Noob Riding Question...

[Graphics]

OK...so i'm riding every weekend at lake saltonstall and only once in awhile will my roommate come along. so for the most part i'm out there by myself. and as i get deeper into the woods...i always get freaked by the possibility of running into a wild animal and what i would do.

has anyone had any experiences or suggestions.

i've been told by the RWA that own the land that there can be black bear, wild cats and coyotes...coyotes being the more common and threatening of the group.

[MtnBkr]

the chances of running into a black bear are VERY rare. I would say you would see a coyote more at night..

If your really scared then i would bring an ipod. or something with some sound and it should scare them away if they are close but i doubt you will run into anyting. another thing is to take speakers that don't require power and just put that in a bag and plug in your ipod. i have done that once...quite fun..

[noreaster]

You have only a very small chance of encountering an animal that might be worrisome. And when you do, the vast majority of the time, they are going to be more scared of you than the opposite, and they'll want no part of you. That said, if you're still a little freaked, the one thing to consider is that you move quickly and quietly - you could theoretically surprise something around a blind curve. One thing that could counter that would be some sort of noise maker. I've read about hikers who attach small bells on their gear so that animals can hear them coming - you could attach one to your bar.

Just some thoughts.

[knwyman]

Personally, I'm more freaked out walking down the street of a metropolitan area than riding alone in the woods anytime. Although, I was tracked by something hiking down from St. Mary's glacier in Colorado at dusk when I got seperated from my group. Think it was a big cat of some sort but not sure.

But to your question, generally the animal will be as or more feaked out than you. I've run photographed black bear from a kayak at about 20 yards. They were a mother and cubs. When I got too close, Momma Bear stood up on here hinds and warned me to back off so I paddled gently backwards.

Kris

[Graphics]

thanks for all the advice. it makes me feel better just knowing that no one has posted up any horrible experiences...so i'll relax a bit in the numbers. :)

if anyone's interested in riding these trails in branford...shoot me a PM. I am trying to ride every weekend. they are not difficult trails so it would be a casual ride for most of you...although i've been told on the other side of the lake (which i haven't made it to yet) can be more technical. but since i'm a noob i'm kinda just picking a trail and seeing where it leads me.

[hogboy]

just back away slowly, make noise and embiggen yerself
it's the cromulent thing to do

do not run. if you run the critter is compelled to chase you

[Graphics]

You should be more worried about hikers (and bikers) with their dogs off leash. 100 times more people get injured or killed by domesticated dogs than any other kind of animal.

that's funny you should say that...i actually got attacked by a dog while walking a utility road that connects where my job is to where the local coffee shop is. bit me right on my butt before i even had a chance to turn around. i can say one thing...i never screamed like that before. EVER. suddenly fear and adrenelin kicked in and i knew i had to scream to get this animal off me. i wailed and flared my arms every which way i could till he got scared and released me. then he stood there still ready to fight...so i continued screaming and finally he took off. luckily it was a clean cut and not much stitches were needed. perhaps this is where my fear comes from. :rolleyes:

[SingleTrack]

Some of the trails I ride are out of my backyard that are just really in the middle of nowhere and not heavily traveled, so there is a lot of wildlife. I often see deer, and they always freak me out a bit, wondering if someday they are going to run at me rather than away.
One thing to be aware of, is that generally any animal you come across is going to head the other way unless they feel you're a threat to their young. So I'd just be observant of your surroundings and make sure you don't find yourself in between a momma bear and a baby bear, and all should be well. ;)

[AA]

I consider it a bonus to see wildlife while riding. If you are truly nervous about animals carry some pepper spray.

http://penncyclebuy.stores.yahoo.net/599-017.html

[Graphics]

I consider it a bonus to see wildlife while riding. If you are truly nervous about animals carry some pepper spray.

http://penncyclebuy.stores.yahoo.net/599-017.html

yea a friend of mine actually suggested that...or perhaps one of those small marina horns.

today while riding i came across some turkeys...i was practically right next to them before i even realized. they definitely took off in a hurry.

one of the RWA guys said that the coyotes are only a threat if in a pack. he did say however, the problem with them is that people are feeding them, so they are starting to lose their fear of man. stupid people. :mad:

[JPS]

If you ride a lot in the woods alone and are afraid of spooking wild cdritters, wear a bell on your camelback.

I ride alone a lot, and many times I'm up the the Whites doing the hike-a-bike thing. I've seen many a bear, moose, coyote, etc. The best bet is to let htem hear you first. We forget how stealthy we are on a bike...and teh bel, while not being obnoxious, will allow the critters to hear you coming. It has saved my butt several times.....expecially when the bear cubs start making a racket and mom comes out onto the trail to face you.

PS...don't run from critters like bear, wild cats, etc. It makes them think you are prey....and will chase you down.
Stand your ground....make yourself look big...and talk nicely to them.

(if you live in grizzly countyry...your REALLY got to let them know your coming!!)

[Husqvarna]

(if you live in grizzly countyry...your REALLY got to let them know your coming!!)


Yes, if you live in grizzley country, you should call them in advance and let them your coming for dinner. Grizzley's hate last minute changes to the menu.

[GeepNutt]

Glock 26

[Husqvarna]

Q. How do you tell grizzly bear scat from black bear scat?

A. Grizzly scat has peices of torn clothing and little bells in it.

Heard this one from our guide on a recent back country bike trip to Idaho. Park authorities in the grizzly belt have recently upped the effort of promoting the use of bells in the back country. However, some locals have doubts about the effectiveness of using bells to warn bears of your arrival. And that problem grizzlies might associate the jingling bells as a call to diner. I wonder, do the bears find those jingling bells as annoying as i do?

[DanKMTB]

I grew up riding, hiking and OHVing in an area with plenty of wildlife, the most common perceived threat being foxes and coyote's. Like another poster, I consider these encounters to be a bonus. I can back the others who have said that the animals are usually more afraid of you than you are of them. I know someone who has a bell attached to their camelback, and that will work to warn the critters of your presence (or desire to sell raffle tickets) as well. Overall I'd say don't sweat it, but if it'll get you some piece of mind attach a bell to your backpack.

[JPS]

sounds like a Poe poen.

I like the tinkly sound bells make. You have to search around a bit and find just the right one. Kind of a Zen thing.

[Husqvarna]

I consider it a bonus to see wildlife while riding. If you are truly nervous about animals carry some pepper spray.

http://penncyclebuy.stores.yahoo.net/599-017.html

Most of you may already know this, but pepper spray intended for use against humans and dogs will not do anything but maybe piss a bear off.

Pepper spray intended to scare off a bear is much more powerful. So powerful that if its not used correctly, and you could get yourself into trouble if any wind drift comes back on you when using it, it could easily leave you incapacitated and cause serious respitory damage.

http://www.udap.com/

[AA]

The small cans of pepper sray are more like seasoning for the hiker/biker so the Grizzly has a better culinary experience....

[Aktion]

I consider it a bonus to see wildlife while riding. If you are truly nervous about animals carry some pepper spray.

http://penncyclebuy.stores.yahoo.net/599-017.html

I agree it's a real bonus to see wildlife. I usually see deer, thats about it.

Either the pepper spray or an air horn.

[bullitfreerider]

Have run into bears out in Westhampton MA. The other day on the trail, a black bear hunter told me he was challenged one day sans rifle, by a black bear. The bear was standing on his rear legs and approaching this guy. Our outstanding woodsman took his lit cigarette and stuck it in the ground between him and the bear. The bear got a wiff of the butt, backed off and left. Of course, none of us bikers smoke so that isn't an option. We don't smoke......do we???? :^)