Longest Climbing Ride & Worst Dog Encounter...

Today I did my longest climbing ride so far...45.78 miles with approx. 4,500 feet of climbing. I felt great! My legs felt really strong, my new Sidis were keeping my feet happier than usual, and the weather was just perfect for a nice long ride. For anyone familiar with this area, I rode a big convoluted route down to Placerville and then up to Pollock Pines. I stayed on the back roads as much as possible, which means a lot less traffic but a lot more hill climbing!

For someone who is basically scared to death of dogs, I can't believe I survived my dog encounters! I was out in the middle of nowhere, coming around a hairpin turn on one of the steeper uphills on my route, and this Australian Shepherd looking dog came tearing out of it's driveway, full speed, full bark, full growl. I ride this route all the time and I have never seen this dog before. So I started pedaling my little heart out as I yelled and screamed bloody murder at the dog. He didn't slow down. I went off the road, somehow maintained control and continued screaming, and got the bike back on the pavement just as dog slobber hit my leg. So I screamed bloody murder again and he backed off. Two more rounds of all this and the dog finally stopped. Then I hear another dog barking, look up at the crest of the hill, and there is a boxer/pit bull looking dog standing his ground and barking at me. Now I'm terrified. I can't go back because of the shepherd and ahead of me is a REALLY scary looking dog. So I started screaming at it like a mad woman and THANK HEAVENS a man appeared and started yelling at the dog too, ran over to it, grabbed it's collar and dragged it into his yard. Needless to say, I have never made it up this particular hill so quickly and the adrenaline rush that followed nearly made me fall off the bike. My second dog encounter was practically nothing compared to the first. At about mile 38, a medium sized terrier came after me. His owner was right there, but he wasn't on a leash. Once again, I was riding uphill so I couldn't speed off and get away. This little dog was intent on attacking my feet and ankles, and boy was he a fast little devil. His owner went absolutely ballistic yelling at him and eventually grabbed him. Of course she didn't say one word to me. I don't know, but she could've said sorry or something. The adrenaline rush on this one wasn't quite so strong.

Another fun twist on today's ride was my runny nose. Good grief, what a mess! I guess my fall allergies are kicking in. Right in the middle of a big hill climb, it's not like you can really stop to do anything about a runny nose. So here I am, riding along with two streams of snot pouring down my face. Really attractive. I don't even want to try snot rockets...I can only imagine I'd just be blowing my nose all over myself.

Aside from dogs and snot, a great ride. I love riding in this area. Beautiful scenery, challenging terrain, and always a little excitedment along the way! Hope y'all had great rides today too!