Ran across a black bear yesterday on a paved U.S Forrest service road. Was finishing a 15 mile all out TT with 300 meters to finish. When I got out the saddle to sprint it out, 30 meters ahead a black bear leisurely crossed right in front of me. I braked and slowly finished the segment after he disappeared into the brush.
The scariest was running a trail with my black lab 2.5 miles from the house when a black bear stepped 30 meters in front of us and just stood there. I thought to myself, so this is how I am doing to die. The dog luckily did not react and the bear just stared. We slowly backed up as the bear watched. We then picked up our pace a bit and he stayed put watching us. After what seemed like an eternity we got out of his line of sight and ran back.
And speaking of ferocious cats:
