Cycling friend collided with deer !
#26
Member
Funny, my neighbor got t-boned by a deer while out riding this morning. He was okay, just some road rash from the crash and a sore jaw from what he thinks was the deer’s head. This was on a bike trail just outside town— Gallup path down by Parker Mill for you familiar with A2— so he was probably fortunate it didn’t happen on a roadway. Deer are thick as thieves in Ann Arbor, and out n’ about in plain sight even during the day. It’s kinda weird.
...wait a minute...
Likes For gravelschlub:
#27
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,431
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3133 Post(s)
Liked 1,700 Times
in
1,027 Posts
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 4,083
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2333 Post(s)
Liked 2,097 Times
in
1,314 Posts
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 4,083
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2333 Post(s)
Liked 2,097 Times
in
1,314 Posts
I was descending a mountain in California some years ago at sunset and an elk jumped over the road right in front of my eyes. I can still see the rack, it was right in front of my eyes. I see deer on almost every ride that I do. Sunrise and sunset are the most dangerous because that is when they are moving to or from where they "bed". During the middle of the day, they usually bed down but usually get up once to eat.
#30
Full Member
The local metro bike trails run through a forest preserve, wooded parkland, and wetlands, so it's not uncommon to see deer on the trails. In the last couple week I saw several does with fawns. They are in pretty safe areas and must be used to humans on "their" trail as they usually just watch us and then amble off into the woods when we get within about 20 feet. One doe and her two fawns walked down the trail for about 50 yards with me following behind until she decided to turn into the woods. It's amazing how they can completely disappear into the woods in just a few seconds.
But about 2 years ago I was riding a trail on a side slope with tall brush up close to the trail edge when a buck jumped across the trail from the high side right in front of me. I never saw him coming. He was about level with my shoulders - if I had been five feet further down the trail he would have taken me right off the bike. Later that year another buck did the same, but he was about 25 feet ahead of me that time.
My worst deer scare was several years ago. We lived near a county park that was home to a large deer population. They would come out of the park at night to graze in the surrounding farm fields. Driving home from work in the dark, freezing rain, hilly blacktop country road covered with ice. I'm in a pickup truck with no traction, easing it home at maybe 20 miles an hour when my lights picked up a buck with five or six does starting up the shoulder of the road in a line. There was no way I could stop the truck, and with them strung out in a line it would have been like trying to drive through a picket fence. I started tapping the horn and the buck stopped dead still on the shoulder and looked at me. I went past him with us staring at each other, then the whole string crossed behind me. Slow enough speed that it would not have been a big impact, but I'm sure the truck would have spun on the ice and wound up down the embankment somewhere with me hanging on.
But about 2 years ago I was riding a trail on a side slope with tall brush up close to the trail edge when a buck jumped across the trail from the high side right in front of me. I never saw him coming. He was about level with my shoulders - if I had been five feet further down the trail he would have taken me right off the bike. Later that year another buck did the same, but he was about 25 feet ahead of me that time.
My worst deer scare was several years ago. We lived near a county park that was home to a large deer population. They would come out of the park at night to graze in the surrounding farm fields. Driving home from work in the dark, freezing rain, hilly blacktop country road covered with ice. I'm in a pickup truck with no traction, easing it home at maybe 20 miles an hour when my lights picked up a buck with five or six does starting up the shoulder of the road in a line. There was no way I could stop the truck, and with them strung out in a line it would have been like trying to drive through a picket fence. I started tapping the horn and the buck stopped dead still on the shoulder and looked at me. I went past him with us staring at each other, then the whole string crossed behind me. Slow enough speed that it would not have been a big impact, but I'm sure the truck would have spun on the ice and wound up down the embankment somewhere with me hanging on.
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 3,947
Bikes: Trek 1100 road bike, Roadmaster gravel/commuter/beater mountain bike
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2281 Post(s)
Liked 1,710 Times
in
936 Posts
They need to move the deer crossing signs to spots where there's less traffic so there won't be so many vehicle/deer collisions.
Likes For Milton Keynes:
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,232
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18409 Post(s)
Liked 15,525 Times
in
7,325 Posts
One of favorite wildlife signs was in VT. I think it was around the top of Brandon Gap. We passed it crossing the country. It read something like "Moose Crossing Next 1250 Feet." I don't recall the exact number, but we were scratching our heads over how the number was arrived at. Did someone go out, observe where moose crossed and then take a measurement? Would the average driver be able to tell when they have gone 1250' and are thus no longer in the danger zone? And would you trust moose to follow the rules? I hear they can be quite stubborn.
Likes For indyfabz:
#34
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,328
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3898 Post(s)
Liked 4,831 Times
in
2,229 Posts
Bambi needs some love. It was their land long before cyclists (and motorists) arrived.
Ya just gotta think like a deer ... put yourself in their hooves.
"Hey everybody - which way ya think that cyclist will go? Speeding on our trail. Oughta be over on the highway!"
Silver lining = at least the cyclist did not run into a herd of elk. Much tougher hide.
Ya just gotta think like a deer ... put yourself in their hooves.
"Hey everybody - which way ya think that cyclist will go? Speeding on our trail. Oughta be over on the highway!"
Silver lining = at least the cyclist did not run into a herd of elk. Much tougher hide.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,232
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18409 Post(s)
Liked 15,525 Times
in
7,325 Posts
And much larger. Had a herd of cow elk with calves stampede across the road in front of me in Montana in 2019. I knew they were coming so I had the chance to stop. A few days later I was pulling out of a campground just before dawn and saw a young bull elk in the road. He was relatively small but still had antlers. He ran off before I could get a photo.
Last edited by indyfabz; 07-28-21 at 08:38 PM.
#36
Senior Member
Rental SUV outside of Durango. It was like "what happened..." as we gasped in the airbag smoke and powder. Front end was really smashed in and deer was very dead. Next day at the rental agency, agent said you should have seen the car that hit a moose. Glad we were protected by metal and airbags. There's a section of road there that has warning lights flashing when deer come within range and trigger the sensors. We were very cautious for the rest of the trip.
There's a sign outside of Mazama, WA with yearly deer kill totals.
There's a sign outside of Mazama, WA with yearly deer kill totals.
Folks used to do the Alaska Highway from Seattle to Alaska - you don't even want to know how many Moose get nailed on a daily basis... and they stand with bodies/bellies above eye-level if driving in a car... and they weigh two-three time what a deer weighs... Car roof caved in, etc...
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,232
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18409 Post(s)
Liked 15,525 Times
in
7,325 Posts
I rode through Mazama twice coming down from Washington Pass. Can’t remember if the sign was there way back then (‘99 and ‘00), but I can believe it. Saw deer running around Winthrop, which is the next town down WA 20.
Likes For indyfabz:
#38
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,328
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3898 Post(s)
Liked 4,831 Times
in
2,229 Posts
This one? Data a decade old but from July of that year. Never saw a deer across the whole of the Great State of Washington. Luckily, I guess.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: northWET washington
Posts: 1,197
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 383 Post(s)
Liked 690 Times
in
396 Posts
Friends just sent me a video from their driveway in Mazama with flames roaring across the way. Terrible.
I did RAW (Ride Across WA) way back when from Puget Sound to Newport, ID over all those mt passes. I've done the pass a number of times. Screwiest was a night ride up from the east side to make breakfast at the overlook for sunrise. And twice from Mazama in snow up to the pass - quite chilly and harrowing coming down.
I am marginally saner these days.
#40
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,328
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3898 Post(s)
Liked 4,831 Times
in
2,229 Posts
apologies, no deer content this post. Only sharing...
... the thread's stream of pleasure. Thru the American Alps - our scenic northern roadway east to the Okanagan.
Descent going east from Washington Pass
Watch for road irregularities, .... at speed
3rd week of July, 2011
Local feel and good humor
Fly with me - early departures
edit: used to be an annual excursion, .... well, not a full century in advancing years, but doable with various auto assisted starting points.
Descent going east from Washington Pass
Watch for road irregularities, .... at speed
3rd week of July, 2011
Local feel and good humor
Fly with me - early departures
edit: used to be an annual excursion, .... well, not a full century in advancing years, but doable with various auto assisted starting points.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Last edited by Wildwood; 07-29-21 at 12:26 AM.
Likes For Wildwood:
#41
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,232
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18409 Post(s)
Liked 15,525 Times
in
7,325 Posts
HTFU and do it in late May fully loaded. Can't tell from the photos, but it was snowing after starting as rain before Rainy. Started from Colonial Creek Campground.
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 1,823
Bikes: 1996 Trek 970 ZX Single Track 2x11
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 614 Post(s)
Liked 565 Times
in
429 Posts
I've come near, on a few occasions over the years. Not yet had one jet into my path and strike me, thankfully. 5-10x the weight of a dog, and corners on "a dime" just as fast but with less predictability.
Condolences to your friend who got hit.
Condolences to your friend who got hit.
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
STRAVA IS COOL because it shows the exact data info when a wild MAMA hog ran into me resulting in 2 cracked ribs, punctured lung, cracked scapula, impact trauma to left shoulder
4/27/2020
1:25AM
Speed 20.1 mph
At mile 34 of a planned overnight 100 miler
4 very slow mile ride back home
4/27/2020
1:25AM
Speed 20.1 mph
At mile 34 of a planned overnight 100 miler
4 very slow mile ride back home
#45
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
#46
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 3,947
Bikes: Trek 1100 road bike, Roadmaster gravel/commuter/beater mountain bike
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2281 Post(s)
Liked 1,710 Times
in
936 Posts
The funny thing was that lady actually thought that the deer pay attention to the deer crossing signs. Like they're specially trained, or something.
Back in a previous life as a dispatcher, we once got a call from a woman complaining about a deer which ran across her back yard. She said, "Isn't it illegal for deer to be inside the city limits?" Sure, lady, we'll go arrest the deer for trespassing.
Back in a previous life as a dispatcher, we once got a call from a woman complaining about a deer which ran across her back yard. She said, "Isn't it illegal for deer to be inside the city limits?" Sure, lady, we'll go arrest the deer for trespassing.
#47
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SW Fl.
Posts: 5,617
Bikes: Day6 Semi Recumbent "FIREBALL", 1981 Custom Touring Paramount, 1983 Road Paramount, 2013 Giant Propel Advanced SL3, 2018 Specialized Red Roubaix Expert mech., 2002 Magna 7sp hybrid, 1976 Bassett Racing 45sp Cruiser
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1068 Post(s)
Liked 781 Times
in
503 Posts
"Quote:
Originally Posted by OldTryGuy
STRAVA IS COOL because it shows the exact data info when a wild MAMA hog ran into me resulting in 2 cracked ribs, punctured lung, cracked scapula, impact trauma to left shoulder
4/27/2020
1:25AM
Speed 20.1 mph
At mile 34 of a planned overnight 100 miler
4 very slow mile ride back home"
Just my typical stupid older man response of a soon to be a 70yo Geezer. I did have a bicycling buddy riding with me that night who wanted to call 911 but instead I asked him to lift up the bike, hold it tilted over and then upright so I could mount and ride home while he followed.
Originally Posted by OldTryGuy
STRAVA IS COOL because it shows the exact data info when a wild MAMA hog ran into me resulting in 2 cracked ribs, punctured lung, cracked scapula, impact trauma to left shoulder
4/27/2020
1:25AM
Speed 20.1 mph
At mile 34 of a planned overnight 100 miler
4 very slow mile ride back home"
Just my typical stupid older man response of a soon to be a 70yo Geezer. I did have a bicycling buddy riding with me that night who wanted to call 911 but instead I asked him to lift up the bike, hold it tilted over and then upright so I could mount and ride home while he followed.
#48
Happy banana slug
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Posts: 3,695
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1533 Post(s)
Liked 1,528 Times
in
916 Posts
Similar situation for me just a few days ago. Riding on the Sparta-Elroy Trail, coming “down” from the 3rd tunnel doing 17-18 mph, spotted a doe and her fawn about 25 yards ahead of me. I shouted out to get their attention and the fawn bolted right while the doe went to the left. I immediately slowed down in the event that the doe decided to follow her fawn. Fortunately, neither came back to the trail. Looking back, don’t know if it’s best to maintain speed or to slow down? Kind of a crap shoot I guess.
#49
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
ah, OK, probably adrenaline kicking in too. but reminds me of that Monty Python skit where the guy keeps getting limbs cut off but still keeps threatening his opponent (the Black Knight?)
#50
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 727
Bikes: Current: 2016 Bianchi Volpe; 1973 Peugeot UO-8. Past: 1974 Fuji S-10-S with custom black Imron paint by Stinsman Racing of PA.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 215 Post(s)
Liked 204 Times
in
142 Posts
STRAVA IS COOL because it shows the exact data info when a wild MAMA hog ran into me resulting in 2 cracked ribs, punctured lung, cracked scapula, impact trauma to left shoulder
4/27/2020
1:25AM
Speed 20.1 mph
At mile 34 of a planned overnight 100 miler
4 very slow mile ride back home
p.s. the bike was fine!!!
4/27/2020
1:25AM
Speed 20.1 mph
At mile 34 of a planned overnight 100 miler
4 very slow mile ride back home
p.s. the bike was fine!!!
But to me, a wild or feral hog in a car and especially a bicycle, would be very, very bad. They are nasty, compact, hard as a rock and fearless, not to mention can take a lot of punishment, which means they will want payback.