I finally understand...
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Arlington, ma
Posts: 17
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I finally understand...
So after my first summer of commuting (I will hit 1500 miles since may this week) and lurking here most of that time, I finally understand...
squirrels.are.crazy.
One ran between my wheels on my commute back home from work today, scared the crap out of me, and it didn't even get scratched.
squirrels.are.crazy.
One ran between my wheels on my commute back home from work today, scared the crap out of me, and it didn't even get scratched.
#2
RacingBear
So after my first summer of commuting (I will hit 1500 miles since may this week) and lurking here most of that time, I finally understand...
squirrels.are.crazy.
One ran between my wheels on my commute back home from work today, scared the crap out of me, and it didn't even get scratched.
squirrels.are.crazy.
One ran between my wheels on my commute back home from work today, scared the crap out of me, and it didn't even get scratched.
#3
on your left.
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Blacksburg, VA
Posts: 1,802
Bikes: Scott SUB 30, Backtrax MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Squirrels are bad. rabbits are worse.
i've seen some gnarly crash pics from squirrels and the like running into spokes, glad you're ok.
i've seen some gnarly crash pics from squirrels and the like running into spokes, glad you're ok.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Marysville WA
Posts: 440
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I had an orange cat try to end it all by diving into my front wheel in the dark on the way to work. He almost made it. I was to fast on the brakes for him though. I wonder if he ever found succes? Lots of squirrels near my house, they have left me alone so far.
#6
Blasted Weeds
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 1,182
Bikes: Trek 1200C, Specialized Rockhopper, Giant Yukon FX, Giant Acapulco
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
<crosses fingers>
Oh please dear wiccan bicycle gawd and gawdesses - make it plain for all live creatures to see that I, the fabulous Tude, am cycling nearby!!
Seriously though (am wiccan) - I've been body free for the last three years - YAY!!! No fwogs, no snakes, etc - have rescued a few turtles and one poor baby bird that I know didn't make it - he was too confused - but I did it!!! YAY!!! Oh yeah and avoided a boat load of squirrels who should have been road meat! <shakes head>
Oh please dear wiccan bicycle gawd and gawdesses - make it plain for all live creatures to see that I, the fabulous Tude, am cycling nearby!!
Seriously though (am wiccan) - I've been body free for the last three years - YAY!!! No fwogs, no snakes, etc - have rescued a few turtles and one poor baby bird that I know didn't make it - he was too confused - but I did it!!! YAY!!! Oh yeah and avoided a boat load of squirrels who should have been road meat! <shakes head>
__________________
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Perth, Australia
Posts: 298
Bikes: Avanti ventura, Fuga Track Bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
damn. would love to see a squirel to jump through a hipster's aerospoke some day.
#8
circus bear
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Austin
Posts: 642
Bikes: 97(?) GT Richochet, 00 Schwinn SuperSport
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
no hipster but I had a squirrel jump into my chain/chainrings last fall(?). Kinda sloppy...
T-boned a raccoon and that just made him mad and scared the poop outta me! Nothing like 430am Wild Kingdom.
T-boned a raccoon and that just made him mad and scared the poop outta me! Nothing like 430am Wild Kingdom.
#9
bulletproof tiger
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 1,934
Bikes: Waterford 2200, Litespeed Tuscany, Salsa La Cruz, Kona Fire Mountain
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The squirrels here are way too cagey to worry about. They steal the acorns from the tire treads of passing cars in my neighborhood. I throw a few almonds over my left shoulder at the beginning of every ride as protection money to the bosses. I stay out of their way, they stay out of mine. They even have some sort of handshake agreement with my dog.
#10
Blasted Weeds
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 1,182
Bikes: Trek 1200C, Specialized Rockhopper, Giant Yukon FX, Giant Acapulco
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Daaa-aaaaam - you topped my lil fwogs, etc. I sometimes get soo cooking along when I'm on a long solo roadride that I just cruisin and yes, listening, but just in the tube of cruising that suddenly something jars me that really JARS me and I jump but not enough to fall off. yeah - a raccoon would be quite interesting at 4:30 am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
__________________
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Toronto
Posts: 411
Bikes: 1976 20" folding Triumph Trafficmaster
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have thankfully managed to avoid animals while riding my bike thus far. Once when I was on the parkline/MUP area behind my apartment building, I slowed down for a bunch of romping dogs, and one of them came right up and dropped a ball at my feet -- or should I say wheels.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 147
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Only animals on my usual commute are the aforementioned sui-squirrels and a yorkie that generally chases me yapping for about 100ft. I like the squirrels a lot more than the ratdog
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: VT
Posts: 52
Bikes: many
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I love wildlife. I've seen squirrels, rabbits, wild turkeys, fox, mink, otters, owls, hawks, deer, bears and moose while riding. I think squirrels win the prize for the most insane. Bears will immediately run away. Deer are really erratic but they're just trying to get out of the way.
Moose don't care. They don't have to.
Moose don't care. They don't have to.
#15
Vine, vi, monte bicicleta
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 89
Bikes: 2005 Tomasso Imola Road bike, 2001 Ironhorse Outlaw hard tail, 2008 Motobecane Fantom Trail DS FS, 2009 GT Agressor with upgraded BB, brakes and F/R deraileurs.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Haha...I even wrote a nice blog piece on what are evidently a very large population of suicidal squirrels around my area. They're the only ones that I've come across that will run in front of you instead of away from you. The bunnies I see every morning find the shortest path off the pavement and into the brush...but not squirrels!
I'm sure I've ruined the day of more than a few by clipping them as they scamper away.
I'm sure I've ruined the day of more than a few by clipping them as they scamper away.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 152
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I haven't had a problem with squirrels. I think I killed a bat the other night though. I didn't stop to check, but given the sound it made when it hit my spokes, I think survival was unlikely.
#18
Prefers Cicero
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Toronto
Posts: 411
Bikes: 1976 20" folding Triumph Trafficmaster
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Oh man... just because I'm in the mood for horror stories, has anyone ever encountered a skunk or a porcupine while cycling? Like moose, they have no fear and believe that they own whatever ground they are standing on; unlike moose, they are small and unobtrusive and you don't notice until you're right on top of them.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 593
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I have fortunately only ever had near misses with squirrels. It is amazing how they can slip through my front and rear wheels though. They are quick little buggers. I was also on a mountain bike path when visiting my family in VA. I ran over a big black snake that was laying across the trail. When I looked back he was recoiled and his head was popped up, I think he was fine. My family told me that they are not poisonous.
Also in my neighborhood we have an enormous rabbit population. Most of the residents are very protective of them and will pursue those who hurt them. As in chase the perp down and do all kinds of unspeakable things to them. Fortunately I have been safe thus far. If I stop posting though that could have been my fate...
Also in my neighborhood we have an enormous rabbit population. Most of the residents are very protective of them and will pursue those who hurt them. As in chase the perp down and do all kinds of unspeakable things to them. Fortunately I have been safe thus far. If I stop posting though that could have been my fate...
#21
Shut Up and Ride
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 578
Bikes: Cannondale t-700 [commuter], Cannondale MT-800 [Tandem so the Lil Misses can keep up], GT I drive Team [My tricked out Racer MTB]
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The squirrels are daring, cunning, and fast. They can zip out and back in a flash. I've had them run between bikes, but never between the wheels[yet].
The rabbits are just stupid... they run out and then freeze up and wait for you to hit them. Luckily, I've been able to steer around them, but it's happened a few times.
The rabbits are just stupid... they run out and then freeze up and wait for you to hit them. Luckily, I've been able to steer around them, but it's happened a few times.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: VT
Posts: 52
Bikes: many
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Oh man... just because I'm in the mood for horror stories, has anyone ever encountered a skunk or a porcupine while cycling? Like moose, they have no fear and believe that they own whatever ground they are standing on; unlike moose, they are small and unobtrusive and you don't notice until you're right on top of them.
I hope to never encounter a skunk while riding.
#23
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 15
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
When I was in high school, I was coasting down a down hill, probably 20 mph, when a squirrel darted in front of me from the right side of the road. I was startled and nearly jumped off the bike, and swerved left, which turned out to be the wrong direction. The front wheel ran over his tail as he was running to my left, and his tail got pinned, so his body snapped back and bounced off the front wheel spokes. I'm not sure if the back wheel got him or not, but when I looked back, he was running across the road the same direction he started, so I guess he was ok. Wow that was an adrenaline rush.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Southern California
Posts: 362
Bikes: 08 Seven Alaris, 07 Jamis Quest, 08 Swobo Dixon, 91 Specialized Rockhopper
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts