Quote Originally Posted by Starfish
Anyone ever run across a bear or cougar on a ride? We have both around here, and I always think of that when I'm riding alone and creeping up a hill (blacktop) in the forest. Our hikers and one cyclist I know of sometimes come face-to-face with a cougar, and it's something that sorta scares me.
we are of the few in our area who have actually seen a black bear (and her cub!) on a trail black bears are usually very timid and i was not too worried except we saw one cub and was not sure if it had a sibling...

my hubby saw the moma run across the trail (about 100 yards in front of us) so he stopped i nearly bashed into him when i saw the comotion of the cub following moma...chris hollered if it was ok to go (he is a florida boy...only gator-wise / i on the other hand grew up in north CA & OR region...have had a bit more bear education) so i said make sure there is only one cub...we DO NOT want to get between moma & baby!!!! the moma ran up a tree and baby stayed on the ground at the base of the tree looking at us....oh my goodness it was SOOOOO cute!!!!! we did not hear any more russling so i said to continue while making a bit of noise as to let moma know we were moving AWAY from her and baby....
all was ok EXCEPT....we did not have a camera
oh...well...the image is etched in my brain for a LONG time!!!