My heart was racing when reading that and I remembered my encounter with 'the BEAST'. It was in 1972, right after I got my new Gitane 10 speed. I was short then (4'11"), but am shorter now (HA!) and my 19" frame was a bit big for me. I lived in Arcata, CA going to school at Humboldt State and loved to ride out on the country roads, always by myself. I remember passing this one home with a long driveway and seeing a dog laying in front of the open garage. The dog, a full grown St. Bernard was not that close to the road. I remember pedaling past the open driveway and all of a sudden, the beast starts to charge after me. I could not believe the quickness of this beast or the size. Needless to say, I was pedaling as fast as I could and the beast was gaining ground. I kept looking back over my shoulder and sure enough he was getting closer. I kept stearing off onto a rocky soft shoulder thinking that I was going to be doggy dinner. Finally the owner called the beast off, but not before I took a plunge down into a drainage canal off the side of the road. I love dogs, but having one that size chasing me was enough to scare me to death. I never would ride near that house again.... Whew... I still get breathless remembering that event...