Not a good ride...

Today I went for a 26-mile out-and-back ride on a windy, deserted country road. I had turned around about a mile earlier when I rounded a curve, and about 50 feet in front of me I saw a deer that obviously had just been hit by a car (the car must have turned into one of the ranches along the road, because I never saw it). The deer was alive and it was trying to get up, but it couldn't because its back legs were paralyzed. I called my husband, and he called the police, who said they would come and get it. Then I had to ride past it. It was very sad, the deer was obviously mortally wounded and I wish I could have put it out of its misery.

It just wasn't a good ride overall. I felt very sluggish (that belgian waffle I had for breakfast probably wasn't the best choice). I made a mistake at a freeway overpass that I was crossing that involves confusing merging lanes of high-speed traffic, it turned out OK but still shook me up a little and made me feel stupid. Ugh. At least the road was pretty, I'll definitely be doing that ride again.

How sad! I would have had a hard time riding after seeing that deer.... I'm such a softie about animals in distress. :( You did the right thing in not just riding by and letting it die (unlike the person who hit it).

Sorry you had a bummer ride. Next time will be better!

Emily

I can really feel for you. I've witnessed a similar event; and it haunts me to this day.
Hopefully the sheriff came out quick and put it out of its misery. YOu probably helped more than you know!

What Mimi said.
I'm sad just thinking about that.

Hope today is better. Don't be bummed though...you did the best you could do.

There was a beagle "helping" me change my flat on the Big Dam Bridge ride. It wanted attention but kept running away when we tried to grab it. It ran out in front of many cars trying to meet cyclists and it did almost wreck a couple of bikes, but the riders handled it well.

It was a high stress situation for me because I do rescue dogs in need. It crossed my mind that if the dog got hit I would have to stop right there. It was a horrible dread. It did not get hit, but I couldn't have ridden more if it had.

I'm sorry about that poor deer.

Karen

Quote:

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Originally Posted by froglegs

Today I went for a 26-mile out-and-back ride on a windy, deserted country road. I had turned around about a mile earlier when I rounded a curve, and about 50 feet in front of me I saw a deer that obviously had just been hit by a car (the car must have turned into one of the ranches along the road, because I never saw it). The deer was alive and it was trying to get up, but it couldn't because its back legs were paralyzed. I called my husband, and he called the police, who said they would come and get it. Then I had to ride past it. It was very sad, the deer was obviously mortally wounded and I wish I could have put it out of its misery.

It just wasn't a good ride overall. I felt very sluggish (that belgian waffle I had for breakfast probably wasn't the best choice). I made a mistake at a freeway overpass that I was crossing that involves confusing merging lanes of high-speed traffic, it turned out OK but still shook me up a little and made me feel stupid. Ugh. At least the road was pretty, I'll definitely be doing that ride again.

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On our club ride saturday my friend and I saw a deer come off the embankment(opposite of us) beside the woods and turned just in time before it would meet its fate with a full size Dodge truck. A close one, It went back into the woods.

On a side note, one of my kitties was in the back side yard sat. and two young deer came up and they were all but sniffing noses. Nature can be sweet.

I'm sorry your deer didn't make it, it's sad when they get hit. Jenn

I had to make a similar call last year, a fawn got its leg caught in a fence across the street.

...you did what you could and salvaged the ride. good for you...