General Cycling Discussion - Dogs!

I haven't seen any posts about dogs. What is the funniest, or perhaps the most harrowing experience you've had with the hounds of hell?

One of my funniest involved a large German Sheperd on a farm near here. Our cycle club would always pass this farmhouse on Thursday evening, going up the hill where it was so we were always going slow and always out of breath since this was near the end of our outing. The dog would come from under the porch, cross the road and go down the line of bikers raising heck with each one. He was accustomed to swinging pumps and water squirts, so that didn't help. The only thing he was not used to doing was looking both ways before coming across the road to attack us, which proved to be his downfall his last time, since he ran right smack in front of a logging semi that was coming down the hill from the opposite direction. Splat right there in front of 15 of us. We named that part of the ride "dead dog hill" after that!

That's actually kinda sad. :(

A few weeks ago, my son and I turned a corner on a residential street and two of the most ferocious canines I'd ever seen charged us from the front yard. Fortunately, they were a pair of chihuahua's, but they were definitely upset at our presence. It was so funny that we actually slowed down to laugh at them. I guess the worst that could have happened would have been to have one jump on my foot and nip my ankle while riding around the crank. :D

yeah i don't see how that's funny.... (the first story)

My worst moment was when I rode along a path following a river, it was a great ride, very scenic with loads of twists and turns over root strewn ground. I came round a blind corner into the path of three large rottweilers, now I've been brought up with dogs and am usually very confident around them, but these three mean f***ers stood there growling. I nearly s**t a brick as I thought there was no way to placate them and no way I would be quick enough to turn around and sprint off. Luckily they were well trained, as just before my life flashed before my eyes the owner came into view and called them over. Needless to say I haven't been there since.

We have one ol' farm dog on our route that we try to quietly sneak by. His house is back aways from the road, so often we get by without being spotted. If he does give chase it's a good incentive to get us up the next hill.


The funniest are yards with dachshunds. We pass a couple of places were there is a whole little yappy pack of them. Fortunately they're fenced, so they don't get in the road. I think my next dog will be a dachshund.

kari

I also had a chihuahua race after me once, I just stopped and barked back at it. Stupid animal.

Originally posted by Aggressor
I also had a chihuahua race after me once, I just stopped and barked back at it. Stupid animal.

You stopped and...barked at a dog...??? And the animal is stupid?

Originally posted by don d.
You stopped and...barked at a dog...??? And the animal is stupid?

hahahahaha ... that's ironic

Originally posted by don d.
You stopped and...barked at a dog...??? And the animal is stupid?

Depends on what he said in his bark (grin)

Bob

I think I can explain it. Gary Larson did a cartoon of dogs barking in a street and the first picture had nothing but "woof, woof, woof, ...". The second picture was identical and showed the translation into english "yap, yap, yap, ...".

Yeah, seeing animals being killed. Party at pointyhead's house :rolleyes:

Originally posted by pointyhead
I haven't seen any posts about dogs. What is the funniest, or perhaps the most harrowing experience you've had with the hounds of hell?

One of my funniest involved a large German Sheperd on a farm near here. Our cycle club would always pass this farmhouse on Thursday evening, going up the hill where it was so we were always going slow and always out of breath since this was near the end of our outing. The dog would come from under the porch, cross the road and go down the line of bikers raising heck with each one. He was accustomed to swinging pumps and water squirts, so that didn't help. The only thing he was not used to doing was looking both ways before coming across the road to attack us, which proved to be his downfall his last time, since he ran right smack in front of a logging semi that was coming down the hill from the opposite direction. Splat right there in front of 15 of us. We named that part of the ride "dead dog hill" after that!

Yeah that is really funny. I always find death funny.:(

Oh, boo hoo. It was a viscous farm amimal that the owners did not control. Jeesh, people get over it. It's not the same as an 86 year old man taking out 9 HUMANS in a open air market.

Originally posted by pointyhead
Oh, boo hoo. It was a viscous farm amimal that the owners did not control. Jeesh, people get over it. It's not the same as an 86 year old man taking out 9 HUMANS in a open air market.

Does it make it any less sad because the owners didn't control the dog? I don't think so.

No offense, but I wouldn't expect this kind of behavior from a "born-again, Bible believing, Christian Conservative" such as yourself.

I guess only humans are God's creatures. The rest are here for our amusement and food source.

Originally posted by pointyhead
Oh, boo hoo. It was a viscous farm amimal that the owners did not control. Jeesh, people get over it. It's not the same as an 86 year old man taking out 9 HUMANS in a open air market.

Dogs aren't naturally viscious. Blame the owners by all means. As you rode this route several times I take it you spoke to them in an attempt to get the dog controlled, or reported it to the authorities?

I just find it strange that you think seeing a dog killed as being humorous.

I don't find the opening post particularly humorous, but I do find it ironic!

One of my greatest fears is the dog runs out in front of a car and the car takes out the cyclist (me) to miss the dog!

Humor is the little black fur ball who was trying to tear down the tree he was chained in order to attack us on a recent ride.

Or the boxer I clipped because he cut me off and forced me to vear off untill I had to correct.

OK, OK, I'm sorry. Forty lashes with a wet noodle. Perhaps I should say it was funny in a sad way. And yes, we had spoken to the owners, who showed no interest in keeping the dog within the confines of their property. And though you may think otherwise, I am a dog (and cat) person. I love my animals enough to keep them under control.

Maybe this story will all make amends:

One time while coming back from a long club ride to a restuarant in a distant city, a friend, David and I were coming back up a long hill on a back road, when out of nowhere a medium sized dog appeared from the left and started the chase. David, who is right-handed, whipped his pump off with his dominant hand and stupidly swung over the front of his bike at the dog. This, of course, sent him sprawling across the road. The dog, unacustomed to such a sight, stopped in his tracks. I was trying to brake and swerve to avoid Dave and ended up T-boning the dog, who proceeded to roll up under my bottom bracket. I hopped off the bike and lifted it up off him. He was stunned, but otherwise OK. We stayed with him till he came around, and then he was very gentle and enjoyed the petting we gave him. Dave even shared his trail mix with the mutt. I'd like to say we made a convert, and he never chased bikers anymore, but I never rode that route again. He didn't have a collar, and there wasn't a house nearby so we don't know if he was a stray or someone's pet.

And if prompted, I'll tell you about the time I got dropped on a long climb by a three-legged dog. That was funny in a ha-ha way.

Originally posted by pointyhead
OK, OK, I'm sorry. Forty lashes with a wet noodle. Perhaps I should say it was funny in a sad way. And yes, we had spoken to the owners, who showed no interest in keeping the dog within the confines of their property. And though you may think otherwise, I am a dog (and cat) person. I love my animals enough to keep them under control.

You do realise that all this guy will now do is get another dog and allow that one to run around without being confined. I still say the best answer is to call the cops and let them deal with it. People tend to listen when cops speak to them.

Oh yeah, back on topic, my funniest moments: being chased by five dogs in Currumbin Valley a few years back, applying some very squeaky brakes and watching five dogs turn around and run away so fast I still get a chuckle out of it. Or maybe riding with my recent cold and seeing dogs running away from my Darth Vader voice. Maybe I should have followed, chanting "come over ot the Dark side, Luke. It is your destiny!"

:D

When I go to the Post Office, there is a very steep hill a couple of blocks long. When I get to the peak, I am out of breath and going very slow. There is an old fat shepherd type dog living at the top of the hill. When I first heard him bark, I was worried, until he stoop up and wobbled after me. Fat dogs are no problem to get away with. After a few half hearted trots, the dog laid back down, and I coasted down the hill. We do this two or three times a week.

On another note, there is a Rotti in town, and his owner thinks it is funny for him to chase me and my son while on bikes. My son is 8 and we are going uphill when we go by the dog. I told the owner fact to face that I would kill the dog if he came within 10 feet of my son. I meant it, and I will do it. No questions asked. I hate to be in such a position, but neither I nor my son will be used as a chew toy for a 100 pound dog whose owner thinks that it is funny for him to race after people on bikes.

back when i would bike thought NW Terre Haute, there were 10 foot fences for some plant there for half a block or so, then houses for the rest. i came peddling along the fence, and as soon as i passed the fences there were 3 HUGE dogs that started to race toward me. All i remember is peddling as fast as i could and hearing the "*****" sound of each dog reaching the end of their chain. Normally i'm not a fan of chaining up dogs, but in terre haute i was always glad to hear that sound :)

Gosh dog stories.

Well, we were riding towards Esmeralda Marsh on a 50 mile ride. We were going down a hill and there were trees and bushes on both sides of the road. Not a lot of visibility and this was out in the country. Dave was towards the rear of the group of 20 or so riders. I was behind that. I was strong then, so I could catch up anytime I wanted to. A medium sized nondescript chunky dog scooted in front of Dave and Dave T boned him. Dave never had a chance to avoid it at the speed both were going. The dog rolled over several times and kept going. Dave landed on his head and was out cold. I got to him pretty quickly. Then he started to moan. I felt so helpless and the moans cut into my heart. Well Dave came to presently. Someone had called an ambulance but Dave did not want to spend the day imprisoned in an emergency room. So a number of us escorted him back to the starting point. Wandering dogs are dangerous because if you hit them, you are probably going over your bars.

OK on the lighter side. I was riding up Ionia Highway in Michigan. I had a big tail wind so I was cruising at 25 mph and not working too hard. I came up to this house. In the yard was a big black german shepherd. Out he came. He did not have the angle. I thought "No chance". I looked back. The dog was breathing with every stride. He was all black and his teeth flashed in the sun at every stride and he was hauling me in. I cranked it up to 28 mph and held him off at that speed till he decided to head back to home. The next day, I was doing the same ride. I had a head wind and there was no way I was going to hit 28 mph in those conditions. But I had a hunch about that dog. I came up to the house and there he was. I waved and shouted "Hello" and he stood there and wagged his tail. I think he saw me going by fast the day before and thought to himself "I bet I can catch up to that guy".

I guess it would be to difficult for people on a group ride knowing the dog is there, since it has been encountered more than once, to re route the ride. Lets face it if you were goping 25 to 40 and lets say a 100lb. Rottie, Shiloh Shepperd etc grabbed on to you you would be road pizza! So why chance it? What exactly is the point? Dogs are territorial and most are protective. I guess it takes a dog owner to appreciate that.

There was once the dog was in my path and I just went past it quickly. I could hear the dog getting frightened, the kinda sound a dog would make when it gets startled. I just went by and luckily the dog didn't chase after me. I know that I should not be startling animals but well, learnt my lesson after I read some articles. I could have been a close call and I could be chased down considering my fitness and equipment back then.