No, most bears are afraid of people and will give wide berth if given the opportunity. You want them to be cautious or afraid and tossing food just breaks down that bearier for them (pun intended).

There are only three times when a bear is really dangerous. When it has cubs, when it is surprised, and rarely when it is predatory to humans.

Otherwise we are a question mark that the smart bear chooses to avoid, as contact could cause injury to it which would make it a target for other predators. We make loud noises that prey don't make, we walk upright like we own the trail and we don't seem to care who hears or sees us. We are either completely stupid or a new apex type predator to content with.

On top of that I see the bear, call out to the bear, and then boldly ride past as if I dont care if it's there. Weird confident predator behavior to another predator.

If that same bear had put its head down and continued to walk towards me methodocally I would have had a totally different situation on my hands.

But exciting none the less! Micro adventures as Alistair Humphries talks abut if a longer tour is not possible.

Thanks Roscoe. Yep about improving fitness. I'm going on a bikepacking tour in the Rockies this June so I'm getting my bike dialed in and used to riding this way.