Dogs.
I’ve tried all kinds of techniques. Usually dismounting the bike and putting it between me and the beast. I’ve never been a stick person because, well, I’m afraid of losing my balance. You can find me sometimes with pockets of rocks…or rocks placed on top of my bar bag…awaiting my victim. If no rock, I just pretend to throw one.
The closer I got to Central Asia, I got more and more warnings of the dogs.
Until I met Nathan, of www.cyclingtowardsthesun.com, and mentioned to bark like a dog.
So, up through the mountains of Kyrgyzstan…I passed 2 nasty mutts eating out the inside of a horse carcass. It had probably died during the winter and was thawing for their buffet. I noticed them, and kept going…
Needless to say, I attracted their attention more than the rotting horse. I’ve been dealing with dogs close to 20,000km and I’m just sick and tired of it. I’ve cursed out locals that stand by and watch…I’ve thrown all types of my possessions at them (the dogs and once the owners)…I’ve had to get off the bike after riding a real nice pace…for them. I hate you. Really…I hate you.
I’ve had enough…I jump off the bike and drop it over. Start running towards them with my “War Cry” and behaving like the leader of MY PACK. Yes, I’ve lost it…I’m crazy…
Not so, hope you’ll read the article. I’m not the only she-dog out there.
Dealing With Aggressive Dogs: Make Your Bark Worse than Your Bike . Also, the Adventure Journal, one of my favorite online reads.