Biking along the D & R Canal

We started biking again after a long gap. This summer sucked weather wise and this year we could not bike as much as we have done in the past. Last weekend we set out with our bikes on the trails after lunch. Since we had eaten, we did not take anything to snack on (rather neither of us remembered to carry snacks). Fortunately we did not forget to take water and Gatorade! Anyway after about 10 miles we both started feeling hungry. The worse thing is that if you are hungry and there is nothing to munch on, you feel even hungrier. We were riding our bikes on the towpath along the Delaware and Raritan (D & R) canal. Usually we do carry sandwiches, smoothies and fruits and do not really notice the fact that there aren’t any places by the canal that one can go and snack like a small deli or a coffee place in the towns that we pass through. These are essentially suburban towns. We miss the ubiquitous chai wallah and vada pav wallah in Bombay. After this experience, I am certain that we will never forget to carry food with us! When we got back to our car we were so famished.

We love riding our bikes on the trails along the D & R canal. You will always see people jogging, fishing, and walking their dogs and sometimes see people riding horses as well. Anyway what is with people and their dogs? There is a sign on the gates, which clearly states that dogs must be on a leash. I really get annoyed when people do not have their dogs on the leash.

Sometime back when we were riding on the trails, this one jogger had his Rottweiler running loose. From a distance I saw the dog running towards me. I freaked out yet kept my composure, which is hard when you see a Rottweiler running towards you. I muster courage and politely request him to hold the dog. Mind you, when a man is with a Rottweiler you do not protest but very politely request. This man cheekily answers, “Oh don’t worry he is a baby...he is such a pussy.” Well sure he might be a meek dog but I do not want to be the first person that he decides to show his aggression to. However this dog was indeed very meek. He just ran past me and jumped into the canal. He was more interested in frolicking in the water than threatening a scared cyclist!

I watch the show, “Dog Whisperer” on the National Geographic channel. In one of the episodes the guy advised someone (who like me is petrified of dogs) to “Own your territory.” It is a sound advice but rather difficult to implement with strangers and their large dogs. Anyway I just hope people show more courtesy towards others who might not share their love for dogs or might just be nervous around them.

Anyway I love early fall when the weather is balmy. We took some pictures, which I will post later.