When I was delivering newspapers on my Schwinn Continental many years ago, dogs chased me. Deer crossed my path as I rode in the Bronx(!) as well as on rural descents in New Jersey and Vermont. On another descent--in Switzerland--an Alpine ibex darted across my the road in front of me just after I flatted at about 90 KPH on a bike with loaded panniers. A few years later, I had a close encounter with a mountain goat while pedaling--again, with loaded panniers--in the French Pyrenees.
This summer, while cycling in Cambodia, I became wary of the monkeys after seeing one set on a tourist for her food and a pack of them attacking a dog.
And I've had cats, racoons, and other lil' critters come close to entangling themselves in my spokes. I must say, though, that I've never had an encounter with an animal quite like the one a cyclist in Australia experienced:
Imagine being swatted on your helmet by--a magpie! I won't accuse the filmer of paranoia when he exlaims, "Everything in Australia is trying to kill you!"
Well yes, we do have interesting wildlife. The magpie only swoops during nesting season. They do look pretty fierce though: https://imgur.com/gallery/H7cHRff
ReplyDeleteAccordion--If I ever get to Australia, I definitely want to see the wildlife!
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