That was what I was thinking.... one needs to just sharpen up those blades a bit.

Nahh, don't worry about getting a finger or an ankle or a kneecap caught in the blades. With some luck, it will be someone else's body part, and you can always blame it on the fancy new disc brakes!!!

Had one yesterday that was running along side with me and my wife. Thought it was going to come across our path.

I agree! I never thought of using the bell in the past but it works like a charm. Chipmunks are a pain on the rail trail here too. Cute but they love to run in cyclists' paths. I felt bad for the little guy that I crushed a couple of months ago but at least they are smaller and less likely to cause a crash than a squirrel.

Right now in Anchorage it is the moose one has to keep an eye on. The rut is in full swing.

I don't understand a squirrel's logic when crossing a street. They dart 1/4 way into the street inches from you and then run back. I have never once seen a squirrel make a complete run across the street. I have seen them cross the street casually, but never at full speed. If I see them attempting to run in front of me I just go FSA [Full Steam Ahead]. I never hit them, although the proximity always gives me a little concern.