Dogs?

[arielmoon]

I just ride like h*ll... has anyone here not been able to outrun a dog? I am absolutely terrified of dogs both on and off the bike and when one chases me on the bike I just hammer down and take off. My DH frequently slows down and tells them "no" and stuff, but I am G-O-N-E!

I thought the same thing until I learned the hard way that chasing is not the only way to get in a bad situation with a dog.

The dog that cause me to break my pelvis and sacrum ran out and hit my front tire almost a 90 degree angle. There was no out running him. He had miss-judged his speed, my speed and his angle of intersection.

Something to think about.

[emily_in_nc]

I thought the same thing until I learned the hard way that chasing is not the only way to get in a bad situation with a dog.

The dog that cause me to break my pelvis and sacrum ran out and hit my front tire almost a 90 degree angle. There was no out running him. He had miss-judged his speed, my speed and his angle of intersection.

Something to think about.

+1. I fractured my pelvis in three places (including a doozy from the outside of my ilium to my sacrum requiring a 6" plate and 4 pins to put back together) when two dogs ran out at me from a 90 degree angle. They did not hit my bike because I sped up out of instinct before they got to me, but my DH (who was a little ways in front of me -- a few feet at least) slowed down, and I plowed right into his rear wheel at speed. Scared the dogs right away, but by then the damage was done.

So...if you're going to try to outrun dogs, make absolutely sure there is no one in front of you who might react differently.

I should also mention that I was reaching for my Halt (pepper spray) right before I crashed -- it was right there in a handlebar holster but couldn't keep me safe in this instance!

[tctrek]

OK.. this thread has successfully made me more terrified of dogs than I was before. Must not read this thread anymore....

[tulip]

OK.. this thread has successfully made me more terrified of dogs than I was before. Must not read this thread anymore....

I've never had any collisions with dogs (knock knock). I am aware of them, and it certainly could happen, but so far, so good. I have squirted some with my Gatorade and that always stops them. Alot of times, though, I just yell at them (NO! or STAY! or BAD DOG!) and that tends to distract them.

So while alot of people here have had very bad experiences, there are alot more who have not.

I can't help you if you are frightened of dogs off the bike, though. No advice there, except that if it really gets in the way of your life, I'm sure there are resources that you can use to get over your fears.

[Flybye]

I always always always always STOP - dogs see things moving and want to chase them - it is instinctual. No movement = not prey = no fun.

[beccaB]

I'll never forget that dog that went in the road to greet me and got literally ran over by a car. I saw it in slow motion frames. I still see it in my mind. It was not a very nice thing to have happen on my birthday. The dog survived, but the car didn't stop.

[arielmoon]

+1. I fractured my pelvis in three places (including a doozy from the outside of my ilium to my sacrum requiring a 6" plate and 4 pins to put back together) when two dogs ran out at me from a 90 degree angle. They did not hit my bike because I sped up out of instinct before they got to me, but my DH (who was a little ways in front of me -- a few feet at least) slowed down, and I plowed right into his rear wheel at speed. Scared the dogs right away, but by then the damage was done.

So...if you're going to try to outrun dogs, make absolutely sure there is no one in front of you who might react differently.

I should also mention that I was reaching for my Halt (pepper spray) right before I crashed -- it was right there in a handlebar holster but couldn't keep me safe in this instance!

YIKES!!!

I think I have scared myself out of this thread too ...LOL

Seriously there are so many ways to get hurt on a bike or whatever. Every time you get in a car there is potential for injury. Just have to think positive and hope for the best!