geese !!

[Luiji07]

ok just tried the altrincham to mcr route along canal and was great up until i got to trafford park - then the last 4 miles or so into city was really narrow dirt track which i can handle but then u throw in the evil geese!!
I tried ringing my bell to move them, speeding up and then just holding my breath and hoping for the best lol they do not move just stand and hiss and my ankles felt very vulnerable and i really dont know how i made it back without a little swim!!

I done the route there and back and coming back was quite a push as just started cycling

i really want to do the commute but the bloody geese have put me off and also how quiet and desolate it is from stretford into mcr
i am currently looking at more routes that are not really busy traffic wise if i come off canal at trafford park or stretford - any suggestions will be welcome

 

[2Loose]

We often have loads outside work and although they hiss, they wont chase if you don't rush them and give them a chance to move along.
Also, holding a coat open like a big pair of wings (admittedly difficult while pushing a bike) makes them back off quietly and quick sharp.

My neighbour used to have 5 of them as guard geese - very effective at that.

 

[gb155]

Was the worst thing about taking the canal over winter

one jumped off a verge at me and ended up under my frame, was doing 18mph at the time, was just after the ice and snow had melted, scared me to death, I was inches away from taking a swim.

Not used it since LOL

 

[Sambu]

flap your arms and hiss. we have some farm geese and it wrks on them

 

[the reluctant cyclist]

I had one fly at me last year! It was really horrible.

It had some chicks and I was going around them as wide as I could and really carefully but it actually launched itself from the towpath and flew right into my face!!!

I felt its horrible rubbery feet on my neck and it knocked my helmet all askew!!!! YUK!

The worst was that nobody was there to witness it!!!

Friends and family laughed when I told them which is about as much as you can expect!!

As for advice on how to stop them doing it - I have not a clue - personally when they hiss at me I actually tell them to "f" off! Probably not the best thing for Goose/People relations but I'm not keen on them!

To be fair they are only protecting themselves and it's sad that they are probably only aggressive because scumbags have probably been mean to them in the past!

A quick peck from them probably isn't that painful? Worst is the wobble into the canal after I expect!!!!!

 

[Mad at urage]

As Sambu says, HISSSSSSSSS at them - seriously, it works. Hissing is their signal for "I'm pissed at you, go away" and you are bigger than they are.

 

[Sambu]

Ive seen one travel around a paddock attached to the tail of a pony before, the dogs are scared of them too. once you get a hold of them they're ok, all mouth they are! Except when they're sitting on eggs, that's a different beast!

 

[Twenty Inch]

26 years ago, I watched with delight as our geese saw off my geography teacher from the back garden. It remains a vivid memory.

 

[BrumJim]

Take some bread crumbs with you. If there are geese in the way, throw some breadcrumbs into the canal. They will then jump in to eat them.

I've seen it work. Honestly!

 

[Pennine-Paul]

I used to work in Trafford Park and yes it is a bit grim on the canal towpath,

I used to go along Ordsall lane, across the A57,first right after the railway bridge,

straight across the ring road,up a little cycle path over the bridge,this brings you

out near the granada studios.

this was by far the quietest route into town and no nasty junctions

or nasty geese!