Dogs that chase you, and crazy things to Watch out for on backroads.

I've posted this thread to give other riders a "heads up" on anything to watch out for, out there on the rural roads in Minnesota. Please share anything that others can benefit from.

I use to use pepper spray.... As a meter reader I realized ....You can run out of pepper spray.... But not out of Oak.... So I now carry for my bike riding and meter reading.... A 1 inch x 24 inch red oak dowel.... Just a decent tap on the nose... And the dog respects you....

I used a squirt gun with ammonia, but found that a Storm whistle works the best....

Having been bitten on a ride by a "friendly" dog (at 25mph!), I carry pepper spray.

Lots of people around here get their jollies by keeping vicious dogs. I guess it makes them feel powerful or something.

I've found most dogs to be like they are with cars in driveways. If you try to drive faster away from them, they will chase and try to bite the tire. But, if you drive at them, they'll stop. It takes a little bit of courage up front, but I've just ridden at them and stopped trying to sneak by them. Hasn't failed yet. On the other hand, I wouldn't recommend that technique with mountain lions...

I will be carrying an air powered horn this year. I've also heard a simple shot of water from the water bottle will work most of the time. 

Pepper spray sounds like a bad idea to me due to possible blowback

Something to keep in mind is that often dogs are antagonized by your cadence. If you stop pedaling and coast by, they will generally pace off their territory but won't chase you. I used that rule since I started riding back in the 80s and have never had a dog chase me. But then, I just might not look tasty.

It's now fall in MN. Harvest time "rural rush hour". Time to be vigilant and ride defensively. The last thing most farmers expect to see down a lonesome gravel road is a person on a bike, they're not watching for you. Lots of inexperienced 16 and 17 year olds driving 18 wheelers. Everyone's in a hurry.  If it's dry, watch out coming out of dust clouds. Blinking lights and Hi-Vis are smart. 

Sounds dumb, but I've found that an aggressive "GO HOME" usually startles them and they back off.   I don't think I'm coordinated enough to pepper spray, swing a stick or kick at a moving target while riding.  

One regular route passes a junkyard that's home to two actual junkyard dogs.  Typically if approach quietly they don't even know we're there.   If somebody just can't shut up for a second though the chase is on.  

Pepper spray at all times. During this time of year the bears are busy packing it in before their winter rest, so depending on the area I'll carry a larger canister of bear spray and the H&K .45. Never any bear trouble, but had to put down a rabid cat in Minnesota and a rabid coyote in Colorado. Haven't had much dog trouble lately, but the "go home" yell works usually, unless it's a herding dog that thinks you're a stray cow or whatever trying to corral you back. Then you just have to keep riding until they give up. Chasing dogs actually make for great sprintervals so I welcome it if I'm on a day ride and feeling frisky. Used to carry a telescoping baton which can kill a dog with the right strike. But really only good if you're into CQB with something that wants to bite you. I prefer to keep distance.         

I once had a nasty farm dog on my regular route that wouldn't  back. I finally had enough and used some straight ammonia on him in a water bottle. He never came after  me after that. You have to be careful not to drink it, stuck it in my back pocket. Was on a rando ride in VA. when I heard 2 good ole boy rednecks tell their dog. Sick em which totally ticked me off. I rode with a gal around Tupelo MS once and then the next day we rode in AL. Century rides both days. Their idea of a security alarm is a dog in their front yard. I never had so many dogs chasing me on a 5 mile warm up ride.

Zman

I once tried to pepper spray a dog on my left side with my right hand in thick gravel. You can guess what happened next. Good news is the pit bull was frightened by my crash and did not attack me.
Dan

 

Rock Doggo in the back.

I have found that a loud PHFFFFT sends squirrels scurrying to climb and freezes cats. Keeps them out of your wheels.

On one of our gravel group rides this summer by Lowry, MN we had a friendly yellow lab come out and run with us........for about 7 miles. Finally we decided we were getting too far from his home so 2 guys took a cut back while the rest of us stopped so the dog would follow them back to his farm.

Last weekend I had another friendly dog want to run with me, stayed with me for about 2 miles, then we passed by another farm that had a dog outside.....he instantly stopped, I kept going hearing loud barking behind me.

I just stop and say hi to the dog (s). Most of them come up to say hi. Some will stay there barking, but I've never had one be aggressive after I 1) stopped moving and 2) established that I am a person. Just be calm and non-threatening. i really don't get this whole "as soon as I see one I fire heat seeking missiles/pepper spray/ water" thing. 

Got my first bite yesterday. Big aggressive black lab. I've been riding by this dogs place about once a week for 4 years. If it sees me it always runs down its long driveway barking aggressively but it always pulled up short. For some reason though yesterday it kept coming and chased me for a good 50 yards past it's place before it jumped up and bit me in the thigh. I was bucking an 18 mph headwind so it was all I could do to maintain about 13 mph so it had no trouble catching me.