July riding

[khg]

Whether rightly or not, I'm more freaked out by dogs than bears. Dogs are people-oriented, like to chase things, can be territorial, etc. Off the bike, I've had some bad run-ins with them (luckily nothing on the bike yet). Whereas the bears, since I was a little ways away, didn't care about me at all--I don't even know that they bothered to look at me. There were more interesting things going on for them, like yummy plant bits to nibble... Still, I was sure glad that I had noticed the mom coming out of the trees soon enough to stop when/where I did...

It has been a chunk of challenging stuff on my bike for me. It's been fun, and I'm also hoping I will get some strength and stamina gains out of pushing myself like this. But I know that strength gains come from the body's rebuilding during rest, so I'm typing this while lying on the couch--and no big rides for a few days!

Crankin, 15 miles at 5AM counts as tough in my book! I think if you told me that I had to do that tomorrow, I'd just curl up in the fetal position and cry

[rebeccaC]

Bear cubs are cute but a protective mother isn't something i want to deal with. If I rode in areas where bears are I would be carrying this

I do carry regular pepper gel in my handlebar bag mainly because i ride alone a lot on low traveled mountain roads and some of the more iffy areas of L.A.....thankfully i haven't ever needed to use it.

[steppink]

I carry pepper spray in my pocket also, for that " just in case dog or even worse the just in case person ", as I also ride alone, though it wouldn't help much against a bear

[Crankin]

I have only had one dog run in, on my street.

[kernowcyclist]

Seeing dogs off-leash by the roadside makes me very vigilant. I was knocked off my bike by one years ago on my way to work, on what was usually a busy road but luckily was clear at the time. The owner just casually strolled past as I untangled my legs and heaved the bike off , and called 'Allright?' then carried on. She seemed supremely unconcerned. I carried on to work, fuming, where I was overtaken by the shakes and my worried workmates plied me with sweet tea. No damage, just a bruise or two. I didn't see the woman or the dog on that route again though.

[marni]

Todays ride was a relaxed out and back on the shadiest route we could find. Fast enough to keep a steady cadence of 79 and slow enough to talk about things so a good combination of effort and therapy. Started and finished early enough that the heat wasn't too brutal. 26 miles in 1;45 for an average of 14.0. Thanks to riding buddy Mx for doing the ride with me.

[Crankin]

I helped lead an impromptu group ride. There were only 6 people, of varying speeds, so a lot of stopping and back and forth. But, a nice day, and good climbing. I've done this route before, so I was prepared. I was a little surprised they all knew my name, but I have no idea who these people are!
30.1 miles, with 1650 ft. of climbing. I am glad I didn't ride to the ride, as it would have made it just under 50 miles. Really slow, but, still fun.