I rode from Mexico to Ushuaia on a Honda 125 (blog at www.simongandolfi.com). Had I met a bandit I would have argued that an old pensioner on a small bike wasn't worth robing - but that a rich gringo on a BIG Harley would be long in half an hour.

Old age and treachery wins every time !

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"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."

Carrying a weapon is a constant, constant pain in the ass. I would also bet that if at any stage in any trip you feel that you need it , it will be locked in the hotel safe, on the bike, in the robbers hands, etc...get my point.
The chance of something happening to you is slim, and the chance of a gun getting you out of that slim situation very very slim.
Orrin

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Damn. There was three days with no posts so I thought I was going to get the last word. ;-)

Loner, you're correct. There is no limit. And when I had a gun held to me in Tanzania, it was a pretty big gun. As I was driving, even if I had a gun with me, it would've had to have been VERY accessible at that very moment. And everything would've needed to work in my favor. All possible as I'm sure your training would say. As it was, since I didn't have a gun, I found a more peaceful way out of the situation.

But you're correct, there must certainly be situations which you can't work your way out of, just as there are plenty that you can. It's just a matter of how you choose to make your play. I also think your idea of making a 'manual' of how to work your way out of situations without a weapon is a good one. But surely, don't they offer that in the police force? I can't believe they don't prepare you for all eventualities. Maybe they do, because you do say you need to do whatever it takes to overcome your fear. And fear is what will draw an attacker to you, as someone posted a zillion pages ago. Dogs sense fear in people and that's who they'll go for. Ditto with people-attackers. (Excluding those who are drug-induced, but maybe that's another reason for you to carry a gun?) So that brings us back to the real 'weapon' - confidence. And so I guess some people need physical weapons, others don't.

And is this thread ever going to end? We certainly like hashing this one out!
Lorraine

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A small target is less vulnerable than a big target. I have always believed that gunmen need to be small and thin. I am reasonably large. Back in my youth and middle-age, I was shot at, bombed and straffed. Luck and speed saved me - the first man behind the biggest rock or into the deepest hole. Now I ride slowly; I ride the type of small bike that local people ride; I ride without a visor so that people can see my face; I smile and I call good-day to all and sundry. People returned my smiles and returned my greetings all the way south from Mexico to Ushuaia last year (blog at www.simongandolfi.com). The smiles came slowest in the heights of Guatemala - but they came. Most people waved. I was no threat to anyone. They saw an overweight old man with a beard riding a small bike. I stopped and they asked how far I'd come and where was I going and what did my family feel about my travels and did I have time for a cup of coffee. I would drink the coffee and answer that my wife was pleased to have me out of the house for a while and what else should an old man do, sit home and watch TV? Better to travel and meet new people and attempt to understand their lives.
I head north this year from Ushuaia to Duchess County, NY. Possibly a maniac will attack me with a machete or riddle me with a M16 or Kalashnikov. Possibly...
Aged 74, there is little I can do to defend myelf and neither my Honda nor I have the speed to escape. So I will continue smiling and continue greeting people with courtesy and will continue to believe that courtesy and a smile are both the best introduction and the best defense.
I believe that people are sensitive to and respond agressively to the smell of agression. I believe that carrying a gun, flexing your muscles and your combat capabilities is more apt to make you a target than to protect you.
I believe is personal.
What works for me - or has worked for me so far - doesn't make me right.
This is merely what I believe and many readers may judge me a silly old man.

No, very wise Simongandolfi
Walk quietly, with a big stick

Trophymick

Hee, You silly old man,

I hope that when I am 74 years old, I will be doing what you are doing.

Even though we have never met, I have the greatest respect for you and for your attitude.

Maarten

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