Joe Bikerider

On the Contra Costa Canal trail heading East I am very careful where it crosses Jones Road. Some drivers use that as a sortcut/speedway in the local area. Heading East the path goes through a large tunnel (like a gigantic corrugated pipe) under the BART tracks to meet up with Jones Road. I usually stop at the intersection, but just for fun, there is a great echo in the tube, I ring my bell several times and hoot and holler too. Today, I did my usual and noticed a woman with a dog blocking the entire path on the other side of Jones Road. She heard me and moved off. As I passed I yelled "I know your dog is important but you shouldn't stand there. Her kind of reasonable response was "I was looking out to see if anyone was coming.

She had moved out of the way, and I did enjoy my ringing and hooting, good echo in the tube you know. But please, can't she just play with her dog somewhere else?

skidder

I could guess that its been a change in societal behavior in the last 30 years, from one of responsibility to one on entitlement, that's been caused by very effective advertising and marketing. And dogs are a good example of this, having been raised to the level of being god-like by advertising. Near me is a nice open area next to a developed city park that has some small hills great for doing uphill repeats on foot (running or brisk walking, insignificant for a bicycle), its used by people of all ages and even the local high schools' running teams. Its posted at all the entrances that dogs must be on leashes in the area but dog owners just ignore those signs. You cross someone's dog (such as it runs in front of you and you might kick it), or you politely ask someone to leash their dog as per the signs and they'll start into you with a string of profanities that would make a trucker cringe. Its also common with the stereotypical 'helicopter parent' who oversees their kids and won't take crap from anyone about their kid's misdeeds. You just have to deal with it.

Tomm Willians

If this is your biggest problem today you live a blessed life.

Joe Bikerider

I just got back from my morning ride. I generally agree with you. Please share some problems from your life. Thanks.