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« on: July 18, 2024, 08:38:22 pm »
Here's an update on the dogs of the TransAm from May and June or 2024. I intended to ride what for me was the missing link in the TransAm from Ashland VA to Ash Grove MO. I made it as far as Hazard KY before giving up.
I have over 10,000 miles of touring experience in the US. I can only recall being hassled by a dog once, on the Northern Tier. It was an annoying lap dog. There were beaucoup dogs on the Wind River Reservation but the yards were all fenced. I had one dog run along side me but he was playful. Lasted about a half mile.
In 2019 I rode US Route 66 through Missouri. No dogs. In 2022, I rode the Katy Trail and some rural roads to connect to the TransAm in Kansas. No dogs.
As for this summer, I was attacked twice east of Charlottesville VA, once by a pair of corgis and again by a junkyard dachsund. (I am not making this up.) I out ran both.
In Afton at the Cookie Lady's house an eastbound TA rider said he had been attacked "about 20 times" in eastern Kentucky. He was unharmed but he was clearly distressed by the experience. I was told there would be no dog attacks in Virginia.
Wrong. I was attacked by two boxers east of Breaks Va. They came from at least 200 yards away at full speed. I couldn't believe how far and how fast they ran. They were nasty. I wasn't prepared but thankfully they broke off the attack when some cars came by.
In the town of Breaks, I passed a large, fluffy dog. He looked harmless and let out an almost comical "woof" as I rode by. Then I heard a snarl and he was biting at my right rear pannier, putting a small hole in it. He was strong enough to yank my bike to the side. I was so angry that I dismounted and went after the dog unarmed. He compelely freaked and immediately moved as far away as he could.
After enterring Kentucky, I was attacked again and again during the 70 miles to Hindman. I tried a dog whistle on one. It seemed to work. I tried an air horn in two other attacks. It worked on one but not the other. I told one dog to "get on the porch" and he did.
There were a couple of other attacks that I had to stop and wait for the dogs to calm down. I had to use pepper spray on one but I missed because it turned when its owner call for it. Pepper spray only works at very close range.
Just before Hindman a mid-sized dog attacked as I passed a family gathering down in the holler. The dog simply would not leave me alone. The owners made no attempt to restrain the dog. This went on for over ten minutes. I inched along on foot until a pick up truck came by and distracted the dog.
After Hindman I encountered a road closure. The detour put me on a busy highway. I didn't bother going back on the TA route for fear of still more dog attacks.
In Hazard I was told by a rental car agent that the dog problem between Hazard and Berea is the worst. The hostel host in Booneville, mid-way to Berea, advised me to get wasp spray or bear spray. She said the dog attacks are much worse in recent years. (Note: wasp spray contains a neurotoxin. It will permanently mess up the dog, and maybe the sprayer. It's cheaper than bear spray but go with the latter.) She said a cyclist was recently bit on the TA near Booneville.
Personally I tour by bike to enjoy myself. I was spending every moment from Breaks to Hindman scanning the roadside looking for vicious dogs instead of enjoying the scenery.
It's been over a month and I'm still stressed out by my experience.
Chemical warfare and rabies shots are not my cup of tea.
My advice is to avoid the TA east of Missouri. Ride from Yorktown to DC. From there you have your choice of routes to the west. The Eastern Express is one option. Or ride west to Route 66 or the Katy Trail and take that to the TA in western Missouri.
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