Why I Had to Change My Route — Because of Two Dogs
Most days, I ride the same route. It’s familiar, fast, and I know every dip and crack in the pavement. But for the past month or so, that ride has included an unwelcome obstacle: two dogs that come charging out every time I pass one particular house.
Now, I’ve been chased by a lot of dogs over the years — it just comes with the territory when you ride back roads. But this one is different. One of the dogs doesn’t just bark and chase. He tries to get under my front wheel. I’m serious — he dives toward my tire like he wants to stop me cold. That’s not just dangerous for me — it’s dangerous for him too.
I’ve tried yelling. Sometimes I spray water at him from my bottle. That works once in a while, if I can get to it in time. But not always. And the worst part is the worry that one day, he’ll get hit by a car. I don’t want that. As frustrating as these chases are, I don’t want to see a dog hurt — not even one that’s scaring the hell out of me.
So I changed my route. About two blocks before I get to that house, I take a different street now. It adds a minute or two, but it’s worth the peace of mind — for me and maybe for those dogs too.
🚴 My Go-To Dog Deterrent on Rides
Sometimes yelling isn’t enough. I’ve found that a quick squirt from my water bottle can stop a charging dog just long enough for me to get by. It’s not foolproof, but it works often enough to keep it in reach.
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I’m not mad at the dogs. They’re doing what dogs do. But I wish their owner understood the risk — not just to me, but to them. Because one of these days, it’s not going to be a cyclist passing by. It’s going to be a truck. And no one wins then.
So yeah, I ride a little differently now. But I still ride. And every time I steer down that new street, I remind myself — safety first. For me, and for the dogs.
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