The Chainlink

Any body have close encounters of the furry kind this week? How do you deal with animals when biking?

I had a doggie like this run after me last night. He was a very naughty. He chased all 240 lbs of me and almost bit me. Is it better to bite the dog or talk nice to him? I know if I was riding I would have tried to out motor him. As for other critters, I try to be nice to them.

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Permalink Reply by cutifly on January 21, 2009 at 8:58am
Get off the bike, yell at the dog and lay down on the ground (face up), then the two of you should be friends.
Permalink Reply by JT on January 21, 2009 at 9:38am
Reminds me of one time riding at night on an unlit river trail riding fast when suddenly there was a skunk not five feet ahead of me. Surprised, I yelled "skunk!" and luckily got away without getting sprayed. A funny encounter.
Permalink Reply by Norm Hansen on January 21, 2009 at 9:59am
I have had several dogs chase me. I check the dog to see if He or She is friendly. If I hear a growl I won't stop, but I will talk or yell at the dog to Go Home several times. If the dog looks playfull I will stop talk friendly to it and see if I can see a dog tag. If name and phone number is on tag i'll call and report the dog is loose to owner.

I have also had several times of deer right in front of me in forest preserves.
Permalink Reply by Curt H Moore on January 21, 2009 at 5:28pm
I have used commands "stay" "sit" "down" and NO they all worked to a a degree. And if all else fails a squirt from the H2O bottle or a shot from the air horn. So far haven't been bitten or knocked off the bike. If it is on the same route that I ride I usally slow down and talk quietly to the dog after a few times by they quit raising a rukus. ( helps to carry treats)...curt
Permalink Reply by Ray on January 22, 2009 at 1:03pm
I sprint like Erik Zabel or Cipollini when I'm confronted by dogs, and it usually happens when I'm just about toasted on a century ride while on a rural road with major headwinds LOL
Permalink Reply by GabeW (not the other Gabe) on January 22, 2009 at 1:13pm
My usual experience with animals is dogs on or off leash on the greenbay trail. It's only bad when the owner isn't paying attention. I find the dogs don't really care about passing bikes, but the owners don't care that the dog is wandering out into the path. As long as they aren't wearing headphones a simple "on your left" takes care of it. Which reminds me of another trail annoyance - rollerbladers in the center of the path taking those huge side to side strides, wearing headphones of course, so you can't tell them to move or get around.
Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on January 22, 2009 at 1:57pm
Indeed. Every century I've made has involved a dog and some sort of vehicular incident. The dogs come around most often when I backtrack on the same path and it always happens near the end of the ride. I was going to try a whistle but I'm getting mace for this spring.

Ray said:
I sprint like Erik Zabel or Cipollini when I'm confronted by dogs, and it usually happens when I'm just about toasted on a century ride while on a rural road with major headwinds LOL
Permalink Reply by Jim "Niterider" on January 22, 2009 at 2:32pm
When I was in Colorado, it was mountion lions and momma bears you had to worry about. I ended up carrying a .44 mag handgun on a few of the rides since Mace is not that effective against a 300 lb kitty or a 900 lb bear! The mountain lion is an ambush predator and likes to hit you from behind. One of my friends almost became a chew toy while fixing a flat. The noise of the .44 scared it off. His back was turned and the thing walked up within ten feet. I lit the cat up with my helmet light and fired. As for the dog that chased me the other day I talked to the owner and he said he was sorry. It is good we do not have cougars around here at least. As for dogs, I use a dog whistle and pepper spray. The dog whistle you can not hear, but the dogs respond. Should I be off the bike, than the doggie is getting some O.C. in the muzzle. As for nice dogs, I give them a pig ear, or beef jerkey. This makes them your friend. Ever notice it is the little dogs that have so much agression. I have been bite by more small dogs than big ones, go figure.
Permalink Reply by GabeW (not the other Gabe) on January 22, 2009 at 2:46pm
That reminds me of when I was out in Moab. They had signs up saying: "if you're attacked by a mountain lion, FIGHT BACK!"
I'm sure it's cause people might think playing dead is what you do, but it still struck me as a little funny.

And your right, my little terrier will make sure all the big dogs in the neighborhood know he's tough(ish).
Permalink Reply by Clare on January 22, 2009 at 2:48pm
I agree with Jim that the little dogs are the most aggressive. I bought some mace for our last country-road trip--wanted to be prepared for pits or rottweilers or the like. However, our only encounter was with a surprisingly fast but tiny mutt. I managed to outrun him, but then almost fell off my bike laughing when I turned around and saw my husband squirt the little guy in the face with his water bottle. It probably wasn't necessary, but it didn't hurt either, and I still laugh when I think of it. Does anybody remember the pit bull scene from "American Flyers?"
Permalink Reply by Jim "Niterider" on January 22, 2009 at 3:05pm
Who was in that? I belive that was out in the 80's. Have to check it out. Thanks Clare.

Clare said:
I agree with Jim that the little dogs are the most aggressive. I bought some mace for our last country-road trip--wanted to be prepared for pits or rottweilers or the like. However, our only encounter was with a surprisingly fast but tiny mutt. I managed to outrun him, but then almost fell off my bike laughing when I turned around and saw my husband squirt the little guy in the face with his water bottle. It probably wasn't necessary, but it didn't hurt either, and I still laugh when I think of it. Does anybody remember the pit bull scene from "American Flyers?"
Permalink Reply by GabeW (not the other Gabe) on January 22, 2009 at 3:18pm
Is this it?

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