3.5 years and ~7K miles. Today I got shoestring tackled by a dog
#1
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3.5 years and ~7K miles. Today I got shoestring tackled by a dog
So I've called Animal control once in my short cycling career. I did this about a year ago after fending off a dog several times and speaking politely with the owner. None of this did any good so I made the call.
Today my friend and I were riding past the home where the offending dog lives. He was there and loose but did not come into the street as we went outbound. It looked like he might have had an electronic fence collar on. On the way back he also stayed out of the street. But, his smaller buddy tried to run through my back wheel. The dog got stuck in the bike and we skidded to a flop stop. The poor dog detached himself and whimpered home. I hope he was more scared than hurt. I'm a dog lover and feel terrible about the accident. I'd like to tie the owner to a motorcycle and drag him down the street a bit, okay not really but it sucks he doesn't take care of his dogs. I called Animal control again, hope it does some good.
Thinking back on the incident I don't see any possible way I could have avoided this other than walking the bike past the house. I didn't even have a shot at him with my water bottle as he attacked from a rearward angle. Bent up my bomb proof Bontrager Race Lite wheel but was able to ride it home with the brake released. I think I'll take the repair bill to the house and see how that goes.
Today my friend and I were riding past the home where the offending dog lives. He was there and loose but did not come into the street as we went outbound. It looked like he might have had an electronic fence collar on. On the way back he also stayed out of the street. But, his smaller buddy tried to run through my back wheel. The dog got stuck in the bike and we skidded to a flop stop. The poor dog detached himself and whimpered home. I hope he was more scared than hurt. I'm a dog lover and feel terrible about the accident. I'd like to tie the owner to a motorcycle and drag him down the street a bit, okay not really but it sucks he doesn't take care of his dogs. I called Animal control again, hope it does some good.
Thinking back on the incident I don't see any possible way I could have avoided this other than walking the bike past the house. I didn't even have a shot at him with my water bottle as he attacked from a rearward angle. Bent up my bomb proof Bontrager Race Lite wheel but was able to ride it home with the brake released. I think I'll take the repair bill to the house and see how that goes.
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Sorry to hear about this.
During a group ride the beginning of October, while I was in Texas, a French bulldog and a Wiemaraner loose in a yard decided to "join" us. The bulldog tried to bite the guy in front of me, and while trying to avoid the Wiemaraner, I T-boned the bulldog. Five seconds from the time they left the yard, I was on the ground.
The people told animal control their dogs were never allowed to run loose. The police said there was nothing they could do about the dogs being lose. I got an ambulance ride, a CT scan, a broken tooth and a damaged bike. It did make for an interesting GoPro video though.
I had heard all these horror stories about drivers in Texas. I found the dogs allowed to run loose to be a much bigger problem.
During a group ride the beginning of October, while I was in Texas, a French bulldog and a Wiemaraner loose in a yard decided to "join" us. The bulldog tried to bite the guy in front of me, and while trying to avoid the Wiemaraner, I T-boned the bulldog. Five seconds from the time they left the yard, I was on the ground.
The people told animal control their dogs were never allowed to run loose. The police said there was nothing they could do about the dogs being lose. I got an ambulance ride, a CT scan, a broken tooth and a damaged bike. It did make for an interesting GoPro video though.
I had heard all these horror stories about drivers in Texas. I found the dogs allowed to run loose to be a much bigger problem.
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Why do you keep riding by if you know there is a problem dog?
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Couple of reasons, the first time I went through what I thought was reasonable steps to solve the problem and I think it worked. The original dog doesn't come in the street anymore. This was a different dog today.
But the main reason is I won't give up my right to ride on a road because of one person being irresponsible. It's against the law here to let your dogs run loose. If I just ignore it and a kid gets hurt I'm a bit guilty by omission.
But the main reason is I won't give up my right to ride on a road because of one person being irresponsible. It's against the law here to let your dogs run loose. If I just ignore it and a kid gets hurt I'm a bit guilty by omission.
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Couple of reasons, the first time I went through what I thought was reasonable steps to solve the problem and I think it worked. The original dog doesn't come in the street anymore. This was a different dog today.
But the main reason is I won't give up my right to ride on a road because of one person being irresponsible. It's against the law here to let your dogs run loose. If I just ignore it and a kid gets hurt I'm a bit guilty by omission.
But the main reason is I won't give up my right to ride on a road because of one person being irresponsible. It's against the law here to let your dogs run loose. If I just ignore it and a kid gets hurt I'm a bit guilty by omission.
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this is where an old school aluminium frame pump comes in handy.... One good whack will do the trick.
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Sorry to hear about this.
During a group ride the beginning of October, while I was in Texas, a French bulldog and a Wiemaraner loose in a yard decided to "join" us. The bulldog tried to bite the guy in front of me, and while trying to avoid the Wiemaraner, I T-boned the bulldog. Five seconds from the time they left the yard, I was on the ground.
The people told animal control their dogs were never allowed to run loose. The police said there was nothing they could do about the dogs being lose. I got an ambulance ride, a CT scan, a broken tooth and a damaged bike. It did make for an interesting GoPro video though.
I had heard all these horror stories about drivers in Texas. I found the dogs allowed to run loose to be a much bigger problem.
During a group ride the beginning of October, while I was in Texas, a French bulldog and a Wiemaraner loose in a yard decided to "join" us. The bulldog tried to bite the guy in front of me, and while trying to avoid the Wiemaraner, I T-boned the bulldog. Five seconds from the time they left the yard, I was on the ground.
The people told animal control their dogs were never allowed to run loose. The police said there was nothing they could do about the dogs being lose. I got an ambulance ride, a CT scan, a broken tooth and a damaged bike. It did make for an interesting GoPro video though.
I had heard all these horror stories about drivers in Texas. I found the dogs allowed to run loose to be a much bigger problem.
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Come on, can the average bike handling recreational cyclist being chased by a significant dog really unmount a frame pump, effectively strike the dog approaching from the rear and stay up on the bike? And how about two dogs? Silly urban myth as it pertains to most folks. Why not just carry a baseball bat in a scabbard on your back? Or a Glock while you're at it? This is very dangerous advice.
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Well, we are firmly back into a "dog" thread again.
Come on, can the average bike handling recreational cyclist being chased by a significant dog really unmount a frame pump, effectively strike the dog approaching from the rear and stay up on the bike? And how about two dogs? Silly urban myth as it pertains to most folks. Why not just carry a baseball bat in a scabbard on your back? Or a Glock while you're at it? This is very dangerous advice.
Come on, can the average bike handling recreational cyclist being chased by a significant dog really unmount a frame pump, effectively strike the dog approaching from the rear and stay up on the bike? And how about two dogs? Silly urban myth as it pertains to most folks. Why not just carry a baseball bat in a scabbard on your back? Or a Glock while you're at it? This is very dangerous advice.
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Yep. Just me and that other guy. Well, 30 years in, and "do nothing" has me just about where I want to be. But the image of you steering with one hand, looking backwards and flailing across your rear tire with a hyper-extended frame pump as you approach a speed bump with a couple of pit bulls hot on your tail has further improved my outlook. Where is Norman Rockwell when you need him?
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Yes,I carry a Ruger LCR 38,extremely light,BUT if a dog was coming after me there would be no way to get it out quickly enough and I don't like to shoot animals.If one got me on the ground and it was a life or death thing then I would be able to get to the gun and use it.I ride through an area called the War zone so I'm more concerned with the two legged animals.
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Couple of reasons, the first time I went through what I thought was reasonable steps to solve the problem and I think it worked. The original dog doesn't come in the street anymore. This was a different dog today.
But the main reason is I won't give up my right to ride on a road because of one person being irresponsible. It's against the law here to let your dogs run loose. If I just ignore it and a kid gets hurt I'm a bit guilty by omission.
But the main reason is I won't give up my right to ride on a road because of one person being irresponsible. It's against the law here to let your dogs run loose. If I just ignore it and a kid gets hurt I'm a bit guilty by omission.
#19
Portland Fred

My only regret is adjusting my speed for ice today. Friggin' city should have kept the roads clear. I could totally sue their asses if I wiped out due to their negligence...
#20
Portland Fred
Well, we are firmly back into a "dog" thread again.
Come on, can the average bike handling recreational cyclist being chased by a significant dog really unmount a frame pump, effectively strike the dog approaching from the rear and stay up on the bike? And how about two dogs? Silly urban myth as it pertains to most folks. Why not just carry a baseball bat in a scabbard on your back? Or a Glock while you're at it? This is very dangerous advice.
Come on, can the average bike handling recreational cyclist being chased by a significant dog really unmount a frame pump, effectively strike the dog approaching from the rear and stay up on the bike? And how about two dogs? Silly urban myth as it pertains to most folks. Why not just carry a baseball bat in a scabbard on your back? Or a Glock while you're at it? This is very dangerous advice.
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Whenever I see a suspicious looking dog, I just dial it up to 450 watts and leave him in my dust. Please note, if the dog is a greyhound or the rare greyhound-pit bull mix, I might crank up my wattage to 550. Anything higher might make me break a sweat.
Dogs usually avoid me during my rides. You aren't carrying around any bacon with you on your rides, are you? That could be your problem. I'd just avoid the problematic area if possible and leave the bacon at home.
Dogs usually avoid me during my rides. You aren't carrying around any bacon with you on your rides, are you? That could be your problem. I'd just avoid the problematic area if possible and leave the bacon at home.
#25
Portland Fred
Now I'm confused.