Dogs + bikes = ugh.

[Susie]

I went out for a ride this weekend and went three for three:

1. got chased by a barking, mean looking off-leash dog.
2. came too close to a crash for comfort, trying to avoid a beagle (off leash again) who was trying to get a too-heavy carcass from the road, and kept darting left/right when he saw me coming.
3. got yelled at by a group of asses leaning out of mom's minivan windows. They were barking like dogs. Seriously? I don't understand what compels people to yell at cyclists. I hate how much it startles me.

Sigh. I love riding my bike, but I really hate when crap like that happens.

[sadlebred]

I hate off leash dogs. In counties that have leash laws around here, we don't have too much of a problem. Once you get into the country, it's another story. Last summer one rider on my regular Saturday ride was bit by a large dog that dashed off a porch and bit his leg. He immediately reported it to the police, had to get medical attention, etc. Animal Control impounded the dog; the police charged the owner with several counts of keeping an aggressive dog. He was found guilty but could not afford the fines. The dog was put down. At least the owner now keeps the rest of his dogs contained--most of the time. It was a sad situation for the dog and the cyclist. (Sorry, but I blame the irresponsible dog owner.)

[bqbride]

Off-leash dogs (more specifically, their owners) suck balls! I have been chased, almost bitten, and had enough near-misses with off-leash dogs to be leary of ALL off-leash dogs, regardless of how well-behaved their owners think they are. There are leash laws for a reason--keep your dogs on a damn leash!

[Susie]

I agree. Dogs need a fence or a leash.

I had a HRM on during my ride and when I downloaded the workout data my HR peak was right when I was riding away from the dog chasing me. I wasn't that surprised!

[taffy]

I had to comment about how you hate being startled when you get yelled at while riding. This drives me crazy. I don't get it. What possible joy can a person get from screaming or honking at me when I am literally 7 ft away from them on a bike ? I jump every single time.

[aurora]

Wow--that sounds like a miserable ride. I am very thankful that I live in an area with a lot of extremely well-behaved off-leash dogs (and responsible owners) - the best of all worlds! (I don't own a dog but I love greeting them on the trails and seeing how happy they are to be out and about with their people.)

[katandkevin]

The dog thing really gets me. I almost got knocked off my bike my a dog during my triathlon last weekend and then almost hit a cat that wouldn't get out of the road.