A little nervous...

[Catrin]

That makes sense. It isn't terror, nothing like that. There is a little aversion to riding in new areas I've not ridden before because of the possibility of more war dogs...but I think that will pass as I push myself a bit.

I also recognize that it was a very specific set of circumstances that presented the opportunity for the dog to gnaw on my calf while I was riding. I was on my mountain bike for the first time, riding on gravel for the first time, my speed was quite slow, etc. The odds of that specific set of circumstances happening again are quite slim, so I am really not worried about a repeat. If I DO find myself on another narrow gravel road and see something similar then I will simply stop until they are past me.

I also think that it will help as I pass more dogs on my bike that do not try to eat me Obviously not all dogs are that aggressive. Right now I give all dogs the widest margin that I can - even the little tiny things that couldn't even reach my ankles on the bike

I would love to hit the roads in southern Indiana for some hill training, but I think I will give it a few weeks and see if I can find someone willing to ride with me the first time - I am slow so I don't usually seek a riding partner - but I thank that will help me to get over the dog fear. Club rides don't really count in this department as I still wind up riding solo