How do you cope w/dogs attacking on a bike ride? (Page 2)

This user's post has been ignored.

I'm really sorry to hear you were bitten. My dad got bitten by a German Shepherd while he was out riding, and I had a bike crash because of a dog, resulting in a couple broken bones (no bites though), so loose dogs are my biggest pet peeves. I am a decent biker, but not fast enough to out-sprint a big dog intent on getting me - unless I have a good head start. I will sprint as hard as I can if I feel reasonably confident that I can outrun them, but if they are out in/near the road already, I usually just slow down, and have even stopped a couple times. *Most* of the dogs are friendly and as soon as you slow down or stop, they stop as well and look dumbfounded or want to be petted. Sometimes they'll just jog alongside you, in fun. Basically, I try to remove that predatory instinct the fast moving object gives them.

But I have had a couple that really growled in a mean way, and I was scared of being bitten. I don't carry pepper spray, but I would keep the bike between me & the dog and I think spraying them with water is good if they get too close. But mostly, I just stick to the routes I know are "safe" or make sure I have other people riding with me on new roads.

"Basically, I try to remove that predatory instinct the fast moving object gives them."

Exactly.  If you stop and keep the bike between you and the dog, most dogs will chill-out and just want to be petted.  I have made friends with every dog along the two routes that I ride regularly.  No more sprints or fear of being bitten.

True story: I have a friend who used pepper spray on a dog then got his kicked by the owner who got in his car, ran my friend off of the road and proceeded to pummel him.

Be careful out there!!

Hopefully, that dog owner is now behind bars for assault and battery, and a plethora of other things.

Funny how girl riders have built in radar to know when we are following their pace bootie.  They just turn around and give us a dirty look........

Oh,  you are all talking about 4 legged dogs.  woof woof

Had my first one in a long time.
Luckily, I did my best authoritative command and it complied... if Cesar could have seen me.