Humboldt Park cyclist attacked

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Permalink Reply by Kris Hendry on March 28, 2014 at 5:46pm

Not sure of the legality but I carry bear spray. Which is much stronger than standard mace. Is Humbolt Park considered the North side or West side???

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Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on March 28, 2014 at 9:24pm

I'm not sure how bear spray would prevent the kind of attacks we're talking about here, when someone runs out unexpectedly and whacks you with a board.

Purists consider Chicago to be divided into three wedges, with everything between the north branch and the south branch constituting the west side.

Kris Hendry said:

Not sure of the legality but I carry bear spray. Which is much stronger than standard mace. Is Humbolt Park considered the North side or West side???

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Permalink Reply by Kris Hendry on March 28, 2014 at 9:41pm

That's interesting H'.  I recently took a cab home from the office and the driver kept bragging to me that he didn't need the GPS, it's all just a grid. I consider the bear spray about as strong as whats issued to law enforcement. I took a women's self defense class back in college and they recommended it.

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Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on March 28, 2014 at 11:12pm

Bear spray is plenty strong-- it's just not all that practical to use it while on a bicycle.

Very good chance that you'll spray yourself if there's any wind, for one thing.

For walking around in questionable places, sure.

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Permalink Reply by Fred Lenhoff on March 30, 2014 at 5:03pm

Last fall, I was riding home from the Loop down Augusta (to River Forest). Friday, about 6, still light out. I had just gone under the train overpass near Homan, when I saw about 10-15 kids on the sidewalk. None looked to be over 12-13 years old. And I remember thinking, "Hey, Ebert just died, maybe the West Side is about to erupt into violence?" (Ha.) Anyway, when I drew closer, they swarmed into the street. One pushed a rolling garbage can into the side of my bike, nearly knocking me off and breaking the fender. Another wacked me in the head with a big blue bag filled with what felt like telephone books. Nearly knocked my glasses off--luckily they stayed on, didn't want to have to stop. Not sure what these Lord of the Flies bastards were up to--just messing around, or looking to steal something--but luckily nothing fell (including my glasses) so I was able to keep going -- cursing them over my shoulder the whole way.

Coda: I now ride Fulton west to around Sacramento, then take Lake St.

Coda II: No comment on whether this is the knockout game or wilding or what have you. Whatever it is, whatever color they are/I am, doesn't matter... it sucks. I think we can all agree on that...

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Permalink Reply by Kris Hendry on March 30, 2014 at 9:36pm

Fred, just thank God nothing worse happened. I'm debating on buying one of those giant chain locks that I could use as a whip if needed. I have relatives that live in Oak Park and I'm not sure if I could make the trip safely.

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