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Resident Tiger Snake
Hi everyone, just thought I'd post a little warning about a local tiger snake which occasionally suns itself on the Perimeter Trail in Terrey Hills. I live at the beginning of the trail and i've seen it in the area around the first few k's of the track (they are territorial), generally from the beginning until the beginning of Smiths Creek (and presumably some of Nerang). Most snakes tend to slide off the track but this one plays dead until you get to close and then strikes. It struck my bike a few months ago when I almost ran over it, and a few days ago my brother stood on it (still haven't figured out how he wasnt struck, seems the snake missed as he jumped). Anyhow, as it get's cooler it'll probably sun itself on the track more regularly so keep your eyes peeled for any suspicious looking bits of bark.
Tom
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Thanks for the warning Tom although it's not exactly what I wanted to hear. I've run over a few snakes on dirt bikes and it's guaranteed to scare the crap out of you. It's like OK, I hit the thing but where the $%#@ is it now!!
Cheers, Mark
no, seriously
Yeah, that's what I was worried about Stuart!
so should I always try stop to avoid them or ride over them if I only have 0.5 of a second reaction time before I reach it ?
Tom
Ride in pairs if possible, when tom was struck at i was coming up behind him. This has two benefits, 1) if you are bitten you can have some help/first aid on hand, 2) it scared the hell out of the snake. Try and avoid them if possible, but don't slow down as you have more chance of getting bittne (either stop before the snake or hoon past as quickly as possible)
Tom where exactly did you see it and has it gotten bigger mate?
I also carry pressure bandages just in case.
glad i have been practicing how to BUNNY HOP lol
How to Bunnyhop your MTB:
http://youtu.be/QiIunH47qew
yeah i carry a mobile and a compression bandage in case of snake bite
thanks for the heads up
won't the snake still strike if you fly above it ?
I was thinking if you're going really fast, perhaps try at least to lift the front wheel. Or is it better to go over it with both wheels to annoy it lol
Tom
It already has a slight flat spot near its tail which is uncannilly about the same width as a mountain bike tire. Yes it has got bigger but that will only make it easier to spot. As for avoiding them, I'd personally swerve and lift my legs, because chances are it wont differentiate between you and bike and probably just strike the frame. My brother saw it while walking, not on any designated tracks, but it will definately start appearing on the tracks as it gets cooler during the day.
Alysum, why do you keep signing off your posts as me?
Tom
Haha, video would be much more impressive if he'd drunk all of the budweiser just before attempting the bunny hop!
Tom_b> lol I'm not signing off Tom to your messages, but to all messages so people know my name
I thought you would be proud to see a thread full of Toms too
Fair enough, guess I should have seen that coming.