Bearspray Holder

[mchb]

After encountering a black bear on my evening ride a few nights ago (first time since I started biking regularly back in 2014 lol) I decided that mayyyyybe I should carry my can of bearspray with me until winter sets in (which coincidentally is when the can expires).

*backstory*

About 30' in front of me I saw a rather large shadow book it across the trail in front of me and dive off into the nearby bushes.

"There's no way I saw what I thought I just saw..."

I clicked on my helmet light and panned around a bit and spotted a rather large black bear about 6 feet off the ground up a nearby tree. We exchanged longing glances of "Free Hugz?!" before I verbally greeted Yogi III and detoured down an adjacent trail. I knew there was one in the area, but I didn't expect to meet him face to face!

*/backstory*

I know you can buy these, but if you have a hacksaw and a sander it's cheaper to make your own using a cheap (bonus points if it's old) water bottle and cutting the top off. If you do it carefully the fit between the bottle and can will form a vacuum seal which keeps the "No-Hugz-4U" firmly within it's LDPE buddy.   

...Also if you bomb downhills (I curmudgeon down them) you might want it within the frame and not on the fork!

[pavementgraveldirt]

I would be a bit of a velcro tab on the bottle overlapping some of the stick on style on the tank would allow for a bit more retention that would still allow you to rip it out with out looking at it

[Salubrious]

If a bear is really taking an interest, you'll want the spray as close as possible. They can run 30-35 mph- you can't outride them- so spray should be easy to get at. A few seconds could mean a lot!

[FairbanksFatty]

I carry my bear spray on my top tube.   It's easy to grab with either hand while riding.

2 inch ABS pipe attached with Velcro.  Inner tube under the Velcro so it doesn't rotate.  Its never been in the way, I did have to rotate my gas tank bag to get enough real estate. 

[white pass]

Ya'll are over complicating this.

I used an old water bottle, similar to the OP, and the top of an old wool sock that fit nicely over the bear spray to eliminate any rattling and improve the fit between canister and bottle. Then just duct taped the top closed around the bear spray. This way the bottle is just part of the bear spray and comes out together, keeping it quick and easy to draw.

[chrisx]

Would it be better to carry the bear spray on your person??
Are you able to reach your bicycle at all times?

As the story goes... ..
Jim Bridger was fishing in Yellowstone lake, when along came a big old grizzly bear.  Well, he had leaned his rifle on a tree, and wandered up the lake a bit.  So he climbed a tree.  That mean old bear shook that tree and he shook it.  After a while, he got tired and headed off.  Just when jim thought it was safe to climb down, the bear returns with his friend, another big old grizz.  Back up the tree.  They both shook and shook that tree.  No luck.  Once again ol Jim waited until it was clear and down he climbed.  Yep, the two bears came back just then, with their other friend, the beaver.

By the way, bears are nocternal creatures.  They often wander in the night.

Any ideas how to carry bear spray on your person?

[dh024]

Would it be better to carry the bear spray on your person??
Are you able to reach your bicycle at all times?

Any ideas how to carry bear spray on your person?

These work well on and off the bike, even with a small pack:
https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5038-030/The-CUB-Bear-Spray-Belt

Funny story, BTW!

[bakerjw]

I sewed up a bag with a velcro strap at the top. It attaches to the handlebars. The bottom has a string that ties across my handlebar bag. Easy access when riding.
I'll have t post a pic of it when it is mounted.

[Gudan]

And this is where bears walk so easily?

[Salubrious]

In the northern US, yes.

[Gudan]

Interesting. And what are these cylinders?

[Gudan]

In Ukraine, bears are few and only in the Carpathians in the mountains they live.

[Salubrious]

Interesting. And what are these cylinders?

Compressed pepper spray, enough to send the spray in a fine line for about 30 feet. In the US and Canada, if you go into 'bear country' you are never without bear spray. So the canisters are sold in all Banff sporting goods shops.

[Gudan]

Need to pour directly into the bear? Has anyone tried it? It definitely helps. What's going on with the bear?

[Salubrious]

Since the spray can go for 30 feet, no you don't pour it on the bear, you spray it with the spray. Often bears do a mock charge and stop to assess things before leaving or attacking. Since they can run at 35 miles an hour you can't run away or ride away. You have to stand them down.

People who have and use bear spray are far less likely to be injured or killed by a bear.

[MCandler]

@gudan here is a demonstration video. Be bear aware.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ5HJHZ8Mfw&t=381s