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Attacked on my Mountain Bike in the Snowy Mountains


amarkie's picture

By amarkie - Posted on 15 January 2013

I was recently chatting to a friend about how we're lucky we don't have any animals that are likely to attack you whilst riding in Australia. Sure there are heaps of animals in our bush that scare the s*** out of you but they are always just trying to get away.

Well that all changed on Saturday ..


http://youtu.be/C53Jpy3_ya0

(Shot at Bungarra Alpine Centre - Jindabyne)

ENJOY!!

I spent the last week riding various trails around the Snowy Mountains. The improvements up there are outstanding. I have a heap of video to cut and get up, I'll post something up when its ready (Jindabyne Community Trail, Bungarra Alpine Centre, Lack Crackenback Resort and Spa, Thredbo Resort, Mt Kosciuszko).

cambowambo's picture

I had a similar incident with an Emu at Red Hill a few years ago - above The Narrabeen Academy of Sport and Recreation - I was flying down and he came running up the track straight at me, we both stopped and he waited while I got out of the way, then he continued up the track Shocked

For some reason it didn't feel like he was going to attack me, but he was quite obviously not going to get out of my way so I had to get out of his. I never figured out what an Emu was doing in Sydney, I guess it was an escaped pet or something.

amarkie's picture

Apparently there is an Emu Farm at Oxford Falls. I've seen a Mother and chicks on Oxford Falls Rd near the tennis centre. We rang WIRES and they told us they were not "wild" but escaped Smiling

sikllama's picture

That wasn't an emu attacking you, it was hawkeye dressed up to resemble his online avatar...

Looking forward to seeing the video - I'm planning a long weekend trip to include jindy/bungarra/Canberra in a few months time. What did you think of bungarra, worth it? (was thinking of doing east jindy and fitting bungarra in time permitting).

kitttheknightrider's picture

amarkie you only have yourself to blame. That emu mistook the sound of your brakes for a turkey gobble, saw you as a threat to its food supply and di what it does best, head down and charge. Get rid of the avids and next time you will ride past in silence without the risk of attack.

Now where is my old avatar, oh that's right hawkeye now uses it.

amarkie's picture

I think Bungarra definitely worth a ride. Some great long loops or you can just session a short trail. They have some skills, jumps and pump track areas to play on. If you are looking for some crazy long and steep switchback climbs they've got them too.

I should have the content, maps and videos up on my site by the end of the week. I will ping you when it's up.

Note: Bungarra is only open on weekends. You can buy a weekend pass for $5 (honesty box at the trailhead) that gives you access from 12pm Friday until 12pm Monday.

The Jindy to Dam ride is fun and flowy, a major improvement on the old trail. I didn't get to ride much of the Mill Creek Trail this time so I don't know if the trail has been upgraded since August.

Definitely worth going out to Lake Crackenback Resort for a XC single track loop and out along the river or a play in the their Skills / Flow / Pump track.

Thredbo have also opened up more trails (not requiring chairlift), and the pump track might be open too (if thats your thing).

amarkie's picture

The noise worked quite well in clearing the path of other animals (human or otherwise) Smiling Love those DH Pads!

Dicko's picture

mill Creek Trail is definitely worth it. very similar in style to Stromlo, hard packed and rocky.

The main trail cuts through the centre of all the old east jindy trails, which you can access. These are not as well maintained and more rustic but great fun.

i agree, that the Jindy / Thredbo area has come a long way, and there is easy a good 4 days riding there, with Thredbo to continue with more track development this year.

D

armo's picture

OR that rabbit you nearly ran over earlier told all his mates about the MTB rider that nearly ran over him Smiling

Hop fiend's picture

was a classic!-lets hope it has moved on from when I ride there sometime early Feb.

Lach's picture

.. but hopefully the chicks have grown enough for Mum to not be so protective!

doc's picture

Great footage and brought a smile !

This is very similar to Mother Emu that have come across before while camping up the coast. Any hint that you are moving between Mother and Chicks and you will get a very quick reminder not to do it again

ido09s's picture

I was going to say it looked like its chicks were with it so its what i would expect it to do, doesnt mean it wouldnt scare the shit out of you though!!!

Did it actually connect with you at all or did it just charge at you?

hawkeye's picture

Actually, thats what i really look like.

The mountain bike and lycra fools a lot of people,so no need to feel any shame at being tricked by my disguise Eye-wink

amarkie's picture

No I don't think so, I suspect I would have known about it if it had. I SWORE I growled at it but the Video doesn't support this "memory" Smiling

I literally didn't see it until I squealed. Had I seen it earlier I would have slowed or stopped well away.

The next day there must have been about 20-30 Grey Kangaroos around the trail and one big bastard that was a good 5ft+ !! He just stood in the middle of the trail and eyed me off. I gave him plenty of room Smiling

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