The Birds and The Bees

[tab123]

No, not that kind, the kind you encounter when riding.

The red-winged blackbirds now are out in force in the Midwest. These birds are incredibly territorial and love to dive bomb cyclists. Last weekend riding in SW Michigan, I was followed by several. I barked like a dog (yes, "woof, woof"), which seems to discourage them from pecking at my helmet.

I also felt something sharp hit my upper thigh while riding along. It really hurt for a few moments, and I did not see anything on my shorts. However, I think I was stung by bee or a wasp. I have a half-dollar size red welt that is a bit swollen. I don't see a stinger but the area is irritated. Two years ago I was stung in the face near my eye by a wasp while riding (luckily I did not crash), and my face swelled to the point where I looked like an alien. (The worst part, though, may have been the effects from the steroids I had to take to reduce the swelling.)

When I first started biking, I thought I needed to worry only about cars and dogs. Who knew the other hazards?!?!?!?

[salsabike]

Tab, I love the "woof woof part"! Great story.

After my spouse got stung in the lip two years ago on a tandem ride, we took to carrying bee sting relief stuff (small tube).

[kenyonchris]

Maybe you could get one of those blow up owls that they put in barns to discourage little birds from coming in...strap it to your back. Maybe it would help with the birds.
I was attacked by ground wasps once while mowing a field, and had a major incident with hornets that thad taken up residence in a cross country log I was using while teaching a jumping lesson (with horses, not bikes)...they were MAD, MAD, MAD and the horses knew it, but have never been stung while riding the road bike.
Everything bites me on the mountain bike. Mosquitos, wasps, bees, spiders, and ticks. I am like a magnet. I have avoided (narrowly) snakes and the kamikazee squirrels that reside in the park here. I keep waiting for one to jump on my head and latch on to my ear or nose. But so far no takers.

[MomOnBike]

I've had red-wing black birds buzzing my front wheel right in front of my fairing. Kind of neat, acutally.

I also engage in "conversations" with them. I ding my bell and they chirp back. I know, I know, the things we are saying are not the sort of things I say in front of my mother ("get out of my territory you %##**&!"), but I do enjoy it.

I'll pass on the bees.

[Vireo]

I've had red-wing black birds buzzing my front wheel right in front of my fairing. Kind of neat, acutally.

I also engage in "conversations" with them. I ding my bell and they chirp back. I know, I know, the things we are saying are not the sort of things I say in front of my mother ("get out of my territory you %##**&!"), but I do enjoy it.

I'll pass on the bees.

When I did Trans Iowa May 2-3 a 320 mile non stop gravel race. I thought those birds were so striking (pun intended). I was amazed at their flying skill. I spent a lot of time looking off the gravel road watching them fly around.

Rudy Project helmets have a mesh screen to prevent bees from getting in your helmet while riding. I've had bees fly into my helmet

[Aggie_Ama]

The only time I have been stung by a bee is riding and through shorts. I have also heard reports of rattlesnakes on some of the trails and get this- a bobcat! At DH's last mountain bike race they had one running on the trail. DH scared a wild turkey at the same trail. I don't know of anyone bit by a rattler but they scare me. We also have to watch for white tail deer, I have heard one report of someone hitting one they dart across the roads especially during rutting season. Our birds seem a bit mellower than yours thankfully.

I did once see a hawk drop out of the sky and grab a snake in a field while I was riding on the road. It was impressive to watch him fly with the 3-4 foot snake.

Oh we do have to be careful of cattle, they startle easy and in some spots there are open range ranches so that means cattle in the road! Someone told me they hit a bunny on a trail. The rider wasn't injured, she wasn't sure about the bunny though.