Badbird2000

So, i was out for a ride Tuesday after work. It rained almost all day, but sun came out and things started to dry out. I was taking a loop i rarely go on the way home, it has a few more hills. I crested the largest one, house on the right had a dog, no fence. He comes bareling out giving chasse. I shift to the big chainring and accelerate. Road curves to the right then drops down... by the time i hit the turn, i was doing about 25.... no way i was making the turn with it being wet. Hit both brakes, and brace for impact. Bike runs off the road, down a 25' ravine and through a barbwire fence. I mean hey, if you are gonna go, go big. Finally come to a stop, and do a quick inventory. Helmet is choking me, it got knocked sideways somehow, nothing broken though. I'm under the bike in a litter leaf with trees. Struggle to get the bike back up to the road, realize i'm bleeding from right arm, and right leg. Looks like i fought Wolverine. Rear bike wheel is out of true, won't turn all the way. Dig the phone out of my bag and call for the SAG wagon (wife). A little sore, everything has stopped bleeding, i recently had a tetnaus shot. Went to the chiropractor today to get everything put back in place, dropping the bike off tonight at the bike shop and looking for a small cannister of bear spray for dogs. All that and the dog had given up and turned around. Turns out, i don't bounce so well at the age of 48.... oh well. I live to ride another day, so i will.

datlas 

Ouch. It happens. Hope you heal up ASAP.

eduskator

Ouch... Hope you'll heal fast. Those damn dog owners with no judgment... I am no a**hole in life, but I would definitively file a complaint for that dog that wasn't on a leash or in a closed area

Riveting

I'm no a-hole either and am an owner of two 25 lb dogs, but I tend to start (lightly) kicking dogs in the top of the snout/face in those situations. Unless I know I can outrun it at 25 mph for 150' at which point they typically tire and give up.

Mojo31

I carry Halt! when riding the country roads around us. Haven't had to use it yet, but would not hesitate to do so. Also wouldn't hesitate to use any other means to protect myself even if it harmed the dog. That's coming from a dog owner as well as a "grand-dog owner" of two dogs that are, or will be, almost 100 pounds in size each. I have no sympathies for people who let their dogs roam, and we have a lot of that around here.

Hope you are better soon!

rumrunn6

wow! epic! have you seen the 2 dog threads lately? 1 about being chased & mine about being bitten? lots of good advice, including "don't sprint". barbed wire ...? yikes!

Koyote

The part in bold font concerns me, as it suggests you are one of the many riders who does not properly cinch up the helmet straps. If you are wearing it properly, you should be not be able to wiggle it more than a couple millimeters from side-to-side and front-to-back, and should not be able to get more than a finger or two between the chinstrap and your chin. You want it snug, so that it won't shift out of position (as yours did).

Otherwise, heal up and avoid riding past that house!

Badbird2000

I was thinking about that part last night. I always thought it was snug enough, but if it moved enough to be shifted that much off my head and choking me, it's definitly something i need to look into. I think one of the clips broke in the back anyway, so it may be time for a new one. Valid point.. not much use in wearing a helmet if you don't wear it properly. When i was a kid, about 7, my older next door neighbor rammed me with her bike, a 10 speed. I got knocked to the ground, head first, with both bikes and her on top of me. She was mean as hell.. she just layed there laughing. Luckly my older brother saw it and ran over and got me up and to the house. My head was a bloody mess, got 4 butterfly stitches. After that, mom got me a football helmet to wear on the bike, lol....

Bald Paul

It really depends on the local laws regarding dogs, and if they have to be contained / restrained. If there are no laws requiring an owner to do that, there isn't much you can do, except let the dog bite you and then sue the crap out of the owner.

SalsaShark

....make sure you are up to date on your tetanus shots

bampilot06

Glad it wasn’t worse. Heal fast!

zandoval 

Rats!!! Glad you are OK... Sometimes the worst thing about a fall is the period of time before ya can get back out on your bike again...

downtube42

Glad you came out of it without anything serious.

When I lived in Indiana and rode in IN, OH, KY, IL, and occasionally TN, dogs encounters were common. In four years living in the PNW, I've had maybe one dog encounter. I've become acclimated to this new reality, and it's pretty nice.

Symox

glad you are ok. wow, quite a crash

SoSmellyAir

Here's to a full and speedy recovery (in order of priority).

It is most definitely time for a new helmet even if you do not find any broken components. A helmet is only good for a single impact, so any time you go down it is time to order a new one.

znomit

A well aimed squirt from your water bottle will stop a dog in its tracks.

Badbird2000

Thanks guys. Took the bike to the bike shop i bought it from last night. Rear wheel is hosed, front is out of shape. He is going to pull the front fork and make sure it's still ok (carbon fiber fork) and check the head tube geometry. It's an older Litespeed Tuscany. I really hope its ok, it should be. I love the way it rides. He actually builds custom wheel sets, so he is going to give me a couple of options. When i bought it used (3 years ago) it came with Rolf Primea... they are nice, but i'm not looking to drop that much coin on wheels. I only paid 800 for the entire bike, with Ultegra componets.

Velo Vol 

Dogs

fishboat

Hope you heal well. That said..bear spray is a bit over the top. There's plenty of other options that'll work well.

Outrunning a dog is sort of an all or nothing approach. Either you're successful or every other outcome gets much worse. Pick your poison..so to speak.

rumrunn6

drats, at least you're not paying a hospital co-pay!

Mojo31

That's what some say, but I wouldn't count on it in a situation where an aggressive dog is intent on hurting you.

LarrySellerz

Dogs are really out for bikeforums members these days

bonsai171

That's for sure. I had to spray 2 dogs on my last gravel ride. It's crazy here in Georgia sometimes

Dave

10 Wheels

Marine Air horn works fine for Dogs.

bonsai171

Pepper spray has always worked for me, but there is a risk of getting it on yourself and your skin burning a bit and it is a little harder to aim on windy days. How many bursts do you get out of that air horn? Does a quick burst work to scare the dog?

Dave