Cycle commuting hazard

The town that I work in recently built a multi-use path leading from the
town recreation grounds/baseball field/fairground up a steep hillside next
to a dam to link up with more multi-use paths circling the reservoir and
connecting a few adjacent towns. Not the best design in the world, awfully
steep and switchbacky for the typical recreational cyclist that uses
multi-use paths around here, so I only use it returning home from work late
at night when noone else is on it. I usually do my homeward (uphill) commute
between 8 PM and 1 AM, depending on my work schedule. The path is quite
pleasant then, no traffic issues and a fairly tranquil setting.

Today's local paper carried a story about a trio of local police officers
who had gone out to this area to investigate a suspicious/abandoned vehicle
and found themselves being followed by three mountain lions as they walked
back to their vehicles. A state wildlife biologist explained to the press
that the animals were most likely a mother and her cubs (mountain lions do
not travel in packs otherwise) and they were most likely passing through
this area on their way to better hunting territory (which does exist not far
from where the incident occurred). Maybe this is true, but I think I'm going
to change my route for the homeward commute for a while.
--
mark

mark wrote:
Today's local paper carried a story about a trio of local police officers
who had gone out to this area to investigate a suspicious/abandoned
vehicle
and found themselves being followed by three mountain lions as they walked
back to their vehicles. A state wildlife biologist explained to the press
that the animals were most likely a mother and her cubs (mountain lions do
not travel in packs otherwise) and they were most likely passing through
this area on their way to better hunting territory (which does exist not
far
from where the incident occurred). Maybe this is true, but I think I'm
going
to change my route for the homeward commute for a while.

Most people attacked by mountain lions were probably observed by the lion
several times before the attack. Mountain lions, like most cats, observe
and learn their prey's habits before selecting a weak point for the attack.
If they were doing other than passing through, there is a reasonable chance
you had already been observed.

Austin
--
I'm pedaling as fast as I durn well please!
There are no X characters in my address

Depending on your state, you should get CCW permit and pack a pistol to
protect yourself. Late night on a non used trail I'd be more concerned
about 2 legged predators. See above for advice. Remember, mtn, lions
are light bones and easy to kill . I'd suggest a compact nine.
Despite what animal rights people say, we are the dominant species and
are not designed to be a meal.

"AustinMN" wrote...

Most people attacked by mountain lions were probably observed by the lion
several times before the attack. Mountain lions, like most cats, observe
and learn their prey's habits before selecting a weak point for the
attack.
If they were doing other than passing through, there is a reasonable
chance
you had already been observed.

Austin
I've heard that before, it makes sense.

I still think I'm going to talk to the state wildlife people before I use
that route again at night.
--
mark

wrote:

Depending on your state, you should get CCW permit and pack a pistol to
protect yourself.

Unlikely to work against a mountain lion, as by time you see him he's
pretty much on you. They're stealthy, effeceint hunters.

Despite what animal rights people say, we are the dominant species and
are not designed to be a meal.

We are just as chewy and nutricous as the next animal.

Rich

typical mountain lion attack consists of pouncing on prey with a
clampdown on spine. People on bikes re not deer. You will br knocked
over nd the tumble of bike person and cat will result in some
confusion. This will give enough time to draw pistol from fanny pack
holster. Even a good fighting knife will help. Or ride with a rhodesian
ridgeback.

wrote:

typical mountain lion attack consists of pouncing on prey with a
clampdown on spine. People on bikes re not deer. You will br knocked
over nd the tumble of bike person and cat will result in some
confusion. This will give enough time to draw pistol from fanny pack
holster. Even a good fighting knife will help. Or ride with a rhodesian
ridgeback.

Right. And pigs fly.

wrote:
typical mountain lion attack consists of pouncing on prey with a
clampdown on spine. People on bikes re not deer. You will br knocked
over nd the tumble of bike person and cat will result in some
confusion. This will give enough time to draw pistol from fanny pack
holster. Even a good fighting knife will help. Or ride with a rhodesian
ridgeback.

After some minor research (see link below), it appears you yave a better
chance then I thought.

http://tchester.org/sgm/lists/lion_attacks_nonca.html

wrote ...

This will give enough time to draw pistol from fanny pack
holster. Even a good fighting knife will help. Or ride with a rhodesian
ridgeback.


You really have been watching too much TV.
--
mark

On Sat, 18 Jun 2005 12:59:13 -0600, Rich wrote:

wrote:
typical mountain lion attack consists of pouncing on prey with a
clampdown on spine. People on bikes re not deer. You will br knocked
over nd the tumble of bike person and cat will result in some
confusion. This will give enough time to draw pistol from fanny pack
holster. Even a good fighting knife will help. Or ride with a rhodesian
ridgeback.

After some minor research (see link below), it appears you yave a better
chance then I thought.

http://tchester.org/sgm/lists/lion_attacks_nonca.html

Yes, always carry a 3" blade and a bag of "heavy binders" for optimum
protection!

----
"The lion retreated after it was stabbed once with the 3" blade of a Swiss
army knife, attacked again, and then left after the hiker "jabbed his thumb
in the lion's eye".
----
Jim Jones, an area wildlife manager for the Colorado Division of Wildlife,
said that the lion probably wasn't driven away by the hiker's action, but
instead "just lost interest", since lions are used to receiving wounds from
their prey
-----
The cougar attacked Jon's neck and knocked him off the bike. The hood of
Jon's coat prevented initial injury, but on the ground the cougar continued
attacking his neck. Elliot Cole, 39, saw the struggle, stopped his truck,
yelled at the cougar, then hit the cougar with a bag filled with heavy
binders
----

Please note, these methods may not work on a "pack of hotdog weiners".

HTH,