You could carry a second water bottle with a vinegar solution in it. It should be strong enough to distract them. In a situation where I'm being chased by a dog(S) pepper spray is certainly justified. Bear spray is stronger & better.
If the dog is someone's pet it should be penned or leashed & there's no reason I should be injured or held responsible for their unleashed mutt.
In Bosnia if there are feral dogs around it sounds like they were hunting & Haris could have been dinner.

In Bosnia if there are feral dogs around it sounds like they were hunting & Haris could have been dinner.

Now, that would be twist of food chain :)

Now, that would be twist of food chain :)
Hmmmm... how tasty are you Haris? Do you watch your health? Are you a healthy snack? You don't want to give the poor animals indigestion...

:)

One would have to taste, not to trust my words...

Haris, I will keep you in mind as a last resort, like if we were stuck inside a tunnel without food surrounded by enemy soldiers...
Anyway.
I bought a cheap floor pump and pumped my tires. They are Kenda Sport Cruising 700*35C tires (hybrid, trekking off road, between slick and mountain, with few small ridges that is) and on them they say that they go from 50 to 75 psi. I pumped them at 60 front, 60-something back. They were at about 40 before and went easily to 60 but "stopped" there. Is this good?

:)

One would have to taste, not to trust my words...


I read somewhere that one of the reasons homo sapiens were allowed to evolve or survive--being sabertooth tiger food and all, was that we smelled and tasted bad.

Tonight, I've crowned myself a "cyclist".
Not because I've done thousands of kilometers, for my longest ride so far was about twenty.
Not because I am an activist, I have only taken part in a couple of bike rides (CM for most) but I am looking for someone to write articles in the newspaper.
Not because I have an expert knowledge of bicycles, as I still don't know how the hell they work and how I should inflate my tires.
Not because I do tens of kilometers every day commuting, as I live right in the heart of the city with everything in very short walking distance, even my job (when its not on my studio/home).
Not because I've joined a club or have "cycle buddies" to go excursions with, as I don't have the stamina yet.
But, because, I just felt it. I felt that I like riding my bicycles. That I like bicycles in general. And that I will be riding a bicycle in the future, especially if I remain as poor as I am now.
I even got a pair of lycra bib shorts in case I do a longer ride. Man, they sure look like a piece of fetish clothing out of an BDSM orgy!

Tonight, I've crowned myself a "cyclist".
...I even got a pair of lycra bib shorts in case I do a longer ride. Man, they sure look like a piece of fetish clothing out of an BDSM orgy!

Ari, lycra bibs are sooooooooo fetish! You don't really want to look like Sacha Baron Cohen in that ghastly flick do you!? Plain lycra knicks or "three-quarters" (end just below knee) are the way to go and they won't slip down if fit is correct. Leave bibs for the flesh-ripping, spray-lubed glamour-pusses on the latest ZIPPY carbon bikes (I am wrong, no, that you're not in that category??). Besides, you sashay into a cafe in bibs and you're guaranteed a few curt words from the barista! Some cafes here (Australia) won't even serve cyclists in traditional knicks, sacre bleau, they're marched out the door. Be careful.

Bibs are way more comfortable than shorts though, just don't wear your shirt or jersey under the straps.

Around here there are no cafes close enough to bother going to by bike, so no worries about the reaction of the baristas.

I did have some fat guy driving an SUV ask me if I needed a ride once though.:rolleyes:

Nope, I ain't wearing them above my shirt! That's the reason I didn't get a cycling jersey. I didn't want to look like a cycling athlete, just wanted to be more comfortable. I still will reserve the shorts for special long rides though, not for my everyday cycling. The heat is such that I need to change my boxers every time I finish a ride and leave the rest of the clothing outside to dry. We still have three-four weeks of warmth yet, but it might be the case I will only wear the bib shorts once or twice before next summer. Just the seller sold me on them being more comfortable than the plain shorts that tie to your belly and since I will only wear them on special occasions I thought why not go with the whole bit? After all, other people can't see how you're holding them up with a shirt on top. Great for the orgies though. Even though I am sure the crotch pillow could be a problem.
Forgot to ask for a creme though...
As for cafes... they will look at your strangely for not looking like a typical Greek (and I with my flat caps and now bicycle helmet don't, even though the rest is pretty Cretan-like), but they will serve everybody. We get enough British and American tourists to be used to strange creatures. ;)

Btw, am I ok with my tire pressure? Don't wanna be bunny hopping around town.

BD, it seems the fat guy liked you... where you wearing tight lycra? ;)

60 pounds pressure should be ok given the range printed on the tire. Higher pressures will yield a little less rolling resistance, to a point, but you sacrafice some comfort. Lower pressures allow the tire absorb more shock to give a softer ride, but with some increase in rolling resistance. 60 lbs is probably a reasonable compromise.

The "correct" pressure really depends on your weight. The idea is that the pressure should be enough to yield an optimum contact patch where the tire presses on the road. Lighter riders need less pressure in the tire than heavier riders to accomplish that. There is no easy way to measure the contact patch though, so you go with what feels good.

Pressure that is too low will result in pinch flats caused by the innertube getting pinched between the rim and the tire.

Yes, I was wearing lycra bib shorts. And no, I wouldn't consider myself a "flesh-ripping, spray-lubed glamour-puss". My wife likes the way I look though ;)


BD

Lower pressure also gives you more traction. If you find yourself needing more traction, you can let air out of the tire.

I've been meaning to get a pair of the performance boulder short. It's basically a cargo short with a liner that contains a chamois. Baggy shorts allow you to look less dorky.

And no, I wouldn't consider myself a "flesh-ripping, spray-lubed glamour-puss". ;)

BD


BD speak for yourself, I consider myself a "flesh-ripping, spray-lubed glamour-puss."

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x126/BIGSTOOGE84/devo20bkstge20max20kc_std.jpg

On a serious note, I just read the following article in this morning's paper, nothing earth-shattering, but it's nice to see in print what we already know, and maybe someone else is taking note.

U.S. left in dust by global cycle boom (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008149178_bicycles31.html)

Terry

Yep, it's not news to me either.
All the automobile ads that come up with the article are a nice touch as well.

I'd like to be wrong, but I doubt that commuting by bicycle will ever have real traction here, there are just too many people who have power who's financial interests would not be served by large numbers of people commuting by bike.


As Mr Churchill said, we try every method of getting things wrong before doing it the right way.

Terry, we need a photo of your lycra glamour. You know you want to show off your bod!

A bit back in this thread Andy and I gave some links to songs about bicycles.
I can't believe I forgot this one, from a well known Greek popular singer which was a hit back in its day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eka5dSS06so
Kostas Makedonas, "The Bicycle"
"... our bicycles, like our dreams, know of uphills..."

Terry, we need a photo of your lycra glamour. You know you want to show off your bod!

A bit back in this thread Andy and I gave some links to songs about bicycles.
I can't believe I forgot this one, from a well known Greek popular singer which was a hit back in its day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eka5dSS06so
Kostas Makedonas, "The Bicycle"
"... our bicycles, like our dreams, know of uphills..."

I can remember one song that came across as memorable. If you can get the hang of it, Freddie Mercury has a cracker of a song about cycling, though it can be a bit monotonous in repetition:

http://www.lyricstime.com/freddie-mercury-bicycle-race-lyrics.html

Bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my bike
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride it where I like...

I can remember one song that came across as memorable. If you can get the hang of it, Freddie Mercury has a cracker of a song about cycling, though it can be a bit monotonous in repetition:
You haven't read that part of the thread Mr.Fish it seems... :)

You haven't read that part of the thread Mr.Fish it seems... :)

You're right there. It's such a trial to find just the last thread in a sea of threads...

Anyway, I'll be away from the computer and studio for 2 days from early Tues morn while I get a rainforest stream and waterfall shoot under way; collected some fresh RVP on my 'milk run' (on 'Daisy' the mountain bike!). It's spring and the daylight hours are getting longer (well, at least Downunder...!). Really good rains here are stoking many of the streams and falls so it's exciting.

...Back Thursday...
.::Fishfinger::.

I had stopped in an intersection without lights (unfortunately there are too many of them in this city), waiting for the way to clear of cars before making a left. I was right in the middle of the street, with a taxi cab behind me.
Suddenly I felt a strong push from the car in the back.
I turned and furiously spat out a "what are you doing asshole?", but the drive made an apologetic gesture with his two hands and mouth and seemed sincere. Stopping the car a hair from your back wheel and stepping on the gas on the slightest movement, that's a common behavior of the taxi bastards and I don't like their lack of respect for everyone.
But, I've been generally high strung lately, bottling a lot of bad energy inside of me and I didn't like my reaction. I felt as if I was waiting for someone to do something like that so I can let the steam out. And he was sincere.
I don't want to turn into an angry driver, like them.
I have to contain my emotions and be more at peace.
Sure, people do stupid things. Motorists, pedestrians and other cyclists. And they do them an almost every ride. So, I can't let bad feelings and an ugly environment get to me.

Can I get advice on rain gear?
Here in Crete the winter is very mild.
We only get rain some days and it depends on the year. Last winter for example had very little rain.
But, there is the chance that I might take the bicycle on a rainy day.
For fun.
I was thinking of not investing on a waterproof jacket because I won't need it often and plus, I would like to be able to wear my normal clothes and coat. The distances around town are too small to wear special clothing just for the bike and then change. I do that only when I return home and I am very sweaty or wet. I might get one only if I decide to do some long touring during rain weather which is of very low possibility.
Now, I was thinking of a classical rain cape.
I've seen a couple of manufacturers like Carradice (http://www.carradice.co.uk/rainwear/pro-route-rainwear.shtml) and J&G Cyclewear (http://www.bicycleclothing.com/Rain-Capes.html), but neither is able to sell me off their online store.
So, where can I get a rain cape and a helmet cover?
If push comes to shove, I guess I can always get something cheap from a supermarket.

Have you tried Amazon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=cycling+cape&tag=googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=1336316409&ref=pd_sl_3cduyakaux_b)?

Have you tried Amazon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=cycling+cape&tag=googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=1336316409&ref=pd_sl_3cduyakaux_b)?
Thanks Andy, but
"Delivery Restrictions: This item can only be delivered within the UK"
as with many cycling gear I looked at lately. :(

Did you see this page (http://www.carradice.co.uk/stockists.htm) on the Carradice site? "If you are outside of the UK and there is no stockist near you please use our mail order page to check prices and order our products."

Did you see this page (http://www.carradice.co.uk/stockists.htm) on the Carradice site? "If you are outside of the UK and there is no stockist near you please use our mail order page to check prices and order our products."
No, but I saw this in all their ponchos: "Currently Out Of Stock"