Commuting - Helmets save lives - irrefutable proof!!!!

Well, not really :p but I'm glad I was wearing my helmet and sunnies today.

In my 1 1/2 hour commute home I was swooped by 7 magpies and several other smaller species. 2 of the maggies attacked from behind while their shaddows were obscured and scored direct hits.

I have a few new nicks in my helmet, one of them on the peak (mtn bike helmet) as it appears that the bird was going for my eyes.

I remember coming home from work one winter day on my bike and a seagull swooped down and grabbed my toqued skull. Managed to move the touque a bit, but let it go. I guess it thought the blue touque was some kind of delicious food and wanted some of that. I'm glad the wool dulled the scrape of the claws.

When I lived in Madison WI, on the ride back from Paoli, there was always a redwinged black bird lying in wait at a certain tree. He was good. He'd fly in out of the sun and start pecking at your head.

Well, not really :p but I'm glad I was wearing my helmet and sunnies today.

In my 1 1/2 hour commute home I was swooped by 7 magpies and several other smaller species. 2 of the maggies attacked from behind while their shaddows were obscured and scored direct hits.

I have a few new nicks in my helmet, one of them on the peak (mtn bike helmet) as it appears that the bird was going for my eyes.

That time of year again already huh. I heard somewhere that a couple of eyespots on the rear of your helmet may make a difference with magpies. Thats what I had in mind for this year.

Isn't it mating season for birds down there? Check with a bird spotter to make sure you aren't dressed in the colors of a giant female magpie. Probably best to wear purple day glow clothing until this passes, just in case you accidently get sprayed with some Luminol (tm).

Well, not really :p but I'm glad I was wearing my helmet and sunnies today.

In my 1 1/2 hour commute home I was swooped by 7 magpies and several other smaller species. 2 of the maggies attacked from behind while their shaddows were obscured and scored direct hits.

I have a few new nicks in my helmet, one of them on the peak (mtn bike helmet) as it appears that the bird was going for my eyes.

There's a bit of that going around. A magpie got my ear yesterday. The first one I've had actually draw blood in five years. Funnily enough, the pain only lasted about five minutes, but I did get a few "ooohs" and "aaaahs" when I got to work.

Hey, where are the photos? I need some photos! I've heard many a tale about the swarms of vicious magpies, but no one has ever offered any photographic proof that these helmet attacking creatures exist.

East Hill

Hey, where are the photos? I need some photos! I've heard many a tale about the swarms of vicious magpies, but no one has ever offered any photographic proof that these helmet attacking creatures exist.

East Hill

Oooh, that's a tough one. You see, they don't get around in swarms but usually just one or two. They're elusive creatures that strike with speed and cunning, usually from behind you. Photographing one is akin to photographing your alien abduction, but I'll try to photograph one for you this summer (a magpie, not an alien abduction :p)

http://life-cycle.blogspot.com/2005/08/magpie-season.html

Oooh, that's a tough one. You see, they don't get around in swarms but usually just one or two. They're elusive creatures that strike with speed and cunning, usually from behind you. Photographing one is akin to photographing your alien abduction, but I'll try to photograph one for you this summer (a magpie, not an alien abduction :p)

Excellent! I remember when my father had to make a desperate run for the house on more than a few occasions because the Brewer's Blackbirds had a nest in one of the trees, and would dive bomb him. Never did get a photo of that and it would have been great entertainment to have it now :D . He would have benefited from wearing a helmet, now that I think about it!

East Hill

http://life-cycle.blogspot.com/2005/08/magpie-season.html

Hey Chris, I've just been checking out your bike tours on crazyguyonabike... wow! great photos and blog, thanks for sharing. :beer:

Do you have any info on your touring setup?

Do you have any info on your touring setup?

It's constantly evolving. Right now I'm touring on a Gitane Hybrid using just rear panniers with sleeping bag & tent wrapped in a Sea-to-Summit "dry bag" that sits on top of the rear rack. Before my next tour I'm going to get a handlebar bag and move my headlight to be positioned just above the forks to make room for it. In time that will carry my maps and so on so that I don't need to dig them out of the panniers. I'm one of these rare people who tours without a camping stove -- preferring to eat salad sandwiches at the end of the day, and snack on fruit. That comes from cutting my cycle-touring teeth in Queensland summers where hot food is the last thing you want!

I know that's pretty general information, but I'm happy to answer any specific questions you have.

Hey, I was wondering when magpie season would start again, what with the warmer weather and frisky-looking birds. I guess you are a week or two ahead further north.

I've found cable ties (big ones) sticking out from the helmet work really well. They look like antennae, so the alien abduction thing goes the other way, I reckon the birds are the ones who experience Fear.

The coolest deterrent I've seen is a toy dinosaur facing backwards on someone's helmet. You could wear that sort of thing all year and not get sick of it.

The magpies don't swoop in groups, but there are sometimes a few in a relatively small area.

Nice to find another Sea to Summit fan, I really like their stuff, reasonable price too compared to some of the things out there.

http://life-cycle.blogspot.com/2005/08/magpie-season.html

Thank you Chris L.!

I'd still like to see photos of Cyclaholic's helmet--I'm curious to see how much damage they've done. I just read that 5 people were killed during the last 'swooping season' as a result of injuries/falling to the ground when attacked by the magpies.

East Hill

Hey, I was wondering when magpie season would start again, what with the warmer weather and frisky-looking birds. I guess you are a week or two ahead further north.

They usually start in July up here, but they're just about gone by October. We don't really get winters here on the 'coast as such. This year I was away in July, but I got one the first weekend of August when I returned. Overall this season's been pretty quiet for them, but it only takes one to cause a problem.


I just read that 5 people were killed during the last 'swooping season' as a result of injuries/falling to the ground when attacked by the magpies.

Hmmm, I've never heard of anyone actually being killed by a magpie, but I suppose it's possible. Most of them just clatter harmlessly into the helmet. The occasional one goes for the ears or neck. I think the biggest danger they pose is the distraction, it can be a little scary if they approach without a big squawk and just suddenly collide with you. The most important thing in dealing with one is to keep your composure and your eyes on the road.

Thank you Chris L.!

I'd still like to see photos of Cyclaholic's helmet--I'm curious to see how much damage they've done. I just read that 5 people were killed during the last 'swooping season' as a result of injuries/falling to the ground when attacked by the magpies.

East Hill

Oh, I thought you wanted photos of a magpie attacking. I'll take some photos of the pecks on the helmet, although it's really not much to look at. The real damage happens if they score a direct hit on your eyes and you go down.

I haven't been attacked yet on my commute. Late September/October seems to be the norm in my neck of the woods. I have a video camera on my bike now - once they start swooping I think I'll turn it backwards to look over my shoulder. It should prove entertaining.

Oh, I thought you wanted photos of a magpie attacking. I'll take some photos of the pecks on the helmet, although it's really not much to look at. The real damage happens if they score a direct hit on your eyes and you go down.

The magpie attack would be good too! I imagine that's a bit harder to capture :p . I know that (in connection with my blog) that getting a photo of those creatures just sitting still is a lot easier than getting a picture of the Cooper's Hawk swooping down in front of me and plucking the American Robin out of midair :eek: (no, I haven't managed that yet, yes I would like to :) ).

East Hill

It should prove entertaining.

I don't know about entertaining, but it would be very interesting!

East Hill

The magpie attack would be good too!
Well, I didn't know what a magpie looked like, so I did a little search (http://images.google.com/images?q=magpie)...

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/7865/magpieif9.jpg (http://www.lonebiker.dk/magpie.htm)

http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/4378/fpostiegh5.jpg (http://www.abc.net.au/science/scribblygum/July2002/)

Now I know! :p

Well, I didn't know what a magpie looked like, so I did a little search[/U
Now I know! :p

Just think of an evil rat with wings :)

Actually fairly intelligent creatures. They are relatives of Crows, and when taken as a pet can be taught to mimic speech. They're also fairly territorial when nesting.

Actually fairly intelligent creatures. They are relatives of Crows, and when taken as a pet can be taught to mimic speech. They're also fairly territorial when nesting.

I've been told that feeding them can make them protective of you rather than trying to attack you. I'm not sure I'd be quick enough pulling bird seed out of a jersey pocket, but it could be an interesting way to deal with the notorious Gold Coast hoons.

Runaway cyclist - great photos!

...I find the idea of adopting one as a pet very appealing, if the opportunity ever presents itself I think I will.