Just read this in RBR. Thought you guys might like it. Outfox Cujo
If your roads aren't home to a couple of family pets bent on taking a chunk out of your leg, you're one lucky dog. Bike magazines often offer tips on how to deal with a charging canine. But once the slavering beast is chasing you, the situation is already dicey unless you have a water cannon mounted on your bike. It's better to avoid a confrontation in the first place. Here are 4 ways to do that: ---Know the neighborhood. Memorize the location of loose dogs. Make a mental note of their habits. Do they come onto the road or stay on the shoulder? Do they act serious (ears back) or do they just like to run and bark? With this knowledge you can strategize your approach to each house that harbors a prowling pooch. Tip! If the dog lives on a hill, plan your ride to pass him on the descent. With gravity boosting your speed, Spot has no chance. Flat road? Increase your velocity in the preceding 100 yards so you can fly by at full tilt. ---Tread lightly. Dogs are territorial. They want to chase you out of their bailiwick. Once they do, they usually lose interest instantly and return to lying in the sun, dreaming of dog biscuits. So try to get through their territory before they know you're in it. Tip! Switch to silent running before you're within earshot. No gear shifts, braking or riding over anything that'll make your bike rattle. In a group, tell everyone to stop talking well in advance. Assume stealth mode. ---Check the wind. It's much better to approach Fang's territory with a headwind rather than a tailwind that carries your sounds toward him. Plan the ride direction with this in mind. On a windy day, you can often get past him -- and be close to his invisible boundary -- before his nap is so rudely interrupted. ---Ride where car wheels roll. There's less crunchy, noisy gravel than at the edge of the road. Also you have more room to maneuver when you're positioned away from the berm or curb. Traffic permitting, of course. What if Fluffy gets the upper paw? Sternly shout "Stop!" or "No!" or "Get off the couch!" as you pour on the coals. This can mess his mind just enough to keep him away till you ride out of his turf. If you're caught on a climb or cornered for some other reason, get off on the opposite side of the bike and keep it between you and the mutt. Then back away till you're out of his domain and he returns to the porch, having done his dogful duty. Just make sure Bowser from next door isn't sneaking up from behind. Kevin Whalen Validation Associate III Systems Validation 252-707-2126 1 DISCLAIMER: This e-mail is for the intended recipient only. If you have received it by mistake please let us know by reply and then delete it from your system; access, disclosure, copying, distribution or reliance on any of it by anyone else is prohibited. If you as intended recipient have received this e-mail incorrectly, please notify the sender (via e-mail) immediately. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "CyclistsOfWilson-COWs" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/CyclistsOfWilson-COWs?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
