A Squirrel jumped on me
#1
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A Squirrel jumped on me
I swear I'm not making this up. I was riding on a bike path in Boise, ID that has lots of trees on both sides of the path. All of a sudden I felt like I got punched in the arm by someone with a boxing glove on. I looked over and a squirrel was running for it's life. The only thing I can figure is that it jumped/fell out of a tree and landed on my arm.
Anyone ever have something like that happen to them?
Anyone ever have something like that happen to them?
#2
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No squirrels but while riding down a residential street the other day, a bird crapped on my handlebar stem. I didn't see it but the defecator was not a small bird. Had I been going just a tad bit faster, ....never mind....
#3
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No, but my mail carrier has warned me of the dangers of a squirrel running into your wheel spokes. She said a friend of hers was seriously injured in a fall when this happened.
Now I ring the bell or yell at them if they are on the trail ahead of me in hopes of scaring them off the trail. Probably seems silly, but a few weeks ago, one started out of my way, then ducked back in at the last moment and got partway into the spokes of my rear wheel. Didn’t affect my motion but I’m afraid the squirrel was hurt.
Otto
Now I ring the bell or yell at them if they are on the trail ahead of me in hopes of scaring them off the trail. Probably seems silly, but a few weeks ago, one started out of my way, then ducked back in at the last moment and got partway into the spokes of my rear wheel. Didn’t affect my motion but I’m afraid the squirrel was hurt.
Otto
Last edited by ofajen; 07-12-20 at 10:32 AM.
#4
Jedi Master
I was riding at night behind a friend in the last couple of miles of a 400k a few weeks ago. A racoon crossed the road in front of us and we both rode right over it. We didn't stop to see if it was OK.
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That sounds like the time that one of my former employers was dressed to the nines for a black tie outing, later that evening,and he went outside of his house to observe a flock of honking geese flying overhead and got a massive load right down the dress shirt, No face painting thankfully.
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Maybe it thought you were a nut. 😀
#7
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#8
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No, but my mail carrier has warned me of the dangers of a squirrel running into your wheel spokes. She said a friend of hers was seriously injured in a fall when this happened.
Now I ring the bell or yell at them if they are on the trail ahead of me in hopes of scaring them off the trail. Probably seems silly, but a few weeks ago, one started out of my way, then ducked back in at the last moment and got partway into the spokes of my rear wheel. Didn’t affect my motion but I’m afraid the squirrel was hurt.
Otto
Now I ring the bell or yell at them if they are on the trail ahead of me in hopes of scaring them off the trail. Probably seems silly, but a few weeks ago, one started out of my way, then ducked back in at the last moment and got partway into the spokes of my rear wheel. Didn’t affect my motion but I’m afraid the squirrel was hurt.
Otto
#10
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On my commute to work, I encounter many rabbits and deers in the dawn hours. The deers will run the other directions but the rabbits almost always run alongside my bike then dart across. Haven't ran one over yet but came close several times.
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I had a dove fly into my front wheel once. The bike and I were fine, but I doubt the dove survived.
I didn't turn around to find out.
I didn't turn around to find out.
#12
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There's an excellent reason why bicyclist who ride in a very unpredictable or wobbly manner are referred to as "squirrels". You never know which way they're going to go or when they're going to suddenly stop.
Sometimes a squirrel (or other animal - like a deer) will decide to jump across a trail just as you approach. that can result in a collision.
Cheers
Sometimes a squirrel (or other animal - like a deer) will decide to jump across a trail just as you approach. that can result in a collision.
Cheers
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#14
Banned
Why you trim trees
Because Sometimes a squirrel touches the tree and the power line at the same time
, and causes a fuse to blow because it created a ground short, and a few blocks lost power..
, and causes a fuse to blow because it created a ground short, and a few blocks lost power..
#15
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A woman I know got hit in the head by a goose. Suffered a concussion, crashed and fractured her clavicle. The force of the impact was so strong it ruptured the goose’s abdomen. It fell to the road and literally spilled its guts.
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I had a little dog on a MUP run right under my rear wheel once. Lifted me out of the saddle as I went over him. I don't what made more noise afterwards, the little dog or the screaming oriental lady walking it.
I deal with deer and rabbits on pre-dawn rides all the time. The rabbits are real threats like someone else noted. You really have to watch them darting back and forth in front of the light. I've had deer sight unseen cross in front of me and actually graze my hands on the brake levers. That one had me talking to Jesus. Most scary animal encounter was a great horned owl sitting on a fence post in the middle of the trail. Sucker looked more than 3 feet tall, eyes the size of pie pans in the bike headlight. Didn't see him until the last second, got hit in the face by his wing as he lifted to fly off.
Someone on here has a picture of a rattle snake wrapped up in his derailleur gears and cassette. That is an impressive picture.
I deal with deer and rabbits on pre-dawn rides all the time. The rabbits are real threats like someone else noted. You really have to watch them darting back and forth in front of the light. I've had deer sight unseen cross in front of me and actually graze my hands on the brake levers. That one had me talking to Jesus. Most scary animal encounter was a great horned owl sitting on a fence post in the middle of the trail. Sucker looked more than 3 feet tall, eyes the size of pie pans in the bike headlight. Didn't see him until the last second, got hit in the face by his wing as he lifted to fly off.
Someone on here has a picture of a rattle snake wrapped up in his derailleur gears and cassette. That is an impressive picture.
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Happened to me twice. I had a squirrel go under my rear wheel, in both instances the unlucky squirrel didn't survive.
#20
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No but a couple of times, they've gone right between both my wheels. The timing was just right.
Another incident I had was with a young coyote who ran diagonally in front of my path. Luckily no contact.
Another incident I had was with a young coyote who ran diagonally in front of my path. Luckily no contact.
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No, but my mail carrier has warned me of the dangers of a squirrel running into your wheel spokes. She said a friend of hers was seriously injured in a fall when this happened.
Now I ring the bell or yell at them if they are on the trail ahead of me in hopes of scaring them off the trail. Probably seems silly, but a few weeks ago, one started out of my way, then ducked back in at the last moment and got partway into the spokes of my rear wheel. Didn’t affect my motion but I’m afraid the squirrel was hurt.
Otto
Now I ring the bell or yell at them if they are on the trail ahead of me in hopes of scaring them off the trail. Probably seems silly, but a few weeks ago, one started out of my way, then ducked back in at the last moment and got partway into the spokes of my rear wheel. Didn’t affect my motion but I’m afraid the squirrel was hurt.
Otto
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#24
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This wasn't me but could be some day since I live in Florida...The iguana became lodged in between the front tire and front wheel fork of the bicycle, causing the front tire to lock, which threw the man over the handlebars and onto the asphalt.
The victim was taken to Fishermen’s Hospital in stable condition.
The condition of the iguana did not appear as stable according to deputies.
The victim was taken to Fishermen’s Hospital in stable condition.
The condition of the iguana did not appear as stable according to deputies.
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#25
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Same thing has happened to me, front only. Could not believe my luck to not go down. Have run over a squirrel with the rear wheel, however. Did not stop to check, but did not see a body on return leg.
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