Un-Armed and In-Danger; a Waltz with Cujo
Last weekend our 80 mile training ride was fraught with danger at multiple turns. We like to take long rides east of I-35 in the open pasture areas where the roads are long and straight and there really isn't any traffic to mention. Only problem is the lack of traffic apparently leads to a little bit of crime, which in turn leads to irresponsible people leaving their dogs off-leashes, un-tied and otherwise patrolling the ditches looking for ankles. I guess the dog coverage is a good theft deterrent, but damn it makes for a poor riding atmosphere. We were assaulted by at least 7 groups of dogs. Chris keeps count, I don't, I would need to verify. Anyway, the dog attacks usually go 1 of 3 ways.
In the first scenario the dogs do a little yipping and end up staying put. Great job by their owners; you know how to train your dogs, nice and responsible. In the second scenario a dog will bark and give chase, but really doesn't want to come too close to you and basically turns away before getting in harm's way. Scenario number three is the one which really sucks and we had this on 3-4 occasions this weekend. In scenario number three, the dog gives chase and he really doesn't want you to go. He/she will criss-cross in front of your bike (I'm talking at 20-25 mph, not barbie-bike-bell-ringing cruising speed) He will try to seriously get at your ankles, you will feel slobber from its jaw and you will wonder "what happens next". About half the time you can use your water bottle to fend off these brutes, a little water tricks them into hesitating and backing off. Sometimes they just keep coming; hell they don't care. I was about 18 inches from running over one this weekend and not sure how I avoided it, I was prepared to bunny hop him, which would have put my chain ring and pedals right into his gut which may have ended his running days. Seriously, I love animals, I love dogs, but in a fight or flight scenario, I will attempt to take down whatever animal or whatever happens to be challenging my spot at the top of the food chain. Its not just bikes, these dogs are a nuisance, they would have chased us if we'd been jogging or on foot. You know; I've never seen any joggers out that way, now I know why-on a bike I've got a chance to outrun; on foot I'd be toast.
Speaking of out running, we joked on the way into the gauntlet that really you didn't need to be the fastest rider to avoid dogs, you just needed to be faster than your mate. I tested this theory with vigor as we came up on the first dogs, this big fella came from the back yard and I was already moving pretty good so I had the jump on 'em. I kicked it up to 25 mph and looked back to see he had also kicked it up a notch and was gaining; I dug deeper and pulled up another 5mph (still early in the ride, so I still had a full head of steam-this was not the case later) I pulled away and felt liberated to see him pull off!! I had done it!! Now I'm wondering; how are my two mates in the rear. Well the theory was shit, because they came strolling along at a nice leisurely pace, ice cream cones in hand and just waved at the dogs who were now panting on the side side of the road having been bested and worn-out by me. Lesson learned, I won't lead the charge through the gauntlet again.
As far as being armed, I wish I had my pellet or .22 pistol on hand this time, because I would have needed it if one of these dogs had taken me off my bike. I love dogs, but I love my bike and my own personal safety just a bit more. I was about to burst through all of Maslow's Hierarchy in one afternoon, it would have been a truly transformational experience. I have since learned they sell a good deal of mace for dogs. Probably US Postal grade. I will get some of this and see if it helps with my next Cujo waltz.
In the first scenario the dogs do a little yipping and end up staying put. Great job by their owners; you know how to train your dogs, nice and responsible. In the second scenario a dog will bark and give chase, but really doesn't want to come too close to you and basically turns away before getting in harm's way. Scenario number three is the one which really sucks and we had this on 3-4 occasions this weekend. In scenario number three, the dog gives chase and he really doesn't want you to go. He/she will criss-cross in front of your bike (I'm talking at 20-25 mph, not barbie-bike-bell-ringing cruising speed) He will try to seriously get at your ankles, you will feel slobber from its jaw and you will wonder "what happens next". About half the time you can use your water bottle to fend off these brutes, a little water tricks them into hesitating and backing off. Sometimes they just keep coming; hell they don't care. I was about 18 inches from running over one this weekend and not sure how I avoided it, I was prepared to bunny hop him, which would have put my chain ring and pedals right into his gut which may have ended his running days. Seriously, I love animals, I love dogs, but in a fight or flight scenario, I will attempt to take down whatever animal or whatever happens to be challenging my spot at the top of the food chain. Its not just bikes, these dogs are a nuisance, they would have chased us if we'd been jogging or on foot. You know; I've never seen any joggers out that way, now I know why-on a bike I've got a chance to outrun; on foot I'd be toast.
Speaking of out running, we joked on the way into the gauntlet that really you didn't need to be the fastest rider to avoid dogs, you just needed to be faster than your mate. I tested this theory with vigor as we came up on the first dogs, this big fella came from the back yard and I was already moving pretty good so I had the jump on 'em. I kicked it up to 25 mph and looked back to see he had also kicked it up a notch and was gaining; I dug deeper and pulled up another 5mph (still early in the ride, so I still had a full head of steam-this was not the case later) I pulled away and felt liberated to see him pull off!! I had done it!! Now I'm wondering; how are my two mates in the rear. Well the theory was shit, because they came strolling along at a nice leisurely pace, ice cream cones in hand and just waved at the dogs who were now panting on the side side of the road having been bested and worn-out by me. Lesson learned, I won't lead the charge through the gauntlet again.
As far as being armed, I wish I had my pellet or .22 pistol on hand this time, because I would have needed it if one of these dogs had taken me off my bike. I love dogs, but I love my bike and my own personal safety just a bit more. I was about to burst through all of Maslow's Hierarchy in one afternoon, it would have been a truly transformational experience. I have since learned they sell a good deal of mace for dogs. Probably US Postal grade. I will get some of this and see if it helps with my next Cujo waltz.
