Sorry Mr. Squirrel

[avalonracing]

At 6:15 this morning I took out one of your buddies. It wasn't my fault, really. The little guy popped out of the brush and right into the middle of our "way too early" group ride. The rider in front of me clipped him but then I felt him take the brunt of both of my wheels. I couldn't bear to look back so I asked my friend behind me if maybe the squirrel was an especially tough one and just flexed his little squirrel muscles and was okay. Not a chance.

So far this year I have helped 3 turtles out of the road and swerved countless times for squirrels, rabbits, deer, birds and even people but come on, you have to at least give me a chance to not hit you.

[akelman]

I got one the other day, the second little guy I've taken out this spring/early summer. I'm thinking of getting a squirrel stencil and spray painting kills onto my top tube.

Kidding aside, I felt horrible both times.

[Jason E]

I up to three Turtles, but down one snake.

The Turtles on these back roads are just a freakin' horror show. What the he11 are they thinking? There is no way they are making it across the road. I can not help but stop and move the little fellers to a usually always nearby stream.

The snake, ugh. He was in a shadow under a tree in the narrow shoulder of a steep uphill. He was all ess-ed up, so it was like speed bumps. I did not like that at all.

Hunting is one thing, but this is just incidental offing. Like when a bird fly's into your windshield, makes no sense. Bleh.

[Jason E]

I got one the other day, the second little guy I've taken out this spring/early summer. I'm thinking of getting a squirrel stencil and spray painting kills onto my top tube.

Kidding aside, I felt horrible both times.

The stencil idea is funny though...

[Dekonick]

And at least the roadkill will feed more future road kills...

[TimmyB]

You guys need to step up your bunnyhopping skills :p .

I bunnyhopped a snake a couple weeks ago on the trails. That thing scared the bejesus out of me. Especially considering I was riding solo and there was no one else around. Was either a garden snake or rattl'r. I didn't exactly stop to check. Afterwards, my mind started playing tricks on me and every stick looked like a snake out of the corner of my eye.

[sbparker31]

I got one the other day, the second little guy I've taken out this spring/early summer. I'm thinking of getting a squirrel stencil and spray painting kills onto my top tube.

Kidding aside, I felt horrible both times.


I think an old vine Zin would pair nicely with squirrel chili.

[akelman]

It's true that, ethically speaking, I should eat what I kill.

[Mr. Squirrel]

even within the squirrel world mr. darwin was correct. on the brighter side, more wheels for the rest of us < nuk nuk nuk! >.

one must remain nimble and spry. stretching exercises are in order first thing every morning before one's wheel foray. to be nimble is not nuts.

http://varmintwear.com/wp-content/uploads/wppa/7.jpg


mr. squirrel

[jr59]

He should have sent the chipmunks in first!

[victoryfactory]

I've noticed over many years of squirrel encounters that they seem
to be confused by bikes (and cars) and often go in the wrong direction
at the wrong moment.

I have noticed that if you make a loud imitation squirrel like panic squawk
(like a kissing sound) It focuses them and
they always seem to go off in the right direction and
avoid getting hit.

try it!

VF

[William]

Dear Mr. Squirrel,

I have a brand new set of wheels! I bet you don't have a set of these. Please come over and try to take them. :banana:

http://www.cyclelicio.us/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/early-icebike-500x436.jpg

Pretty please?


William


PS: Barking like a dog works well too (seriously).

[avalonracing]

I can bunny hop and I do everything I can not to hit living creatures. Even bugs and worms get a swerve when I'm alone (an immediate karmic reward is a cleaner bike) . But when I say that this was unavoidable, I mean it. Suddenly a "blur of fur" was under my wheel. I actually thought that I had it a rabbit until I was informed that it was a squirrel.

Oh, yeah thanks for the reminder. I also encouraged a very confrontational snake to leave the road a couple of months ago. At it to my "no kill" list.

[FlashUNC]

He should have sent the chipmunks in first!


Totally disagree. The hamsters should definitely be the first cannon fodder:

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/hamster-eating-broccoli.jpg

[William]

Totally disagree. The hamsters should definitely be the first cannon fodder:

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/hamster-eating-broccoli.jpg


No, Gerbils. Definitely Gerbils first......then Hampstens..I mean sters!! :D

http://duane-scott.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/gerbil.jpg




William

[akelman]

I have noticed that if you make a loud imitation squirrel like panic squawk (like a kissing sound) It focuses them and they always seem to go off in the right direction and
avoid getting hit.

try it!

I'm sure that would work. But my new method has been pretty effective as well: I always wear this (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.fun-shop.com/show_image.php%3Fim%3D/img/01/01309.jpg%26size%3D300&imgrefurl=http://www.animalmascots.com/01-01309/Coyote-Mascot-Costume.html&h=300&w=300&sz=42&tbnid=FNZ7o7UrQ9SYiM:&tbnh=93&tbnw=93&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dcoyote%2Bcostume%2Bimage%26tbm%3Disch %26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=coyote+costume+image&usg=__gNPTwqlDUv3xgImIVtFDCpv42to=&sa=X&ei=SKr4TeGdOOfn0QHt0om7Cw&ved=0CBoQ9QEwAA&dur=929) when I ride. It's expensive, sure, but the one made by Rapha is really comfortable. As an added bonus, I've been invited to a bunch of Furmeets.

[sbparker31]

Due to his high moral standards, not only does akelman eat what he kills, he also wears what he kills. It was a pretty severe thump-thump when that wolf ended up under his wheels.

I, on the other hand - being of a lesser moral fiber - kill what I eat and sometimes wear what I eat too.

[akelman]

Dude, that's a coyote not a wolf. The squirrels wouldn't be frightened if they thought I was a wolf, as there haven't been wolves around these parts for nearly a century. By contrast, this place is crawling with coyotes, and the squirrels are quick to recognize me as a predator and scoot out of my way. Anyway, no Furmeet invite for you.

[sbparker31]

That's disappointing. I guess I'll just have to go the the world's biggest furmeet and visit Lance.

[FlashUNC]

I'm sure that would work. But my new method has been pretty effective as well: I always wear this (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.fun-shop.com/show_image.php%3Fim%3D/img/01/01309.jpg%26size%3D300&imgrefurl=http://www.animalmascots.com/01-01309/Coyote-Mascot-Costume.html&h=300&w=300&sz=42&tbnid=FNZ7o7UrQ9SYiM:&tbnh=93&tbnw=93&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dcoyote%2Bcostume%2Bimage%26tbm%3Disch %26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=coyote+costume+image&usg=__gNPTwqlDUv3xgImIVtFDCpv42to=&sa=X&ei=SKr4TeGdOOfn0QHt0om7Cw&ved=0CBoQ9QEwAA&dur=929) when I ride. It's expensive, sure, but the one made by Rapha is really comfortable. As an added bonus, I've been invited to a bunch of Furmeets.

For hot days, I think this would breathe far better:

http://slog.thestranger.com/files/2008/09/coyote%20hat.jpg

[sbparker31]

While the Coyote outfit is a good idea, this outfit is a GREAT idea.

-All animals will avoid you.
-Wheelsuckers will avoid you.
-Inattentive/aggressive drivers will avoid you.
-You will be left to ride in peace and safety.

[akelman]

There's a Furmeet next Tuesday. See you then.