Only a Fool and No Fool

A few days ago, I was headed north in Ocean Shores and, what to my wondering eyes did I see other than someone on a bike headed against traffic. Now, that is not totally unusual by itself, but the wrong-way dweeb had a dog on a leash running alongside his bike. I thought about yelling out, but then the missive "only a fool argues with a fool" took hold and I simply shook my head in wonderment about whether the guy would fall due to the dog diverting his front wheel, due to the dog darting toward a nearby dear just as oncoming traffic approached, or simply due to some other cause. In any event, it did not seem like a teachable moment. I consoled reflecting on how cycling is fun and safe, even when practiced by someone completely clueless.

Yesterday and today, I saw more intelligent actions. Yesterday, I came across a black bear about three blocks from my Ocean Shores house. The bear saw me shortly afterwards and took off, not wanting to tangle with an apex predator on a Schwinn Cruiser. Today, the same thing happened when I encountered a coyote just south of our local IGA Grocery. These two were no fools!

For the record, the bear looked well fed. The coyote not as much, but not emaciated either.

No Dogs or Bicycles Allowed

Dogs and Bicycles are Banned from the Wooden Boardwalks in Yellowstone Park

I notice things related to both dogs and bicycles more than a lot of people that don't own dogs or ride bicycles. Recently, we passed through Yellowstone National Park. My loyal reader may know that it is the World's first National Park. It was created under US Grant and was largely protected under the leadership of Theodore Roosevelt. My reader might also know that many hot springs are accessed via wooden boardwalks that pass over the hot and unstable ground. Dogs and bicycles are prohibited from these boardwalks.

I suspect that bicycles are prohibited in order to keep people from riding on the sometimes slick boardwalks. Bike racks are provided, such as the one shown below.

Bike Racks are Provided for Bicycles. Locks Not Provided.

It might not be quite so clear why dogs are also prohibited; particularly those on leashes. Well, dogs have been known to lunge at passing people and it'd be pretty gruesome if a passerby fell into a hot spring while trying to avoid that aggressive dog. My own theory is that dogs are banned in order to protect water dogs such as Labrador Retrievers such as my own. He's been know to leap off docks into unknown waters, and even sometimes when on a leash. I'd hate to see Fergus jump off a boardwalk into one of those clear but nearly boiling springs. Some prohibitions just make sense.

I'd Hate to Imagine a Dog after Extraction from an Inviting-Looking, but Nearly Boiling Spring

So Quickly They Change

It seems like yesterday (actually this last Spring) that Fergus joined us. You may see him as he was, HERE. In November, he discovered snow, HERE. Now, he's become that wild and crazy dog! Actually, mostly, he's been a pretty good dog.

When You Can't Ride

Fergus

Well, continuing on my quest of getting in one piece before the end of October, I've begun to walk. I seem to have picked up an enthusiastic companion who's now double the size he was in the picture below.

Initial experiments with a bike trailer have been mixed so far...

Go Outside, Shaggy

Chandra, Contemplating Coffee

 

Shaggy Goes Outside

Last Friday, I made my last commute. It passed without any events of note, much like the 487 bike commutes that preceded it. No close calls. No motorists out for blood. But that is the event of a post not far off in the future. In the meantime, today's post means a lot more. It may represent the last time I see "Shaggy."

Honda Stickers

Hopefully, it will not be the last I see of Chandra, first noted on this blog here. It was nearly four years ago - crimeny, where has the time gone? Since then, there have been many shared experiences. We went to cycling school together - twice. We also went to instructor school together. Besides various rides and other events. For a sampling of them, go here. Greatly neglected in all these events has been Shaggy, the long-suffering dog, and the Honda with the bumper stickers on it.

It seems that Chandra is leaving North Texas, and his last day at work here was the same as my own. I hope we'll have more to do together in the future. Still, it may be the last time I saw Shaggy in all his glory...

Chandra in "High Vis"

Honking Desperately

The Scofflaw Looked Much Like this Springer Spaniel of George Bush
From Wikipedia. It was Having NEARLY as Much Fun!

I've heard it expressed that motorists honk out of irritation or aggression. I can assure y'all that they honk for other reasons as well. What's more, Friday's episode illustrates a reason for cyclists to favor less trafficked routes in order to connect better with our motoring friends.

On Friday, I was riding to work. Lately, I have been taking my "fog route," which is AT LEAST a full minute slower than my usual route. Or it would be if there weren't construction slowing down my usual route in order to build more freeway lanes so my motorists can drive on them. While I'm not wild about my share of taxes to pay for such special-purpose facilities, there are lots of motorist taxpayers and it might lighten up traffic a little along my routes - AFTER they get past the building of this giant project and all its inconveniences.

Anyway, riding along the fog route, off to my left, I heard a loud HONK! It was a lady in a pickup. Moments later, ahead and off to my left, I noticed a playful-looking springer spaniel. It was running. Then I heard it again - HONK! Then I noticed that the dog took a brief glance over its shoulder and picked up the pace as it ran through yards. Suddenly, the honking acquired perspective. The lady in the pickup, unable to get the dog to come or otherwise stop its fun, tried honking as a last, desperate resort.

Having had some experience with dogs, I continued along for a bit, until I decided, "I CAN help here!" First, I did a little swerve to reduce the distance between me and the spaniel. Next, in my loud voice, I shouted "BAD dog!" It proved unnecessary to add "Off the couch!" The dog's attention had been gained. This seems to be something most dogs understand, especially when it comes from strangers. To further entice it, I stopped and held out a clenched fist in invitation for a little sniffing acquaintance. THAT was irresistible. I'd made a friend.

Next thing you know, the lady had abandoned the pickup and had the friendly scofflaw by the collar. Case closed. And an entirely different plane of cyclist/motorist cooperation than you'd EVER see on an arterial. And, my friend was gone - spirited back to its rightful home. Perhaps we'll meet once again. It really puts honking in a more favorable light, though I'm not sure how honking would convince any self-respecting dog to come back.

That Dog Was Caught Right About Here

Had the Dog Dumped Anything, His Owner Might Have Heard from the EPA

 

Couch Potato

Stand-In for a Dog that Chased Me.
I Suspect Both are Couch Potatoes at Heart

It's really nice to be back in Northeast Tarrant County after a week off the bike while in Montreal. It's extra nice since Autumn is now in full swing and things change daily. I even got to try something I've been pondering for a while. Namely, what I'd do the next time a dog came after me. Well, at least it was SORT of a dog. It looked a lot like the little guy that's become my buddy, in the photo below. Well, the scofflaw in question was a bit bigger, but he was after blood. Or so it seemed. Instead of waiting for a bite, so I'd have to call animal control, I tried an alternate tactic.

No Need for the Speed Dial With My Effective Warning

THIS TIME, I tried something I think I remember Doohickie suggesting. Namely, I shouted out: "GET OFF THE COUCH!" Confused, the dog backed off. Afterwards, I concluded that I should make things even simpler for the NEXT potential attacker. I'm training myself so my automatic reaction will be: "BAD DOG OFF THE COUCH!"

But, there was even MORE excitement this week. As a matter of fact, it rained today. As in REAL rain. Checking back, this hasn't happened since last May. Unlike during our summer heat, people at work were amazed once again that I rode in to work. Even more amazing is that I stayed dry - UNTIL the walk in to the building from the parking lot bike rack. Those mud puddles without shoe covers can be treacherous. My shoes got sopping wet simply because those blue covers come off for the last little walk to inside. My motoring friends had the same risk. Some avoided the puddles. Some shared my fate.

Blue Booties Only Work Until You Take Them Off!

I've forgotten some of the finer points about wet weather commute cycling. Like the gloves will NOT be dry by the ride home, so it is a wise cyclist that takes an extra pair of gloves along when it's raining out. The change of seasons brings lessons to be learned once again.

Still, there's a taste of summer about. The ride home was mid 80's and sunny. The only remnant of the predawn rainstorm was the rain gear stuffed into my man purse.

Enjoy the Afternoon Warmth - It'll Be Gone Soon!

The First Left Has Pluses, Too

This morning, I went to work to do some cleanup prior to hunting for Canadian colorful trees. After all, we're in the process of becoming desert here in North Texas. Correcting an oversight in my last post, I included my favorite little barker I get the privilege of seeing when I take THE FIRST LEFT instead of the second.

This little guy just might suck me into bringing along dog treats for my morning commutes.

Howdy!

Stick Around Long Enough, and this Little Guy Will Still Give out a "Yip!"

The last photo is evidence that all the best bikes are red, albeit with lots of white as well. AND, in case anyone thought to ask, I gave the establishment in the last photo a hard time about having no bike rack, nor proper place to lock up a bike.

No Bike Rack Here. I Guess They Haven't Grasped the Concept that Cyclists Spend Money - YET...

Close Call Teaches a Lesson

Most of my riding is in the suburbs. Dog problems are rare around my neck of the woods, and particularly on a day like yesterday when the sun is really HOT. In over 13000 miles of commuting, I have only experienced two dog incidents and the first one wasn't really serious at all. Yes, I get barked at, but mostly, the barkers are penned up in yards and mostly the barking occurs in the morning. Yesterday, got a little scary, so I've taken steps.

Crime Scene

Inky Stands in for the Scofflaw

I was riding just north of the lighthouse mailbox when some kids and a "mutt" came along. With no warning, the dog decided to come after me, right in the middle of the street. My initial reaction was to attempt to swerve right to avoid catching the dog in my front wheel. Then the dog came after my exposed left calf. I have rarely experienced so much dog slobber so quickly. Fortunately, the dog then called off its play attack and the slobber dried quickly in the 108F heat.

This time I got lucky. The dog didn't sink its teeth in. It would not have been pleasant to get bit. Sometimes a close call prepares us for the future.

So, what have I done? Well, to start with, I've programmed all the local animal control contact phone numbers into my cell phone. I figure if I ever DO get bit, I'll try to take an ID shot of the animal and then immediately call animal control.

Easy Peace of Mind, or at Least it is SOMETHING

What else did I do? Well, I stopped on the way home to catch some breath, imitate John Romeo Alpha, and take a bike shot.

Bike Cheesecake

My List for Non-functioning Traffic Signals

For the record, had I had effective dog repellant, I would not have had the time or presence of mind to use it. At least I can call the dog police AFTER an incident and get the dog under observation for rabies.Besides, such incidents are so rare that I'd HATE to lug stuff I probably wouldn't use anyway. It'd be almost as bad as lugging a 357 magnum along just in case some motorist gets out of line.

Somewhere in North Texas

Click on any image for larger version

Yesterday, a few of us went along with Chris, of Pondero, to see some of what appeals to him in his neighborhood, in the area somewhere beyond Sanger, Texas. These pictures were taken with my cellphone camera. I've got others I took with my film camera that are in for developing.

Besides Chris and his friend, Keith, Chandra of GreenCoMotion and RatTrap led the way. I tagged along on Buddy.

We rolled along gravel roads that seemed to just go on and on. It's early December in North Texas so the trees are getting a little past their prime, but the temperature is low enough that sweat is the least of our problems.

The area was more densely populated in the early 20th Century than nowadays. Along the way, the chimney, at left, was the only evidence of past occupants. There were cacti growing around and a tree growing from the hearth. After consideration, Chris decided the chimney was leaning a little more than he liked.

RatTrap's Takara was well set up for a trip like this. Any narrower, and his tires would have made the ride unpleasant. Two water bottles were perfect for the 40 mile trip out and back. This guy DID get a little carried away with the pictures. I dread what he may have captured.

Chandra's "Children" are sure to think dimly of some of the friends he made along the way. We saw more dogs in this day than one would in a month of commuting in NE Tarrant County.

In contrast to the original plan to do a one-way ride to Muenster, we went to the Rosston General Store and back. I think it was a good choice. This place was a real trip back in time. One of the gas pumps listed the price of gas as 87.9 cents per gallon. I got a huge amount of sunflower seeds for $2. RatTrap got BBQ. Some of the others got photos of the Lone Star ad, which had a lady standing next to her bicycle. Americana in all its glory. I notice that she was not wearing cycle-specific attire, and that her bike had drop bars.

The trip back went much faster than the trip out, as we had a tail wind behind us. Still, as Chris demonstrates, there was ample opportunity for a little showing off. We had no hills at all on the return trip, as evidenced by Chandra declining to sell me his two-leg kickstand after topping one of the small rises we encountered.

This is a ride about as far away from urban and suburban riding as it is possible to get. During the entire route, we had about a half dozen pickups pass us on the "CR" roads and maybe another dozen pass us on the rest of the route. The cows paid no attention to the pickups, but were VERY attentive to passing cyclists. Many thanks to Chris, and I imagine that we'll be seeing nice photos from the other attendees before long. Thanks to all for letting me tag along!

Goodbye, Old Friend

Per comments, it appears a dog post is required for cyclist blogs. Here it is. As you might guess, ChipSeal's legs have nothing to fear from this dog. Chip would be blocks away before Inky managed to walk to the street.