A regular ride, with dogs

In winter I ride the gravel roads. There's less traffic, and less ice, but there are more dogs. In summer I ride the highway about as often as I ride the gravel. When it's raining, I ride the pavement. When it's not, I usually ride the gravel. What gives me pause about the gravel in summer, are the dogs. 

There are two sets of dogs along the gravel way, about a mile apart. The first pair charge out pretty hard together and then the male takes over, coming within two or three feet of my pedals and "herding" me by moving from one side to the other. He's an asshole, but he's never bitten. Still, he pisses me off, especially in winter, because who needs to worry about what a dog's going to do when you're riding through snow. 

The second pair are led by the male who charges really hard, snarling and coming up on the near side. If it's a windy day and I can't ride as fast as he can run, he cuts me off and forces me to move over and change paths. Once, during the winter before last, he came out so hard he crossed my path just as I got there, and I ran into him and went down. He's an annoying, dangerous, asshole. 

Both dog pairs have owners who know they are a menace. Both dog owners seem to be at a loss about what to do, or they don't think it's that big a deal. Well it is to me, and in spring, summer, and fall, I sometimes choose to ride the pavement just to avoid the dogs. I know, I'm a wimp.

Today I rode gravel in the morning and both dogs were out in fine form. I paid as little attention to them as possible, which seems to be the best tactic. On the way home, I road the pavement. The morning was about 8'C with a light Northwest wind, and the afternoon was around 20'C with a steady Northeast wind.