View Full Version : Dogs
I live in rural Arkansas and as a new rider, I am learning that when I go out for a decent ride it is common to interact with various varities of canines. Other than noticing they are big, fast, and have enormous teeth, I can't say I've paid too much attention to their particular heritage except to note they seem to be of a hound variety.
So far the adreneline rush and good luck has kept me out of harms way, but I know it is only a matter of time until I get into trouble.
I've thought of air horns, pepper spray, and even a bb pistol. What do you more experienced guys and gals recomend?
I live in rural Arkansas and as a new rider, I am learning that when I go out for a decent ride it is common to interact with various varities of canines. Other than noticing they are big, fast, and have enormous teeth, I can't say I've paid too much attention to their particular heritage except to note they seem to be of a hound variety.
So far the adreneline rush and good luck has kept me out of harms way, but I know it is only a matter of time until I get into trouble.
I've thought of air horns, pepper spray, and even a bb pistol. What do you more experienced guys and gals recomend?
Gel pepper spray, preferably the high CS concentration type. I keep a can on the frame at all time (held with a mini-pump clamp screwed under the bottle cage) , and it saved my butt more than once. They can be expensive, and they only last about 2 years before the chemical inside degrades and loses its properties, but you'll be glad to have it next time a stupid dog starts running after you. Don't bother with weak pepper spray, it only makes the dog madder. And don't bother with non-gel (gas) sprays either, you run the risk of getting a blast in your own face if the wind is unfavorable.
Other riders I know have had luck with ultrasound emitters, and some say the best defence if the pooch is too fast to be outran is to let yourself fall and use the bike itself as a barrier between you and the dog. I have my doubts about that last one, especially with a bent.
Finally, if you're on an upright, a good defense is to let the dog slowly reach your rear wheel and give it a good whack on the nose with your heel. This works very well, but I don't know if you can do that with a bent. With a BikeE perhaps...
aikigreg
08-21-05, 03:58 PM
I just let them get close and yell oudly. Spooks em for a half second, which lets you rocket past and they can't catch up.
Tempted to mount a damn mini baseball bat on my boom tube though!
erik forsgren
08-22-05, 11:04 AM
[QUOTE=JCB]I live in rural Arkansas and as a new rider, I am learning that when I go out for a decent ride it is common to interact with various varities of canines. Other than noticing they are big, fast, and have enormous teeth, I can't say I've paid too much attention to their particular heritage except to note they seem to be of a hound variety.
So far the adreneline rush and good luck has kept me out of harms way, but I know it is only a matter of time until I get into trouble.
I've thought of air horns, pepper spray, and even a bb pistol. What do you more experienced guys and gals recomend?[/Q Dogs are always excited by cyclist and recumbentists in particular. What arouse their hunting instinct is the pedalling mouvement of your feet. While pedalling you are simply a game to the dog What you should do instead of kicking using pepperspray and so on is to step off the bike stand still call for the dog give him a titbit and tell him he is a good boy, which of course isn't true. But this procedure will calm the dog so that you can ride away without a problem I have met many angry dogs that wanted to attack me while riding my recumbent. But we, the dogs and I part as friends after a titbit or two.
Ain't no way Eric....NO WAY.
Dogs are always excited by cyclist and recumbentists in particular. What arouse their hunting instinct is the pedalling mouvement of your feet. While pedalling you are simply a game to the dog What you should do instead of kicking using pepperspray and so on is to step off the bike stand still call for the dog give him a titbit and tell him he is a good boy, which of course isn't true. But this procedure will calm the dog so that you can ride away without a problem I have met many angry dogs that wanted to attack me while riding my recumbent. But we, the dogs and I part as friends after a titbit or two.
You must have well-behaved dogs in your area, that conveniently bark before running after you. My experience has always been that barking dogs are the ones that can see you pass but can't get off the owner's property to come tear you to piece. Those that are able to launch at you do so quietly, and the only thing you can hear is the beast running and puffing behind you, sometimes accompanied by a trailing leash noise and a loud "Rex! Come back here!" shout far behind. Those don't bark, they're just running a spring to get you, and there's no time or desire on the dog's part to get to know you better, because the only thing it wants at that point is to sink its teeth in your behind.
erik forsgren
08-23-05, 09:54 AM
:D You must have well-behaved dogs in your area, that conveniently bark before running after you. My experience has always been that barking dogs are the ones that can see you pass but can't get off the owner's property to come tear you to piece. Those that are able to launch at you do so quietly, and the only thing you can hear is the beast running and puffing behind you, sometimes accompanied by a trailing leash noise and a loud "Rex! Come back here!" shout far behind. Those don't bark, they're just running a spring to get you, and there's no time or desire on the dog's part to get to know you better, because the only thing it wants at that point is to sink its teeth in your behind.
:D :D You must have had a very bad experience of dogs and so have I before I understood how primitive a dog actually is and how to handle aggressive dogs. In our country there was a criminal who became famous for his ability to handle police-dogs. He made friends with them without kicking them or using pepper or anything of the sort and then they were under his command. It was useless to send an attack-dog to grab him, because he was in controll of any dog. I did not however learn my lesson from him, but from a hunter who possessed an extremely aggressive german pointer. When I met that dog alone for the first time it kept me under surveillance for 3 hours growling and sniffing at my back before the owner discouvered that his dog was missing. As he was the oncle of my wife and lived nearby he suggested I gave the dog a lesson and taught it who was the boss the dog or I. This time I was ready for the dog to attack me and as the dog came towards me I simply ordered it to stay or I would lift it by its ears. The dog surrendered and from that moment we were friends.
:D
:D :D You must have had a very bad experience of dogs and so have I before I understood how primitive a dog actually is and how to handle aggressive dogs.
You guessed correctly. I was mauled by a dog when I was a kid, and I have scars on my hand to remind me every day that a good dog is a dead dog. At any rate, whenever I encounter a dog, any dog, I am scared out of my wits of it, so no amount of faking will convince the dog that I am in control of the situation. That damn thing just known I'm scared and always starts getting aggressive. The only exception is guide dogs for the blind: those are invariably trained to be calm and placid, so I can't say I'm too worried around them.
Your method of canine conning wouldn't work for me, because the dog would never take me seriously. Therefore, pepper spray (and my telescopic cosh to finish it off if it gives me half a chance after being sprayed) is a very good solution for me on the bike, so I think I'll stick to that :-)
erik forsgren
08-23-05, 11:37 AM
You guessed correctly. I was mauled by a dog when I was a kid, and I have scars on my hand to remind me every day that a good dog is a dead dog. At any rate, whenever I encounter a dog, any dog, I am scared out of my wits of it, so no amount of faking will convince the dog that I am in control of the situation. That damn thing just known I'm scared and always starts getting aggressive. The only exception is guide dogs for the blind: those are invariably trained to be calm and placid, so I can't say I'm too worried around them.
Your method of canine conning wouldn't work for me, because the dog would never take me seriously. Therefore, pepper spray (and my telescopic cosh to finish it off if it gives me half a chance after being sprayed) is a very good solution for me on the bike, so I think I'll stick to that :-)I see what you mean, because I was bitten by our own german sheperd when I was a child and from that day until I met that dreadful greman pointer I hated dogs to the extent that I would kill any potential canine aggressor. After the experience with the german pointer I got myself the most vicious dobermann that money could buy in order to get over the early frustration I had experienced during my childhood. I have now over forty years of canine experience and I have never met a mad dog of your description. I have met hundreds of neurotic vicious dogs that were ready to attack, but noone was totally mad. They only tested your gutts.
doglhunt
08-23-05, 07:07 PM
The thing I usually do is simply out run the stupid mutts.Many times they are just guarding their turf and will only chase a short distance.If I see a dog that is not acting aggressive I usually speak to dog in a nice voice;no problems.If the dog is snarling in front of me I snarl back and let him know i'll fight.If attacked........Beat his friggen ass with a bicycle.
BlazingPedals
08-23-05, 07:53 PM
Erik, I don't want to train the dogs to come out to the road looking for a treat. I want them to cower on their porches. I want them to run to mommy when they see me coming. Giving them a treat is definitely sending the wrong message. If you're going to use treats, use one to lure them in, then suddenly kick their @ss, scaring them half to death. That way you're teaching them that people on bikes are unpredictable and dangerous.
megaman
08-23-05, 09:09 PM
I want them to cower on their porches. I want them to run to mommy when they see me coming.
Unfortunately, the only way to do that is to hurt them. I don't want to hurt them just because their owner is too stupid to put them on a cable. Dogs do chase things and the feet going around on pedals are prime targets.
Defensive measures involving clubs or sprays or kicking are hazardous enough on DF bikes that it is easy for a rider who is paying attention to the dog and trying to spray one and avoid the dog(s) at the same time to lose control and fall. One a bent with its even more marginal stability problems it is true folly. I have to really concentrate just to reach for the water bottle and take a slug, much less fish out a pepper spray and try to spray a dog with the shoulder range of motion restrictions most bent seats impose-you can't rotate your torso to point backwards at the dog. Most dogs won't chase more than 50-100yds on the road, they keep track of their turf and prefer to stay close to it. If you are on a 10% grade and can't accelerate (a bent accelerate?)
then drop to as low a gear as possible and spin like crazy, it is harder to bite a moving target, if the dog is really aggressive a stop and exit to side opposite is often enough to let the dog get a good laugh and trot home. No advice if chased by a pack of mastiffs, just the old one about not outrunning the dog, just don't be the hindmost
cyclist. Steve
erik forsgren
08-23-05, 10:25 PM
Erik, I don't want to train the dogs to come out to the road looking for a treat. I want them to cower on their porches. I want them to run to mommy when they see me coming. Giving them a treat is definitely sending the wrong message. If you're going to use treats, use one to lure them in, then suddenly kick their @ss, scaring them half to death. That way you're teaching them that people on bikes are unpredictable and dangerous.Ok, Blazing pedals you have a point, there is no reason for learning a dog to run around in a trafficated area for a titbit. But what I meant was that in the normal case you only have to show firmness and kindness and prove to the dog that you are the strongest of you two and that the dog has to respect you. I don't like to kick a dog because in that way you might harm it or make it even more aggressive than it was before. If you have to do with a totally mad dog you will have to strangle it I,m afraid in order to save your own life. Most of the time it is sufficient to scare the hell out of them by ordering them to stay or go home.
When I ride across state on my ReBike I carry a bag with some chicken scraps. When the dogs chase I throw them chicken bits and they stop to eat the chicken instead of me.
Mooky
I live in rural Arkansas and as a new rider, I am learning that when I go out for a decent ride it is common to interact with various varities of canines. Other than noticing they are big, fast, and have enormous teeth, I can't say I've paid too much attention to their particular heritage except to note they seem to be of a hound variety.
So far the adreneline rush and good luck has kept me out of harms way, but I know it is only a matter of time until I get into trouble.
I've thought of air horns, pepper spray, and even a bb pistol. What do you more experienced guys and gals recomend?
Now that I'm living in the City I haven't had to worry much about dogs, but a friend of mine once taught me a great trick when I was younger and still living in the country. Apparently once a dog gives chase it gauges your speed and distance and chooses a curved angle of attack that will ensure that it "meets" you at a certain point, and going in the same direction (smart buggers). If you have a set route, and know where to expect the dog, then one way to beat the dog's system is to move towards the centre of the road as you approach the area then, once the dog has started its chase, move back towards the curb. Admittedly this won't seem intuitive, since you will actually be moving towards the dog. However, the dog won't be able to tighten its turn to meet you without slowing down, so it will either keep its speed up and "miss" behind you, or fall behind as it tries to change direction. Of course, I was doing this on a country road with virtually no other traffic to worry about, and a lot of road to work with as a result. Not such a good approach if you end up getting run over by a car.
demo9orgon
09-08-05, 10:53 PM
The one thing I haven't seen posted here is the most effective possible thing you can do. Simply stop the bike, stand up and yell. Unless you're shorter than the dog they're going to stop and go back to their territory. Yelling also gets the attention of anyone nearby. Witnesses help, and despite their built-in wolf behaviors unless the dog is feral or suffering something like rabies and pretty big you are the one in control. You immediately stop being a target when you stop moving. This has never failed me and I've had to deal with some pretty big dogs too. Sure it's fun to outrun them but then you've actually reinforced the chase behavior at the expense of the next cyclist.
When I ride across state on my ReBike I carry a bag with some chicken scraps. When the dogs chase I throw them chicken bits and they stop to eat the chicken instead of me.
Mooky
Ha, it's like firing off chaff to confuse a heat-seeking missle. Nice.
When I ride across state on my ReBike I carry a bag with some chicken scraps. When the dogs chase I throw them chicken bits and they stop to eat the chicken instead of me.
Mooky
Cooked I hope...... ;)
I feel like I have solved my problem with dogs to my satisfaction although my solution will not work for all. I carry a baseball bat. A light aluminum variety. Of course, I ride a trike and it was easy to stick a bat in the bag behind my seat where I can reach it with no problem. The results so far have been great. I went out for a 30 mile ride yesterday and was chased twice. I grabbed the bat and merely pointed it toward the dog which did not try to get closer. I felt safe and confident and did not have to harm an animal. True, I couldn't do this on a bike--but it works great for me.
I was looking at a recent Radio Shack (well, now it's "The Source by Circuit City") and saw an interesting product: An ultrasonic dog repellant (http://www.thesourcecc.com/estore/Product.aspx?language=en-CA&catalog=Online&category=Pet_Accessories&product=6310994). They claim it keeps agressive dogs at bay.
This seems like the ideal solution for keeping dogs from attacking - if it works. And that is the question. Does this thing work, or does it just piss them off even more?
Bruce in Texas
09-12-05, 11:41 AM
I like dogs, I have always owned or been owned by one. I hate some of the dogs around here (West Texas). We have Pit Bulls, Pit Bull's crossed with Rottweillers, Wolf hybrids, you get the picture. Living out in the country and riding down some roads is just about suicidal. These are not the dogs you make friends with and your chances of outrunning them are nil. They are not chasing for fun but to kick your ass. I have seriously thought about exercising my right in Texas to pack heat and just shoot some of the monsters. I have not resorted to that yet, but I do have a "Dog Dazer" electronic device that has worked so far. Sort of wierd pointing it at a dog, pressing a button, and watch the dog slow down and look confused.
Just google "Dog Dazer" and you will come up some hits. It may be the same thing one poster saw at Radio Shack, I have not seen that one.
Bruce
gew0419
09-20-05, 06:45 AM
THIS REALLY HAPPENED, I CAN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP!
I was on my way home from work. There is a part of the bike path that runs right along the freeway. A chain link fence divides me from the fast moving "cagers". They're going south I'm going north. At one point I go by one of those metered on ramps....It's on my right.
OK, so, I'm pedeling along when off to my left I see and old lady and her dog, off the path. (I pass them almost every day.) She always has the dog on a leash, but today...for some reason...she is not holding on to the leash. The dog comes racing at me, like he is in attack mode or something...I brake and slow way down, figuring that he can't chase me if I'm not moving...and he runs right past me and over to the fence. He starts barking at some guy who's stopped at the metered on ramp.
The old lady comes after the dog just as I am starting to get my speed back up to move on...she walks right in front of me. I had to slam on the brakes and totally stop to avoid hitting granny and knocking her on her can.
So...now I am stopped and the dog comes running at me again, but this time he is wagging his tail and friendly like. He jumps up on me with his front paws and I give him a little scratch behind the ear. Granny is very embarassed and apologizes like crazy as she finally gets a hold of the leash and pulls him off of me. I say, "no biggie." and go on my way.
I laughed the rest of the way home..."Finally," I think to myself, " a dog who is biker friendly!"
joeprim
09-20-05, 07:03 AM
Two weeks ago, on the peanut tour, I came over a hill to see three large dogs by the side of the road just ahead. I like dogs, but don't want to crah into one that's chacing me for sport -;)
I slow up a little to see what's up. The dogs look up at me, put their tails between their legs and run off! I've never seen anything like it. I was so astonished it took a bit to get my speed back up.
Can't predict what they will do.
JOe
erik forsgren
09-20-05, 09:39 AM
Two weeks ago, on the peanut tour, I came over a hill to see three large dogs by the side of the road just ahead. I like dogs, but don't want to crah into one that's chacing me for sport -;)
I slow up a little to see what's up. The dogs look up at me, put their tails between their legs and run off! I've never seen anything like it. I was so astonished it took a bit to get my speed back up.
Can't predict what they will do.
JOeThis sudden change in behaviour might be caused by an electrical collar and the owner might have been hidden somewhere so you didn't see him. Or the dogs were trained to come back by means of that collar. As soon as the master blew his soundless pipe the dogs knew of that dreadful electrical pain in the neck if they didn't obey the whistle.
joeprim
09-20-05, 09:57 AM
Anything is possible, but we were a long way from their house, several hundred yards. Mostly soybean and cotton fields. There was some brush but unlikely that the owner was there since they ran the other way toward their house (I assume it was their house the only one arund for a couple of miles and theyran toward it). It just pays to look ugly and mean I guess.
Joe
The dog comes racing at me, like he is in attack mode or something...I brake and slow way down, figuring that he can't chase me if I'm not moving...
What a strange reaction, what happened to your survival instinct? :)
I'd have pulled the tear gas canister from under the seat and given the pooch a healthy dose myself, then gotten off the bike and given the damn thing a good thrashing given the chance. The question of whether it was after me or some other guy is totally irrelevant and wouldn't have entered my mind. If the dog isn't on the leash and acts aggressively, it should be dealt with...
gew0419
09-20-05, 05:30 PM
This sudden change in behaviour might be caused by an electrical collar and the owner might have been hidden somewhere so you didn't see him. Or the dogs were trained to come back by means of that collar. As soon as the master blew his soundless pipe the dogs knew of that dreadful electrical pain in the neck if they didn't obey the whistle.
That could be, but I think joeprim is just one scary dude!!! LOL
gew0419
09-20-05, 05:44 PM
What a strange reaction, what happened to your survival instinct? :)
I'd have pulled the tear gas canister from under the seat and given the pooch a healthy dose myself, then gotten off the bike and given the damn thing a good thrashing given the chance. The question of whether it was after me or some other guy is totally irrelevant and wouldn't have entered my mind. If the dog isn't on the leash and acts aggressively, it should be dealt with...
Just a few points here...
1) I didn't have a tear gas canister and wouldn't have used it on a dog if I did have one. Maybe on a person, but not a dog.
2) My method of self defense is to put my bike between me and the dog, which I have done several times very successfully...I've never been bitten.
3) I was raised by wolves in the hills outside of Eugene so I am more comfortable with dogs than people.
4) If I would have maced the dog, then granny would have attacked me and I would have had to mace her, too.
5) You need to back off of your caffine intake a little...learn to read situations and not react so fast. You would make a terrible cop. (You're not a cop, are you?) I really was in no danger here.
It really happened so fast that it was over before it started. I knew almost right away that the dog was not after me. It just seemed funny to me that's all.
Dchiefransom
09-20-05, 08:33 PM
Was there a spot where the dog could have gotten pastt the fence, to bark at the cars? If so, then her dog could have been hit by cars and injured or killed. If you see them again and the pooch is running free, then you might remind the lady that her friendly dog could be hurt.
Many dogs will stop the chase if squirted in the face with a water bottle.
gew0419
09-21-05, 06:41 AM
Was there a spot where the dog could have gotten pastt the fence, to bark at the cars? If so, then her dog could have been hit by cars and injured or killed. If you see them again and the pooch is running free, then you might remind the lady that her friendly dog could be hurt.
Many dogs will stop the chase if squirted in the face with a water bottle.
You sound like you are in the same boat as me...I was more concerned about the dog's safety than my own. As I said I pass them almost every day. I have stopped before and petted the dog and so I'm pretty sure he would not hurt me, he's a big yellow lab mix. As I also said she usually has a hold of him, but for some reason didn't. In fact, I passed them yesterday again and she had him on the leash. The path is closed in on both sides by a chain link fence so I don't think he was in that much danger from cars, but I could have hit him...and her.
nedgoudy
09-25-05, 07:30 PM
Erik, I don't want to train the dogs to come out to the road looking for a treat. I want them to cower on their porches. I want them to run to mommy when they see me coming. Giving them a treat is definitely sending the wrong message. If you're going to use treats, use one to lure them in, then suddenly kick their @ss, scaring them half to death. That way you're teaching them that people on bikes are unpredictable and dangerous.
While I am a dog owner and love my mutts (a siberian husky and a malamute - peace loving dogs mainly)
I have had plenty of experience in the 'boonies' of San Bernardino County in Southern California where feral
dogs run wild. I was followed malicously (yes with malice) by a pack of feral German Shepard Dogs and Rottweilers once and promptly ordered one of these STUN BATONS ( http://tinyurl.com/cuxnl ) on the Internet. I have never used it but wouldn't hesitate to if I ran into the kind of wild critters I saw that day.
There are also feral dogs living in the San Gabriel River Basin West of Glendora and they are nasty, desparate looking creatures too.
Ned
most of my riding is on a rails-to-trail path in SW Pennsylvania that follows the old P&LE Railroad along the Youghiogheny (yock-o-gainy) River. The trail is beautiful, and there are isolated stretches where one may be 10 miles or more from the nearest dwelling. Dog problems are two-fold...the majority come from ignorant trail users having their dogs unleashed, and the other is from packs of feral dogs. The first category can usually be dealt with by outrunning the mutt, or, that failing, dismounting and using your bike as a shield until the idiot dog owner gains control of their pooch. This happened to me twice( in 5 years of riding).
The second category is much scarier, particularly if you are riding a tadpole trike, as I often do (Terratrike). Tadpole trikes spell "LUNCH" to doggies, they can't seem to resist them.
I have had three encounters with the feral dogs. The first, I was riding along on the trike and in my peripheral vision noticed some "flashes" in the woods parallel to the trail. I slowed down and saw that there was about 7 dogs running through the woods just off the trail. I got a better look at them, as they were looking at me, and they looked like they were up to no good, ie. dirty, manegy, mean-looking. Mixed breeds, but the dominant one looked like an Old English Sheepdog- couldn't see it's eyes through the matted dirty hair. I sped up to about 22 mph---after about 1 minute, they fell back, and eventually dissappeared. I was, however, very apprehensive on my return trip, it was getting dark, but I never saw the dogs again that time.
That encounter made me think, so I got- get this- "Grizzly Bear repellant"- ie. a pepper spray, gel based, with orange dye, from an outdoors outfitter. Why skimp. I also decided to "pack heat" ie. a Sig Sauer 9mm Pistol, 13 round clip. Overkill, perhaps, but I do have a carry permit, although firearms are against trail rules.
The second encounter was in the same general area, about 2 mile markers away from the first, and about two months later. Again, I noticed "flashes" in my peripheral vision, but this time the dogs (same pack I believe) were much more aggressive, and they were on the trail in seconds, right along my trike, nipping at my rear tire and at my legs. I yelled...I pedaled...I outran them. they could have munched me if they wanted to, there was no time to get to the pepper spray or the gun.
I avoided that area after that, until the following year. this time, I was riding the trike and as I came adjacent to a large clearing in the woods, saw what i thought was a deer at the edge of the clearing. I slowed down, it was a dog- a big one-tawny colored, short coat, headed right for me from maybe 100 yards away. This time, I stopped, stupidly curious I suppose. the dog kept coming, it was snarling, definitely seemed on the attack. I yelled, I screamed, it kept coming. I got the pepper spray...at about 20 feet it slowed down, then veered off into the woods.
I started to pedal again, and BAM this dog was right at my ankles....i outran it for a few yards, and , shakingly undoing the lock thing on the pepper spray canister, aimed and BLASTED IT.
WOW. that stuff reaally works. Not only did it make my eyes water, but the dog looked like it had been sprayed with orange paint and was rolling around in a ball along the trail., yelping.
At that point, i could have shot it, but didn't. I'm an ex-paper boy, dog bit 5 times, you think I would've.
megaman
09-28-05, 01:43 PM
I have had three encounters with the feral dogs. The first, I was riding along on the trike and in my peripheral vision noticed some "flashes" in the woods parallel to the trail. I slowed down and saw that there was about 7 dogs running through the woods just off the trail. I got a better look at them, as they were looking at me, and they looked like they were up to no good, ie. dirty, manegy, mean-looking. Mixed breeds, but the dominant one looked like an Old English Sheepdog- couldn't see it's eyes through the matted dirty hair. I sped up to about 22 mph---after about 1 minute, they fell back, and eventually dissappeared. I was, however, very apprehensive on my return trip, it was getting dark, but I never saw the dogs again that time.
That encounter made me think, so I got- get this- "Grizzly Bear repellant"- ie. a pepper spray, gel based, with orange dye, from an outdoors outfitter. Why skimp. I also decided to "pack heat" ie. a Sig Sauer 9mm Pistol, 13 round clip. Overkill, perhaps, but I do have a carry permit, although firearms are against trail rules.
The second encounter was in the same general area, about 2 mile markers away from the first, and about two months later. Again, I noticed "flashes" in my peripheral vision, but this time the dogs (same pack I believe) were much more aggressive, and they were on the trail in seconds, right along my trike, nipping at my rear tire and at my legs. I yelled...I pedaled...I outran them. they could have munched me if they wanted to, there was no time to get to the pepper spray or the gun.
I avoided that area after that, until the following year. this time, I was riding the trike and as I came adjacent to a large clearing in the woods, saw what i thought was a deer at the edge of the clearing. I slowed down, it was a dog- a big one-tawny colored, short coat, headed right for me from maybe 100 yards away. This time, I stopped, stupidly curious I suppose. the dog kept coming, it was snarling, definitely seemed on the attack. I yelled, I screamed, it kept coming. I got the pepper spray...at about 20 feet it slowed down, then veered off into the woods.
I started to pedal again, and BAM this dog was right at my ankles....i outran it for a few yards, and , shakingly undoing the lock thing on the pepper spray canister, aimed and BLASTED IT.
WOW. that stuff reaally works. Not only did it make my eyes water, but the dog looked like it had been sprayed with orange paint and was rolling around in a ball along the trail., yelping.
Scary story. I like riding rail/trails out in the middle of nowhere. Sure I've out ridden some dogs, but I've never had an encounter with anything larger than a raccoon. I've been riding for ten years. I hope I'm not overdue for that close encounter.
ezgreen
10-02-05, 12:07 AM
While cruising into the parking lot at work one morning I ran into a pack of 3 pitbulls. These strays had wandered onto the company property and were lurking around a back entrance to the building. As I came around the corner of the building on my recumbent I ran right through the middle of the pack. My first thought was, sh-t, since I was only moving at about 5 mph and looking out for pedestrians. Luckily for me they eyed my friend who was on his mountain bike. He was behind me and was not committed to the turn. He began sprinting in the opposite direction with the dogs nipping at his feet. I ran for my company pickup and gave chase. I caught up with my friend on the other side of the facility and he had out run the dogs. I put him and his bike into the truck and headed back to the main building. When we got there the 3 pits had attacked our company watch dog. My friend and another co-worker got into the fray and rescued our golden lab retriever. I used the truck to chase the dogs off the property. Since they fled into a surrounding surburban area, I called the police to report the incident. Eventually all 3 dogs were shot by the police, but not before they had menaced several residents and killed someone's pet dog. I consider myself lucky that I was not their first victim. As much as I like my recumbent, being that low to the ground leaves a rider vulnerable. Fortunately most dogs in the City are relatively friendly.
Last time I was out on my recumbant a dog chased me down a country road. I could tell he wasn't going to hurt me (he ran along side me and then went ahead of me). I had just attached a small pillow to my seat and was so comfortable riding down this road that instead of thinking about avg. speed, max. speed, etc., I started worrying about the dog getting hit. I turned around and the dog followed me back to the farm where his owner was just getting in his pick-up to retrieve him. He thanked me and I said it was O.K., but I was worried about his dog. I don't think I would have turned around on my road bike, this is why I love my recumbant. Different pace, different objectives. I was attacked once by a dog that wanted to hurt me, but I was so burnt out from headwinds that I yelled at the top of my lungs "GO HOME" and he turned around in fear. Cool.
No great dog stories here, except a few similar incidents where free-ranging dogs endanger themselves running in front of traffic in order to check you out. I do have a big horn sheep story: I'm riding through the Canadian Rockies one morning last summer..., cars, transports, motorhomes, Harleys all cruising by and the big horns are at the side of the highway licking salt, oblivious to the traffic. Then around the corner I come, really slow since it's uphill and I'm on my bent. The second they see me they are filled with sheer terror and hightail it straight up the cliff! Recumbents rule!
Now that I have a RANS Rocket recumbent bike, I am lower and closer to dogs. I have only ridden along the river in Little Rock, AR. I am 53 and I don't ride as fast as I used to. I used to could outrun big German Sheppards if I could see them coming in advance. I wouldn't try that today. It is a shame that we cannot walk, jog, or ride a bike w/o fearing for our lives. I wish recumbent bike makers would come up with "dog bars" that would extent on the left and right of the rider. About three bars ought to do, or some kind of wire mesh. This way dogs could run along and bark but as long as the rider continued to ride the dogs would not be able to reach him.
Now that I have a RANS Rocket recumbent bike, I am lower and closer to dogs. I have only ridden along the river in Little Rock, AR. I am 53 and I don't ride as fast as I used to. I used to could outrun big German Sheppards if I could see them coming in advance. I wouldn't try that today. It is a shame that we cannot walk, jog, or ride a bike w/o fearing for our lives. I wish recumbent bike makers would come up with "dog bars" that would extent on the left and right of the rider. About three bars ought to do, or some kind of wire mesh. This way dogs could run along and bark but as long as the rider continued to ride the dogs would not be able to reach him.
Why don't you attach some to your bike? Just don't get snagged on people, plants or buildings as you pass them....
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