Wednesday ride

[Marilyn Mason]

Art:
I didn't drop my camera or my bike--there were a lot of "What if's" in 
there.  When I had the bike nearly stopped I looked around and noticed more 
than 5 places within 40 yards that a 300 pound bear could be lurking and 
chose discression over valor and sped off.

Jim who's starting his 64th year today.  Jesus HC how'd I get this old?


> Oh Mr. Jim!!
>
> I trust the camera wasn't too damaged and that your leg isn't either.
> Petersen Road is bliss, but it's never far from my mind that the bush is
> very close to the road and if anything trips out you really have nowhere
> to go.
>
> You were very prudent regarding the baby black as Mom's can get pissed
> really fast when they think their offspring's are in jeopardy.... I've
> been there and was fortunate that "Mom" didn't get too upset when I
> moved out of the way fast. Having my tribe of dogs around helped too.
>
> I think you would need at least an Aerostich to withstand a bear attack.
> The owner of Aerostich is something of a wit and I'm sure he'd love to
> put a "bear attack" rating on his suits.
>
> I once got hit full force (120kph) in the chest by a grouse and ended up
> with egg yolk all down my suit.. Me being a vegetarian too.... Yuk!
>
> Art
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gpzlist-bounces at micapeak.com [mailto:gpzlist-bounces at micapeak.com]
> On Behalf Of Marilyn Mason
> Sent: 30 April 2010 10:22
> To: GPZ List
> Subject: Wednesday ride
>
> Wednesday it was 12C (53F) and sunny so I rode the bike to Eganville and
>
> brought my licence sticker for the year.
> I then continued through the back country and stopped at Crooked Rapids
>
> Chute (a rebuilt log raceway near Combermere, a lot of wedding photos
> taken
> here) and had my picnic lunch beside the chute.  I left there went to
> Maynooth and took the Peterson Road to Harcourt (It is the Elephant Lake
>
> Road at the Harcourt End).  Art the road made it through the winter ok,
> some
> frost heaves about 8 km from Maynooth and some sand just east of the
> Halibuton county line. Just before I got to the top of the hill at the
> Hastings/Haliberton County line I saw a small black bear on the side of
> the
> road.  I was thinking of taking a picture and just about had the bike at
> a
> stand still when a thought occurred.  What if this little guy is not
> alone?
> What if his momma is nearby?  What if I have my engine running,side
> stand
> down with camera out and she shows up?
> In may haste to escape I drop the camera ($250.00 shot), shift into
> gear
> with side stand down,  the engine dies, bike falls over trapping my leg.
>  The Joe Rocket motorcycle clothing people would be interested to see
> how
> well their Kevlar suit holds up in a bear fight.
> I turned east at Harcourt to Bancroft then home on 28 and 515.
> Around Quadeville I had to brake hard twice, once for a ruffed grouse
> and
> then for a turkey.  There's a truck at the local body shop waiting on a
> new
> grill, hood, radiator and supports after doing a little turkey hunting.
> According to shop owner Bob Coulas its a $2300.00 bird.
>
> Jim
>
>
>
>
>