More Silver Comet Trail Attacks....

I have always been told to start at Floyd and go out towards Alabama. It's just a tad safer.

 this kinda stuff can happen anywhere. We just have to be aware guys. and as much as possible we need to ride in groups. I only ride out that way on sat when its crowded.

And I'm just gonna ride with wmckean then .  Grrrrr!

Seriously, as the OP mentions, it can happen anywhere and you have to use common sense.  I have ridden on the SCT many times without incident both with and without other people along for the ride.  I do avoid the most remote areas at times of day and days of the week when it's more isolated than usual and I always let people know where I'll be/when I'll be back.  I feel safer out there on my bike than I do on foot in a lot of other places.  Makes me sad to have to have both this thread and the SCT is (not really) Better than Sex thread going on at the same time!  I still maintain the SCT is a great, and underused, resource.

If someone does try to rob me they are gonna be awfully disappointed:  yes, here, take my gel bursts.  Would you like some endurolytes to go with those?

Just echoing that this sucks.  This is pretty much something I think most females deal with anytime they want to do anything alone--be it riding at the Silver Comet trail, running down the sidewalk, even traveling alone.

So really this isn't new for me. I don't ride at the comet solo-- I stick to well traveled roads. Sure there is the car risk but I feel safer with lots of people around. I don't  run on trails solo unless I see they are heavily populated. And I carry my knife ( and cell phone) with me for almost every run--even on the sidewalks in the affluent suburbs of Cobb and Roswell.  I even bring my knife with me for bike rides when I go solo. My dad would like me to have a hand gun but I am not there yet.

But yes. It is completely unfair that I have to be paranoid and scared and sometimes can't run or ride my bike where and whenever I want to because I am female. But it definitely beats being killed, raped or robbed so I stick to better safe than sorry. I have to say I always think those women that get up at the crack of dawn or late at night and run solo are very brave. I am not.

Guess that was a bit of rant but I am jsut saying news of the attack at Silver Comet change nothing for me and come as no surprise.

I don't really think this is about robbery - obtaining things.  It's bored teenagers with nothing better to do.  It is random acts of violence.  And if they happen to collect an iPod along the way, bonus.  Unfortunately, there are a lot of bored teens out there who's goal is a one way ticket to the slammer.

My concern is that this could become "the thing to do".  I really don't think we've seen anything near the end of it.

All I have to say is, if they mess with me they will have messed with the wrong person.  I will defend myself in anyway I see fit.  I'll be darned if I change my pattern or enjoyment because bored teenagers have nothing better to do - I'm not letting them take over the trail.

Andi

I think we should all ride with swords on our backs, and go ninja on their idiot arses if they bother us...

I ride out there with my family sometimes. I hope it never happens while we're out there together. 

I will probably start packing some sort of defense, though...

Ok..I just have to say this.

It doesn't matter if you're male, female, other, etc.  Just be smart and aware of your surroundings.  That article doesn't say anything about the cyclists being male or female because it doesn't matter.  You have a choice in life, either be afraid of every situation because something might happen.  OR, be smart about what you do and go about your business. 

It's not what's below your shoulders that determines if you'll be attacked, it's what's above.  And with the sheer number of people that frequent the SCT and that there have been two attacks in recent history...I'll take those odds.

X2!

My understanding from reading various news articles and talking to some local police is that most of the attacks and thefts that have occurred on the trail this year have actually involved male victims. It is unfortunate that criminals are targeting cyclists on the trail but the local law enforcement actually does quite a good job of investigating and dealing with incidents on the trail. I try to be smart about the choices I make when I workout and generally try to find a riding partner if I'm cycling, but I have and will continue to ride and run alone when I'm not able to coordinate a schedule with anyone else.

Article in AJC from one of the victims

http://www.ajc.com/living/content/living/stories/2008/09/19/boykin_bicycle_assault.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab