Day miles: Dogbait Rides Again!
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.
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".
As a retired mailman....welcome to my world!