While riding my bike yesterday, a car full of men tried to harass me. It got really bad really fast and I tried to defend myself to the best of my abilities, but it left me really shaken up.

I'm 27F and I'm a pretty avid cyclist. I go on a lot of rides because it helps me clear my head. I don't know if I overacted and I don't think I did the right thing. I'm just wondering what would have been the best course of action. <br><br>I was riding my bike early in the morning. I was on a street with no sidewalk, and there was a shoulder wide enough to accommodate my bike. I've rode on this street plenty of times without an incident. There was very little traffic, so I was pretty grateful that I could get some exercise without having to stop and start constantly. <br><br>I noticed a car following me for a bit, but I didn't really think much of it. Sometimes I get in the way of cars turning right onto another street. I tried to give them space by turning into a driveway, but they followed me into the driveway then stopped right next to me. The guy in the driver's seat was staring at me the entire time, and I felt uncomfortable. I decided to go back to the street I was on. They followed me back to the street and eventually they were right next to me again, but this time I decided to stop. <br><br>All of the guys were looking at me. They were all wearing sunglasses, and then one of the guys in the front passenger's seat threw something at me and yelled at me, asking me if I was a man or a woman. The object they threw landed on my front wheel and it was a condom filled with cum. I was absolutely disgusted. Normally I'm pretty easy going, but for some reason this really pissed me off. I didn't have a second to react, but I remembered I had pepper spray on me. I grabbed it and sprayed it at the passenger who threw the condom. I'm pretty sure I got the driver as well. Everyone in the car started cursing and then they drove off. <br><br>I really wasn't thinking about my safety at all. I just reacted on adrenaline. I didn't realize how bad the whole situation was until after it was all over. I thought about all of the bad things that could have happened. The pepper spray did go into my eyes as well, and my eyes are still irritated, but it was worth it. <br><br>I'm just glad I was able to defend myself, but it did leave me really shaken up. I'm not going to let this make me fear going on rides, but I'm definitely being more cautious and aware of my surroundings.