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$%#@& Dog walkers!

Old 08-27-09, 10:15 AM
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$%#@& Dog walkers!

Ate it today on the way in because of one. Coming through a park on the W&OD this am, first light, but still was running my Dinotte AND a PB Blaze on flash. See this woman on the right side of the trail, call out that I was passing, and just then FiFi which is about 20 feet off the left of the trail snaps the retractable leash taut. Up until that it was lying across the trail and the ground. Lord forbid you might actually stay *with* the dog.

As I'm processing that, the bright owner was still processing that all this light and noise coming at her was indeed something to respond to, so at the last minute she turns and tries to get to FiFi by cutting into the middle of the path. I have no choice but to try to carve a hard right, and in doing so front tire dropped off the asphalt into the grass which was about a 3" drop. Its all over as I continued straight and the bike took an instant right.

Cheese gratered a hole all the way through my left elbow , and road rashed the left knee and shin and sprained both wrists. Damn I bled a lot. Part that pisses me off is it trashed the right (Ultegra) brifter and tore up the left also. Retractable leash inventor should be shot, and the heathens that buy them burnt at the stake!

What does the dog owner do? Picks up FiFi and starts jogging in the opposite direction without so much as an "are you ok?"

At the moment have enough gauze on me that they're considering shooting a Mummy film here . 5 hours later still oozing blood.

Ok, rant over..
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Old 08-27-09, 10:33 AM
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AMEN!

Sorry to hear about the grind. Two spots that are just festered with them are between Park and Ceder in Vienna and then from the RT 7 bridge to the falls church firehouse. So many little roads for them to come in on there. Didn't happen to occur there did it?

Last edited by alhanson; 08-27-09 at 10:33 AM. Reason: sharpen my grammer
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Old 08-27-09, 10:35 AM
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holy hell... I feel the same way about some dog walkers for the most part. I hate the deer in the headlights expression they give as their mongrel effectively blocks the trail with his 30' lead. Is it that hard to just go over to your mutt so the lead doesn't impede those around you? Maybe this leap in logic is too great a gap for some to traverse. Those retractable leads are a hazardous PITA and make people lazy. Second worse, are children, but that's for a different rant.

What about people that have dogs that lunge at cyclist? If they weren't on leads, we'd both be in the Shiat. It's gotten to the point that I basically stop when skirting these oblivious pet owners, once bitten, twice shy?
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Old 08-27-09, 10:41 AM
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That sucks man. Can't believe the lady didn't even stop to make sure you were okay.

I try to never ride on multi-function ped-ways for this exact reason... dog leashes, irratic dog/kid/adult behaviors, etc.... and when I do get stuck on such a trail... I don't get all time-trial on it.
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Old 08-27-09, 10:50 AM
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Originally Posted by alhanson
AMEN!

Sorry to hear about the grind. Two spots that are just festered with them are between Park and Ceder in Vienna and then from the RT 7 bridge to the falls church firehouse. So many little roads for them to come in on there. Didn't happen to occur there did it?
Right along the fence line in Banneker park where the soccer field is. Right where that fairly new section of asphalt starts before you get to the bridge. Down from East Falls Church Metro. And yeah, I agree, the two spots you listed are definitely the worst on most days.

It doesn't surprise me that no one said anything. Considering after the wreck I went to the Metro, caught it to West Falls, caught a bus to Herndon where my car was. Blood all over me, the bike, and most things I touched, and yet no one said a word. You'd of thought they'd have an issue with someone leaking body fluids like that, but naaaaa..
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Old 08-27-09, 11:08 AM
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Sorry to hear about your crash. It is sad that there is a percentage of population that is totally oblivious to how their behavior impacts others. They seem to feel entitled and empowered to allow themselves behaviors that, unfortunately, are detrimental/dangerous to others, and leads to generalized negative impressions from the remaining populace.

Some smokers, dog owners, motorists, motorcyclists, cyclists...you name the group...exhibit behaviors that scream "I am in my own universe and f**k everyone else!" It is hard for the rest of the population not to generalize the negative behavior of the miscreants to the entire population of the group.

I avoid MUP's whenever possible. This is due to oblivious walkers, inconsiderate dog owners, herds of stroller mom's and cyclists that feel they have the right hammer on the trail. All of the above exhibit oblivious self-centered behavior, but, fortunately, are still in the minority of MUP users.

Everyone should recognize that is it a privilege, not a right, to use our roadways, MUP's, trials, sidewalks etc. Using these resources carries the obligation to consider one's behavior and the impact on others.

Cheers,
Geary
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Old 08-27-09, 11:16 AM
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I hear you. I walk two 100+ lb dogs together twice a day. They are under control on non-retractable leashes. They are somewhat reactive to pedestrians and cyclists, but I have trained them to stop and stay and let others pass without bothering them. They stay attentive and perky, and always looking to make a new friend, but still under control. It's important to me that my dogs are good citizens, too.
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Old 08-27-09, 11:19 AM
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Originally Posted by starla
I hear you. I walk two 100+ lb dogs together twice a day. They are under control on non-retractable leashes. They are somewhat reactive to pedestrians and cyclists, but I have trained them to stop and stay and let others pass without bothering them. They stay attentive and perky, and always looking to make a new friend, but still under control. It's important to me that my dogs are good citizens, too.
Refreshing responsibility!
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Old 08-27-09, 11:26 AM
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Meanwhile at the dogwalkers.com forum...

"Today I was just taking a stroll with little Fifi on our usual path. Oh how she loves the daisies around there. We were just minding our own business enjoying the afternoon walk when this crazy bicyclist come charging at us at a high speed! He not only should've slowed down for us, he started shouting in Yiddish or something. Between his shouts and the noisy bike, Fifi jumped and got scared. Poor girl. She was in obviously stunned by this lunatic rider. I gave the rude biker a stare. I would've told him to slow down but instead I dashed across the path to save my beloved Fifi from this maniacal dog-hating cyclist! I guess he must've lost balance and went off road a bit. Of course I didn't bother. Had to take my frightened Fifi to her doggy phychologist for examining her. You know..... the one next to the dog-friendly Starbucks. Later will treat her a Ylang-Ylang spa session. Can't wait! Cyclists these days should mind their manners!"

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Old 08-27-09, 11:36 AM
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I own 2 puppies (9 mo old) and walk them regularly on the same MUP I use to commute to work. I ALWAYS put them on a non-retractable leash for just this reason. And it's not just cyclists... skateboarders, children, etc are all a problem to a distractable dog, and they have to be kept under control. I do not understand retractable leashes. You are teaching and reinforcing that when they pull away from you, they get more freedom. Seems the opposite of what you'd want, but I guess I'm not lazy.
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Old 08-27-09, 11:48 AM
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You should have chased her down and wiped your blood on her.
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Old 08-27-09, 11:54 AM
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Originally Posted by lil brown bat
You should have chased her down and wiped your blood on her.
That reminds me of a joke: Two pretzels were walking down the street, one was assaulted...

Chasing someone down to rub bodily fluids on maybe a bit extreme, but I agree she deserves some sort of confrontation. I mean to not even stop and render aide, that's just unacceptable.
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Old 08-27-09, 12:02 PM
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Originally Posted by CCrew
Ate it today on the way in because of one. Coming through a park on the W&OD this am, first light, but still was running my Dinotte AND a PB Blaze on flash. See this woman on the right side of the trail, call out that I was passing, and just then FiFi which is about 20 feet off the left of the trail snaps the retractable leash taut. Up until that it was lying across the trail and the ground. Lord forbid you might actually stay *with* the dog.

As I'm processing that, the bright owner was still processing that all this light and noise coming at her was indeed something to respond to, so at the last minute she turns and tries to get to FiFi by cutting into the middle of the path. I have no choice but to try to carve a hard right, and in doing so front tire dropped off the asphalt into the grass which was about a 3" drop. Its all over as I continued straight and the bike took an instant right.

Cheese gratered a hole all the way through my left elbow , and road rashed the left knee and shin and sprained both wrists. Damn I bled a lot. Part that pisses me off is it trashed the right (Ultegra) brifter and tore up the left also. Retractable leash inventor should be shot, and the heathens that buy them burnt at the stake!

What does the dog owner do? Picks up FiFi and starts jogging in the opposite direction without so much as an "are you ok?"

At the moment have enough gauze on me that they're considering shooting a Mummy film here . 5 hours later still oozing blood.

Ok, rant over..

The problem is most dog owners don't fully understand doggy discipline (most women are the worst) and let their dog roam ahead of them using the retractable leash. Unfortunately this is a sign by the dog that their human is their biatch and merely follows and does the dog's bidding. A dog needs to walk to heel. Period! If the dog pulls ahead or it's attention wanders then the owner needs to pull the leash and get the dog's mind back on the walk.
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Old 08-27-09, 12:25 PM
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I use a retractable leash, but I keep my head on a swivel and reel the dog in to less than the typical 6 feet of a regular leash if there's anyone within 50 feet of me.
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Old 08-27-09, 12:26 PM
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...

Last edited by making; 08-27-09 at 04:46 PM.
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Old 08-27-09, 12:54 PM
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Man that sucks, I hope you're not too banged up.

I don't have a really big problem with dog walkers. I have more of a problem with people just stopping dead in the middle of the bike path lane while walking or riding. Last weekend, I had a guy step right in front of me while talking to someone standing on the grass on the side of the path. A quick shout of "buddy!! what are thinking?" caught his attention and he jumped back. I wasn't going that fast, maybe 8 mph at the most.

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Old 08-27-09, 12:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Sirrus Rider
The problem is most dog owners don't fully understand doggy discipline (most women are the worst) and let their dog roam ahead of them using the retractable leash. Unfortunately this is a sign by the dog that their human is their biatch and merely follows and does the dog's bidding. A dog needs to walk to heel. Period! If the dog pulls ahead or it's attention wanders then the owner needs to pull the leash and get the dog's mind back on the walk.
Dog owner is an oxymoron. Where else have you seen another species picking up feces of another species?
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Old 08-27-09, 12:58 PM
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CCrew, are you doing okay? I hope the injuries aren't too serious to keep you off your bike. Falling sucks. Falling due to someone else's stupidity is even worse. Hope you heal up soon.

I don't get retractable leashes. If there's a leash law, why not have a length limit too? Does it make sense to keep dogs on a leash if the leash is allowed to be, say, 100 or 1000 ft long? At what point is an extensible leash the functional equivalent of no leash at all?
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Old 08-27-09, 01:21 PM
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Originally Posted by jeffpoulin
CCrew, are you doing okay? I hope the injuries aren't too serious to keep you off your bike. Falling sucks. Falling due to someone else's stupidity is even worse. Hope you heal up soon.

I don't get retractable leashes. If there's a leash law, why not have a length limit too? Does it make sense to keep dogs on a leash if the leash is allowed to be, say, 100 or 1000 ft long? At what point is an extensible leash the functional equivalent of no leash at all?
I never understood that either but come to find out most places do. It is 8 ft. The retractable gets by because it is under 8 ft in the "control" position.
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Old 08-27-09, 02:31 PM
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Originally Posted by DJFlowe
I own 2 puppies (9 mo old) and walk them regularly on the same MUP I use to commute to work. I ALWAYS put them on a non-retractable leash for just this reason. And it's not just cyclists... skateboarders, children, etc are all a problem to a distractable dog, and they have to be kept under control. I do not understand retractable leashes. You are teaching and reinforcing that when they pull away from you, they get more freedom. Seems the opposite of what you'd want, but I guess I'm not lazy.
I walk three dogs at once... one on a retractable leash and the other two on standard leashes. They're ALL under control... If there is anyone/thing around that may distract the one on the retractable leash enough that she isn't paying attention to me, then I've already got it locked and her under control.

The reason she's on the retractable leash is because otherwise she won't go to the bathroom... the puppy jumps on her and then she won't go... and I end up having to take her out again by herself.

I also don't walk them where there are likely to be cyclists, either... but that's a luxury I have that others may not.
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Old 08-27-09, 03:08 PM
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Originally Posted by jeffpoulin
CCrew, are you doing okay? I hope the injuries aren't too serious to keep you off your bike. Falling sucks. Falling due to someone else's stupidity is even worse. Hope you heal up soon.

I don't get retractable leashes. If there's a leash law, why not have a length limit too? Does it make sense to keep dogs on a leash if the leash is allowed to be, say, 100 or 1000 ft long? At what point is an extensible leash the functional equivalent of no leash at all?
Actually there is a 10' leash law where this occurred. But you know and I know if you tried to press that point there wouldn't be more than 10' of leash out of that retractable leash

I'm feeling like I was ridden like a $1 pony at the fair right now. God bless my wife, she made me go to the LBS and buy new brifters. She knows I was more ticked about the bike than anything. LBS cut me a smoking deal.. New pair of Ultegra brifters, bar tape, extra ferrules for the wire ends if I needed them. $200 bux out the door. That made the pain a bit better.

I'll be off the bike tomorrow... maybe. Did test ride one at the LBS, gauze bandages and all

Thanks everyone for the best wishes. Nothing (except the bike) broken that won't heal, and I'm a pretty die hard rider. But if I see that owner again, she's getting a piece of my mind!

-R
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Old 08-27-09, 03:40 PM
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Glad it's working out. I've had a bit of dog angst myself w/ my summer alternate route. Tomorrow is the last day for that. I keep thinking about not just bikers but other dogs. I used to go for a walk w/ friends and their dog (their dog on a 3' leash, did not like other dogs). People w/ no control over their dogs would yell ahead 'my dog's friendly don't worry' and my friend would yell back 'my dog's not!'
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Old 08-27-09, 04:55 PM
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Here, there are leash laws that state the leash can't be more than 6' and can't be retractable yet everyone and their grandma is walking their dog with the nearly invisible retractable leashes spanning across the sidewalk, path, street...

I hate to remind people but HUMAN LIFE is more important than a dogs'. If it comes down to you getting hurt or a wandering dog... You need to save yourself.

Heal fast and stay safe.
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Old 08-27-09, 04:56 PM
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Originally Posted by dx rider
man that sucks, i hope you're not too banged up.
+1
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Old 08-27-09, 05:45 PM
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Originally Posted by wunderkind
Dog owner is an oxymoron. Where else have you seen another species picking up feces of another species?
Yeah, we seem to have something in common with these little guys

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