UrbanWarfare

I'm used to being harassed on my daily commute, but this was excessive.

Last night on my ride home some high school kids yelled "get off the road you f@@$*!!! What are you riding a f***ing bike for ya p&%%$?" Then buzzed me. I stayed calm and went to the grocery store for my evening groceries. They ended up in the same grocery store and harrased me as I did my shopping (my messenger bag makes me recognizable.) I said, "good evening gentlemen." and left the store trying to take the highroad. They persisted and followed me outside. There were about four of them, and were continuing to shout at me. Got to my bike and pulled my spare U-Lock as I turned around (I carry two U-Locks, one for lockin' one for fightin' though I rarely need the second.) They were about ten feet away and stopped. I flipped it in my hand from the cross bar so I was holding it by the curved part. They froze, and just at that moment the security guard came by on his bike and started shouting at the kids. "You youngsters quit messing with that biker and get out of here before I call the cops!" The kids started to protest, and as god as my witness the security guard, who was an older gentleman probably in his early fifties, shouted at them, "Don't give me that bull$#!* you were harassing him in the store and now out here. Four of you and one of him, and he looks like he's going to deliver you some U-Lock justice. You don't want no piece of that. Now go on! Get!"

The kids walked to their car pissing and moaning about me and the guard, then squealed their tires as they took off. The guard took down their license plate number and asked me if I was ok. I thanked him for the help, I don't think the kids were going to really try anything but the U-Lock definitely made them think twice. The guard told me he had caught those kids messing with other cyclists as well as locked up bikes and he'd had enough. I asked him about the phrase U-Lock justice, I hadn't heard anyone actually use the word in the world, just on the forums. He laughed and pointed to the quick release on his bike, it held a small Kryptonite lock like the one I held and said, "Sonny, they won't let me carry a gun, but there ain't no rules about not carrying a U-Lock." He then went back on patrol. This man had a presence about him, and if push came to shove I think he could throw down with the best of them.

Crazy evening and I took a long, and winding route home with a lot of unnecessary turns in case the kids decided to try and follow me. I know that one shouldn't brandish a U-Lock as if things had degenerated a U-Lock can be considered a dangerous weapon, but I did feel very threatened. This is the second time I have ever brandished my U-Lock in self defense, and I hope it's the last. Just thought I would share my story.

10 Wheels

Good One.

JPprivate

Wow, sorry to hear you get so much grief. This was golden justice, though!!!

FunkyStickman

Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Good for you, and with the way those kids were acting, I'm sure their mouths will write a check their butts can't cash at some point... just a matter of time.

BarracksSi

Wonder if the guard had been a Marine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mafN9E6AR2Q

235 years old this past Wednesday. Semper Fi, ooh rah, yut yut, etc.

brumskee

4 against one is disparity of force. This was a serious situation. You would have been justified in defending your self by any means necessary, if necessary. In this case taking a defensive posture with your lock in hand is not brandishing a weapon. Leaving imediatly when you first saw them at the store is best. Kudos for the polite demenor. Do you have a cell phone? The moment you noticed they were going to follow you should have gone back in the store and called 911. Letting them get to within 10 feet is way too close. Do not under estimate 4 high school age punks. You may have been very lucky the security gaurd was there.

coldfeet

Oh, i do so love it when they pick on the wrong person. 2 dudes set up to try and take my Mothers bag once, she realized what they were intending just before they made their move, she rounded on them , "don't you f##king dare!" they ran away,, knowing my mother, i don't blame them.

Sundance89

I'm curious - but how old are you? I hope no offense in my asking you this, and there is certainly no offense if you don't want to answer.

You mentioned that the security guard "had a presence about him, and if push came to shove I think he could throw down with the best of them." Can you express what that was about him, and maybe why these kids saw you as a target? Was the security guard a big guy, confident, or just didn't take any sh*t from the word go?

I ask these questions because your opening sentence is a little disturbing... "I'm used to being harassed on my daily commute, but this was excessive."

GP

Sigh.

nelson249

Yes, good thing the security guard was there. Glad you are ok. I think a cell phone camera and calling 911 might have been a good idea otherwise. Sounds like you kept your cool too.

CB HI

OP remained completely passive until the point he got his U-lock. These kids are bullies too afraid to challenge one of the football players in their school, so they look for an easy target. Once the kids saw the U-lock, it was over with. Yes the kids talked tough to save face and hide their fear, but they were pissing their pants.

Good chance that the OP has ended the BS from these kids, now that they know some cyclist will fight back.

Cyclaholic

Based on what the sec. guard said they've done this before so there's a pattern there of predatory behavior. I think this is serious enough to get the guard's details as a witness, the plate number (the guard noted it, right?) and file a police report. It would be even better if the guard filed a report as well.

Also, it sounds like they're local so you should also be prepared for when you encounter them again. You're a heck of a target for them as it's probably 'personal' for them with you, not just another random cyclist, now that they know you. Next time there may be no backup and no witnesses. your best bet is to get the cops on side before they escalate their predatory behavior, beyond that think about the strongest spray you can get - bear spray or whatever, maybe a tazer as well.

I've confronted a predatory group of 'kids' recently, but I had a nice shiny metal pipe about 3 feet long, plus I'm over 240lb and real ugly looking like those MMA fighters that have lost a lot of fights, which helps. (they stay well away when they see me now)

Sundance89

If your little "sigh" was directed at my question about age, read it again and this time sound it out. I was asking the OP's age.

gunner65

This is why I am licensed. 4 on one is no joke and in my neck of the woods calling 911 is a guaranteed 45 minute wait.

BarracksSi

He was "sighing" about 50-something being considered "old".

I feel like I'm getting closer and closer to that age myself.

Sundance89

Ahh, I stand corrected with emphasis on my "If". Still, my reversal is in complete agreement with GP then. I didn't catch it because the concept of 50 being "older" does not even enter into my thinking.

GP

I was quoting the original poster's remark that the over 50 security guard was "older". But thanks for the tip on reading comprehension.

Kuma

That's how I read it, too.

That's one of the dangers of the interwebs - without the benefit of hearing the tone of someone's voice, innocuous comments are easily misinterpreted...

Sundance89

When I wrong I'm wrong and I say it. My bad. What you said was pretty ironic though posted right after my post. If you read the two together it sounds like sarcasm.

Cyclaholic

when it comes to a physical confrontation 50 is 'old'.... given the choice would you rather have to face your average 50 year old, or 20 year old?

you geriatrics need to take another dose of your blood pressure meds and get over it

buzzman

I have to say I found urbanwarfare's tales of woe at the supermarket most entertaining and really enjoyed reading how quickly and seriously some BF members jump on any thread that hints of violence.

But seldom does anyone question the level of truth of such accounts and dare I suggest at least a touch of hyperbole and screenplay-like fantasy from a poster named "urbanwarfare" who hails from LA.

I've grabbed a few of urban's other posts- each one from a different thread- (hint) anyone see a pattern here?

Again, VERY entertaining but before you run out and jam a u-lock down someone's throat because you are inspired by something you read on line- think again.

Contrast this with this quote from "T-Shirts that Taunt"

Sweet.

dr. spectrum

This didn't happen outside OP's brain.

blade740

Once at work I was just closing up when a coworker who had just left called me and said "there are some kids out here messing with your bike." I hurried out and sure enough, 3 little punk kids pulling at my lock. I had just had a bike stolen a few days before and so the only lock I had was one of those cheap combination padlocks with a chain. Those aren't hard at all to break so I was a bit worried.

Anyway, I walk up and say "excuse me, can I help you?" One of the kids shrugs me off and goes back to work on my lock. "Here, let me show you, there's a trick to it." I pretended to "crack" the combination and then snapped the lock shut on the end of my chain. I started swinging it around like a flail and said "Don't you ever get anywhere near my bike again, or I'll kill you."

I've never seen anyone run so fast.

KD5NRH

He's a guard at a retail site; he puts up with crap from stupid people all day. He's not allowed to provoke them, but if he's forced to defend himself or a third party, cracking a couple of skulls will be very therapeutic for him.

buzzman

wow. I am so impressed. This story really rivals the OP's. I'll bet you've seen the movie "Blade".

There are some tough mean mofo's riding bicycles these days.

Any more stories of violence, threats of violence or intimidation as a means of solving problems? Especially directed at "little kids".

Just what the world needs.