General Cycling Discussion - Geese on MUTs

On the MUTs around the city, I encounter alot of geese, usually blocking the entire trail. I know geese can be very aggresive, especially when there are baby geese present. What is the best (and safest) way to deal with this issue? Should I stop and let them waddle by, or should I just ride around/through the pack and hope they don't attack me?

Good question. Usually I slow down a bit and see if they get out of the way. They usually don't seem topo much in a hurry, so I'd avoid actually stopping for them. Maybe you should make some noise, as well.

Be careful about startling them, the Canadian Geese we get up here can be pretty territorial. And they poop all over the path in some spots...I would slow down and let them waddle out of the way. That's what I do.

Be careful about startling them, the Canadian Geese we get up here can be pretty territorial.

What are they going to do, tie your shoelaces together? :D

Just give them a little respect and slow down, but HISS as loud as you can, like a pissed off cat or something. That'll get them to move.

I can't do this on my recumbent, but on an upright it works better (but not perfectly.) If you just ride at them, they don't seem to know how to treat you , since they 'know' that humans don't usually attack them. So use 'goose body language.' Ride no-handed, spread your arms wide and flap them a little bit. It also helps to make some gruff verbal noise, like, "outta my way!" The outstretched 'wings' are a territorial challenge, and most of them will yield to your superior size.

Yeah, one of the trails I ride is heavy with geese right now. I usually just slow down and weave through them. Try not to get in between mama goose and goslings (though even at slow speed you can get past before they have much time to react). Worst case, I just go off the trail, into the grass and around them, then get back on, further on down the trail.

I have a harder time with goose poop, but both of that's probably fodder for another thread :)

It's true that they can get confused when they see you. Hissing is a great aidea, as it wing flapping. They do need to be communicated to in goose-language. :)

I ride through em, even thick packs or herds or whatever you call groups of geese on the ground. When I'm on foot the geese can be fairly aggressive, but when I'm on bike they move out of the way just fine. The goslings are really cute right now.

RFM

What are they going to do, tie your shoelaces together? :D

Just give them a little respect and slow down, but HISS as loud as you can, like a pissed off cat or something. That'll get them to move.

We had a goose attack a guy at work last week. Put him to ground and just put the beek to him. I just slow down and make some noise and have never had a problem.

Mostly we see ducks around here, as a lot of the paths run near water. Sometimes I see geese, but they usually just stop here on the way up north and don't set up their nests around here. The ducks are nesting now- it's a good idea to keep away from the nests. A friend of mine got chased once by a daddy duck! They can get pretty aggressive too, they run after you quacking and flapping. Sometimes though you have to stop while a big herd of ducks cross the bike path.

I find that a ding-ding bell gets them moving along.

I pack a Beretta 12 guage over/under for personal protection when I ride, works well with geese also... :D

gee, why stop there... why not just drop napalm on them, LOL. :D

Guy's in Folsom, I believe him!

About a year ago, a passed a guy in full bike gear walking his road bike on a MUT. His back tire was not turning, he was walking stiffly, and he had a few patches of road rash. I asked if I could help. With pain in his voice, he said, "No. Geese."

I would not ride through a pack hoping it would split up, but I might slowly weave my way through if there was enough space. But if their are baby geese, all bets are off. Those creatures are VERY aggressive when it comes to their young.

Geese like water and they like grass. That's why they are thick as thieves along MUPs (and golf courses). As everyone knows, they are protecting their offspring, not their territory. They are good parents and have their youngsters well trained and well herded. I slow down and approach them calmly and slowly, in a friendly manner. They quickly realize that I'm not trying to eat their babies so they get out of the way. Unlike human parents on the trails who seem to have no control over their offspring.

Be careful about startling them, the Canadian Geese we get up here can be pretty territorial. And they poop all over the path in some spots...I would slow down and let them waddle out of the way. That's what I do.

And when they take off, they can beat you to pieces. Been there, done that. Also be aware that they tend to lighten their load when they take to the air. Don't be under them. Been there, done that too :eek:

Little baby ducks and geese are so cute, they're like little puffballs. It's worth it if you can get a glimpse of them. It's so hard to resist scooping one of them up!

Honk at them.

No, hiss at them like they do when they're aggressive. It seems to work sometimes.

I try to hit them, it hasn't worked yet....I got close though!

I try to hit them, it hasn't worked yet....I got close though!
wtf?
hahahahahahahahahahaha

I almost ran into a grizzly bear once, geese are no problem. Hissing or quacking like an angry goose on the move usually works (on other geese, not grizzlies!)