Originally Posted By: andrewg
Originally Posted By: john_pifer
Originally Posted By: andrewg
I rode bicycles all my life, up until knee and achilles issues made it unenjoyable anymore. In all that time...40 years...I think I've been endangered by a dog MAYBE twice? Never bitten nor has a dog caused the bike to spill either.
I've had FAR, FAR, more dangerous issues with cars than any dog.
What am I saying, exactly? Well....just that sometimes dogs can be very aggressive in behavior but often cease just before you think they will actually attack. I've noticed on a few rides that dogs will make a huge fuss as you approach territory they see as something to 'protect'. Generally, as you go past and away from the property they will back off.
Your situation strikes me as highly unusual in my experience. It certainly sounds like, from your description, they WOULD have attacked. You did the right thing by dismounting and facing them on the hill.
As many have stated, bear/dog/pepper spray would have worked very well and not have been as extreme (and in my opinion...WAY overboard) as using a firearm. Keep in mind that I am all three things...a dog lover, a former cyclist, and a gun owner. But some of these cowboy types that use colorful words and bravado about why you should be armed is....well...kind of alarming.
Good luck in whatever you choose to do in the future regarding this issue.
Well, I don't know where you were riding, but this is the northern outskirts of Nashville, TN. I'm talking a fairly rural, but still very populated area. Junkyards, mobile homes, farmland, businesses, as well as houses. Lots of people let their dogs run free. Most of the dogs just sit in their yard and watch me ride by. I can deal with loose dogs as long as they don't come out into the street to attack me (I was actually bitten by a single dog a few weeks ago - there is a thread about it). I really don't like loose dogs at all, because I ride motorcycles too, and they've wrecked friends of mine, and almost wrecked me. Matter of fact that's how I first learned to endo my R1 - a dog ran out in front of me.
I actually am waiting for my handgun carry permit to arrive in the mail. I had one years ago but let it expire. Recently, after the first dog attack, and in consideration of increasing crime, I decided to go through the steps again and re-acquire my HCP.
I am an avid shooter and own several firearms, including a Glock 36, which will likely be my bicycle gun until I get myself a pocket-carry pistol (currently lookikg at the Kahr PM9 and the Sig P938).
I've ridden in all types of locations. Roads amid farmland....rural, low-income areas....paved bicycle trails....cities....fire roads....and single track mountain trails. In all that time the most dangerous situations involved motorized vehicles. Sometimes the people inside those vehicles in low-life areas would very occasionally hassle me or throw something out the window at me. Dogs were almost never an issue.
Toward the end of my riding days I had strongly considered carrying a small handgun due to being harassed a few times. I had a beer bottle thrown at me and had the vehicle stop about 20 yards ahead of me...waiting for a confrontation. I was ready for one, as my temper was flaring. As I approached...they suddenly fled.
At that point I began riding on paved trails and gave up risking my life on roads shared with vehicles. Just not worth it, nor did the thought of needing to carry a firearm while trying to relax and enjoy a ride seem like a good decision.
It's too bad that you can't get the authorities to do anything. It's also a shame that you have to ride in such questionable areas. I would not find that enjoyable.
It's also too bad so many dogs are raised in a way that they turn out like this and others feel forced to shoot them. Just sad and another indication of our sometimes crummy society.
Well, all I can say is that you've been very fortunate. Around here, aggressive dogs running loose is a problem.
