Author Topic: Dogs n' bears  (Read 19414 times)

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Offline Pat Lamb

Re: Dogs n' bears
« Reply #15 on: November 09, 2015, 10:09:36 am »
I have worked out a manner of dealing with dogs. In spite of all the noise and chases not one dog has ever actually bitten me. 

...

Dogs, for the most part, are a temporary nuisance, but not a real serious danger. However, I am sure cyclists have been actually attacked, and perhaps even injured.

When stopped, the hound may come close, but will not actually sink its teeth into your hide.

Don't count on not being bitten; one bit me.

Keep a careful ear out for the ones that don't bark.  If your first alert is the sound of toenails scratching rapidly along pavement, that's a dog that may be out to attack you.  If they bark a lot, the danger is probably less.

Offline preston uk

Re: Dogs n' bears
« Reply #16 on: November 09, 2015, 12:11:46 pm »
Thanks for your reply. I've been away so have only just seen it. I was never bothered by dogs in E. Europe ,it was the crazy drivers that terrified me.

Offline RussSeaton

Re: Dogs n' bears
« Reply #17 on: November 09, 2015, 12:58:09 pm »
in E. Europe ,it was the crazy drivers that terrified me.

Odd.  I was only in Czechoslovakia and the former East German part of Germany.  But the drivers all seemed good to me.  Roads were a bit windy and a bit narrower than western Europe.  I suppose its very possible the more eastern countries in eastern Europe, the ones which are more Soviet states, have poorer drivers.

Offline litespeed

Re: Dogs n' bears
« Reply #18 on: November 09, 2015, 01:33:43 pm »
As I've said before on this forum: Dogs get all confused and stumble all over themselves if you swerve back and forth, traffic (or lack thereof) permitting. I have had dogs run into lamp posts, trip into ditches, stop in total confusion, etc. Once I had two dogs get all tangled up with each other and go down in a frantic, dusty heap. Quickly swerving back and forth invariably throws them off their game - totally ruins their concentration.

Offline bobcat931

Re: Dogs n' bears
« Reply #19 on: November 09, 2015, 02:19:39 pm »
Couple of thoughts regarding dogs.  I once rode with a young lady who tried sweet talking dogs.  It went something like "hey sweet baby, good doggie, etc. etc." followed by vicious barking and growling as the dog came out in pursuit. I yell a lot, occasionally profanity.  One theory I have developed is that when you take off to outrun a dog, you look like prey to the animal.  Triggers an instinctive response.  Therefore, I have been trying to maintain a more leisurely pace and not show fear. I have been advised that doing that, however, is to look like a sandwich to the animal. It does seem to work.  When it doesn't, I use Halt.  Once had to empty a can of the stuff to get a pit bull off my wheel.  Dogs are a real hazard. 

Offline 2riders

Re: Dogs n' bears
« Reply #20 on: January 12, 2016, 09:22:16 pm »
I've been a letter carrier for 30 years and have had dog problems now and then.  I have never been bitten and only used my Halt once.  I found yelling at them and for sure never turning or running from them works best.  When delivering, they are protecting their property.  When riding, it seems they are in it for the chase.
My wife and I have only began touring two years ago and those would be week long CC tours Inn to Inn.  When we have a dog come out at us, the first thing that I have found works is to put the bike between us and the dog,  have  the spray at ready, and we offen yell to the dog "go get your ball". Funny how offen that has worked.  Seams that once "the chase" is gone, they tend to back off and when we've yelled a common comand such as "get your ball", some confusion sets in.  We've even had a lab go back and run around his yard looking for the ball. 
A pack of dogs would be a totally different story and not too sure how we'd handle that.  We are looking into getting a horn and carry that along with our spray.
Have no experience with bears but pretty sure they wouldn't run around looking for their ball.
Hope this helps.

indyfabz

  • Guest
Re: Dogs n' bears
« Reply #21 on: January 13, 2016, 01:47:07 pm »
Have no experience with bears but pretty sure they wouldn't run around looking for their ball.

All the ones I have seen while riding have done their best to avoid contact.
Saw this little guy in NJ back in June. He was by the side of the road and took off into the wood when he saw us coming.

Offline jwrushman

Re: Dogs n' bears
« Reply #22 on: January 15, 2016, 08:39:35 pm »
NJ = 8729 square miles
#bears = 3500
Square miles / bear = 2.5

and you won't see a bear in most of the populated eastern part of the state.

No wonder I've seen so many in NJ!

indyfabz

  • Guest
Re: Dogs n' bears
« Reply #23 on: January 16, 2016, 11:30:29 am »
NJ = 8729 square miles
#bears = 3500
Square miles / bear = 2.5

and you won't see a bear in most of the populated eastern part of the state.

No wonder I've seen so many in NJ!

Yep. Just heard that NJ has the highest concentration of bears/sq. mile of all states. They are mostly in the central and northern parts of the state, but over the last few years there have been several that have made their way south to areas like Hammonton and Egg Harbor Township. There have been two attacks in the last year or so. One was fatal.. The other was within the last couple of months. A scout leader entered a cave and disturbed a hibernating bear.  The fatal attack involved a group of hikers who didn't appear to be that savvy. At one point they were taking photos of the animal, which possibly egged it on. They then split up. One was later found dead.

Offline preston uk

Re: Dogs n' bears
« Reply #24 on: January 28, 2016, 11:04:23 am »
Many thanks to all. I'm all set for the 1st of May for an east - west. The advice I've been given has been very valuable.

Offline etsisk

Re: Dogs n' bears
« Reply #25 on: February 13, 2016, 01:09:50 pm »
www.sounddefense.com

This has worked for me exactly as advertised. Dunno about against bears, though. I'd want to try a controlled experiment first to make sure it didn't sound like prey to them. But for dogs it's top notch.

Offline PeteJack

Re: Dogs n' bears
« Reply #26 on: February 16, 2016, 08:09:11 pm »
I've only once come across a bear. Last year in BC on the Icefields Parkway about half a mile from Bow Summit, the highest point, I was grinding my way to the top very slowly and a grizzly bear walked into the road about 10 yards in front of me. Needless to say I stopped. He/she stopped. Bang in the middle of the traffic lane and looked right at me. (It's amazing how much like Teddy Bears they appear, imagine a Teddy Bear's head the size of a cow's.) Right then a car pulled up next to me and the lady in it asked if anything was wrong. I pointed mutely at the bear not wanting to get his attention any more than I already had. The lady gasped. About that time the bear decides to go on its way across road and that was the end of the adventure.

I sort of regret not getting a picture but a comment above tells me I did the right thing. TBH I thought of getting a picture at the time but was scared of getting the beast's attention any more than I already had. It was also the only time I've ever been glad of traffic.