Dogs

Jpfler wrote:
Did you give a warning to your approach?
To avoid a possible mishap on my rides when approching dog walkers I give a
loud verbal sound in plenty of time before passing which causes them to pull in
their pets closer to them. Hope you have no more accidents like this.

Jim


I did not, and I meant to mention that major screw-up. Usually an "on
your left" is automatic but my autopilot was inop. that morning. Also I
was going too fast for existing conditions, i.e. I was not alone on the
path. Path is straight and flat with a good half mile visibility at any
given point. I saw the pooch and the woman but they did not register.
I was in la-la land and got what I deserved. Somewhat less, actually,
since the poor soccer mom was the one who bit the pavement.

The bike path I ride on is a bike path ONLY on most of its lenght.
People walking their dogs are bad. Especially those walking on one edge
having the dog running on the other side with the leash going straight
through...
But there is worse. Sometimes, the are people walking with their below 5 yo
kids!!! How brainless do you have to be?



"Michael" wrote in message
...


MisNomer wrote:

An interesting thing happenned yesterday on my ride. We spotted someone
playing
with their 2 dogs in the water, rode past them discussing how cute those
2
mongrels were. Then, not 2 seconds later one of the dogs ran up beside
me, I
slowed down, he / she passed me and then cut me off! The dog then ran
back to
its master looking rath proud of himself ... (there I beat you!)

take care
Liz


I truly love dogs - especialy golden retrievers - except when I am on a
bicycle. Even the smallest canine might as well be a load of
cinderblocks when it - or even part of it - gets into the works of a
bicycle. And there are also the dogs that will greet you nicley when
you're on foot but wax nasty when you're on a bicycle (there are two of
these in my neighborhood). All in all though, I have had no dog/bicycle
problem since I began carrying a squeeze bottle of ammonia.

Until last weekend. I was doing my morning ride on a nice, new, wide,
walk/jog/bike path - my cycling safe haven, only 1/2 mile from home -
when I approached a "soccer mom" and her leashed poodle from the rear.
Dog was evenly trotting along, to the lady's right. I moved to the far
left of the traffic-lane-wide "path" to give lady and dog wide berth,
and as I drew to within about 10 meters of even with lady/dog, the dog
suddenly bolted around the lady and straight to the left ... across my
path. So there I was, humping along at 18 MPH and thinking all was well
with the world, when a bright red nylon tape (leash) appeared before me,
stretched tight, a dog on one end and 110-pound woman on the other. Dog
wanted a rabbit; woman wanted her dog. I crossed the "finish line",
despite standing on the brake and dropping crotch to carrier rack, and
immediately became intimately acquainted with dog and mistress.

I slid through the grass on my face, messing up a perfectly good (though
smelly) t-shirt, but the lady got some good road burn. Dog looked like
he didn't feel well.

Michael wrote:

Jpfler wrote:
Did you give a warning to your approach?
To avoid a possible mishap on my rides when approching dog walkers I give a
loud verbal sound in plenty of time before passing which causes them to pull in
their pets closer to them. Hope you have no more accidents like this.

Jim

I did not, and I meant to mention that major screw-up. Usually an "on
your left" is automatic but my autopilot was inop. that morning. Also I
was going too fast for existing conditions, i.e. I was not alone on the
path. Path is straight and flat with a good half mile visibility at any
given point. I saw the pooch and the woman but they did not register.
I was in la-la land and got what I deserved. Somewhat less, actually,
since the poor soccer mom was the one who bit the pavement.

You can buy a very small and simple bell from your bike shop. Comes in basic black.
MEC calls theirs a "Merribell", whatever. Works like a charm. The gentle ringing
carries very well. Start dinging from a hundred yards/meters back, people on mixed
use paths are usually hip to what's up, will move to the right, and often thank you
for the warning that you are coming. Of course, the decent thing to do as well is to
slow down to a cautious pace as you pass.
Sorry you got into a mess! *stuff* happens.
Best regards, Bernie

"Bernie" wrote in message
...
[...]
You can buy a very small and simple bell from your bike shop. Comes in
basic black.
MEC calls theirs a "Merribell", whatever. Works like a charm.

I have to disagree. People sometimes don't hear it or recognize it [elderly
or groups involved in discussion/activity]. And people who do recognize/hear
it can do the strangest things, like move tpo each side of the trail while a
third decides to dart to the other side at the last moment; Or call there to
there dogs who are far off the trail to cross in front of you; simply
scatter so you have no clear path or clear idea which direction they will go
in.

[can you tell I'm venting a bit?]

I have, use and reccomend a bell or similar signalling place but it's no
cure-all.

bgaudet0801 wrote:

"Bernie" wrote in message
...
[...]
You can buy a very small and simple bell from your bike shop. Comes in
basic black.
MEC calls theirs a "Merribell", whatever. Works like a charm.

I have to disagree. People sometimes don't hear it or recognize it [elderly
or groups involved in discussion/activity]. And people who do recognize/hear
it can do the strangest things, like move tpo each side of the trail while a
third decides to dart to the other side at the last moment; Or call there to
there dogs who are far off the trail to cross in front of you; simply
scatter so you have no clear path or clear idea which direction they will go
in.

[can you tell I'm venting a bit?]

I have, use and reccomend a bell or similar signalling place but it's no
cure-all.

Even penecillin's not a cure all! The bell works pretty well though. It can be
rung loud or soft, fast staccatto or just a few dings.
Bell vs no bell and a yell? I'll take the bell thanks!
Bernie

On Wed, 27 Aug 2003 23:50:58 -0700, Bernie tapped this on a keyboard:


Bell vs no bell and a yell? I'll take the bell thanks!
Bernie

I don't yell, I don't bell, I just ride 'em down!


--

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##2117 #'Mandrake Linux.'

"Johann S." wrote in
:

On Wed, 27 Aug 2003 23:50:58 -0700, Bernie tapped this on a keyboard:


Bell vs no bell and a yell? I'll take the bell thanks!
Bernie

I don't yell, I don't bell, I just ride 'em down!



Spray then with your water bottle.