General Cycling Discussion - I saw a Black Bear today while riding!!!

Never actually saw a black bear while riding until today.

I was riding down a fairly well traveled road when a car stopped and said a bear just ran out in fron of them and to be careful. I paused and then went ahead and saw the bear standing on the side of the road about 200 feet to my left. He then started runing away. I say about a 500 pounder.

Very cool!

I saw a black bear while out riding in Vermont today as well, actually. Maybe they're all coming out for the weekend. The one I saw was running across a big open field to my left towards a stream on my right. I sat and watched him for a minute -- he was just doing some fishing. He would swipe that big paw of his and presto! had a fish. Gulp! Swipe, fish, gulp! He never took any notice of me, which I was perfectly happy with.

He had crossed the road about 50 feet in front of me. It was just enormous -- I was amazed that something that big could run that fast.

Was it on a unicycle and asking to race? :D

Today I saw an armadillo and a whole family (momma & 4 young-ins) of raccoons.

I've seen a couple of bears while riding into GNP (we lived and worked there). My better half rode the bike trail from W.Glacier to Apgar village and passed a momma and her cubs on many occassions.
D

Haven't seen a bear yet. Seen some goats and deers thought. Was descending this hill the other day, and saw this deer standing in the middle of the road. It just looked at me slowly, then walked off the road very gracefully. I wish I had a camera with me.

I saw a black bear while out riding in Vermont today as well, actually. He had crossed the road about 50 feet in front of me. It was just enormous -- I was amazed that something that big could run that fast.


Where in Vermont did you see him ?? :eek:
Not only can they run fast they can clmb trees like monkeys :eek::eek:

My most interesting wildlife sightings are always on my bike. I usually see about 1 bear and 1 wild cat per year, many moose, dear, countless rare birds, and porkypine(sp?). The bike is the best way to see wildlife because I can literally sneek up on things, for better or worse...

Where in Vermont did you see him ?? :eek:

I was just south of Chester (semi-near the Ludlow / Killington area).


Not only can they run fast they can clmb trees like monkeys :eek::eek:

I heard the difference between black bears and grizzly bears described as: if you climb a tree to get away from it and it climbs up after you, then that's a black bear. If it knocks the tree down, then that's a grizzly.

In '99 I was riding my freeride bike back to my campsite in Algonquin Park, cranking down the old rail-trail to beat the darkness. Came around a corner and almost hit a black bear standing in the trail with his back to me. He turned around in time to see me and dive into the woods. I didn't see him in the shadows until he bolted. Pretty scarry at the time but good for a chuckle after the fact.

At least bears usually run. Moose just stand in the trail and scowl.