Anyone stalked in Griffith Park at night????

[andyflo]

No not by the shirtless park tanners. By those wiley coyotes. I have twice and the last, just tonight around 7P up the southside of Travel Town Hill. Same place last November around 9P. They must have smelt fear and well fear, because they where in pursuit. They stopped at the trash truck driveway this time. The first time all the way to the top. YIKES!!!!!! B

[merider1]

Andy, those are normally shy animals, but unfortunately, due to the constant human presence in the park, they fear us less. I don't ride there alone at night, but if I did, I'd carry pepper spray (which I often carry in my jersey pocket when riding alone in the daytime). That a way, in a sticky situation, you'd have something to use as a deterrent.

[prendrefeu]

Spray bottle of vinegar on the nose will work more permanently - and safely - than pepper spray.

[merider1]

Well, I'd only use the spray in case of a true emergency. Besides, I don't really carry it in case of being attacked by any wild animal in the park.

[Allez Oops]

Some coyote attack info here. (http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/awm/docs/coyoteattacks.pdf)

Poodles beware.


Sept. 1991
Laguna Niguel
Man chased, and his poodle was ripped from his arms; poodle taken by coyote.

April 2001
Pomona
54-year-old woman fought, using an axe handle, with a large coyote that had attacked small poodle in back yard. Received bite on leg, and despite her efforts, the coyote killed the poodle and jumped over fence carrying the carcass.

Aug. 2001
Irvine
Woman walking poodle on leash bitten by coyote while attempting to remove dog from coyote’s mouth.

[Focused1]

Shortly after the fire in GP, I was out pretty early on a weekday morning. Spotted a group of about four watching me from about 60 ft. away, and then rode on. About two minutes later, I felt a bump on the back of the bike. Thought I'd run over a tree branch or something. Turned around and saw one about 6 ft. behind me. I yelled at him and he took off like the coward that he was. Did he bump me attempting to take a bite? Don't know, but there sure wasn't anything on the road that I ran over. I was just surprised that he came that close to me. I've had many encounters with these guys while mtbing, and they usually freak out as soon as they see you.

[andyflo]

Being a valley boy(N.Hllywd.) Griffith was our backyard., these guys were always around but where easily scared off. The old lady with the 2 white wolves is a different story. I ride in the AM during the dark as well thru the same route and am a bit leery. Thinking about taking a squirt bottle of ammonia, one axe handle, a small poodle and a change of under garments for my commute next week.

[Drew12]

Some coyote attack info here. (http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/awm/docs/coyoteattacks.pdf)

Poodles beware.


Sept. 1991
Laguna Niguel
Man chased, and his poodle was ripped from his arms; poodle taken by coyote.

April 2001
Pomona
54-year-old woman fought, using an axe handle, with a large coyote that had attacked small poodle in back yard. Received bite on leg, and despite her efforts, the coyote killed the poodle and jumped over fence carrying the carcass.

Aug. 2001
Irvine


Woman walking poodle on leash bitten by coyote while attempting to remove dog from coyote’s mouth.


At least Coyotes are good for Poodle control! Those little poodles can breed to a level where
they may never be eradicated!

On a serious note, If I see a coyote near me, I yell at it and ride toward it.
They have lost there fear of humans. Used to be they saw people and hightailed it out of there.
That was when they were hunted and controlled.
My guess is if you go to a ranch where the little buggers are shot on sight, they probably
wouldn't hang around to see if your poodle was tasty or not.

[Allez Oops]

Thinking about taking a squirt bottle of ammonia, one axe handle, a small poodle and a change of under garments for my commute next week.

OK, that cracked me up.

I'm curious about the lady with the wolves. Tell me more...

Back when I used to spend a lot of time up in Topanga, the neighbors down the way had a couple of half-wolves on their lot. (I think it was against animal regulations to have full-blooded ones in city limits, but I'm not sure). Anyway, it was a creepy/cool sensation to be out for a stroll, and find yourself stared down by an animal that has some resemblance to Fifi.

...If Fifi were a cold-blooded assassin on performance-enhancing drugs, that is.

My, what big eyes you have...

[herbm]

Andy....
I keep telling you to take that bacon outta your pockets!:rolleyes:

But seriously, I dont think they would attack a person....I was up the last climb on that road with a friend last year...at 11am, bright and sunny, and there are 2 big ole coyotes in the road.....we just looked at each other and I kept riding....no problems...

[merider1]

Andy....
I keep telling you to take that bacon outta your pockets!:rolleyes:

But seriously, I dont think they would attack a person....I was up the last climb on that road with a friend last year...at 11am, bright and sunny, and there are 2 big ole coyotes in the road.....we just looked at each other and I kept riding....no problems...

Only a 1/2 +1 on this.

Here is the thing I believe, any wild animal (yes, including bunnie-wunnies) can and will attack you if they feel threatened, are rabid and/or are starving (okay, I'll admit here that a rabbit will only do so if starving if you are holding a carrot in your hand).

Best advice, either don't ride alone, make noise when you do, don't wear iPods so that you can't hear what is around you and don't try to pet them (that was a reminder to myself, the rest of you can just ignore this piece of advice :p).

Remember, there is a very large kitty cat purported to live in GP. Coyotes may not attack you, but that kitty most definitely will if she/he is hungry enough and mistakes you as prey.

[mkadam68]

Okay,
whereas I am trying my best to train for KOM, and
whereas I occasionally ride over Mt. Hollywood in the wee hours of the morning on my commute to work,
and
whereas I have in fact seen a coyote on 2 out of my 3 rides over the top so far, and
whereas said coyote seemed more curious than afraid of me,

Be it resolved, you all are creepin' me out and I have to stop reading your posts.

Yeesh!

Actually, the hootin' owl in a tree that I couldn't see where he was was the creepiest thing I've come across. Of course, talk of a big kitty is taking the cake.

[prendrefeu]

mkadam,

Don't let fear get to you. If you do, then the coyotes have won.
(if you get that oblique reference, 2 points)

See the posts in italics for examples of fear - and almost everything else that has followed. Keep riding!

[tinrobot]

Remember, there is a very large kitty cat purported to live in GP. Coyotes may not attack you, but that kitty most definitely will if she/he is hungry enough and mistakes you as prey.

This is why I stopped carrying catnip in my seat bag.

[andyflo]

You are so right.. The Lord hates a coward.....nothing to fear but fear itself.....and pay no attention to that man behind the curtain or the pack of snarling wilds animals chasing you uphill.

I too ride thru the Hllywd. Hills at dark with no incidents besides deer. Very glad and relieved that no ill reports have occured. Yes I will continue riding at that time because of my working hours.

As far as the lady w/ the 2 white wolves. She was only around during the intake of controlled substances.

[Allez Oops]

^ Ah. Got it.

Name the movie (no fair Googling):

Otto: "You eat a lot of acid, Miller, back in the hippie days?"

[Socalcycling]

Only a 1/2 +1 on this.

Here is the thing I believe, any wild animal (yes, including bunnie-wunnies) can and will attack you if they feel threatened, are rabid and/or are starving (okay, I'll admit here that a rabbit will only do so if starving if you are holding a carrot in your hand).

Best advice, either don't ride alone, make noise when you do, don't wear iPods so that you can't hear what is around you and don't try to pet them (that was a reminder to myself, the rest of you can just ignore this piece of advice :p).

Remember, there is a very large kitty cat purported to live in GP. Coyotes may not attack you, but that kitty most definitely will if she/he is hungry enough and mistakes you as prey.

... or just ride faster

[fthomas]

Coyotes will usually fear man.Down here in OC I have seen them barely hide when I rode by. Bowser and kittie are on their menu. but beware of the sick or rabid one. Mountain lions - they just love a good chase and we are on their menu. A guy who worked for me in Alaska thought it was cool to have half wolf until it turned on his wife requiring six sugery's to put her face jaw and neck back together.

[Drew12]

Coyotes will usually fear man.Down here in OC I have seen them barely hide when I rode by. Bowser and kittie are on their menu. but beware of the sick or rabid one. Mountain lions - they just love a good chase and we are on their menu. A guy who worked for me in Alaska thought it was cool to have half wolf until it turned on his wife requiring six sugery's to put her face jaw and neck back together.

As are squirrels, super or not!

[fthomas]

Coyotes will usually fear man.Down here in OC I have seen them barely hide when I rode by. Bowser and kittie are on their menu. but beware of the sick or rabid one. Mountain lions - they just love a good chase and we are on their menu. A guy who worked for me in Alaska thought it was cool to have half wolf until it turned on his wife requiring six sugery's to put her face jaw and neck back together.

[fthomas]

Yeah but I fly

[CritEastwood]

^ Ah. Got it.

Name the movie (no fair Googling):

Otto: "You eat a lot of acid, Miller, back in the hippie days?"

The life of a repo man's always intense.

[blarnie]

9 out of 10 Dentists agree, there is a 40% greater chance of a squirrel crashing you than a coyote attacking you for your Power Gel. Especially, if it's fruit flavored.

In my experience, animals will only accidentally almost run into you. One time, a rattle snake who was sunning itself in "The Park", sensed me coming, probably because of the heavy breathing, and started to light out one way, then changed its mind and started going the other way. This is what's referred to as the "fake". Another time, a gaggle of deer in the Burbank Hills, were munching on some nicely manicured lawn, again sensed my presence and split up, going at top speed in all directions. I do mean all. One of them even launched a good six to eight feet vertical. Of course, the one the biggest rack came the closest to goring me.

And let's not even get into squirrels. No sense at all with those woodland creatures.

[merider1]

And let's not even get into squirrels. No sense at all with those woodland creatures.

Let's not...them squirrels will kill you and eat you. Never, ever, ever, ride into a pack of squirrels.

[N2GLOCK]

I'm thinking that getting chased by Coyotes up Travel Town Hill might be a good thing. I don't know of anything else that could potentially get the legs going as fast as that while climbing that hill.

[N2GLOCK]

I'm still waiting for the day when I encounter a coyote posing with a cyclist in Griffith Park!

[andyflo]

Dear N2glock,
How right you are!!!! Please tell all your cycling pals about my new "Personal Training" techniques by me and my pals. Think of all the $$$$$ you will save on those high priced trainers. Sign up now for our latest "Sweatin' with the Coyotes".

Yours truely,
the Travel Town Coyotes
p.s. group rates not available

[merider1]

Dear N2glock,
How right you are!!!! Please tell all your cycling pals about my new "Personal Training" techniques by me and my pals. Think of all the $$$$$ you will save on those high priced trainers. Sign up now for our latest "Sweatin' with the Coyotes".

Yours truely,
the Travel Town Coyotes
p.s. group rates not available

:lol: your sense of humor truly is unique, Andy ;)

[N2GLOCK]

:lol: your sense of humor truly is unique, Andy ;)

Words cannot describe Andys sense of humor;)

[N2GLOCK]

Dear N2glock,
How right you are!!!! Please tell all your cycling pals about my new "Personal Training" techniques by me and my pals. Think of all the $$$$$ you will save on those high priced trainers. Sign up now for our latest "Sweatin' with the Coyotes".

Yours truely,
the Travel Town Coyotes
p.s. group rates not available

I'll talk to my so called pals about it. However, you may want to reconsider the whole group rate thing!

[mkadam68]

Just got down off Mt. Hollywood. As you enter the last 250 meters of the climb, it pitches up...probably to about 9-10%. Slow going.

So there I am, grinding it out, I come around the second to last corner...
A pack of coyotes. Five to six of them spread across the road. They see me and cross to the right. A lone one goes up the road farther and off to the left. The ones on the right are heading to the bathroom on the side of the road, complete with kicking leaves over their pile when done.

I slow down a bit as I approach, for which I was thankful and it was not all that hard to do anyway. "Just me, guys, heh, heh..." followed by nervous laughter. "Just going thru...no problems...right?"

For the most part they just looked at me then left. Thank Goodness. I had thought they weren't pack animals, just wolves were. Maybe it was a family unit or something. I couldn't figure it which were males or females though.

[jpconrad]

Just got down off Mt. Hollywood. As you enter the last 250 meters of the climb, it pitches up...probably to about 9-10%. Slow going.

So there I am, grinding it out, I come around the second to last corner...
A pack of coyotes. Five to six of them spread across the road. They see me and cross to the right. A lone one goes up the road farther and off to the left. The ones on the right are heading to the bathroom on the side of the road, complete with kicking leaves over their pile when done.

I slow down a bit as I approach, for which I was thankful and it was not all that hard to do anyway. "Just me, guys, heh, heh..." followed by nervous laughter. "Just going thru...no problems...right?"

For the most part they just looked at me then left. Thank Goodness. I had thought they weren't pack animals, just wolves were. Maybe it was a family unit or something. I couldn't figure it which were males or females though.

When I lived in Walnut I ran into this one coyote every night for a couple weeks at the same spot. For some reason, it would start to run along side of me and kept working itself closer and closer to me, which would cause me to stop riding, jump off the bike, and run at it so it would run up the hill, but as soon as I'd get back on the bike it would come back and start running along side again. I thought it was pretty odd and kind of unnerving.

[merider1]

When I lived in Walnut I ran into this one coyote every night for a couple weeks at the same spot. For some reason, it would start to run along side of me and kept working itself closer and closer to me, which would cause me to stop riding, jump off the bike, and run at it so it would run up the hill, but as soon as I'd get back on the bike it would come back and start running along side again. I thought it was pretty odd and kind of unnerving.

Well, moving and crouched on your bike, you resemble prey (at least to mtn lions - I'm not sure about coyotes). So, that lone cote was probably hoping to one day catch you unaware. You'd have fed him and his brood for a week at least. :p