On my nightly bike ride in my neighborhood I spotted an animal in the road crossing after a climbing a large hill. My neighborhood is brand new and tends to have some wildlife. It was definately a skunk and very large. It's tail rose in the air as I got very close and I quickly made a quick U-turn and back DOWN the hill I just climbed. I was probably within 10 feet of it. I am not sure how close you have to be to them, but I did not want to be sprayed. This has happened with a racoon before as well as stray cats. Fast approaching bikes make little sound.