I did it!

[DrBee]

As some of you may know from my posts - I have developed a major fear of dogs (that I do not know). BTW - I have two very large dogs of my own that I love dearly.

Anywho - I went out for my early morning ride and about 1/2 way through I see a dog ahead of me. A big mutly looking beast that perked it's ears up and started trotting towards me. I yelled at it as I went past and it stopped. Now this was probably the nicest dog in the world, but it looked shifty to me. So - I kept going and looped back and... went right past it again! I let out a yell of glee and almost broke into tears (of joy/relief). I actually intentionally rode past the dog twice! I felt like I could've ridden 50 more miles after that! All I kept thinking was - I did it, I actually did it...and - I can't wait to tell the girls on TE!

This was a wierd ride - it started by being passed up by a group of male riders (all decked out in various team kit) who said "gee - look how fast she's going" and laughed as they caught up to me like I was standing still (I was going 15mph on my Trek 7.2FX). They didn't wave or say hi - just laughed. That ticked me off and motivated me to ride even better. I thought of all of you and could feel you all rolling your eyes at them

[DebW]

Anyone remember the movie "Breaking Away"? There's a scene where the 2 brothers go out for a training ride, and the older brother tells the younger that they are going to meet up with another training buddy during the ride. The training buddy turns out to be a viscious dog who chases them up a hill for a mile or two. So fishdr, just think of this dog as your training motivator.

[bikerHen]

Loose dogs are scary! Good for you on the double pass. I'm always just happy to make it by loose dogs once and still be in one piece.

And what is it about guys riding in a group that seems to make then so nasty. When I first starting riding a local racing group came up behind me on my morning commute. The guy out in front yells at me to pull over and let the "real cyclists" go by. A definate A-hole! I did however, get a few good for you out on a bike comments by a few others who were, I think, a little embarassed by their leader. So I filed this away under stupid guys saying stupid things, and pedaled on to work. It still kinda pisses me off though, even two years later And by the way, I did not pull over. BikerHen

[Lise]

YAY! Good for you! I love that you went back and passed the same dog again.

I'm baffled by guys who are rude to women on bikes. Lots of theories, but who cares? Hey, man, be happy. You're on a bike. I'm on a bike. Aren't we lucky? I always figure, if they treat women on the road badly, how happy can they be at home? I roll my eyes at them:

And I applaud you again! Yay! Have a great time riding. Lise

[carimail]

Wow! I'm envious of your bravery. A loose dog makes me break out into a cold sweat every time. That and the thought of Mtn. Lions out on the back roads. Man, I can really do a number on myself sometimes! Hooray for you. Sorry about the A-holes, though!

[Running Mommy]

Cool on the dog thing.. There is one on the IMAZ loop that has fun w/ all us cyclists. It's another reason to have an extra water bottle filled w/water on the down tube. If you squirt them in the face it usually startles them enough to safely get by w/ out hurting the dog..
Now as for the bung holes on bikes...
I would have said something snotty back to them. Like "yeah, too bad I'm doing my EASY ZONE 1 workout today. And I refuse to change my training plan just to show you how to really ride".. Or something like that. I've gotten alot faster w/ my comebacks over the years... It comes w/ the territory when your the poster child for chubby endurance athletes..
One day I was riding and I heard a bike coming up on my left. I turned looked the guy square in the eye as he was riding past me, smiled, and said hi. And let me tell you- he looked me in the eye so I KNOW he saw me smile at him! Well he looked right through me as if I didn't exist. He had a full kit on, was riding a fancy colnago and the whole works. I just made some comments under my breath about him giving roadies a bad name or something..
Well not 5 minutes later I found him splayed across the pavement in some scree. He took the turnaround too quick. I stopped and helped him. Gave him my phone to call his wife, went over to the school and filled his water bottle so he could wash out his road rash and offered him some stuff out of my mini first aid kit...
As much as I wanted to ride by him laughing and screaming THATS KARMA FOR YOU DUDE!! I'm also not like that AT ALL!! No matter what I'll always help someone in need. Even if they are JERKS! And let me tell you, even after all that he barely mustered a "thanks".. But I know *I* did the right thing...
So whatever...