Carry while riding a bike?

Brinybay · August 22, 2012, 02:31 PM

I'm new to cycling and also a newbie to firearms. My main interest is in home and personal defense. I own two handguns, a S&W M&P 9mm, compact version, and a S&W 38 Special Airweight. It's the latter that I carry on person.

I'm wondering if anybody else out there carries while riding a bike. If so, do you use a different holster than you normally would while on foot?

Rob228 · August 22, 2012, 03:26 PM

I've been kicking over this idea myself while waiting for my CHL to process (Up to 90 days, just moved to Colorado).

I am currently leaning toward my 642 (very similar to your S&W airweight) in its usual High Noon Holsters pocket grabber in one of the back pockets on my jersey, should I decide to carry on that specific ride. Haven't actually tried it on the bike yet as I am waiting on the permit.

Most quality cycling jerseys will have sweatproof rear pockets, they should keep your piece from getting covered in sweat.

Here is a link to the holster: http://www.highnoonholsters.com/Prod..._holsters.html

Single Six · August 22, 2012, 03:46 PM

I ride whenever possible, and always carry when doing so. What's more, I use the same IWB holster that I always use when dressed in non-biking attire. Mind you, when I say "biking attire", I don't mean what most folks would think upon hearing the term [I'd feel like a sissified fool in spandex]. I wear a lightweight pair of sweatpants coupled with a matching, loose-fitting t-shirt. Since the sweats are too light to support the weight of my .45, and they don't have belt loops anyway, I simply wrap my belt around my bare waist, with holstered weapon attached, and the sweats and t-shirt conceal it just fine. The holster stays put, and doesn't move at all. A bit unorthodox to be sure, but it works perfectly for me.

Single Six · August 22, 2012, 03:51 PM

I should add that I also carry pepper spray on my trips. I'm sure I don't need to explain about dogs who love to chase bicyclists....the pepper spray usually helps persuade them to terminate their pursuit.

Rob228 · August 22, 2012, 03:58 PM

Quote:

I should add that I also carry pepper spray on my trips. I'm sure I don't need to explain about dogs who love to chase bicyclists....the pepper spray usually helps persuade them to terminate their pursuit.

Do you go with a pocket for that? I've seen some guys that velcro it to their handle bars, looks like a pretty good setup.

Single Six · August 22, 2012, 04:15 PM

Rob: No, the pocket carry of pepper spray works okay when I'm in jeans, but not so much when I'm pedaling. I do the velcro-to-the-handlebar thing.

ClydeFrog · August 24, 2012, 11:12 AM

A few modern clothing-concealment firms put out work-out gear that can conceal small firearms/weapons.
Lenny Magill's websites market a few items; www.glockstore.com .
Kramer & 5.11 Tactical also have active-wear clothing that can conceal firearms.
Under-Armor may too but I'm not sure.

CF

doofus47 · August 24, 2012, 12:50 PM

Check your local laws. You might be stuck with pepper spray.

**Bud Helms** · August 25, 2012, 11:38 PM

Moving to General Discussion.

Joe_Pike · August 26, 2012, 08:45 PM

I use a Smartcarry holster most of the time when I ride.

Crow Hunter · August 26, 2012, 09:09 PM

Back when I was in shape and I rode my bike a lot.... (Like 12 years ago.

)

I carried a G33 in a fanny pack style holster. I could also carry my ID and wallet and some money to stop and buy a milkshake at the Dairy Queen on my return trip. (It really helped on the last leg of a 50 mile ride.) Weren't really any pockets on those biking shorts.

Pepper spray for dogs would be a good idea. I carried and Asp baton a couple of times when I had a problem dog, a smart rap on the muzzle made him change his mind about taking a bite out of my foot. But pepper spray would probably have been better.

Brinybay · August 31, 2012, 04:06 PM

I appreciate all the suggestions. Bike-chasing dogs didn't even occur to me since I've limited most of my bike riding to an established bike trail not far from me. Sounds like pepper spray would be a more practical solution.

August 22, 2012, 02:31 PM	#1
Brinybay Junior Member Join Date: December 31, 2011 Posts: 4	Carry while riding a bike? I'm new to cycling and also a newbie to firearms. My main interest is in home and personal defense. I own two handguns, a S&W M&P 9mm, compact version, and a S&W 38 Special Airweight. It's the latter that I carry on person. I'm wondering if anybody else out there carries while riding a bike. If so, do you use a different holster than you normally would while on foot?

August 22, 2012, 03:46 PM	#3
Single Six Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2010 Location: N.C. Posts: 1,522	I ride whenever possible, and always carry when doing so. What's more, I use the same IWB holster that I always use when dressed in non-biking attire. Mind you, when I say "biking attire", I don't mean what most folks would think upon hearing the term [I'd feel like a sissified fool in spandex]. I wear a lightweight pair of sweatpants coupled with a matching, loose-fitting t-shirt. Since the sweats are too light to support the weight of my .45, and they don't have belt loops anyway, I simply wrap my belt around my bare waist, with holstered weapon attached, and the sweats and t-shirt conceal it just fine. The holster stays put, and doesn't move at all. A bit unorthodox to be sure, but it works perfectly for me. __________________ Seen on a bumper sticker: "Exercise. Eat right. Take vitamins. Die anyway."

August 22, 2012, 03:51 PM	#4
Single Six Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2010 Location: N.C. Posts: 1,522	I should add that I also carry pepper spray on my trips. I'm sure I don't need to explain about dogs who love to chase bicyclists....the pepper spray usually helps persuade them to terminate their pursuit. __________________ Seen on a bumper sticker: "Exercise. Eat right. Take vitamins. Die anyway."

August 22, 2012, 04:15 PM	#6
Single Six Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2010 Location: N.C. Posts: 1,522	Rob: No, the pocket carry of pepper spray works okay when I'm in jeans, but not so much when I'm pedaling. I do the velcro-to-the-handlebar thing. __________________ Seen on a bumper sticker: "Exercise. Eat right. Take vitamins. Die anyway."

August 24, 2012, 11:12 AM	#7
ClydeFrog Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 3,864	Lenny Magill; concealment bike shorts.... A few modern clothing-concealment firms put out work-out gear that can conceal small firearms/weapons. Lenny Magill's websites market a few items; www.glockstore.com . Kramer & 5.11 Tactical also have active-wear clothing that can conceal firearms. Under-Armor may too but I'm not sure. CF

August 22, 2012, 03:26 PM	#2
Rob228 Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2010 Location: Broomfield CO Posts: 465	I've been kicking over this idea myself while waiting for my CHL to process (Up to 90 days, just moved to Colorado). I am currently leaning toward my 642 (very similar to your S&W airweight) in its usual High Noon Holsters pocket grabber in one of the back pockets on my jersey, should I decide to carry on that specific ride. Haven't actually tried it on the bike yet as I am waiting on the permit. Most quality cycling jerseys will have sweatproof rear pockets, they should keep your piece from getting covered in sweat. Here is a link to the holster: http://www.highnoonholsters.com/Prod..._holsters.html

August 24, 2012, 12:50 PM	#8
doofus47 Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: live in a in a house when i'm not in a tent Posts: 917	Check your local laws. You might be stuck with pepper spray. __________________ I'm right about the metric system 3/4 of the time. Last edited by doofus47; August 24, 2012 at 01:11 PM.

August 25, 2012, 11:38 PM	#9
Bud Helms Staff Join Date: December 31, 1999 Location: Middle Georgia Posts: 12,907	Moving to General Discussion. __________________ "The irony of the Information Age is that it has given new respectability to uninformed opinion." - John Lawton, speaking to the American Association of Broadcast Journalists in 1995

August 26, 2012, 08:45 PM	#10
Joe_Pike Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2010 Posts: 729	I use a Smartcarry holster most of the time when I ride. __________________ Stay Groovy

August 26, 2012, 09:09 PM	#11
Crow Hunter Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2012 Posts: 1,078	Back when I was in shape and I rode my bike a lot.... (Like 12 years ago.) I carried a G33 in a fanny pack style holster. I could also carry my ID and wallet and some money to stop and buy a milkshake at the Dairy Queen on my return trip. (It really helped on the last leg of a 50 mile ride.) Weren't really any pockets on those biking shorts. Pepper spray for dogs would be a good idea. I carried and Asp baton a couple of times when I had a problem dog, a smart rap on the muzzle made him change his mind about taking a bite out of my foot. But pepper spray would probably have been better. __________________ I am no longer participating in gun forums. Good luck.

August 31, 2012, 04:06 PM	#12
Brinybay Junior Member Join Date: December 31, 2011 Posts: 4	I appreciate all the suggestions. Bike-chasing dogs didn't even occur to me since I've limited most of my bike riding to an established bike trail not far from me. Sounds like pepper spray would be a more practical solution.