Road Cycling - American River Trail Mountain Lions...

Well, this has been an exciting couple days. I saw a very nice rattle snake two days ago crossing the trail. 4 foot, 6 buttons, quite pretty actually. Yesterday morning I ran into a smallish female mountain lion and two cubs on the trail just west of the Folsom Dam Road. I actually saw them twice ! First time I turned tale and reported them to the Beale's Point Ranger, then as I returned to go home I came across them again! :eek: They were not aggressive at all, but were not terribly interested in getting away from me either. The cubs still have spots. :) Both my previous mountain lion sightings have lasted less than 2 seconds, both of these encounters were much longer which is of course a little spooky, but still very cool. This is not the same lion that was seen on several occasions earlier in the year. Just a heads up for those who use the trail, they are out there. I see people, especially joggers, stretching in the shade regularly, I'd be a little cautious about that.

The American River Path. Fond memories of some great rides. Never saw a mountain lion and cubs and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have wanted too, but I did have one very unforgettable experience there one day...

The time was fall, 1990. Motoring along at 20+ mph somewhere west of Orangevale and minding my own business when suddenly, a huge antlered buck came bounding out of the brush just ahead and to my left. In a split second he was 10 feet in front of me and headed at a 90 degree towards the path. He hit the pavement and did one of those "Bambi on ice" leg splatters as I scrambled my brain wondering what was going on and how was I going to avoid him.

Which, unfortunately I didn't. (At this point, everything went into slow motion.)

I hit him square in the gut and endo-ed over the top of him. As I hit the ground and slid, my eye caught him scampering back into the woods, seemingly unhurt. I was scraped and dazed but otherwise ok. The front wheel was bent pretty bad and I had to walk out to find a phone. I still see this as if it happened yesterday.

I haven't ridden the path since but only because I don't come to Sacramento any more. I would recommend it to anybody - its definitely not your average path.

55/Rad

Deer are tough animals, I ride motocross and have 2 friends who have both hit deer going 30 mph (400 lbs at that speed) they hit the deer and crash ahrd and the deer just scampers away like it didn't happen.

We really are lucky to have the ARBT and its wildlife so close to an urban center. Never seen a lion but I've had close encounters with snakes, turkeys, quails, hares, herons, feral cats, feral humans, foxes, coyotes, squirrels, ducks, geese, and one memorable morning, a red-tailed hawk that swooped just over my handlebars to divebomb a field mouse.

Like 55/Rad says, it's not your average path.

Like 55/Rad says, it's not your average path.

I ride on the ARBT 2 or 3 times a week, usually starting out in the folsom area. Thanks for the heads up about the Cougar. I have seen them before, but never out here (although I have heard of them being spotted).

Hey, if any of you guys would like to ride, shoot me an email: zhmontana@hotmail.com

Cheers,

If I'm heading out that way, maybe I'll drop you a line.

damn that adbot!

I've been racing rabits lately...


Actually the best we have around these parts is deer. I'll be riding down the trail and a nice pack of deer will be standing around. That's te biggest thing I've come across (and I think thats a good thing, I don't really want to bike with any moose...or bears for that matter :) )

Chad

Interestingly I saw a letter to the editor in my local paper (Press-Enterprise) that discusses encounters with mountai lions. The writer suggested carrying a squirt gun filled with Pine-Sol. Said that the cat would turn tail and run like there's no tomorrow. I don't know how a female with cubs would react, though. Might just pi$$ her off.

A squirt gun, huh? Make sure that you've got it primed; I think you'll only get one squeeze.

So, anyone know how fast a mountain lion can run? If it's faster than 30mph, I don't think I can outsprint it.

So, anyone know how fast a mountain lion can run? If it's faster than 30mph, I don't think I can outsprint it.
They have great speed for short distances as they are built for speed, not endurance. They can reach speeds of 40 mph in less than 50 feet and can leap 20 to 23 feet from a standstill. Good luck with that!

Uh oh. Looks like I'm going to have to ride my "A" bike the next time I head east of Goethe Park.

... but I've had close encounters with snakes, turkeys, quails, hares, herons, feral cats, feral humans, foxes, coyotes, squirrels, ducks, geese, and one memorable morning, a red-tailed hawk ...

"feral humans" HA! That must have been fun!