Originally Posted by EpicSchwinn (Post 15929661)

For those of you who encounter dogs off leash on your rides, what do you do? I was biking out in the county where I live (very rural area) and at the bottom of a long descent a big dog jumped in front of me while I was going 30+ mph. I had to slam on the brakes and skid out to avoid hitting it and then it chased me until I was no longer on the road that goes past its territory. There's no leash law out here so they can't be ticketed until it actually causes a problem. Consequently, it means whatever happens with your dog off your property is your problem and if your dog gets hurt, tough luck. I don't think biking with my .45 would be a great idea (especially at 1085g :rolleyes:) but maybe carrying mace? Still... when it takes a split second for a dog to jump out of nowhere idk what you really can do.

Originally Posted by Uannayven (Post 17829374)

One thing I do not do is to try to out run them.

a recent ride going about 20mph I had a small dog (25 pounds or so) running in the grass beside me. Keeping up with no problems. It then looked at me and took off and left me in the dust. It then stopped and looked at me while I was catching up. This was the dogs way of letting me know if I wanted to catch you I can.

Originally Posted by brianinc-ville (Post 17895835)

Most of the country dogs around here are some kind of pitbull mix. I've found that they top out at around 16mph. So if it's that kind of dog, and I'm in a safe place to ride fast, I just zoom up to 20mph and leave the dog behind. Otherwise -- if the dog looks fast, or if it's not a safe place to speed -- I slow down to around 6-8mph and ride calmly, looking straight ahead. They bark and threaten, but I have never had one touch me. Most of the time, I'm more worried that the dog will get hit by a car in the oncoming lane as it runs blindly after me.

Originally Posted by EpicSchwinn (Post 15929661)

For those of you who encounter dogs off leash on your rides ...

Originally Posted by Hypno Toad (Post 17901772)

What about huge dogs on retractable leashes with idiots on the other end?

Originally Posted by SpeshulEd (Post 17901792)

I think I would have done a few more passes, really gave that lady's arm a workout.

Originally Posted by Hypno Toad (Post 17901840)

LOL!

Clearly this dog didn't want to attack me, 'cause it could have easily got a good chomp on my leg. Plus the tail is up and wagging, likely just wanted to play chase. I honestly don't know how we didn't connect, I was braced for a collision. I love my two large dogs, I love my dogs so much that they have a fenced yard and 6 foot leashes for walks and runs.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=458781

I just need to say it one more time - I HATE RETRACTABLE LEASES!!!


BTW - you have a new Strava follower. Your kinda a big deal.