Wildlife and cycling

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Yeah, they're a menace, stupid things. I've nearly been smacked off a couple of times when they decide to fly out of the hedge. Then there was the Squirrel that ran BETWEEN my wheels

the one that did that to me recently was a little out on its timing. My rear wheel ran it over! (Once I had managed to stop, I went back to see if it was injured and needing killing (I won't leave an injured animal at the side of the road) but it had gone, so guess it was lucky!)

 

[L14M]

I've had a squirrel jump out of a tree in front of me before.. jumping into a bush.. Missed my chest by a few cm's!

 

[DRHysted]

Brought Beaulieu to a stop going to work one night last week, because a goose decided to have a stand off, and really didn't seem to want to let me past!

Had a badger shoot out of the undergrowth alongside me and then weave back and forth in front of me whilst I was panic breaking, before finally deciding to go into the field on my left.
Had a rabbit jump at me from the side of the road (got to shoulder height), I presumed it mistook me for some form of veg, but I really don't think I ride that slowly.
Almost rode into the back end of a New Forest pony (the hi-vis collars are great, but why can't mark their back ends as well) during the winter year before last. Got better lights very quickly after that.
Seen plenty of deer over the years, but I presume my heavy breathing gives them plenty of notice so they can line the edge of the road and laugh as I go past.

 

[Davos87]

One of the nicest experiences when out on the bike is when you are cycling down a country Lane and you get the small birds darting in and out of the hedgerows in front of you. I almost feels like when you see Dolphins diving in and out in front of boats.
Or I might be wrong about that!

 

[ufkacbln]

My nearest disaster was on the cyclepath through Gosport

Out of the bushes about 6 feet in front of me came a deer!

It then decided to bound around in a panicked way for a few minutes and then disappear up the cycle track

 

[Donger]

They do llama trecking in some of the lanes outside Cheltenham. Once came round a blind corner near the end of a ride, with my mind drifting to thoughts of Mars bars and hot baths, and came face to face with a startled llama (or alpaca ???). Much skidding,wobbling and loss of face ensued.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Yeah, they're a menace, stupid things. I've nearly been smacked off a couple of times when they decide to fly out of the hedge. Then there was the Squirrel that ran BETWEEN my wheels

I had a squirrel try to run through my front wheel. Fortunately it headbutted a spoke and bounced off, otherwise it would have been an ex-squirrel.

Best wildlife moment was when riding over the Long Mynd and a Red Kite took off from the heather just a few feet away and flew with me for about quarter of a mile - a fabulous unforgettable experience.

 

[mattobrien]

I often see barn owls when out after dark, either around the local reservoir or country lanes. Deer are also a relatively regular sight.

I once encountered a suicidal rat which ran under my front wheel and then quickly met my rear wheel. I sounded rather hollow.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

When out for a ride today had to put my breaks on really quickly as a couple of pheasants decided to slowly cross the road!! Luckily I stayed on the bike and didn't end up in the hedge!!!

Must have been very unpheasant for you.

They do llama trecking in some of the lanes outside Cheltenham. Once came round a blind corner near the end of a ride, with my mind drifting to thoughts of Mars bars and hot baths, and came face to face with a startled llama (or alpaca ???). Much skidding,wobbling and loss of face ensued.

Was it a one-l, two-l or three-l lllama?

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

An alarmed llama, I'd imagine.

Has anyone noticed how the population of bumble bees has dropped as cycling has increased? Won't anyone think of the poor bumble bees!

 

[maltloaf]

The pheasants are bleeding menaces. They have no sense at all. I swerved to miss a line of baby ducks last year and almost ended up in their brook, other than that my worst wildlife encounter was having two wasps stuck inside my shirt at the same time. The missus counted 11 stings around my neck and shoulders...

 

[openroad]

The pheasants are bleeding menaces. They have no sense at all. I swerved to miss a line of baby ducks last year and almost ended up in their brook, other than that my worst wildlife encounter was having two wasps stuck inside my shirt at the same time. The missus counted 11 stings around my neck and shoulders...

Wasps Crikey nasty!!!

 

[Accy cyclist]

I've had a chav and his pitbull walk in front of me while i'm cycling. Does that count?

 

[morrisman]

The worse animal around my part of leafy Bucks is the Muntjac deer, they are not very big but built like brick outbuildings. Friend did a £1000 worth of damage to his car and the Muntjac walked away albeit a bit dazed.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

The pheasants are bleeding menaces. They have no sense at all.

Sounds an awful lot like some pedestrians I see daily. You use your bell when approaching pedestrians walking on one side of a shared path, and they immediately panic and move to the other side... just as you get close .