the equestrian types will enjoy this...

[latelatebloomer]

I was riding a quiet country lane yesterday morning, and - trying being a good careful rider, was keeping an eye far up the road. I saw a white plastic bag in a ditch and thought " Better be careful, if a breeze kicks up, that could scare my.......

bike."

I haven't owned a horse in 30 years. (ouch.) Maybe I was time-traveling a little since I had just passed a horse rescue. But it had me smiling at myself all the way home. (And blessings to Comanche in horse-heaven, I hope you remember me kindly.)

[BikeMomma]

heeeheeeee! Too funny LLB!

What breed of horse did you used to own? Sounds like you miss horse ownership.

~K

[btchance]

Oohh, I do the same thing. I see something on the side of the road that my last horse would of spooked at and immediately start preparing for it. It's just a part of me now I guess

[chickwhorips]

its the little things that some people don't pick up.

every small movement i still brace myself for something bad happening. now though its more of a big animal coming at me than leaving me behind.

[crazycanuck]

Speaking of horses, I had a funny encounter one night off road..

It was dark & I was heading up to meet the guys at the funky pizza joint in Mundaring and saw this light ahead of me. The position of the light and the speed of whomever was using it was going kind of slow. I wondered ...

It was an equestrian. I'd never encountered a horse at night but said hello and kept mozying.

It's always a joy to ride through horse doo at night.

I just wish the roos would use lights at night too...

c

[Bluetree]

LOL!
I still can't mount my bike from the "wrong" side.

[latelatebloomer]

Yes, BikeMomma, I would dearly love to have a horse in my life. We have 2 1/2 acres and a 2 stall barn, so hopefully one day, it will happen. Our place needs a lot of work yet, and our crazy careers in the arts barely support us, the cat, & the goats and chickens. When I have a horse, I want to be able to do it right, and have time to spend with her, too.

Comanche was a a very large palamino pony, full of attitude and challenge. Lord knows what had been done to him over the years. I got him for Christmas when I was 9. He cost $250 from a guy that bought him at an auction so he was a total mystery, we kept him for free in an old man's garage (we were a very working class family). It may have looked scrappy, but that pony had the best of everything. It was just me & him through some very tough childhood years. We explored woods and canal paths and abandoned lots. By the time I turned 16, all the land had gone to industrial parks, and Comanche went to another little girl. But he was so scrappy, I always worried that no one else would have the patience to get past his orneriness. So all these years, I've promised Comanche that the next horse I get will be with me to the end of their life, same as all my other animal companions.

[rheidis73]

LOL!
I still can't mount my bike from the "wrong" side.
__________________
Those who fail make excuses. Those who succeed make the effort

Either can I !

[Nanci]

I can't mount or _lead_ my bike from the wrong side. But I haven't been affected by things my bike might spook at. Maybe I always had well-behaved horses, except for Darla the devil...

[mimitabby]

I just had to add to this post. I also have trouble mounting from the wrong side, and it feels just as wrong as it did on my horse.
I have no trouble with my bike spooking, and i have been sent flying more than once because a horse balked, so I have had my share of spooky horses.

(and then when you land on the ground in front of them they look at you like
you're crazy for being there)

[Pascale]

My bike never balks when riding away from the garage....

[Nanci]

I think mine _does_ go faster on the way home! She sure did Saturday.

[Geonz]

My bike gets very nervous and balky when she sees gravel up ahead, but puts her head down and charges up slight hills.

[chickwhorips]

(and then when you land on the ground in front of them they look at you like you're crazy for being there)

how true is that. i still remember that look when i came out of the saddle and actually landed on my feet next to her head. the look is what killed me.

[btchance]

Count me in on one of those who can't lead or mount her bike from the opposite side. I've tried both, and ended up on the ground with the mounting one, and always trip over the bike with the leading one.

I have to say, though, my MTB has thrown me more than the horses ever did. But at least these ground impacts are from a much lower height with less weight landing on me which means no trips to the hospital Can't say that for the horses!