canklecat

(I wasn't sure whether to post this to the recreational CX/gravel forum or mechanics forum for relevant answers, or just send it to A&S to die. It covers a range of issues so it seemed appropriate to the general forum.)

Monday afternoon I decided to do some leg strengthening and balance work on a nearby utilities easement which has a decent mix of damp grass and gravel with some hills appropriate to my level of conditioning. I'd already lowered the tire pressure from the 76 psi Michelin recommends for my weight (165 lbs) on 700x40 Protek Cross Max to around 60 psi, and figured I'd lower it a bit from there depending on how the terrain felt.

En route to the trail I enjoyed my first encounter with some free range neighborhood dogs. One, a nondescript mutt, was wearing a post-surgical Elizabethan collar and seemed to be negotiating some methodology for urinating on a tree without actually being able to see whether it hit the mark. The other was a handsome tawny pit bull, not terribly large, but with a stout body and massive jaw. Conveniently it was wearing a nice red body harness which was almost, but not quite, completely useless as the dog was roaming around the street with no responsible human in sight.

As I've been around many pit bulls, including one I gave to my brother years ago, I'm not particularly worried about them although I respect their talents as bonecrushers nonpareil. The pit was around 10 yards away and I decided the least bad of a set of unappealing choices would be to simply keep pedaling at my current rate without any sudden moves or changes that might be mistaken by a dog as an invitation to snack on manflesh.

The li'l scamp gave chase, although the absence of snarling, barking or snapping at my heels seemed to indicate it was up for only a brief romp which I figured would last 10-20 yards before it lost interest and returned to sniffing the butt of the Elizabethan collar mutt, which clearly needed to be taunted for dressing like a Mod in a neighborhood full of Rocker dogs.

Alas, the pit bull didn't lose interest and in fact seemed anxious for a race, pulling in front of me. I decided to draft it for awhile.

More's the pittie, the dog's peloton discipline was terrible. It kept looking over its shoulder, straying from the line and slowing down/speeding up in herky-jerky fashion. Finally the dog appeared to tire and seemed to want to drop to the back of the peloton and let me take the lead. Unfortunately it failed to pull over while slowing and I ran right over the pit bull's haunches, which, apparently hurting its feelings more than its rump or junk, caused the dog to give me a doleful look of despair.

I kept going and wished the dog better luck next time.

While riding the grass and gravel utility easement for about 30 minutes I bled off a little more tire pressure until the bike felt less jittery and harsh, yet still had decent speed and didn't appear to be at risk of pinch flats. I don't have a tire gauge but I'm guessing it's around 50 psi.

I intended to try the tires at lower pressure on the pit bull during my return trip home, but while the dog was still loose in its yard it showed no enthusiasm for resuming our game.

Given the circumstances I've described, the very rigid and durable Michelin tires (which are probably gnaw-resistant), and inexpensive Alex Z-1000 rims, and my bike's simple short-travel spring suspension fork, do you think it would be safe to try around 40-45 psi for running over pit bulls? They're very muscular which helps reduce the risk of bones causing punctures or pinch flats. For most dogs I'd probably stick with 50-60 psi.

Nermal

Dunno, but I enjoyed the story.

Maelochs

I don't have any rejoinder sufficiently witty to do the post justice, so I will simply bow.

Juan Foote

Well done sir. +1 interwebz.

Tony Marley

I don't know about the tire psi, but it is a great tale.

simot

That was very entertaining! Very well done.

thin_concrete

Great read - made my morning!

indyfabz

You lost me at "a nearby utilities easement."

OldTryGuy

Stay with the inflated pressure and simply BUNNY HOP.......sorry....PIT BULL HOP!!!! Good for your strength and handling training plus the added benefit of the higher pressure allows for faster speeds had the dog given true chase for a man taste and as a bonus the hop is less invasive on a playful impediment.

Looigi

I was doing an off-road tour on the south island of New Zealand, quite a few years ago now, and while riding along one grassy dirt lane I saw what I though was the domed top of large granite rock protruding up in my path. I stood up and prepared to ride over it but was rather surprised when I smooshed through it instead. It was what remained of a long dead sheep.

Retro Grouch 

I'd suggest trying the lower tire pressure on some downed logs first.

andr0id

Tire pressure is really going to vary by breed.
You'll want a firm, narrow tire for slick haired dogs such at pits and beagles and lower pressure, wide tire for poodles and sheepdogs.

As always, this is a good excuse to own several bikes and have each set up differently based on the expected "terrierain" you will be riding.

Juan Foote

snort!

canklecat

Sounded better than alleyway, for those of us without access to proper mountain biking terrierain.


I can't find toe clips or clipless pedals to suit my Larry Mahan kangaroo hide boots.


Arf.

mrodgers

Don't need clips or clipless for bunny, sorry, Pit Bull hops. You don't use your feet. You use your core to get the bike to lift up. I never had toe clips when I was a kid and we could bunny hop feet (height, not over someone's feet.) Can't do it very high any more, but I can still get up onto a curb with a bunny hop.

canklecat

I'm a little reluctant to make hopping moves around a pit bull. That's sorta like making dangling string moves around a cat.

ltxi

x2

Fastfingaz

Well I had a similar problem so I opted for the dyed opossum belly boots, now no problem with toe clips,,,

Deal4Fuji

" which clearly needed to be taunted for dressing like a Mod in a neighborhood full of Rocker dogs. "

milkbaby

Time to work on your pittie hopping skills.

Worknomore

I would suggest picking up a Surly Pugsley or similar fat tire bike so you could add less robust breeds to your dog climbing repertoire.