Bears usually just amble off like that without a fuss. But don't get between mama and he cubs. I had to do that once because I couldn't stop in time so I just sped up. Hence the comment about better brakes.

I had a cougar growl at me once when I was cross country skiing alone near Lake Louise. Never saw it, but the sound was unmistakable. I had been following its tracks in the snow for the last half hour. I skied in the opposite direction and soon was joined by a dogsled heading in the same direction as me with a heavy load of tourists - safety in numbers. It might have been the most Canadian moment of my life.