Snakes scare me!!!

[SAR_boats]

Quick note: I was not trying to dissuade anyone from riding alone. I was just bringing to light the fact that we are usually too excited to consider the outcome of our action when we do. Sometimes riding alone is a necessary evil, sometime ya just want to get away from people. But the consequences of our actions have far reaching effects

[ODB]

I've had to bunnyhop rattlers on three different occasions. Scary sh!t, indeed. And I do probably 90 percent of my riding solo, though i'm gonna try to change that once my C-bone finally heals.

[Fired Yo Momma]

I still feel safer riding alone than on the streets of Anaslime or Costa Mesa. When I do ride into work I only feel safe while on the river trail. I would feel more safer riding on the trail with no helmet than riding in the streets sometimes.

[tkblazer]

i heard hucking ducks is even more dangerous

[Chopper]

Originally Posted by tkblazer

i heard hucking ducks is even more dangerous

Would hucking ducks make one a duck hucker?
And what if the duck you hucked was the mother of some baby ducks. What would that make you?

[Kid A]

Originally Posted by Chopper

Would hucking ducks make one a duck hucker?
And what if the duck you hucked was the mother of some baby ducks. What would that make you?

hmm, all i can say is

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by nappyt

Not sure if you (PacMan) ever saw the yellow box in my CamelBak

but I carry one of these with me all the time. I bought it at REI $15 a few years ago. I honestly don't know what good if any it will do. But it might buy me a little time and help me focus on getting help and not freaking out if I ever got bit. Between you and snakes and Spec-Ed and bee's I figured it was a good investment.

From what I've heard from numerous sources, snakebite kits are completely worthless.

Originally Posted by dstepper

Doug great story...but I want to see pictures. And maybe you need to work on your bunny hopping skills...J/K.

Dean

I actually had my camera with me and my phone, but was so freaked out, taking a picture didn't occur to me until well after he had slithered his way into the bushes.

[Kid A]

Originally Posted by PacMan

From what I've heard from numerous sources, snakebite kits are completely worthless.

Old joke for those that have never heard it before...i anticapte very few have not

A rattlesnake bites Johnny on his John Henry. "Don’t panic,” says Johnny’s camping pal, “My trusty medical manual’ll tell us what to do.” (The manual prescribes cutting an X on the snake bite, then sucking out the venom.) The befuddled pal keeps re-reading the advice to himself. What’s it say?” asks Johnny, panicking.[SIZE=4][SIZE=2]“Says you’re going to die.”[/SIZE] [/SIZE]

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by Chopper

Imagine how he must have felt.

He appeared to be just fine. He untangled himself rather quickly, admonishing me with a chainsaw-like rattle symphony the entire time. Once he was free of my bike, he wasted no time making himself scarce. While he was untangling himself, I creeped closer to see if I could see any marks/injuries on him and didn't see any.

I'm always very aware and on the look-out for snakes, but like I said, this was in the middle of an "S" curve and just about the worst place to encounter a snake.

[allison]

It was probably part of some snake gang initiation

[OMR]

There are many activities that are best done with others: rock climbing, scuba diving, snow boarding out of bounds, hiking in bear country and, of course, mountain biking. Unfortunately, we do not always have our buds to keep us company... and go for help when something happens. Yet, that doesn't stop us. As you all know, riding alone in the early morning hours as the sun is coming up can be a very special time. Can it be dangerous? Hell yes, but so is driving to work.

It's all a matter of perception. Driving on today's crowded freeways can be the most dangerous of all and yet we do this without even thinking. I've been riding longer than before some of you were born (that's why they call me Old Man Riding). Like SAR, I've been severely injured. I've ended up in the hospital ER after taking a header of a 70 foot cliff on Strawberry Peak. I should have been killed...I wasn't. 175 stiches, 2 broken ribs, a punctured lung, 2 sprained feet and hands later, copious amounts of blood left behind on un-named trails, I still ride. WE ALL DO. It's not an IF it's going to happen ... it's only a matter of WHEN.... I still ride.

Most think we're crazy to do what we do... that's what makes us a tribe. And we'll continue to have stories/adventures to tell and yes, they'll be blood and gore involved... but it's something that binds each and everyone of us together... just like Doug's snake story, we've all been there in one form or another.... what other sport can a 20 year old and a 65 year old share together? Not many! Ain't it just too cool!

OMR

[Kid A]

Originally Posted by mtber3737

There are many activities that are best done with others: rock climbing, scuba diving, snow boarding out of bounds, hiking in bear country and, of course, mountain biking.

you're missing one more

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by Chopper

A few years ago, I was bitten in the belly when I fell on a rattler on the Chiquito Falls trail. Ended up with huge blue and green bruise but no other symtoms.

[allison]

[Kid A]

Originally Posted by allison

i love snakes. i revel in the times i get to play with them on the trail.

one of these days i need to convince her to shag in the bushes!

playing with snakes??? Weak! What is that an earthworm. i was totally expecting something like this. j/k



oh, if you figure out the key to single track sideline shaggin', share with me so far mrs. aint going for it

[Keith B]

Dude with a snake that small you aint gonna be doing much shagging in the bushes!

[allison]

Originally Posted by Keith B

Dude with a snake that small you aint gonna be doing much shagging in the bushes!

Now, Keith, I'm sure Sarah has reminded you that it isn't the size of your rattler that matters...it's how you use it.

[OTHRIDER]

As I'm one of the older citizens here at STR, I was very fortunate to grow up when the OC had more open land than homes. We'd spend ALL day in the fields riding, jumping, throwing rocks etc. And, we caught snakes all the time. Don't get me wrong, I have a huge amount of respect for those buzz worms and give them plenty of room. I'm way more afraid of the attack kittens licking their chops. I've come across paw prints in the hills behind my home 4" - 5" wide and boy does it give me the chills. Anyway, after all my outdoors run-ins with rattlers, I've only crossed paths with one truely mean rattler (most just want to be left alone). If you ever happen to be unfortunate enough to find yourself toe-to-toe with a Mohave Green, RUN FORREST, RUN. Damned meanest snake I've ever seen. I swear they want to chase and bite us.

Highjack over.

[Keith B]

Allison, if you've encountered one that bites then I advice you to run in the opposite direction!!!!

[OMR]

Originally Posted by Kid A

you're missing one more

Ok...Ok! I forgot the most important one best done with others... They say that memory is the first to go... but this NEVER goes... I promise!

LOL

OMR