Beautiful ride - and need a bat and pepper spray

I finally got back on my bike again yesterday after being down with the flu for 2 weeks. I was so proud of myself for going 20 miles - I thought after 2 weeks I'd have lost all my conditioning!

It was the most beautiful ride on the small peninsula I live on - a route I haven't gone before, a lot of it along the shore of Lake Michigan. It was in the 40s but not windy, and the fall colors are beautiful. The lake was all shimmery and silver, and it was one of those days where you couldn't tell where the lake ended and the sky began, and there were swans. It was almost surreal - very few cars, no noise except for an occasional gull. I went all the way to the lighthouse at the end of the peninsula and then called for a ride home. I probably could have ridden home but it was getting colder and I didn't want to.

The area where I was riding had the lake on one side of the road and beautiful well-maintained farms on the other side - hay bales, pumpkins, big red barns, white fences, dogs . . . . . .

There was one farm that was set very far back from the road. I can understand why the people don't keep their dogs kenneled or chained. What dog in its right mind would want to run all the way out to the road from there? But - I watched in horror as a big black dog made it's way over and under four fences, barking like a maniac, threatening to eat me. With all the trees and brush everywhere, I should have been able to find a big stick but I didn't have any luck. When it got about 40 feet from me I got off my bike and ran at it, threatening and screaming, and it went home.

So - I've decided I need to find a collapsible bat and some pepper spray. If anybody has any experience with these items and can make any suggestions, I'm open!

Well, Stacy, the bat would be a tough thing to carry around. next time, get off your bike (quit looking like prey) and put the bike between you and the dog.
You did the right thing.

Find a police supply store and ask for an expandable baton (one brand is called ASP). We are issued them with my department, they come in various sizes.
You know the area dogs better than me, but at my house in South Georgia I get chased by just about every farm dog around. Every one of them knows the word "no" and "stay", lucky for me. Most of the time it's just the thrill of the chase they want.

Good Lord!! You need to check your state laws. In some states an ASP (or foldable baton) is considered a prohibited weapon. Like Knuckles or an Illegal knife. And some police supply stores will not give them to civilians.
Having used my asp on dogs before (while on duty, checking backyards on alarm calls) let me tell you it isn't all its cracked up to be. You better be accurate or you just have a pissed off dog. Pepper spray might be a better option (the Wal-Mart variety will be fine, police issue would be overkill, and if you got in in your own eyes...well, let me tell you about how much fun it is) BUT pepper spray WILL blow back at you, and does NOT affect some dogs. I don't know why.
I cycle the roads, I get chased by dogs on the patrol bike and on my road bike. I will tell you that on my patrol bike I have access to my spray, my asp, a stout flashlight, my pocket knife (a law enforcement switchblade that I use to cut seatbelts) and, of course, my gun. And what do I use for dogs? My water bottle. A squirt in the eyes usually works, it is more accessible than anything on my belt (which is meant to be accessed from a standing position, not while pedaling with one hand on handlebars).
Putting pepper spray in your bento box or the rear pocket of your jersey may work for you and give you a safety net.

I never thought of using my water bottle as a weapon . . . . . are batons heavy? I wonder if they're illegal here. I'll have to check with my cop friend.

I think most dogs will back off if I just get off my bike and act aggressive. I have a very protective German Shepherd, but I know if somebody actually had the nerve to bark back at her she'd probably run off with her tail between her legs. It wouldn't hurt to have some sort of protection, though, for those unusually aggressive dogs.

I carry the 'fogger jogger' in my Bento box always, altho it has a hand strap. I've never used it; putting the bike between me & the dog, & yelling, has worked fine in all doggie showdowns so far.

Here's the link:

https://store.udap.com/merchant.mvc?...tegory_Code=PS

These pepper sprays are very scary. My hubs accidentally got the tiniest bit on his hands once & he barfed terribly just from a few breaths. Maybe it was just power of suggestion tho, as all his mucous membranes were, so far as I know, unmolested....LOL