What kind of dog aims for your bottom bracket at full speed? One did this to me and moved me and the bike over a foot to the right - and I stayed up! :D

The first two times I read the above post, I read "cats", instead of "cars". Then I spent a few minutes trying to picture a cat running out from some yard and chasing a cyclist, meowing loudly.... Really? Cats "hitting" BF members all the time???

I am very relieved to realize that it was "cars" all along.

As for cats - it is very lucky for us humans that cats are as small as they are. Because if they were too much larger (say German Shepherd size?), they would be making mincemeat out of us....

Squirted a chasing dog with the water bottle. He licked off the water and resumed the chase.

I was riding up Snake Mountain near Boone, NC. Half way up the ascent (as I was admiring all the trailers) the biggest flipping pit bull apeared from under a truck. Chased me for a good mile trying to bite my rear wheel.

I looked back at power numbers and this is the most I've ever put out for a short period of time. Holy cripes! Adrenalin is good stuff.

Sprayed a dog with HalT@. A following trip through the area and the same dog ran across the road and bit me. These KY dogs are just plain mean.

Love the responses... although I figure I should clear a few things up.
1. I love dogs. If I were ever to be chased down by one, I'd do whatever I can to calm him/her down. However, I figure there may be that small percentage of animals who would go into attack mode and actually want to bite me. In those instances I'd rather cause the guy an hour or so of pain with mace rather than having to get stitches or treatment for some kind of infection. Again, I this scenario is rare, but better safe than sorry.
--> If its a tame neighborhood puppy I'd probably stop to pet him/her and say hi, but the ones I encountered were literally out in the middle of nowhere and I didn't see a collar and tags when I glanced at them (so I didn't know how tame they were).

2. fwiw those guys/gals (medium sized) stayed with me up to 25mph. Imo that's pretty fast for something on foot. I can usually sprint up to 30 mph on a flat at any time during my workout, but there are times when I'm just dead tired and my legs don't have any kick left.

3. Thanks for the herder tip, I have never thought about that before. I'll keep that in mind if I should ever be in this situation again.

4. My sincere apologies for misspelling "droped the hamer," I shan't make the mistake again :)

I heart Fred

You could try to cover your bike in wolf urine or put a high pitched whistle on your bike. Then dogs will be running away from you.

Yesterday I was out riding. I came across some guy on a hybrid bike. He was wearing a white polo shirt, khaki shorts, and tennis shoes. His saddle bag hung from his saddle like a pair of testicles.

I maced him.

He won't do it again.

you are my hero of the week