 Topic Name: Cyclist Killed by Bear - West Glacier
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on: June 30, 2016, 04:37:14 AM
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Jgrooms
Location: KC
Posts: 18
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« on: June 30, 2016, 04:37:14 AM » |
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Topic Name: Cyclist Killed by Bear - West Glacier
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Reply #1 on: July 12, 2016, 07:33:03 AM
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WalksOn2Wheels
Posts: 43
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« Reply #1 on: July 12, 2016, 07:33:03 AM » |
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So I don't know why this never got any replies, but I did see this when it was first posted. I'm always amazed that so many riders blast through that area every year and no one has had any truly dangerous encounters to speak of. I guess I assume that once the first group passes through, the bears decide to avoid the area for a while? It looks like that was very close to the GDMBR.
But that's a truly sad situation. If a man who lives and works in/on that land gets caught off guard by a bear, what chance do I have? I guess you could argue that by being in that area for so long, he kind of stacked the statistics against himself after a while. Kind of like a live news reporter eventually getting blown over by wind or having lightning strike a few feet away.
This is honestly my biggest fear in terms of ever considering the GDMBR. Everything else is just camping and riding lots and lots of miles. I've followed the TD over the years, but never did look into what most of the racers do through bear country. Are there several known indoor sleeping spots through there? Has anyone had to camp out in the open in bear country?
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Topic Name: Cyclist Killed by Bear - West Glacier
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Reply #2 on: July 12, 2016, 01:18:43 PM
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bpeschka
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 179
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« Reply #2 on: July 12, 2016, 01:18:43 PM » |
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There is a thread in the Bikepacking topic titled Montana Bear Attack with a fair amount of traffic.
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Topic Name: Cyclist Killed by Bear - West Glacier
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Reply #3 on: July 12, 2016, 01:31:42 PM
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bakerjw
Posts: 464
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« Reply #3 on: July 12, 2016, 01:31:42 PM » |
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Most riders never even see a bear. I shared the trail with a black bear for about 1/4 mile. It finally heard me singing and ran off into the woods.
There are spots where you certainly know that you are in the wilderness but follow simple rules and have your wits about you. And the biggest thing? A can of bear spray handy.
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Topic Name: Cyclist Killed by Bear - West Glacier
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Reply #4 on: July 13, 2016, 01:41:08 AM
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WatermelonSugar
Location: Tralfamadore
Posts: 63
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« Reply #4 on: July 13, 2016, 01:41:08 AM » |
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It's a bit silly to freak out over this. God knows how many cyclists are killed, maimed, injured by cars everyday and you hear nothing about it, this bear was just being a bear and sadly someone got killed, but it made headlines all over the world. Just look at this years TD where Josh Kato was put out of the race by someone driving like an idiot, I'd say the bears on route are much better behaved than the drivers!!
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Topic Name: Cyclist Killed by Bear - West Glacier
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Reply #5 on: July 21, 2016, 05:38:48 AM
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Topic Name: Cyclist Killed by Bear - West Glacier
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Reply #6 on: July 21, 2016, 05:43:33 AM
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bakerjw
Posts: 464
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« Reply #6 on: July 21, 2016, 05:43:33 AM » |
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"Wildlife officials tracked the bear to an area near the attack and euthanized it Sunday. They said state law requires them to put down any wild animal that attacks or bites a person and test it for rabies. "
I have a problem with this. The bear did what bears do, protect their young.
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Topic Name: Cyclist Killed by Bear - West Glacier
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Reply #7 on: July 22, 2016, 03:34:02 PM
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kiwidave
Posts: 251
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« Reply #7 on: July 22, 2016, 03:34:02 PM » |
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... in TD '16 I met one Grizzly with 2 cubs in Canada, 1 black bear running in Montana, one Grizzly at night in Wyoming, two bears (unknown type) at night in Wyoming, 2 black bears at night in southern Colorado .... I carried bear spray to AW. If you want to be informed for current best practice in bear safety then this is a great video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PExlT-5VU-Y |
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