I had the pleasure of meeting Bandit, my first unleashed bike chasing farm dog yesterday for this tour. For my last tour I rode The Grand IL Trail and was bitten by a dog on my second day and chased twelve more times after that in the period of 10 days. For that I note carry pepper spray and have given myself the riding name, DOGBAIT.
I decided it would be worth it to go back over this rather large hill from my campsite back into the town of Hannibal MO for a cup of joe and see Mark Twain's boyhood home. I took all my bags off my bike for this and placed them in my tent going they'd still be there when i got back. OMG, the bike was so light. What a difference!
I had coffee at the very cool very friendly Java Jive.
Sam's home.
With the warm weather brought out the Buffalo Nats here in MO. I put in a second 90 mile day because of them. If i stop, there all over me in a matter of seconds. They seemingly love to go for the eyes and ears. I noticed if riding any slower than 10mph they're more than willing to keep me company. So this makes going up mile long hills all the more challenging.
I'm just about to climb one of those hills when i hear a dog to my right start to bark. He's with a young boy and i assume his older sister and yes, he unleaded and running for me. I'm not too worried at first because there is a deep ditch separating us and it's only getting deeper as i climb. The kids are screaming, "Bandit! No! Stop!" Bandit has other plans kids. He went right into the ditch and up the steep embankment like it was nothing. I grabbed the pepper spray that's Velcroed to my bike and aimed it at Bandit's border collie head. Now here's the thing, i really like dogs but I'm not going to let one bite me again. I also realize Bandit is just being.. well.. a dog. So, I showed restraint but if he got in reach of me, game on. Thankfully his little game ended. Because i also realize if i have to pepper spray a dog, the real danger is the owners of that dog when they find out and come after me down the road. Then it's, game over.
OK, back to the hills, nats, and purifying water from some green muddy looking creeks. I need a hotel! I'm dehydrated most of the time and sooo sore. I need a rest day! Not yet.. I'll rest when it's raining. Plus i have to get ahead of the rumors. There's a whispering low growl out on the street, "Dogbait is riding again".
I'm just about to climb one of those hills when i hear a dog to my right start to bark. He's with a young boy and i assume his older sister and yes, he unleaded and running for me. I'm not too worried at first because there is a deep ditch separating us and it's only getting deeper as i climb. The kids are screaming, "Bandit! No! Stop!" Bandit has other plans kids. He went right into the ditch and up the steep embankment like it was nothing. I grabbed the pepper spray that's Velcroed to my bike and aimed it at Bandit's border collie head. Now here's the thing, i really like dogs but I'm not going to let one bite me again. I also realize Bandit is just being.. well.. a dog. So, I showed restraint but if he got in reach of me, game on. Thankfully his little game ended. Because i also realize if i have to pepper spray a dog, the real danger is the owners of that dog when they find out and come after me down the road. Then it's, game over.
OK, back to the hills, nats, and purifying water from some green muddy looking creeks. I need a hotel! I'm dehydrated most of the time and sooo sore. I need a rest day! Not yet.. I'll rest when it's raining. Plus i have to get ahead of the rumors. There's a whispering low growl out on the street, "Dogbait is riding again".
RSS Feed