He crossed about 30 or 40 feet in front of me. It was just twilight and at first I wasn't sure what that creature was. I guessed "dog", but it was pretty big, and didn't run like a dog. Then I though "small bear", but it was too slender for that, and too light a color, and it didn't run like a bear.

Then it ran up the embankment and crouched, and I instantly recognized it as "cat", but BIG!!

By that time, I was right beside it. The road was a narrow 2 lane highway, and it was on the other side of the road, but still not very far away.

I had my helmet light on, and I turned my head to look at it, and my light made its eyes glow, like cat's do. It was definitely watching me. But I don't think it knew what to make of me, because it just crouched and watched. I suspect that I looked fairly large because I was up on my bicycle, and that helmet light might have kind of thrown it off.

However, I did pick up some speed!