I believe the most recent fatal PNW attack was a few miles south-east of that location, around North Fork. Two MTBers; one hurt and fled, the other killed. A little further back, maybe five years ago, a female hiker was killed near me, outside Portland. I hike and bike solo a fair amount, both here and that region of WA. At 6'3" 210 lbs, I might be less attractive prey, but I doubt I'd survive an attack by a full grown cat. They are simply too stealthy and too fast.
Nonetheless, the drive or ride to the trailhead is far more dangerous, due to traffic.
The women in the story may not have known the best technique, but they stayed and fought. That's saying a ton.