jpescatore

One of my favorite routes near where I live in Central Maryland is a 45 mile version of the old "Small Towns Tour" from the Chuck and Gail's book, starting in Westminster and looping counterclockwise through Taneytown, Union Bridge and Union Town. Good deal of climbing but nothing crazy.

I've modified it over the years and towards the 40 mile mark I've incorporated a few gravel sections to use Jasontown Road to get off of high speed Uniontown Road for a few miles. It is a rural stretch and there has always been a house just southeast of Springdale Road that has loose dogs that will come charging out, but the house sits pretty far back from the road and by maintaining high speed I've never had a real problem.

Last Sunday I did this ride and unfortunately the two dogs were just returning from foraging in a field across the road from the house. I was pedaling like mad and they popped out on the left, heard me and stopped in the middle of the road staring at me. I didn't like the odds, especially since one of them was a big pit bull looking dog that looked anything but friendly. I turned around and took Springdale Road back.

With any luck, the next time I do this ride they will be back on the porch. Years ago on a group ride I'm pretty sure someone stopped and put a call into Animal Control, which is actually the Humane Society in Carroll County, but in farm country I don't think enforcement of leash laws is very realistic.




Bad dog alert on Jasontown Road on the lower right.

indyfabz

A week ago this past Sunday my long-time EX-GF was taken out by a dog that came running out of a property in the Philly 'burbs while she was descending at about 20 mph. She suffered a closed head injury that included bleeding in her temporal lope. She also fractured her clavicle. Went to see her in rehab again yesterday. She's still having trouble finding words and remembering things and is under 24/7 observation and assistance. She is not even permitted to use the bathroom in privacy. They expect her to be in rehab for another 2-3 weeks.

Dog owner claimed to have an invisible fence. If that's true, it obviously didn't work. Police and animal control came out and took statements from everyone, including the three other riders who were with her and witnessed what happened.