Cali Bicyclists Beware

I've been face-to-face with both types of animals while bicycling, and you'd think that with the ability to sprint in excess of 50mph, the mountain lion would be the bigger threat... but staring at the eyes of a baby bear along a trail in Chequamegon National Forest is by far the worse...

because Momma Bear is usually coming around your flank.

But here's the one that was closest-to-home:

About nine-or-so years back, a jogger running along one of our (really nice) bicycle paths came upon a well-known local cyclist, unconcious and on the ground, glasses broken, helmet smashed (but still on!) both wheels bent into a potato-chip shape, and a piece of deer antler jammed into his left lung.

He survived... and resumed riding, but doesn't remember ever getting run over.  They were able to determine by fur on him, and in the area, that he was struck broadside from a fairly large buck... it flattened him as he was coming around a corner along a wooded area.

Most of the time, it's just dogs.  I either talk to them, or bark at them loud and mean... which confuses them.  Some (the ones I better know, and expect) will be the opponent of a sprint... what we call 'interval training'... and many of the dogs know we do this, and they actually enjoy it, as we do (when we know, of course).  For a humorous illustration of this, watch the movie American Flyers sometime.  One of Kevin Costner's first movies... and partially based on very factual stuff.

Or an Hors D'oeuvre...

Bicyclists and joggers, though... they're generally pretty tough and wiry.  Young schoolchildren, house pets, gardeners and youthful mall-walkers are typically more tender and flavorful.  Wear a necklace of garlic... Not only do the pesky vampires stay away, big cats LOVE italian food...

(try it sometime... offer your kitty some Lasagnia... )

There is a good amount of bears just 30 miles away, and in fall when fating up they spread out a little. In so doing they get in town ever 10 years or so and get a free ride back to the country, if they are lucky. 

I know my dad talked of finding trees with lots of bear claw mark up in the highest and wildest parts of the coast range in some of his cowboying way back.