Squirrels
#26
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I've run over four squirrels in the past five years. Fortunately, no harm done to me or my bike, but it can't be pleasant for the squirrel. I see them zigging and zagging in the road and then, THUMP, THUMP! In all cases the squirrels ran away after being run over, but I have to imagine that internal injuries resulting from being run over by a bike would be fatal.
#27
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I've run over four squirrels in the past five years. Fortunately, no harm done to me or my bike, but it can't be pleasant for the squirrel. I see them zigging and zagging in the road and then, THUMP, THUMP! In all cases the squirrels ran away after being run over, but I have to imagine that internal injuries resulting from being run over by a bike would be fatal.
#28
Grupetto Bob
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Without time to react, had a chicken run into my front wheel and bounce off. Running off, it making the most hilarious chicken in distress sounds. Am sure it was fine just scared.
Unfortunately a number of snakes have met their demise under my wheels. Not intentional just bad times and places for them to be sunning. Just avoided hitting one yesterday. They’re welcome.
Unfortunately a number of snakes have met their demise under my wheels. Not intentional just bad times and places for them to be sunning. Just avoided hitting one yesterday. They’re welcome.
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Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
#30
ignominious poltroon
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There must be a good story behind this ... ^^^
#31
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One thing that happens is that trying to avoid a squirrel makes you ride squirrelly. That's a problem if there's traffic coming around you.
The other day I had an instance where the squirrel was seen by the motorist behind me and they gave me the thumbs up when they saw that I didn't swerve after they passed me and realized the squirrel made it safe across the road.
The other day I had an instance where the squirrel was seen by the motorist behind me and they gave me the thumbs up when they saw that I didn't swerve after they passed me and realized the squirrel made it safe across the road.
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#33
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Hasn't worked for me. I've lost track of the squirrels I've hit. Also, if they dart out right under your wheel there's no time for anything like aiming. It's more like "rustle, rustle, thump".
#35
Newbie
Circle jumping frog
I was following a companion cyclist in a rainstorm when a frog jumped into his back wheel. The frog lost one rear leg in the encounter and jumped off the trail in the direction of the river. Every time I cycle by that area I look for a circle jumping frog.
#36
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I’ve never ran over a squirrel. They always seem to get out of the way long before we get tangled up. Sadly I’ve run over a few chipmunks. I couldn’t zig to match its zag in time. I also ran over a frog once. It felt squishy.
#38
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The ground squirrels are pretty think along the bay trail out here. The concrete riprap makes bountiful living spaces for them. Had one go into my back wheel and slam off my back recently.
#39
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And there are always the scavengers that show up in the aftermath...
#40
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Can't speak to the veracity of the image, but IIRC the first time I saw it, there was also an interview/photo of the cyclist, and he was pretty cut up. An elaborate interwebz ploy? Maybe. However, I could well believe a squirrel not coming apart of even rupturing under these conditions. They're tough wiry little bastards. We had one attempt to climb from one overhead power line to another above our back fence. When he grasped the lower line, there was a flash and puff of smoke, and what looked like a dead squirrel hanging limp from the top wire. However, after a few minutes, the little begger came around and scampered off. Tough little bastards.
#41
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He fell down my chimney when he was just a tiny baby with his eyes still closed. I fed him puppy formula until he could eat solid food. We had him for 7 years, and he died about a year ago. They make great pets. Super smart, really cuddly, kinda messy, but didn't really wreck stuff. I'd recommend it if you ever have a chance.
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#42
Newbie
I had a squirrel dart from the side of the trail we were on, hit my rear wheel and then, somehow, bounced off the wheel then bounced off my shoulder and back to the side of the trail where it came from and scampered away. My wife was right behind me and witnessed the whole fiasco. Naturally, she was more concerned about the welfare of the squirrel than if it might have bitten my neck or ear.
#43
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I had a rabbit jump into my right calf about ten days ago. I was doing maybe 15 MPH. I don't think it suffered any permanent injuries, but I was surprised by how much of a thump he put on me.
#44
Dead but dreaming
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I have a regular route around the South Bay Area that has some sections in the East Bay that have huge ground squirrel populations. On some days there are what must be between 30 - 50 ground squirrels in the area that all decide to run across the trail I'm riding on to get to safety.
Unfortunately two of them did not make it this year.
Per Sorcerer 's point it's super important not to freak out and crash yourself. I understand the feeling to avoid them and it sucks to roll over the little critters though.
Unfortunately two of them did not make it this year.
Per Sorcerer 's point it's super important not to freak out and crash yourself. I understand the feeling to avoid them and it sucks to roll over the little critters though.
#45
Newbie
I ran over a squirrel last week. Jumped out from the edge of the road with no time to react. Felt the crunch under the wheel but the little fellow just kept going. Wish I had their resilience.
#46
Banned
Where I ride the ground squirrels seldom are seen before 10am most of the year. Riding early in the day reduces the odds of a squirrel encounter and there is a lot less wind as well..
#47
Full Member
I have not run over a squirrel yet. I know how to make the danger chirp of a squirrel and they take flight quick. I did run over a big raccoon on my fat bike with about 8 psi pressure in the tires. Thump, Thump with a curb like bump. The coon was rolling behind me in the rear view mirror. I stopped but it got up quickly and continued running. The fat bike probably only gave it a good headache.
This little guy fell out of the next and approached me to put it back in the nest. A quick Google search said the mother would collect him as soon as I left him. She got him back about 5 minutes after I moved out of sight.
This little guy fell out of the next and approached me to put it back in the nest. A quick Google search said the mother would collect him as soon as I left him. She got him back about 5 minutes after I moved out of sight.
#48
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This is both somewhat unrelated but an opportunity none the less. I was hiking near my home a few years ago when I came upon 5 squirrels that had somehow got their tales bonded together 😳😳😳😳********** My guess is tree sap but even that leaves more questions than answers. This pic shows 4 but there was one more hidden underneath. I’ve seen some weird things in my life but this was special.
#49
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On one spring ride, the frogs were out in full force along the marshy creek that borders the trail and it was an absolute bloodbath. You couldn't avoid them- in your spokes, chain, underside of the downtube...everywhere.
#50
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