And they are thinking of re-introducing Grizzlie Bears back into the wild in Washington?
With the density of trail use, hiking, MTB, climbing, day hikes, etc.animals are either losing their fear of humans or for lack of prey looking at us as food for survival. It took a Mt. Goat goring and killing someone in the Olympic Park for their population (non-native) to be removed from the park.
As I see it wild animals no longer live in the wild, I am not even sure if you can find a place left in Washington state where you cannot see/hear the signs of civilization.
We even have more urban dear than there ever were before.
While this may be a low probability event, it like lightening, is something you don't want to be struck by, ever.
My condolences to the family and friends of the rider who died and also to the rider who survived with injury.

At least a laser pointer :)

We had a problem in the 80's with packs of wild dogs attacking farm animals and horses around here and the adults would go out at night hunting them for a reward, that's about as wild as we get around here. There have been reports of Bobcat tracks being found but no sightings, Coyotes are now around here also, a few years ago one of my customers lost a little dog to one. Losing the land they live on is't helping matters.

Glenn

I thought about you, Matt, first thing when I heard about it. The bike in the picture before is a Raleigh - Brooks saddle, racks, bar end shifters. My heart panicked a little bit when I saw that and then realized the ages of the two guys involved were younger than us so it wouldn't be you.

I know it's a rare thing but I've had a large bear cross the road in front of me up there. But we've also had cats here surrounding our property each of the past 3-4 yrs including a 135lb male the state trapped after it killed a neighbor's dog. A few times while riding in pretty remote areas I have had the hair on my neck stand up and I had that 6th sense feeling I was being watched. I definitely rode a little faster after that.

I've seen a few coyotes just outside Portland in the early morning hours crossing the streets near my house. (Garden Home neighborhood)

Ben

Pigeons on the bike lane here will not get out of the way until the last second!

Just trying to lighten up the mood, since this story is pretty horrible.

I sometimes carry a Ruger LCP in my seatbag depending on where I'm riding. I'm as anti NRA as you can get and have posted about that in my P&R music thread, but still support the 2nd amendment.

I have been hunting or fishing remote areas in Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Wyoming since the 1950's. Usually with a dog, but sometimes alone, and can attest that things have changed. Predators were always out there, but in years past, in smaller numbers. In some cases, statewide numbers increased from hundreds to thousands and encounters with suspicious/ignorant/dangerous 2 legged critters are now more frequent.

In the late 90's, there were cougar sightings near my workplace in Olympia, WA. Our DFW distributed flyers with the following advice:

If You Encounter a Cougar
• Cougars often will retreat if given the opportunity. Leave the animal a way to escape.
• Stay calm and stand your ground.
• Maintain direct eye contact.
• Pick up children, but do so without bending down or turning your back on the cougar.
• Back away slowly.
• Do not run. Running triggers a chase response in cougars, which could lead to an attack.
• Raise your voice and speak firmly.
• If cougar seems aggressive, raise your arms to make yourself look larger and clap hands.
• (You will probably be all right.) If in the very unusual event that a cougar attacks you, fight back with rocks, sticks, tools or any items available

A recent check of the Oregon DFW web site finds they use a more appropriate last sentence. (Washington language in parentheses) Don

A cougar can dash at speeds of 45 mph, so you won't out pedal or run it. Use your bike as a shield if you encounter one, like campus police do during protests.

I ran over a snake a few weeks ago riding a trail. Didn't see until I was on it. Not a rattler but raised up as tire went over it.

Nothing compares to humans though. Last week a guy that was pressuring group (and had squealed tires at last stop) got mad when someone yelled watch out. The guy literally threw his dog off his lap reached down and grabbed a gun. Pointed it at the rider that yelled. Dave just flopped bike over whille clipped in as he thought he was going to be shot. We talked about someone carrying a gun (some I ride with do but not this day) but would have just escalated to someone dying or something. Out of control...

Bikerider007, in the future take a picture of the rider who drew the gun and call the police. If you can't take a picture (understand it may not be safe to do so) still call the police and make a report. Someone who pulls a gun in response to a shout isn't that far from pulling the trigger by accident or intent, a report even if they can't find him will be there if/when he does it again.

Yeah big dangerous animals are less common here in the northeast. I find it bizarre to see how people just walk around alligators in the southeast as if they're no big deal.

Ditto. There are fairly frequent sightings in our area and about three years ago we had a spate of sightings and one killed deer on our street. Cougars are reclusive and it is highly unusual for one to attack a human. They will generally retreat if you encounter one on the trail.

One of the advantages of living in Britain (and rural North Hampshire in particular) is that the worst thing I need to worry about is the occasional Kamikaze Badger.

My Dad hit one about 25 years ago. He went straight over the bars and landed on his face. The badger seemed OK and went of grumbling like an old man ( as they do).
I had to run him into hospital with a towel wrapped round his face. I'd just bought a car and didn't want him bleeding all over the passenger seat.

The victim has been identified as SJ Brooks, a local leader of a cycling inclusion advocacy group, avid bike tourist and former bike mechanic. They were riding a vintage Raleigh Portage.

Anybody dying like this is terrible, but I can't think of a worse person to lose for the cycling community in Seattle.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a4298e2108.png

Very sorry to hear this. Condolences to the friends and family. C&V-ish bike too. Sounds like they did everything right, but were just unfortunate.

I've never seen a cougar, though I am fairly certain I have heard one a couple occasions while out hiking. They are generally shy.

Saw a bobcat a couple times. I see coyotes all the time while out riding.

Yep, I feel completely out of my element in the woods, and can only think of all manner of dangerous things lurking in the distance.

Found this to be a very interesting read, highlighting how complicated the human factor can be: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2...of-los-angeles

I'll read it. Thanks.

Want to come ride upstate with me? I'm doing the Ride The Ridge 80 mile route on June 2. You'll see wildlife, but it won't threaten you.

Well, that was just a general reading suggestion for everyone, but I know we were just talking about the NY'er.

That ride sounds/looks great, but I'm not sure if I can get out of girlfriend prison that day on short notice. I'll see what I can do.

Girlfriend prison?! That doesn't sound happy.

Sorry, mine had no intention of being P&R. Just a statement that I, at times, while riding in pretty remote areas have had a sense that something was watching me and that the thought of having a way to protect myself against a bear or cougar had crossed my mind.

Edited the comment to eliminate angst from folks.

All kinds of dangerous animals in Florida. Aside from a bear and python I've seen them all on rides.

Gators. Panthers. Bears. Wild Boar. Pythons. Coyotes. Bobcats.

All good.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3ce86e5f5c.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b3ec88eb3a.jpg

Except aero. Aero may be an issue.

It's worse for mountain bikers in cougar country than for hikers. The fast movement attracts them like a running deer would. It's hard to imagine what an attack like this would be like or what the best defense would be. I've lived in rural wooded areas all my life and have always been able to move away from dangerous animals. The only things that have eaten me have been black flies and mosquitoes.