A few years ago I was riding my road bike solo on a popular 37 mile loop near my home. I was crossing the summit of Round Mountain and there was a 3+ foot long rattler stretched across the road. I chose to pass him on the tail end of his body, near the edge of the pavement, about a foot or so from his tail. He turned and struck at me but missed. Not by much, but enough. I will always pass in front of the head if I ever have this situation again. He will not be able to strike forward if stretched out. Heads or tails? Always choose heads.