Mountain Biking - Mountain Lions and Coyotes

Last week when I was out riding, I heard a coyote howl. It must have been about a half a football field from me, and I was out in the middle of nowhere by myself. The firetrail I usually ride takes me out into the mountains pretty far from civilization. I know there are both coyotes and mountain lions, and I usually go solo. Should I worry about these as a threat?

No,don't worry about it.You are much more likely to come to harm running into fellow humans.
Coyotes never(almost never) attack adult humans,especially not male adults making a racket on a bike.
Now mountain Lions occasionally kill a human adult-it always makes national news-and it is usually in CA.If it is 1/yr in CA then your chances of getting killed are 1/30,000,000 per year-lightning,bees,snakes,getting hit by a car,or just getting killed in a MTB fall are all greater risks.
Least of your worries.Luck,Charlie

Yes, coyotes are no threat. Mountain lions can be....any rerports of mountain lion activity in your area?

ur gonna get killed but its all worth it in the honor of EXTREME MOUNTAIN BIKING lol j/p chill u'll be fine u can kick a coyotes ass and mountain lions are sooo rare.

Yeah, I also wouldn't worry. I think the chances of getting attacked by wildlife are extremely low - especially on a designated fire road. Just stay on the fire road/trail and you should be safe.

I read an article in dirtrag about a guy riding solo who was mauled to death by a mountain lion I believe. 2 suggestions- usually if a big animal is in front of you and you can't outrun it you put the bike between you and the animal, anytime it makes advances you keep moving the bike in front of you. Also I carry a 6 inch lockblade as a last resort defense against anyone or anything that tries to hurt me.

I see lone coyotes once in a while in suburban and rural areas. Only late at night when on the bike. They seem to not even understand the bike headlight. But my voice or other noise makes them run.

If you put a lot of pressure on a lockblade knife it will unlock (close) on your fingers. Or just break. In any direction, even sideways.

I saw a mountain lion once, ahead of me about 100 yards. He was big, over 100lbs easy. I stopped and made a noise, he turned and looked at me for about 10 seconds, then kept walking up the trail. I went the other way of course. It is extremely rare to even see one, and they don't consider us a food source, so unless it feels in danger, it will leave you alone. A lot of people around here in southern oregon carry handguns when they hike in the woods.. its probably not a bad idea. Oh, and you can't outrun a mt lion on a bike.

Just the other day I was out between trails and going through a field. I came across three (fully grown) deer spinal columns and various other bones/shards. Most likely coydogs (domestic dog/coyote mix) which are pretty common around here. Nothing to fear from them, but their howl is sends chills up the spine.

coyotes won't attack...unless they're rabid. ;)

mountain lions probably won't attack...and if they do, you won't see them coming. ;)


So no, don't worry about it. And if you're really worried, don't ride alone at dusk or dawn, prime mtn. lion hunting hours.

Since noone else has asked, if a mountain lion does get you, can you leave me your bike in a will? :D

Yes, coyotes are no threat. Mountain lions can be....any rerports of mountain lion activity in your area?

There is some activity, I live at the base of Big Bear, and although I ride a fire trail, it is rarely used. In fact, I'm probably the only guy that uses it any given day.

i've seen lots of coyotes, and mountain lions on two occasions. never been bothered by either one.

the coytoes are not a worry at all. a mountian lion won't normally bug a human unless extremely starved, or it feels you a threat to its young or itself. or if you startle it enough, which is pretty hard to do, considering their senses of smell and hearing. no real need to worry about them. if you see one, stand up tall, face it head on. let it know you see it, and make noise.

otherwise, if one is stalking you for a snack, you most likely won't even know it's watching you. i'm sure i've been seen/watched by far more mt. lions than i'll ever see in my life. you're not going to see one unless it wants to be seen, or you come upon it by surprise. pretty much. ;)

Chances are, the mountian lions see you plenty more times then you see them. I still turn around in the trail when I find a fresh kill, prints or other such things. There have been a few times I have seen the cats, and once one came at me, I was on one side of a ravine, it was on the other. I saw it, it saw me and booked it down and in my direction, I got to the road where there were other people and watched it come onto the trail (where I was) and then turn around

Coyotes are just stupid, I had one buzz me tonight when we made a bonfire, I almost kicked the damned thing.