hobkirk

I live west of Boston - I find most of the countryside in the area beautiful. Today I was pedaling up a long hill and saw a cluster of animals in the middle of a huge field, across from a very imposing house. As I got closer, I was surprised to see that the group consisted of two longhorn steers in addition to the four white horses. Wouldn't it be bad to have longhorns and horses together? As I got closer, I saw there was a subtle wire fence splitting the space into two huge fields. The horses and the steers were clustered closely (maybe 5' apart) on two sides of the wire fence.

It seemed interesting to me - Longhorns are pretty rare up here (at least I don't see them). Four white horses made an impression. The clustering seemed odd, but I don't really know. I can't recall seeing horses clustered in a field unless there's a feeding trough or they're going through a gate. [I ride by lots of fields with several horses.] It was a shame the field was so big and they were in the middle - like I said, Longhorns are rare to me.

Oh, well, I kept cranking up the hill and I hear noise. I look at the field and one of the steers is running alongside me! He's running faster than I ever would have expected they would run in an open field. I stopped. He stopped. I got off the bike and talked to him from about five feet. He snorted and examined me. Then he ran back to the cluster in the middle of the field.

I'm sure this would have been hum-drum for many of you living in Texas (and other cattle states), but it was a delight for me. My test for a memorable day (or ride) is: will I remember it five years from now. This ride passes the test.

10 Wheels

What did you say to him.





I talk to them too. I tell them Mcdonalds is looking for them.

dstrong 

Did that steer bend that fence stake like that?

10 Wheels

He didn't say. He was mad.

10 Wheels

Do you see any up your way?

rjones28 

I haven't seen any longhorns around here. There are cattle though.

There are sheep on one of my routes. The sheep dog chases me away from his flock, as I ride by.

djb

have had a horse run along side me for a while.
had a bird fly from one fence post to another following my speed too, which was really funny.

funny memory was a itsy bitsy teeny tiny village in France, village dogs lying in middle of only road going through town, didnt even lift a head as my pal and I had to steer around them....

10 Wheels

We had some horses on the road with us last summer in North Carolina.
My room mate got this vid with his cell phone riding one handed.

https://www.vimeo.com/5432274

rjones28 

Wow. A wild ride for sure. Great video.

alpha_bravo

At least the longhorn didn't want to join your ride like this horse.

RacerOne

Had one of these pace along beside me the other day.. faster than I expected.

ravenmore

hey, at least they run along side you guys. I, however, get no respect:

djb

chuckle raven, or Rodney.

as for the vid with the 3 horses on the road iwth you, scary stuff. was worried they would be hit by a car, or one of you by them...close call
neat memory though

ravenmore

btw - I was on a group ride. We turned a corner and came face to face with two longhorn steer in the middle of the road. One swung around and put his butt directly behind his horns facing us. This is not a good thing. We stared at each other for a few seconds then they bolted - and jumped the barbed wire fence next to the road. I had no idea they could do that.

patentcad

Sounds like bull.

ravenmore

ouch. that was so bad it hurt.

philski

I've had deer run along side me in the woods next to the road I drive on, for a solid mile or so. It's neat, although their run is much more challenging as they are dodging both trees and hunters

K. Olsen

Follow the pretty pony!

dstrong 

I've seen a few riding out towards Dripping Springs but most of my rides are on the more traveled roads where farms are far and few between. There is a well known ride that go past an exotic animal ranch and another that goes past a place with camels I believe.

Speaking of camels...there's a great shot in the paper this morning of a cyclist, fully kitted out, petting a camel used by a local church who does a live nativity scene each year. I'm trying to find it online so I can post it but haven't been able to as of yet.

Grumpy McTrumpy

when I see the thread title it makes me think this:



Someone trying to drop me.

patentcad

I'd never steer you wrong.

Bianchigirll 

soo did the horse get the stage win? think Lance will sign him?

engstrom

Talk about a draught (draft) horse.

ravenmore

There's a few place locally I ride where I run into longhorns - they're kind of common around Austin (go figure). Just ran across this pic I forgot about. I had to stop to fix a flat and this guy walked all the way across a huge field to come say hello.

deanack

We had a Great Dane run along the road with a group of Tandems at a fast clip. He was just out to have fun running.