accident when riding my MTB once - not in self defence, admittedly, but it certainly surprised me! My front wheel got stuck in a rut, it coudn't get out of it (out of it, out of it ...) and eventually got wedged in and locked up. I went straight over the bars and hit the ground running!

 

[hoopdriver]

I did

I did it by accident when riding my MTB once - not in self defence, admittedly, but it certainly surprised me! My front wheel got stuck in a rut, it coudn't get out of it (out of it, out of it ...) and eventually got wedged in and locked up. I went straight over the bars and hit the ground running!

I spared my feet the jarring when I did it and wisely landed on my ribs instead...

 

[ColinJ]

I spared my feet the jarring when I did it and wisely landed on my ribs instead...

Ouch! Still, it beats landing on your face ...

Another MTB endo took place when I chased another rider down a fast descent into a big puddle in a dip. He powered straight through, whereas I hit a submerged rock and flew over the bars. I went up in the air and then bellyflopped into the puddle between two huge boulders. A big cheer went up from a group of other mountain bikers who were sat on a grassy bank nearby eating lunch! I stood up, looking like The Creature from the Black Lagoon, and took a deep bow!

 

[fossyant]

I did

I did it by accident when riding my MTB once - not in self defence, admittedly, but it certainly surprised me! My front wheel got stuck in a rut, it coudn't get out of it (out of it, out of it ...) and eventually got wedged in and locked up. I went straight over the bars and hit the ground running!

Done the same, couldn't do it if I tried ! Front stuck in a rut, back end up, and was casually spat off the front landing on my feet