Quote Originally Posted by Scarlet View Post
What kinda dogs do you have that are out and out to chase you all??? Most of the roads and lanes i cycle have dogs but they are usually in gardens and if on the public places have to be on a lead.
occaisonally i have cycled thru a farm and had a dog chase me but i think i would not spray them its a bit harsh.... serious do the dogs bite you???
Consider yourself very lucky to live in such a civilized place! I live in the rural southeastern US, where it's quite common for folks to let their dogs run wild, even where leash laws exist. One dog is usually not a problem. You can usually either outrun them or stop and walk your bike slowly past. It's more often the groups of two or more dogs that egg each other on and can "double team" you, one running on each side of you. Or they get smart and figure out how to cut you off from the side. They are sometimes barking and growling, sometimes just running like wild. Some are simply frisky and playful, but there are definitely those that are very territorial and would love to bite at your ankles if given a chance. It's not always possible to tell which is which as they approach you very quickly!

After having two large dogs run out at me in the road and cause me to fall, breaking my pelvis in three places two years ago, I take precautions. I go for my air horn first, as that is usually enough to dissuade them, but I wouldn't hesitate to spray a dog with Halt pepper spray if s/he were harrassing me and were close enough to get good aim. It causes no permanent injury to the dog, but might save my skin (or bones!)

I love dogs, have had two in my adult life, but dogs that chase bikes are no friends of mine.

Emily