Making the effort to "escape" the rigors of urban cycling often affords me the opportunity to see a lot of wildlife in a natural setting undisturbed by my passing. It is one of many pleasures my time on 2 wheels affords me that I wouldn't otherwise have. None the less, a rider still needs to be fully aware of and engaged in his surroundings. It isn't just the occasional misguided bear or panicked deer that can pose a threat. Even something as seemingly insignificant as a mildly confused ground squirrel can turn an otherwise thrilling descent into a terrifying test of bike handling skills.