Three Dog Day

Actually it was 4 dogs in 3 places, all first time encounters.

After walking Luke the Dog and doing a Honey Do piece of yard work, around noon I decided to go out for a short spin to try my new wheels. More on these light weight beauties later after I have a chance to ride them on some hills. Based on one flat ride I’m very happy.

#1: On Pezzi Road between the bridge and Highway 88. I was heading south and on the east side I was met by a small yapping terrier and an intimidating looking Pit Bull. I’m assuming latter was a ‘he’ since the requisite equipment was clearly visible. But I didn’t ask for pronouns.

I thought it was prudent to unclip before they got too close. Most dogs can outrun me if they want to. I kept saying ‘go home’ in a firm and assertive tone. The yapper kept yapping and the Pit Bull kept staring at me and occasionally giving voice to a woof or a growl. He also kept approaching me. I couldn’t tell if he was looking to be petted or to chew my leg off.

There were plenty of cars in the yard the dogs sprung from, and I kept hoping an owner would appear to call them off, but nobody did. The Pit Bull finally tired of the standoff and eventually retreated out of sight, and the yapper seemed to loose enthusiasm as well. I clipped in and sprinted off, with the yapper following, but I could easily outrun those short legs even though I was riding into the wind.

Sprint Training

#2: This happened while I was riding on Tully Road between Baker and Comstock, heading north. We usually ride this in the other direction, but with the south east wind blowing a bit I was doing everything backwards. I saw a big white dog come onto the road just behind me to give chase. He was one of those bounding friendly lab types, but he could easily knock me off my bike if he got too frisky. This time I had a tail wind, and I can get over 25 mph for a short stretch if I need too. Nothing like a pooch in hot pursuit to get the heart rate up.

#3: On Baker Road heading west between Duncan and Archerdale. There was a big black Shepard type hound on the road in front of me. He was just standing there, looking confused and behaving like a stray that some awful person brought into the country and abandoned. That happens a lot around here. However he had a collar with some kind of tags on it, so maybe he (pronoun assumed) was just out for a stroll.

I unclipped again, since I didn’t want to ride past him until I discovered his intentions. A car came from the opposite direction heading east, and slowed down and put on their flashers, and the dog gave way and left the pavement. This didn’t help me much, since the pooch was still in front of me and I had no notion of what he/she/they/ze would do if I tried to ride past.

Finally the dog decided to wander off the road to the north, and when he got a ways off I clipped in and did my best imitation of Mark Cavendish and sprinted to safety.

One reason my route was so confused is because I have had issues with a canine trio on Eight Mile Road between Highway 88 and Jack Tone. There is a border collie with two big buddies that have forced me to stop multiple times. The last time it happened the owner appeared and we had a conversation from about 100 yards apart. I reminded her there was a leash law in SJ County and threatened to call Animal Control. She ranted at me and said if I had been chased before “why the f… do you still ride here? Are you f…ing stupid?“. I bet she isn’t too good at sharing the road..

Being the non controversial coward that I am, I didn’t call Animal Control, even though I had a photo of one of the hounds and the address on the gate. I also haven’t ridden by there since, which really alters my route choices when riding from home. My only safe choices for ride starts are east or west on Eight Mile, and right now it’s Westward Ho!