Posts
23
Joined
2/19/2019
Location
Austin, TX
US
Edited Date/Time
11/29/2019 4:37pm
just curious if solo riders in mtn and pac time zones find it easy to put the potential dangers out of your minds. in Austin, I ride without even a thought given to things that lurk in the forest but in 2020 I'm looking to explore some of the mountain and west states a lot more. seems mountain lion encounters have risen pretty sharply in the last few years, but whether it's a puma or a bear, do you carry a knife, a gun, maybe a jersey with bright yellow eyes on your back? i guess the question is, to what lengths do you go to get to the point, mentally, where it's not even something you think about?
For me once I read about how to react if you encounter a Mountain Lion or bear has helped a lot. Sounds like most problems can be easily averted if you just act right. I don't get too crazy with my rides though, usually 10-20 miles single day and I don't really leave main trails. If I were going farther or deeper or longer I'd defo look into a bear spray or even a small hand gun. I have heard a few stories of guns having to be used and being effective.
The current thinking is: If you don’t move after being bitten, the venom doesn’t move and you have almost unlimited time to get to universal antivenin. The venom moves in the lymphatic system, not the blood.
The recommendation is “don’t even move enough to roll your pant leg up”.
If someone else is there, binding the limb in a firm bandage (over any clothing) further reduces the chance of the venom spreading.
We have something like 7 of the worlds 10 most deadly snakes in our patch of paradise.
Including the aggressive “Brown Snake” - those bad boys will chase you!!
In all seriousness this is a problem in the lower 48 (outside of griz territory) that is a fraction of what surfing in the ocean is, and you don't see surfers carrying harpoon guns "just in case".
I think the statistics suggest for every 10 rides on the front range of Colorado a mountain lion will see you once. That's frightening, being I have probably 1000 days of riding on the front range and have NEVER seen a cat, but that also goes to show how reclusive they really are.
If you live in Griz country, I could see packing bear spray and maybe a real gun depending on season. I did a 50 mile race in Big Sky that took us pretty far off the beaten path. I had nothing and did think "if I consistently rode here I'd pack".
Otherwise, don't waste your time (or money). The odds are in your favor. A homeless person, aggressive hiker, hippy on acid or similar is going to be a lot more your problem than any animal.
PS - all that said, does anyone remember this really old MTBR thread where a guy asked the exact same question? People were flaming the dude left and right and low and behold a mountian lion ended up KILLING A DEER IN HIS FRONT LAWN! It was pure internet gold.
I much prefer bear bangers. I keep a loaded pen launcher in an easy to reach pocket. Keep the eyes up and practice firing one, and that makes me feel a little safer
FYI- That dog was lucky I didn’t go caveman on him. I could have took him out completely and threw his ass into the ravine and let the crows eat him.
I have spoken to a park ranger about this due to all the sighting and attacks and the fact they are getting bolder and coming into towns and neighborhoods more often. He informed me that this is happening because of the way they are hunted and the adults are being killed off to soon so they are not teaching their young how to hunt and be afraid of humans.
I try not to ride alone often but when I do I carry two knifes one on each side of my pack. I also purchased a Springfield arms XDS compact .45 holds six one chambered its small light and fits in my pack. I also before I ride I think through what I might do if a bear of a cougar approach me so I am in the mind set of what to do.
All animals have a certain time they hunt cougars mtn lions usually do it at dusk or dawn. Large cats like to grab their prey by the neck and use there back legs to dig in and if you think a small house cats claws are sharp. Most adult cats can drag up to 700lbs.
So always try and use your bike as a shield, try and look larger than life and never never run and fight back.
That’s one reason we ride off road.
That, and the fun!!
https://www.vaildaily.com/news/mountain-bike-dog-attack-case-ends-with-…
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www.denverpost.com/2014/08/24/guard-dogs-continue-to-frighten-hikers-on…
They are way more likely to attack you than a cougar - cause they are trained to attack. The dog that came after me was a Cujo like monster dog.
I think a more useful thing to bring into this thread would be: "I encountered __________, what do I do now?"
I know for a mountain lion you are best to use your bike to look big, make noises, yell, scream etc. The same seemed to work on my badger encounter (lol).
I did forget, I actually ran across two mountain lions many years ago...but they were cubs! That was a terrifying one. Never saw mom.
Lol-
This is RJ......he’s scared to ride his mountain bike in the woods cuz he thinks a cougar might get him.....HTFU!!
This is Mike.......he’s upset that I maced a vicious dog on a trail and threw a rock at him .....HTFU !!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4FbHzeCJjM
I never ride alone out in the wilderness. Closer to town, no problem. (I hope.)
I hear you are supposed to lift your bike over your head to look larger and more imposing when faced with wildlife. Never run.
Dude, mace it yeah you were protecting yourself but smashing an animal with rocks who now poses no threat makes you look like a tiny tiny man.
To be honest with you I doubt this even happened, it seems like macho posturing by an insecure little boy.
RECOGNIZE
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