Good Vibes Only: Drafting A Squirrel

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Today I drafted a squirrel. Pedalling along, the canal beside me steaming tendrils into the frozen air, my lead out squirrel sat on the frosted fence ahead. Spotting me, it turned tail and ran along the wooden rail, fluffy tail extended in a squirrely version of the superman. It must have had cold feet, its little paws leaving no prints, only the tch-tchickity-tchick of claws in the jagged ice crystals. I closed in on that…

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Author Profile Picture
Hannah Dobson

Managing Editor

I came to Singletrack having decided there must be more to life than meetings. I like all bikes, but especially unusual ones. More than bikes, I like what bikes do. I think that they link people and places; that cycling creates a connection between us and our environment; bikes create communities; deliver freedom; bring joy; and improve fitness. They're environmentally friendly and create friendly environments. I try to write about all these things in the hope that others might discover the joy of bikes too.

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Home › Forums › Good Vibes Only: Drafting A Squirrel

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  • This topic has 10 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 1 week ago by Josh.
Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)
  • Good Vibes Only: Drafting A Squirrel
  • 1
    gazzab1955
    Full Member

    Not fantasy’s, but more wildlife experiences similar to yours ………………….

    A Buzzard flying/gliding just above and just ahead of us on a woodland trail, the overhanging foliage stopping it from escaping into the open sky, we followed it for a a couple of hundred meters before it drifted off above the trees.

    A Barn Owl that flew out of the hedgerow just above the Fleet (Dorset) then kept just ahead of us landing back in the hedgerow until we caught up then flying off again, it must of been nearly half a mile before it decided enough was enough and flew off across the fields.

    Hares, on several occasions, running ahead of us on tracks then stopping until we caught up before running off again, they seemed to enjoy the game of tag.

     

    Posted 1 week ago
    2
    andrewh
    Free Member

    It is quite common for buzzards and owls to do that, I’ve seen it loads of times. They have both worked out that if they keep pace with the bike/car it will eventually scare a rodent in the verge and the movement will give it away and they can pounce. Works very well.

    I’ve only seen buzzards and owls doing it though, not seen any others.

    .

    The hares do want you to chase them. It’s not a game, they nest on the ground so if they see a predator they will make themselves known and then run away from where their young are, and make sure that the predator follows them. As long as they are fast enough this works well.

    Posted 1 week ago
    1
    mtbfix
    Full Member

    I had a squirrel companion running along a fence a couple of weeks ago too. I slowed slightly do it could stay ahead and after a few dozen yards it leapt up into a low branch without breaking stride and was gone.

    Posted 1 week ago
    matt_outandabout
    Full Member

    What colour jersey for Queen of the Commute?

    Kingfisher shiny blue. Fast, nippy, always seems to get where it’s going…

    I’ve a video from one of my son’s following a Wombat down a trail. He refers to it as ‘My G’ and asks about passing square pooopage….funniest thing ever.

    Posted 1 week ago
    Bruce
    Full Member

    STW editor terrifies squirrel ?

    Posted 1 week ago
    alric
    Free Member

    we was just pushing up at woburn when a squirrel about 10ft above us fell off a branch.

     

    Posted 1 week ago
    Megatron
    Full Member

    First time I got buzzed by an owl was back in the days of dim halogen lights. Appeared over my head from behind and the ghostly white shape disappeared off into the inky black. Quite beautiful, very distracting.

    squirrels are good fun and fast, badgers are surprisingly quick too.

    Posted 1 week ago
    stgeorge
    Full Member

    Seagull, sorry Gull, dropped a road-kill rabbit, guts hanging out, from about 40ft up and landed between us on road bikes. Scared the proverbial out of us.

    Squirrels are indecisive bastards when crossing roads, a right pain 🙂

    Posted 1 week ago
    wimpsworth
    Full Member

    I regularly have a Kingfisher fly ahead of me along the canal, on my commute. Landing on narrow boats and branches ahead before flying off again as I get close. I’ve also seen a pair dancing around each other in the air one blue sky spring morning.

    Posted 1 week ago
    joshvegas
    Free Member

    As long as they are fast enough this works well.

    Which given they are one of the fastest animals on the planet is a pretty good plan.

    Posted 1 week ago
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