Dropped by a dog??
12-14-06, 06:49 PM
#1
My bicycle is fixed
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Dropped by a dog??
There are lots of dogs in my neighborhood and occasionally, one will get out in the afternoons. Today, a friendly looking fluffy dog was out and about. Usually, I'll stop and see if they have tags and try to find their owners. This one, however, was obviously immediately intent on chasing me. Feeling perky, I decided to engage the beast in a bit of a race. I ducked down a side street and noticed that he was gaining on me. Hmmm.
Pedals dragging, I cranked it up to the proverbial 400 Watts(!!) and watched him not-so-slowly catch up with me. I looked down and I was going a bit over 25mph when he PASSED me. Stunned, I made an emergency stop and he slowed down, I assume so that I wouldn't feel too badly about getting dropped by a dog. His owner was running up the street apologizing profusely and trying to catch him. In an effort to save face, I offered to help saying, "he's a quick one".
So what do you do when you encounter a dog that can drop you?
Pedals dragging, I cranked it up to the proverbial 400 Watts(!!) and watched him not-so-slowly catch up with me. I looked down and I was going a bit over 25mph when he PASSED me. Stunned, I made an emergency stop and he slowed down, I assume so that I wouldn't feel too badly about getting dropped by a dog. His owner was running up the street apologizing profusely and trying to catch him. In an effort to save face, I offered to help saying, "he's a quick one".
So what do you do when you encounter a dog that can drop you?
12-14-06, 09:18 PM
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After this when you are going to pass his house wear the jersies of the teams you compete against so he gets used to chasing them. Then ask his owner to take him to a race you are in.
12-14-06, 10:18 PM
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Hell there are 800lb bears that can sprint at 30+ mph... good lucky dropping one of those.
12-15-06, 07:23 AM
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Originally Posted by slvoid
Hell there are 800lb bears that can sprint at 30+ mph... good lucky dropping one of those.
Unless you're talking the other type of 'bear,' and I only bring that up considering you're location says NYC.
edit: I read hell as here
12-15-06, 07:47 AM
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What type of dog was it?
Please tell me that after it outran you that you at least asked the owner what type of dog it was.
BTW, to answer your original question, you thank your lucky stars it just wanted to play.
Please tell me that after it outran you that you at least asked the owner what type of dog it was.
BTW, to answer your original question, you thank your lucky stars it just wanted to play.
12-15-06, 08:26 AM
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Dogs are fast sprinters. Some of it's psychological, too. When my dog used to get out, we'd call, but she'd just keep running. One day, she got out and I'd had enough. I just took off after her in my socks. She ran for a little ways, but she turned around and let me catch her in a neighbors' yard. Now, I chase her and catch her everytime she runs. She never gets away! 
But I know she could drop me if she ever learned it was possible...
But I know she could drop me if she ever learned it was possible...
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No worries
No worries
12-15-06, 08:37 AM
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Out on one of the plantations, one of the farm managers has an Austrialan Sheep dog named of all things, Lassie. Anyway, when I am on a horse, this dog loves to race the horses - it is very fast. I am a spectator - all I am doing is trying to stay on! It really is a lot of fun.
I have often thought that most dogs aren't really trying to bite us (there are the insane exceptions) but play - otherwise I doubt they would have much problem catching us.
I have often thought that most dogs aren't really trying to bite us (there are the insane exceptions) but play - otherwise I doubt they would have much problem catching us.
12-15-06, 09:33 AM
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Originally Posted by muteseh
Easy if you're going downhill; bears can't run downhill without endoing.
12-15-06, 10:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Scorer75
What type of dog was it?
Please tell me that after it outran you that you at least asked the owner what type of dog it was.
BTW, to answer your original question, you thank your lucky stars it just wanted to play.
Please tell me that after it outran you that you at least asked the owner what type of dog it was.
BTW, to answer your original question, you thank your lucky stars it just wanted to play.
It looked like Lassie if that helps -- maybe mixed with some shepherd or something. And no doubt: if the puppy wasn't playing, I'd have been shredded. Where's the Dog Whisperer when you need him?
12-15-06, 11:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Brian Sorrell
So what do you do when you encounter a dog that can drop you?
12-15-06, 11:33 AM
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Originally Posted by gmacrider
Off topic, but this is a complete myth. If you try to outrun a hungry Griz by running downhill...well, I hope your affairs are in order.
Correct.
https://www.dced.state.ak.us/oed/stud...arwatching.htm
Bears can run downhill. However on a bike downhill I can do 40+
12-15-06, 12:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Scorer75
What type of dog was it?
I had a border collie match speeds with me at 15-20MPH one morning. The dog just wanted to run. Tongue hanging out, happiest-dog-in-the-world body language. I had to stop because I started laughing and the dog's poor human was yelling at the dog to stop.
12-15-06, 04:44 PM
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Actually, bears can run downhill, but they can't move laterally and downhill (at least this is what my friend from the mountains, who has bears break into his house a few times a year, tells me). So, go downhill and zig zag!
Originally Posted by muteseh
Easy if you're going downhill; bears can't run downhill without endoing.
Unless you're talking the other type of 'bear,' and I only bring that up considering you're location says NYC.
edit: I read hell as here
Unless you're talking the other type of 'bear,' and I only bring that up considering you're location says NYC.
edit: I read hell as here
12-15-06, 05:57 PM
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Time to think doggie treat.
Drop one along during the sprint and he'll slow to have a snack.
Victory at any cost.
Dave
Drop one along during the sprint and he'll slow to have a snack.
Victory at any cost.
Dave
12-15-06, 06:12 PM
#24
In the wind
I have a couple of border collies, and they have no problem keeping up with me on my bike. I will usually take them on mountain bike trails, but I find that running on the pavement can be quite hard on thier feet.
12-15-06, 09:05 PM
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Dogs love to run. Wolves chase down moose by tiring them out and then closing in for kill not go straight in from ambush. Old instincts die hard. Four legs will always beat 2 even with a mechanical gear advantage. We make about 1/2 hp. The amount of hp needed to overcome wind resistance goes up by the square of the speed. It takes 4X the hp to go 2x the speed.
