My commute yesterday morning got off to an exciting start which could have gotten ugly had I come through a fraction of a second earlier.

My ride starts off with a quick downhill sprint. This time of year it's pitch black at this time and this section is unlit. My nightsun head light is great, but at 30+ mph, I'm still pretty much riding blind. As I flew through this section a big fat racoon waddles across the road maybe 20 feet ahead of me. I was never in danger of hitting him, but, coons tend to travel in groups, so my arsehole was puckering in anticipation of a second one walking right in front of me.

I'm guessing that a 30 mph collision with a 30 pound racoon would not have gone well on a road bike.

Maybe I ought to get one of those monster truck tired surelys like joeybike has.

I think I'll start taking it a little slower through this stretch since there is also a flock of suicidal turkeys that lives there. they have run in front of my car numerous times. catching a 20 pound turkey in the face at 30 mph would probably suck too.

What's been your worst encounter with wildlife other than squirrels which are pretty much a given on almost ever ride. Squirrels don't concern me much as I'm pretty sure I'd come out of that encounter way better than the squirrel.

Anybody ever hit a deer? That could suck.