the i wish i'd had a camera moment

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10-09-2005, 04:54 AM
crazycanuck

the i wish i'd had a camera moment

As i was on a short bike ride yesterday, i came accross a funny thing in a park i often pass..

I was coming up the hill to the area, i was immediately swooped upon by two ***####### magpies that had recently mated or were mating and had a nest in the area. These birds had no fear, they almost landed on my helmet, bit my sunnies off and scared the &&$##### out of me...I literally had to zoom into someone's driveway, jump off my bike , remove my helmet, crouch on the ground and curse...The owner said others have had the same problem..

Anywho, on my way back home, i decided i'd carry a stick whilst biking(i'm sure i received a few odd looks...)back just on the odd chance i come accross another pair...As i approached the same area, i stopped, removed my helmet and zoomed on...whilst spinning the stick in my hand above my head...It must have been hilarious to watch...

So, ever had one of these types of moments???

c
10-09-2005, 08:42 AM
Trekhawk

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazycanuck

As i was on a short bike ride yesterday, i came accross a funny thing in a park i often pass..
I was coming up the hill to the area, i was immediately swooped upon by two ***####### magpies that had recently mated or were mating and had a nest in the area. These birds had no fear, they almost landed on my helmet, bit my sunnies off and scared the &&$##### out of me...I literally had to zoom into someone's driveway, jump off my bike , remove my helmet, crouch on the ground and curse...The owner said others have had the same problem..
Anywho, on my way back home, i decided i'd carry a stick whilst biking(i'm sure i received a few odd looks...)back just on the odd chance i come accross another pair...As i approached the same area, i stopped, removed my helmet and zoomed on...whilst spinning the stick in my hand above my head...It must have been hilarious to watch...
So, ever had one of these types of moments???
c

crazycanuck - hee hee - love to hear tales of others being swooped by maggies. I have seen people wearing all sorts of things to stop maggies not sure if any of them work. Nasty little buggers when they are nesting. You could try putting some eyes on the back of your helmet (again not sure if this would work but hey would rate some looks from other cyclists.)
:D

On a more serious note keep wearing your glasses to protect your eyes, I had a friend that required stitches after a maggie swooping frenzy. If it gets too nasty maybe alter your route for a while. This is one thing I will not look forward to when I return to Aust. :)
10-09-2005, 09:02 AM
DeniseGoldberg

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazycanuck

back just on the odd chance i come accross another pair...As i approached the same area, i stopped, removed my helmet and zoomed on...whilst spinning the stick in my hand above my head...

Having birds dive-bombing and targeting your helmet must have been frightening. But I really hate reading about people riding without their helmets - I really believe that if I hadn't been wearing a helmet that I would not have survived my crash (and the subsequent skull fracture & significant brain injury) last year. (OK, that was a long time ago and I don't like to bring it up because I'm sure no one wants to hear about it anymore, but if it helps anyone to understand my insistence on wearing helmets, I think it's worth mentioning.)

Please tell me you'll keep your helmet on your head and find another way to keep those birds away from your head.
10-09-2005, 09:41 AM
LBTC

Funny story, canuck, but I also agree with Denise....My three broken helmets *without* serious injuries were enough to make me just as insistant as she is that everyone wear a helmet at all times that they are on a bike. The stick sounded cool, tho! :o

Namaste,
~T~
10-09-2005, 04:55 PM
Trekhawk

Quote:

Originally Posted by LBTC

Funny story, canuck, but I also agree with Denise....My three broken helmets *without* serious injuries were enough to make me just as insistant as she is that everyone wear a helmet at all times that they are on a bike. The stick sounded cool, tho! :o
Namaste,
~T~

I agree with the girls keep the helmet on for cycling safety but also it will keep those buggers from pecking your head (go on try the eyes on the back of the helmet thing, go on, go on. :D :D You could send us a picture promise we wont laugh. :D
10-09-2005, 05:27 PM
pkq

Ok

I will laugh at the photo.....just the mental image makes me laugh.
10-10-2005, 01:59 AM
crazycanuck

helmet yes

Oops i forgot to tell you i had my helmet off for about 2min or so just when i got to the park until i passed it....I never ever ride without it......!!!!! Up until then i'd never taken my helmet off when on my bike...

I've heard about the eyes on the helmet trick'....never tried it as it's the first time this has ever happened to me...

All i could think of was 'hitchock must be cackling in his grave'

c
10-10-2005, 04:05 AM
DeniseGoldberg

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazycanuck

Oops i forgot to tell you i had my helmet off for about 2min or so just when i got to the park until i passed it....I never ever ride without it......!!!!!

I'm glad to hear that the helmetless part of your ride was short - but that short time could have been the instance of a serious fall. OK, you're right - I'm very nervous about riding without a helmet. To this day I have no idea what I hit the day I landed on my head, but things like that happen in an instant.
10-10-2005, 12:43 PM
bcipam

I lead mountain bike rides on private reserve land for the Nature Conservancy. We had this one group of over enthusiastic guys who would not stay behind the ride leaders. On a particularly steep hill, then got ahead of me and the other leaders. As I topped the hill, I heard a sharp and very loud "Ki-aaaaaacwwwkkkk" and saw the guys come racing across the trail 100 miles an hour - just behind was the momma redtail whose nest they had stumbled upon. She wasn't more than 3 feet above the ground and swooping fast on the guys who had to dive into the dirt. Appears since the got ahead of us, the guys decided to take a nature break... at the wrong spot. Now they understand why we tell them not to go off trail!!! It was worth every minute! :D
10-10-2005, 01:04 PM
Trekhawk

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcipam

She wasn't more than 3 feet above the ground and swooping fast on the guys who had to dive into the dirt. Appears since the got ahead of us, the guys decided to take a nature break... at the wrong spot. Now they understand why we tell them not to go off trail!!! It was worth every minute! :D

LOL - Not a good time to have the jewels exposed. :eek: