Riding through Santa Ana Mountains in the middle of the night, mountain lions?
05-25-17, 04:30 PM
#26
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You know how mountain lions get you, right?
They sneak up close, totally silent ... then let out a good roar.
You sprint off into the darkness and don't stop until you reach town, where you are promptly hit by some guy you didn't see because you were so shook by the lion.
They sneak up close, totally silent ... then let out a good roar.
You sprint off into the darkness and don't stop until you reach town, where you are promptly hit by some guy you didn't see because you were so shook by the lion.
05-25-17, 06:49 PM
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+1. Unless you do something really stoopid like the Grizzly Man who thought he was 'one' with the grizzlies, then predictably became 'one' with the grizzlies or the idiots in the mtn bike video who almost hit a bear cub, then stop to see where it went. Not that something can't happen but the odds are so small. You've def got bigger risks to worry about on that ride.
05-25-17, 07:05 PM
#28
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Attacks are really rare on humans, maybe 2 dozen in many, many years. There was one up north end of LA county a few years ago, broad daylight, female jogger, grabbed from behind, dragged the body in some brush, ripped out her internals, and cover the rest of body with leaves to come and eat later.
Gives me the same feeling when I was fishing in Alaska and 800-900lb brown bear crossed 25 yards upstream from me. You realize there is nothing you can do, this might be your day.
Gives me the same feeling when I was fishing in Alaska and 800-900lb brown bear crossed 25 yards upstream from me. You realize there is nothing you can do, this might be your day.
05-25-17, 07:45 PM
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A few years ago we had 10 cougar sighting in our community during a 3-month period. I also saw two young cougars together on my way to work one morning. They are not always solitary.
Cougar sightings reported in Sweet Home | Local | gazettetimes.com
Cougar sightings reported in Sweet Home | Local | gazettetimes.com
05-25-17, 08:26 PM
#30
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I don't know about riding, but running we use a brighter headlamp to the rear, as the cats don't like the bright light. Alternatively, bring along another rider and a .22.
05-25-17, 08:27 PM
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The guy in the other story about the cougar: You probably interrupted him in the middle of a hunt. He was likely about to pounce on some small creature on the other side of the road when you bumbled past. He didn't run, becuase he wanted to keep an eye on his next meal. If you had stopped, THEN he probably would've gotten mad at you.
If so ... I'm not a guy.
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05-25-17, 08:48 PM
#34
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05-25-17, 09:43 PM
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05-26-17, 03:34 PM
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I'm betting that you are not a 'cat person'? Because, if you were, you would understand that no cat would be interested in you as a meal, or take you as a threat unless you challenged them. A bear, maybe, a coyote, no, a cat, definately not.
The guy in the other story about the cougar: You probably interrupted him in the middle of a hunt. He was likely about to pounce on some small creature on the other side of the road when you bumbled past. He didn't run, becuase he wanted to keep an eye on his next meal. If you had stopped, THEN he probably would've gotten mad at you.
BTW, cats are nearly always loners, except in special cases (African lions come to mind). If you see one, the only time you might see a second is if it's a mother bringing her nearly-grown offspring along to teach.
The guy in the other story about the cougar: You probably interrupted him in the middle of a hunt. He was likely about to pounce on some small creature on the other side of the road when you bumbled past. He didn't run, becuase he wanted to keep an eye on his next meal. If you had stopped, THEN he probably would've gotten mad at you.
BTW, cats are nearly always loners, except in special cases (African lions come to mind). If you see one, the only time you might see a second is if it's a mother bringing her nearly-grown offspring along to teach.
https://https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/02/us/cougar-is-killed-for-jogger-s-death-in-california-park.html
Last edited by hueyhoolihan; 05-26-17 at 03:43 PM.
05-26-17, 04:39 PM
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You're about 100 times more likely to be killed by lightning ...
(About 50 lightning deaths per year in U.S., vs. less than 50 mountain lion deaths in the last century.)
(About 50 lightning deaths per year in U.S., vs. less than 50 mountain lion deaths in the last century.)
05-27-17, 06:34 AM
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I can see it: Cyclist killed by lightning
An unidentified cyclist was killed by a bolt of lightning while riding through rural California last night. The scorched remains have not yet been identified.
Authorities say the man was killed because lightning was attracted to his ridiculously large Mountain Lion knife.
An unidentified cyclist was killed by a bolt of lightning while riding through rural California last night. The scorched remains have not yet been identified.
Authorities say the man was killed because lightning was attracted to his ridiculously large Mountain Lion knife.
05-27-17, 06:58 AM
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Hmm, as someone who's spent his life alone in the woods photographing wildlife I'd be more worried about getting injuried wrecking the bike than I would having a cat attack me....
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05-27-17, 08:01 AM
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Had to look that up!
05-27-17, 04:29 PM
#43
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05-27-17, 04:44 PM
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Congrats, Raschid! Epic ride! I know it was dark but what were Skyline Dr. and Black Star Canyon Rd. like? I'll have to keep this itinerary in mind for next time I'm in So Cal.
05-27-17, 07:46 PM
#45
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I'm not very experienced and only have crossed this trail twice and what I can tell you is that the trails are very easy and casual for mountain biking, I used a racing road bike for the trail and I had no trouble getting theough at all.
05-27-17, 08:06 PM
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Dogs, and I'm guessing, relatives of dogs (wolves, coyotes, etc.) chase. We probably have all been chased by the canine species.
I think bears will chase in certain situations, but this is based purely on things I've seen and read in the media.
Anytime I've encountered cats they either run away, or they crouch and stay still right on the road. I'm not suggesting that this is what a mountain lion would do, but simply guessing based on their younger relatives.
Cats do hunt though, and if they saw you/us as prey watch out
I think bears will chase in certain situations, but this is based purely on things I've seen and read in the media.
Anytime I've encountered cats they either run away, or they crouch and stay still right on the road. I'm not suggesting that this is what a mountain lion would do, but simply guessing based on their younger relatives.
Cats do hunt though, and if they saw you/us as prey watch out
05-28-17, 07:59 AM
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I'm telling you it is kamikaze armadillos that offer the greatest danger. Crazed on sake (or maybe tequila,) and eager to leap straight up just befor eimpact .... if you see an armadillo wearing a white cloth headband, hit the brakes.
05-28-17, 11:26 AM
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so have you any idea how big a mountain lion is? now how big are you while on your bike? if you are not a wounded child, i wouldn't worry about it
05-28-17, 12:31 PM
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I wouldn't worry because if I am riding on a road I am not likely to be stalked. Even if I were riding off-road on a trail .... cats are not impulse hunters. if I come crashing along in the dark, with a light, the cat is likely to not see me as prey ... and won't have time to check me out and decide if I am worth the risk and effort.