klmmicro

Riding along Coast Highway this morning at about 0500, beautiful conditions and great riding. Had my light on medium which is pretty bright. An insect flew into the beam followed by a bat...that ended up in my face trying to "get away". It happened so quick that it was gone before it could startle me too bad. Just thought to remind everyone who rides at night to watch out for the wildlife. Nice weather, shortening days and riding lights means encounters with our furry friends.

Berta

I've had to learn to watch out for the wildlife on rides right here in the city. At various times between night and dawn, I've had a huge buck run across the street about 20 feet in front of me, foxes turn and run when I approach, I've ridden by racoons perched on trashcan lids and plenty of cats and rats in the alleys. I spotted a loose pit bull-type dog about 1.5 blocks away once, plenty of time for me to head down a different street. A few weeks ago, close to dawn, I was riding on the downhill part of a paved trail that goes into the woods. Halfway down, dozens of bats started swirling overhead, apparently feeding at that time of morning. I enjoyed the spectacle and hoped one wouldn't land on me, but I did the crazy dance of panic on the bike at the bottom of the hill when I rode through a spider web.