Dogs Life

[Simon]

Well this isn't a tech posting just an experiance I thought I'd share,I'm sure many of you have experianced something similar,whilst out on my favourite trail on a particularly fast d/hill section and approaching a r/hand cambered turn,I could see a couple of walkers coming up the hill oblivious to me approaching them at speed, now on this trail walkers are advised to stay off as cyclists may have trouble stopping in time,now as I'd seen them I had time to shout a warning as I fast approached them,it seemed to do the trick just in time,but the sigh of relief was short lived the walkers moved out of the way but there dogs which where off the lead just didn't no which way to go,momentary panic,hard on the brakes which ever way I went so did the dogs until I just clipped one just slighty putting me of line, so up the camber I went straight towards a tree,panic again, can't go left near shear drop so that was it, full on the brakes bike slides slightly down the drop but I manage to stop just before the fast approaching tree, all but thrown half over the bars,get up polite word with the walkers (dogs aren't allowed off the lead in the park etc) carried on, chain now jumping,fix damaged chain I always carry a chain breaker and some spare links,then go round trail again,moral of the story some walkers are just stupid.Simon [smiley=blankstare.gif]

[keen]

 Most of the trails I frequent are multi use- People, bike, horses. It seems though that quite a few people despise bikers. I have a bell and call out/ slow down, if needed ,when passing. I don't think I have ever seen any dogs on leashes? I am pretty sure there are leash laws in most parks? I am 100% curtious unless someone is in the wrong and then they will recieve an earfull.

[Carbon_Angus]

This is my biggest PET Peeve of shared use trails.

i don't blame the dogs, but i have given their SMUG owners a tongue lashing or two. And believe me it all comes out !@*^&%# !!!

A few weeks ago i had to go through some brush off the trail cause some dweeb "dog owner" was letting his dog "parade" out in front.  Poor pooch and what about me??? I can't read their (dog's mind) other than i prepare for them making the wrong move.

The ones who have their beloved mutt on a 15 YARD leash tethered just waiting to clothesline my front tire are just as negligent. Bell or no bell.

i am A-L-M-O-S-T pissed off enough to stop, get off and give my 2 cents nose to nose with these morons, but I remember i am out to have fun and won't let them spoil my ride.

HORSES are another story. i  always chill when i see one and wait for their mount to tell me what to do. I really don't like coming up behind a horse, afraid of spooking it.

then of course there are the "ANGUS" i find occasionaly in the Sierra. i can here them before i see them...and i "appwoach vewy, vewy carefuwy" 'till they see or hear me and they thunder off.

[Jeff77]

As a dog owner and a mountain biker in crowded NJ; I see the conflicts often... Around my area, there are trails which are multi-use (80%) as well as a few for foot travel only. This allows for the elderly; or irresponsible dog owners to have their area, while allowing MTB's plenty of space... The rules are fairly strictly inforced (dogs on leash), on the multi-use trails which is as it should be. I agree, a loose dog is a major problem...

[Dennis]

funny you should post this topic today. I was out riding on a local MTB ONLY one way loop trail (Stillwell Woods for anyone in the LI area) and not only did I encounter two hikers walking the wrong way (there is a hiking only trail next to the bike trail) but each of them had TWO large unleashed dogs in front of them. The first guy was on the phone as he was walking and as I came around a corner at pretty high speed I came upon his dogs in the middle of the trail in front of me so I stopped rather than run into them. The guy just turned and walked off into the woods without interrupting his phone conversation for a second. I guess he thought I was going to say something to him. Which I did anyway, and it wasn't calm or nice, either. Then further along and the next lap I came upon two more dogs, unleashed, who were in front of a female hiker.
Dog owners, why do you have to have two dogs? isn't one enough?
anyway, I wish these morons would stick to the hiking trail.
Also, I came upon a couple, looking to be in their mid-30's, on comfort bikes, no helmets, going the wrong way. I politely told them that the trail went the other way and they would likely get hit and get hurt by people going the right way. Mind you, this is quite a gnarly trail in places. roots, rocks, sand, up and down steep gullies and such. The guy says " I didn't see any signs about it being one way" instead of thanking me for correcting them. anyway, the next lap I come upon them again, still going the wrong way, except as they were going up a steep downhill as I was going down I inadvertently tried my best to wipe the guy out. It didn't work, but at least I scared him. They were such newbies that the woman's bike had these things on the spokes that slid along them as the wheel turned. I hope nobody killed them.

anyway, a good thing that happened was that all my road riding since July (appox. 2000 miles) has really paid off in my ability to climb on the Oz.
also, as I did over 20 miles today, I am getting used to the feel of the Oz and I am liking it better and better and it is starting to feel smaller.
I also met a guy with a Disco Monkey and told him about the forum.
also, a question for you younger guys, how come the young guys I see only do one lap (about 5 miles) on the trail and can't climb worth beans. I can't tell you how many guys I passed going up hills who are probably half my age. ( I just turned 48 Friday).
seems us older guys have more stamina.
well, thats my perspective.
[smiley=groucho.gif]