Yesterday, the women's group ride decided we should ride for ice cream. A new ice cream store called Clumpies opened up recently and it is on our route home. Visions of creamy, cold scoops of frozen dessert floated above our heads as we practiced sprinting and hill climbing. At the end of the summer, we may very well be the Clumpies racing team, finishing in last place with our new XXL jerseys and shorts.

One of the women on my ride was nearly attacked by a dog last night. We have problems with one particular house where they allow a Chow to run free and unfenced. The dog chases us every time we pass by, and doesn't look too friendly. Fast runner, too, since it is difficult to outsprint him. The residents of the house said, "Oh, he ain't gonna bite anybody" and went about their business. I yelled back, "It's a CHOW for God's sake!!!" The owners' attitude of ignorance is exactly the reason why dogs bite people. The owner thinks, "Aw, my precious little pit bull Boo-Boo would never hurt a flea!!!" Idiots. Anyhow, the situation needs to be rectified before someone gets hurt. I suppose that means one of us will be purchasing some pepper spray in the near future.

UPDATE: I called the Irondale PD and they sent the complaint to animal control. The animal control guy just called me asking for details regarding the dog and location of its home. He said he'd stop by there in the evening to see if the dog is running loose. I don't feel optimistic about this, since animal control would have to be there at exactly the right time and would have to be outside of his vehicle in order to provoke an attack.