illininagel
11-25-2004, 16:15
I just completed a long bike ride via farm roads in Central Illinois. From past experience, I knew that I might run into some aggressive farm dogs during the ride.
During my last ride, I was able to out-run two dogs. However, at one point two dogs were facing me from up ahead on the road! :eek: Not wishing to turn around and add four miles to my trek, I took a chance and proceeded directly by them. They ended up being friendly enough and trotted along side me for a few blocks before tiring and turning back home. :dance
This time I was armed with pepper spray. I figured that if any of the dogs came at me, the pepper spray might work to turn them away.
I had never bought or used pepper spray before. I bought a small cannister at Galyans for about $15. I was told that the range was 10 feet for this cannister. That didn't seem like much of a range while pedaling at 15 mph in very windy conditions on an open road!
Fortunately, I did not need to use the spray. Two dogs did chase me for a while, but gave up after I accelerated past them. Another dog came after me, but stopped right at the border of his property.
I was wondering if anyone reading this has ever actually used mace or pepper spray. If so, what was your experience? Is it a good idea to have spray during an AT thru-hike? I think I am more concerned about the dogs than the bears. Besides, pepper spray might aggravate a bear more than deter it.
:-?
It seems like the bear spray cannisters are heavy, large and expensive. Although, the range of bear cannisters approaches 30 feet. The cannister runs dry in just under six seconds!
Bear Spray (http://www.homesafetyonline.com/Products/80346.asp)
During my last ride, I was able to out-run two dogs. However, at one point two dogs were facing me from up ahead on the road! :eek: Not wishing to turn around and add four miles to my trek, I took a chance and proceeded directly by them. They ended up being friendly enough and trotted along side me for a few blocks before tiring and turning back home. :dance
This time I was armed with pepper spray. I figured that if any of the dogs came at me, the pepper spray might work to turn them away.
I had never bought or used pepper spray before. I bought a small cannister at Galyans for about $15. I was told that the range was 10 feet for this cannister. That didn't seem like much of a range while pedaling at 15 mph in very windy conditions on an open road!
Fortunately, I did not need to use the spray. Two dogs did chase me for a while, but gave up after I accelerated past them. Another dog came after me, but stopped right at the border of his property.
I was wondering if anyone reading this has ever actually used mace or pepper spray. If so, what was your experience? Is it a good idea to have spray during an AT thru-hike? I think I am more concerned about the dogs than the bears. Besides, pepper spray might aggravate a bear more than deter it.
:-?
It seems like the bear spray cannisters are heavy, large and expensive. Although, the range of bear cannisters approaches 30 feet. The cannister runs dry in just under six seconds!
Bear Spray (http://www.homesafetyonline.com/Products/80346.asp)