Kim,

No need to rush things. You're doing great! I do find that I ride faster when riding with others. Join a cycling club if possible.

As for the dogs, I'm scared to death of them -- and was definitely harrassed by a huge husky this past weekend while riding in an MS150 -- but I survived. I was actually with my sister, but it doesn't really matter if someone is with you or not. LOL She just kept saying that's one mean dog & he really doesn't like you. I do wish I had some pepper spray on me -- I would have sprayed him. He was biting at me & that's no fun. Usually, though, they bark more than anything. I think they're more interested in the turning wheels of the bike than anything else, and protecting their domain. Just get out of their territory as quickly as possible.