Tuesday August 28 Ride

[short cut sally]

My morning ride started out just like always, took a few trips up and down the road to decide if I needed more clothing or to decide if I had too much on. Started off on my ride, a truck passed me dragging his leashed beagle behind it. Yes, I tried to catch his attention but didnt' work. I called 911. I didn't know what to do. Of course, reception was horrible so I kept running to the center of the road to talk. Some lady stopped and asked if I was ok. Told her what has happened, she said she ended up stopping the man, who went past 3 road workers who tried to also stop him, and the man gets out and says, "it jumped out awhile ago, he'll be fine" and throws the dog into the back of the truck. The dog was dead I thought. The lady said the dog was just twitching and still breathing when he threw it into the box. Of course, 911 kept asking why I was calling. Was this an medical emergency, yes, for the dog I said. They talked to the lady that stopped the man, of course, with none of us getting the license plate they can't do anything. I stopped to let the road workers know that if they saw that truck again to get the license # and call. The workers were appalled as to how that guy responded. I continued on after all of that. It was just horrible. I ended up with a front flat tire, and I changed it by myself for the first time ever and I continued on home. thank god it was my front, I have a hard time getting my back wheel back on without 4 hands involved. Called my DH to tell him of my morning. He couldn't believe it. I just feel so bad. I have done nothing but think of that poor dog, that probably was never taken to the vets from the way it sounded. Just cruel.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I'm so sorry for that whole event, and for you as well. My older daughter once witnessed the same thing, but the driver was horrified when they discovered it and the dog was dead. My daughter felt sick for days afterwards. I'm so sorry.
Bad things happen in this world. All we can do is try to make more good things happen to overwhelm them.

Congratulations on changing your first flat. I did that earlier this summer and I know how you feel.

I did a nice 32 mile ride this morning- felt good and strong and the ride was pleasant.

Yesterday I cleaned my bike. This afternoon I'm working but also shellacking my cork handlebars, and letting it dry outside between coats.

[Fredwina]

No fun, shellyJ
I got in 15 miles real early. Got to see the eclipse when I started out, but when I turned to go home (see any out at 5:30, Jiffer? ) The eclipse had passed.

[Tuckervill]

Oh my word! I can't believe that happened. I can't even think about it.

I did 20 miles today and found a less bumpy way home than our Main street which has stretches that are beat to death by big rigs.

A little dog came running out to me last time I did this route, and I got off my bike and said, "NO! Go HOME!" and it stopped. But then it stood in the road too long and I had to make it get back in the yard. As I approached that house again today I was afraid to see the little thing on the street, but it wasn't there. When I went by I noticed it asleep on the driveway. It looked at me but didn't get up and I'm really glad.

Oh, I just can't think about that poor beagle!

Karen

[Jiffer]

No fun, shellyJ
I got in 15 miles real early. Got to see the eclipse when I started out, but when I turned to go home (see any out at 5:30, Jiffer? ) The eclipse had passed.

No, Fredwina. It's hard to see eclipses from your bed with the shutters closed, not to mention your eyes. The sun was fully exposed and shining when I road at 7:45.

I did 20 today and I'm celebrating taking NO breaks.

So sad for that little Beagle. It's horrible what some people do to animals. I know how something like that can weigh on you for days. Hopefully you'll be able to bless us with a "wonderful" story to share after your next ride, Shelly.

[Tri Girl]

Oooo, sorry about the dog incident this morning, Shelly. It would bother me endlessly to witness that. How sad for the little pup.
Congrats on a successful tire change- always feels so empowering to get that taken care of and on your way. Glad your ride produced a good emotion after the horrible ones earlier.

[cosc]

Today's 36 mile ride was a great cloudy fall ride with temps in the 60's. Rain didn't start until I was a few blocks from home.

Shelly, sorry you had to witness that poor dog. Good job getting your flat changed on the road. I changed my first flat at home about a week ago and was glad it didn't happen on the road.

[Crankin]

I did 2 rides. The first was to the library (in the next town) to return 2 books and get new ones. I found out that riding my Voodoo with heavy books in the panniers is a little weird when I take off; sort of a little wobbly. Also, that the library in Acton is the same distance from my house as the library in Concord, 4.4 miles. It was hot on the way there, but more shaded on the way back. On the way back, which is a slightly different route, the cars would not let me in the lane to make a left across Route 2A. I actually had to stop and wait and walk my bike across the street! I haven't had to do that in years. Not sure what was going on, except there was a steady stream of cars and I can't zip out there as fast on the Voodoo as on my road bike. That trip was 10.5 miles.
At 5 I went on a 23 mile ride with my friend. It was really nice out and the route was one of my favorites. However, the diminishing light near the end of the ride made me feel sad!

[emily_in_nc]

Oh Shelly, that's just horrible. The punishment for that awful man should be to be drug by a leash from his own truck.

Had a nice 10-mile mountain bike ride last night. Not quite as hot as it's been, and I felt good. A saddle sore that's been plaguing me for a few weeks is finally getting less painful, and that's a good thing!

Emily

[sundial]

Shellyj, I am so sorry your ride started with seeing that poor beagle being dragged to death. I think I would have pedaled like crazy to catch up to that man and give him holy heck for being so negligent and cruel. I can't believe what people do and it makes me ashamed to be a part of the human race sometimes. Sending you a big cyber hug for trying to help the poor little guy.

As for my ride, I felt really froggy so I rode from my house and made a 50 mile loop. Half of it included hills and the last 8 miles I was really starting to get a little too hot. I had plenty of fluids, but I still felt yuck, partly because I ate a little too much of my Cliff bar before the final 8 miles.

This was a new route for me and it was entertaining to say the least. I had to cross 4 bridges with semis, stop on one for road maintenance, wait for a train, and then ride across another bridge with a Jaguar behind me that was keeping cars a respectful distance from me. The weather was nice, the humidity lower and temps were ideal--80's. I'm looking forward to another nice ride tomorrow.

Note to self: must eat smaller bits of Cliff bar before dragging myself up a steep hill.

[rij73]

OMG I just read this thread and am literally crying for that poor dog. I will never get over how people are capable of such cruelty to animals. Dogs do nothing on this earth but trust us and adore us. The people who abuse that trust by neglecting, mistreating, and endangering the lives of dogs should be tortured. It really says something about a person who has no compassion for the weak and needy in the world.