jargo432

When I left out on my bike this morning I remember thinking "Am I going to have to get bit by a dog before I start carrying some kind of protection?" I should have listened.

Well, after a year of riding I finally got as close as I can come to getting bit by a dog, or maybe mauled as I could be. I came by a farm house and three cut me off. 1 german shepherd , 1 pit bull, and 1 blue heeler. They were really aggressive and coming at me fast. I dismounted my bike and used it as a shield, but knew as soon as one came around it was over. Very lucky for me the owner came out and called them back. I didn't have any hard feelings, they were just doing what dogs do, protect their property, plus I really do like dogs.

So, I've got a decision to make. Do I carry my CHL weapon, or find some good OC spray. (I guess I could mount a rack on my handle bars for my AR and dress like Mad Max, that'd work) I once saw a can of "Dog Stop" in a bike shop but not knowing anything about it let it sit.

I guess when you get right down to it I've been very lucky so far and I guess it's time to take luck out of the equation.

indyfabz

Yell back at them and/or squirt them in the face with water. Or carry a T-bone.

jargo432

I did yell back at them. They didn't seem to listen.

mstateglfr 

I ride in some really boring places, apparently. At least based on the number of dog stories I read about vs the number ive encountered(0).

Cyclebum

Only been chased once by a pack of dogs. Rescued by a car with horn blaring following behind. Many solo chases.

Do what you gotta do for peace of mind. Pepper spray is most common, but the occasion to use it so rare that it eventually gets left behind, as do other deterrents. Except the water bottle, which can be effective, maybe.

It's been my experience that if you just keep on pedaling, furiously, dogs will not attack your legs. Nothing guaranteed of course.

Pompiere

A friend asked me why I still carry a Zefal HP pump instead of a CO2 inflator. I told him because a CO2 inflator doesn't have as much reach as a full length pump. Fortunately, I have only had to use it a couple times in 40 years of riding in farm country.

Doug64

Try Halt II spray. I have used it and it does work. It is also good for marauding raccoons in campgrounds

HALT II® Dog Repellent, 1.5-oz. Canister, 10' Spray, 84343 | Ben Meadows

Doug64

I can tell you that in my experience this is not always true.

Kindaslow

I got ripped off my bike by a Pitbull mix, because the owner was not strong enough to keep hold of the leash once the dog went from no issues to attack mode. I carry a knife, but luckily the owner got ahold off the dog as we were facing off. Tore up my calf a little and ruined a great pair of REI socks. If I were to ride that area again, I would mount some pepper spray to my bars for possible use. Mountain bikes tend to upset dogs, and I get that. And, I would prefer to do as little damage to the dog as needed to get them to change their mind.

mdilthey

I was chased by a pack of aggressive, un-collared large dogs on Mohawk land in Kanawake, south of Montreal.

I yelled "NO!" in a deep and aggressive voice while maintaining a steady pace in the direction I was going. A bit past the property lines, they backed off. Funny, in the moment, I didn't even consider being bit. I was just annoyed.

I think I trust myself much more with loud yelling, using a frame pump to smack noses, or in a worst case scenario, a swift kick than I do with fumbling around with a spray. I don't want to deal with a spray.

If I were in Grizzly/Wolf territory, I'd carry spray.