|
during the Tour Divide, a lot people were very much concerned about bears. while I never actually saw a bear, I did see a couple of prints in the dirt.
I may be totally ignorant when it comes to bears, but I think the situation is pretty much avoidable. The primary Lure being food. I'm pretty sure they'd choose to scrounge food rather than case a person down. a few years back, a buddy, along with his backpacking buddies... in Onion Valley, in the Eastern Sierra 1 guy was knocked down and scratched up by a bear, 50 stitches later. I could hardly believe that the incident occurred. basically they were in a rocky area, no tree coverage in the middle of the night, a bear started walking off with 1 of the guy's backpack, which probably had food in it. so he started throwing rocks, and screaming everyone got out of their tents, and before anyone could do something this guy while still throwing rocks, and yelling, the bear walking away with his backpack the guy decides to chase the bear chase the bear? he gets close, the bear drops the backpack, turns around, stands up, and knocks him down everyone freaks out, thinking that he's being eaten alive whereas the bear actually just scratched him up with its claws, and jammed its muzzle all over this guy the crazy part was that these guys were a ways away from their car they went to the hospital, I'm thinking in Bishop, where he received about 50 stitches down his back. seems to me that it always comes down to the issue about food. |
Originally Posted by Bekologist
(Post 11334634)
:roflmao:
Bears, folks. how many of you people have actually encountered a bear while touring? how about, who's run into more than a couple of bears? more than 5 bears? |
Lots of people carry it, fortunately few ever have to use it. On the highway I have seen lots of bears, both black and grizzly, but they don't pose much of a threat (to me) since there are usually lots of cars full of tourists who get much closer than I do. Most of the people who get attacked by bears around here are either hikers who startle them in the woods, or campers who are careless with food.
As Bekologist indicated, mountain biking is one of the best ways to meet a bear. |
Topeak makes adjustable bottle cage that can fit a smaller container, such as a bear spray, without any modifications to the container itself.
http://a-world.net/files/bf/BearSpray.jpg |
Originally Posted by Peterpan1
(Post 11334502)
Another issue to consider is that Bear Spray is a potent weapon. Whatever your local laws may be, you have both a responsibility and possibly some liability for not being in control of it particularly if it is on display. You don't want to be coming back to your bike and be confronted by someone who has liberated your bear spray, and now wants your money, etc... I asume the reason why cops in general, and bike cops, carry their sidearms on them, and not on the bike, is because of the kind of issues covered here, access and control.
If you ask me it is always better to be prepared, what if the bear is up in the tree eating your pannier/picnic basket! Rember though if you are going to carry the spray be sure to test it out and get a handle on how it works! Just remember to shoot downwind, haha. |
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:21 PM. |
Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.