Attack Cats

[bironi]

Today as our group of fixed gears were speeding around a corner, I spotted what I thought was a group of small birds running out of the grass on our right aiming into our path. On second glance, it was a group of kittens maybe 6-8 charging out into our path. Luckily they were only 4-5 inches long, slow and clumsy. That was a first for me, but I’ll never forget the sight. Attack Cats. Cute enough to melt the heart of most dog lovers.

[ides1056]

On a group ride back in the '70's, I saw a friend taken down by a cat and thought he was just a bad rider. A few years later, riding down to Fort Baker after a ride, the same thing happened to me: cat came out of the grass on the shoulder, went under my front wheel, and I watched him run away as bits of jersey scattered in the air while I slid downhill. Had to sleep with Saran Wrap over the road rash for several days so my arm didn't stick to the sheets.

[Derek Raymond]

Steve French's children!

[rec head]

Today as our group of fixed gears were speeding around a corner...

Isn't a group of gears called a cassette?

[Linnaeus]

It isn't always a cassette, but it certainly forms a cluster.

[suzyj]

I was on a bunch training ride years ago when a bunny came charging out of the undergrowth, across the road, between my wheels, and into the undergrowth on the other side of the road.

Just as it registered what had happened, there was an enormous prang about three bikes further back, when the dog that was chasing the rabbit took out a couple of riders.

Not a good look - skin off all over the place. Luckily the dog was relatively unharmed, and very keen to lick everyone better.

[jonnycomelately]

It isn't always a cassette, but it certainly forms a cluster.

I thought fixed gears came in gaggles, or maybe pods.

[suzyj]

I thought fixed gears came in gaggles, or maybe pods.

Isn't it a hipster of fixed wheels?

[R.Liverman]

Oh man, I used to race with a guy who had a friend break both wrists in an accident with a cat. Same story, the cat ran out and the guy tried to hop it. Tried to, the cat got pulled up by the front wheel and jammed between it and the fork. The cat wound up in several pieces and the guy's front wheel didn't move when he landed the hop. Bam.

I've personally seen a squirrel cut in half by a mountain bike tire in another failed hop the mammal attempt.

Along the lines of your post there are a couple families of wild turkey around here tha I've had the pleasure of watching grow up. Cute little bastards sure turn ugly.

[Nierman]

+1 for bladed spokes

sharpened

[R.Liverman]

+1 for bladed spokes

sharpened

The best thing about spinergy rev x wheels is that they never need to be sharpened.

[edoz]

I thought I was being chased by a raccoon this morning, but turns out I spooked him and he was racing for the sewer grate on my side of the street.

[bellman]

On a loop of the local lake trail a couple years back I had a chipmunk shoot just in front of my front wheel. My buddy behind me says man that thing went thru your wheel and I replied
'nope, just in front of me' he says 'No, your back wheel, it' went right thru your back wheel' I guess there was two of them. Pretty neat trick to get thru 32 spoke rims.....

[bikinchris]

Not too long after I started riding, I was making my way home and was tired. I had an insluated bottle from Schwinn that you had to take the top off to drink. So I am riding along with both hands off the bars opening the bottle and drinking and make a corner no handed. I thought I was cool for doing that and glanced at a guy watering his lawn when a cat ran from under a bush and ran headlong right into my front wheel. I went sprawling out onto pavement and the guy watering his yard actually fell down rolling on the ground laughing. I picked myself up and rode home bloody. No lesson, except that I bought a squeeze bottle.

[R.Liverman]

Not too long after I started riding, I was making my way home and was tired. I had an insluated bottle from Schwinn that you had to take the top off to drink. So I am riding along with both hands off the bars opening the bottle and drinking and make a corner no handed. I thought I was cool for doing that and glanced at a guy watering his lawn when a cat ran from under a bush and ran headlong right into my front wheel. I went sprawling out onto pavement and the guy watering his yard actually fell down rolling on the ground laughing. I picked myself up and rode home bloody. No lesson, except that I bought a squeeze bottle.

Not even the knowledge that your lawn watering friend is a bit of a dick?

[j44ke]

Nearly hit a buck during mating season that ran straight at me, then veered off and went by so close I could smell him. Not the best smell. I kept thinking "He must see me. He'll turn off the road at some point." And he did, but a lot later than I expected. I should have slowed down a bit.

Went through a flock of turkeys last winter. Probably about 30 of them. They are a group that make the rounds in the woody neighborhood that is part of one of my routes. Got sketchy when the birds on the right took off to join the birds on the left. A lot of down draft from a squad of low flying turkeys. I should have slowed down then too.

Once got a flat tire from a hedgehog in England near Winchester. Or rather a former hedgehog.

The squirrels of Central Park (NYC) are out to get me. They are just working on their timing right now.

[Abaddon]

Have to admit... When I first read the thread title 'Attack Cats' I thought the conversation was going to be about a band from CLE, OH.

Attack Cat - Attack Cat