Good news & bad news

[IFjane]

The good news:

Batbike and I met for the first time at last Saturday's Tour de Madison (Virginia, not Wisconsin). The day was absolutely gorgeous - sunny, high of about 70F, 10 - 20 mph NW breeze. We had 200+ riders participating. Oh, and by the way, Bat is REALLY REALLY fast! I could not begin to keep up with her!

The bad news:

About 25 miles into the ride, Bat was in a line of riders heading around a curve to a nice, long downhill. From the left side of the road a dog bolted across after them. Bat had nowhere to go but down. She cracked her helmet, has a bump on her head & some minor road rash. Her bike is out of commission with a bent rim & other broken parts. I stopped to see what happened & to make sure she was ok (as I said, she's a LOT faster than I am so I was a bit behind her) and at that point they had called the sag wagon, the sheriff & animal control.

More good news:

I have heard from Bat and she is truly ok. Now she is in the process of mending her bike & with any luck we will meet again next Saturday at the Wilderness Ride in Radford, VA. And again, I won't be able to keep up! As for the dog, animal control took it away.

[mimitabby]

It's interesting to meet other folks here on TE. we might be compatible on line but then discover there's no way we can keep up with... other riders.

glad Batbike's okay!

[Geonz]

You're making me pine for Madison (I lived in Culpeper for 5 years and haven't been to the family cabins in Madison County up by Graves Mill and the park for TOO LONG...) but I gotta say I *don't* miss windy roads with big hills and dogs!

[IFjane]

You're making me pine for Madison (I lived in Culpeper for 5 years and haven't been to the family cabins in Madison County up by Graves Mill and the park for TOO LONG...) but I gotta say I *don't* miss windy roads with big hills and dogs!

Sue - I didn't know you lived in Culpeper for a while. You wouldn't recognize it now - suburban sprawl out of control. The downtown area has been revitalized but otherwise it is one big subdivision around town. Madison, fortunately, has put some zoning into effect to limit that kind of thing.

Graves Mill, huh? Where are the cabins? Up Garth Run Rd.? Come visit - and bring your bike!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

She should try to find out if the dog's owners go to claim it from Animal Control. If they do, then they could be made to pay for her bike repairs and helmet replacement, etc.

[Batbike]

Yes! got to meet IFjane ... that was fun!! Had hoped to talk to her more, but then the "dog thing" happenend and messed-up my plans. Maybe next week at the Wilderness Ride, although not sure my body and bike will be mended by then. Lots of soreness and swelling and broken bike parts. We'll see.

As for Tour de Madison, it was a well run ride in a beautiful area. We were really enjoying the route and scenery. The weather was picture perfect! I was very disappointed it ended the way it did, for multiple reasons, but especially because the area/weather was so pretty!

Let me stress, if a dog comes after you on a ride, even if it doesn't bite you (thank goodness!!) it is a good idea to get a description and see where it came from to report it to Animal Control immediately!! Once a dog is in the system as reported incident, it is easier to get the owners to take control of dog or get the dog completely off the road and away from you and other potential riders!! Please don't hesitate ... please report!! THANK YOU!

[Batbike]

She should try to find out if the dog's owners go to claim it from Animal Control. If they do, then they could be made to pay for her bike repairs and helmet replacement, etc.

Don't worry, sherriff came and I have a police report. Animal Control came and took away dog -- to be included in police report. I got names, numbers, and addresses of those who owned dog. After I get everything itemized and documented, I plan on sending an invoice and taking legal action, if necesary. Hopefully it won't come to that, but we will see.

[Batbike]

Oh -- the owners had to give custodial constent for Animal Control to take dog away because actual owner was son of those who lived there and they could not automatically take dog because he only attacked me, no bite.

Again, this should all be in police report. I am waiting for my copy to be mailed from sheriff in Madison, VA.

[missymaya]

I'm glad your ok Batbike and that the dog didn't bite you. We had a similar instance with our group ride yesterday where 2 dogs came out and tried to bite us (there were only 4 of us). All I could do was sprint away and use my best mean dog growl/bark. That was a scary situation, so being in your shoes would have been terrifying. Again, I'm glad that your ok.

[IFjane]

Oh -- the owners had to give custodial constent for Animal Control to take dog away because actual owner was son of those who lived there and they could not automatically take dog because he only attacked me, no bite.

Again, this should all be in police report. I am waiting for my copy to be mailed from sheriff in Madison, VA.

I just talked to the Animal Control officer. The dog is currently residing at the Animal Shelter until Friday when it is going to be transported out of the area & placed in a home with a secure area for him to stay. The officer assured me the dog will not be running loose to chase more cyclists in his new location.

[divingbiker]

Wow, Batbike, I'm glad you escaped without major injuries!

[bikerchick68]

yikes! I'm relieved you're OK too!

some friends of mine in Seattle got chased a few weeks ago... the dog ran into her front wheel which ricocheted her into her husband and they BOTH crashed.

He has a broken thumb, both are bruised with road rash and both frames are carbon fiber... so they were told to replace them as there is no guarantee they're safe

the dog owner said no way he's paying a dime (despite police report etc!) and that they could put the dog down for all he cared... so now my friends are in for a legal fight on top of it... why oh why can't people be responsible???

I hope these people ARE so you don't have to deal with that too...

get better soon!