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Cattle, seems it's been a while since we did them

bikesandboots · 2025-07-29T21:58:50Z

Weekend experience reminded me of this topic, and I thought worth bringing it up to people's minds now we and the cattle are outside over the summer. It might sound a more exciting story than it really was, and I won't be able to teach you everything (nor do I claim to know it, although I have worked with cattle), nor do I claim to have demonstrated exemplary judgement, but my own and others's input may help someone out. Riding on a rough track through a moorland field, I round a corner and spot a small herd of cattle ahead in the distance. I stop and check the map, yes they're right in the gateway where I'm heading. There's thick heather and this is 5ft stone wall country so there's no convenient alternative. They've seen me, but I'm not close enough to see them properly. Move a bit closer still over 100m away, now I can see there are about 30. Large cows and young ones, but no bulls or calves. They are beef breeds and this isn't a well frequented bridleway, so they're probably not too used to people or cyclists. I'm interesting to them. Seems I caught them at a bad time, they have no reason to stay in that gateway so I'll wait it out. Sure enough they start heading away up the hill in a long line. When the last one is about as far up as I am from the gate, now let's think about what to do next. The track is rutted but level, so going further isn't really committing as going down into a dip would be. Due to the heather the only options are the gate or return the way I came. Cows have the high ground. I'm on my SL eMTB, but it wouldn't outrun them from close quarters on the flat, so don't be too cocky. Think ahead to the gate, when I get there I need to open it so while one eye is on the cows as I approach, the other will be looking at which way and how the gate opens. If it all goes to shit or the gate is difficult I can get over the gate without the bike. Now let's go, briskly but quietly. I'm halfway there, they turn and start running back down the hill. This is a bit exciting... turn back, or continue. I figure I'll get to the gate first, the terrain's easy, and I can still turn around on the wide track quickly later. The odds are good, decide to go, into turbo and mash the pedals now because they've spotted me already. I'm keeping my lead, continue. I get to the gate and stop, they stop. They're 25m away. Young ones at the front about five, they're the curious ones. All quiet, they look inquisitive. Stationary, off my bike, and in viewing distance, I'm not that interesting anymore. Fumble a bit with the gate and I'm through. Looking back, they didn't even come up to the gate to see me head away. So there, an insight into cattle behaviour and unpredictableness, and cyclist judgement both in planning and when the adrenalin is flowing. As the famous cyclist Tyson once said, "every cyclist got a plan until a vehicle or big animal gives you a surprise".

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Sandwich

Posts: 13349

Free Member

Posted by: IdleJon

↑

I can testify that sometimes you can outsprint a charging herd of cattle!

Sometimes training inspiration finds you!

Posted : 07/08/2025 7:44 am

alloypenguin

Posts: 94

Free Member

Cant help myself, I love stopping and giving them a scratch around the head 🙂 Once they trust you, they will generally calm down and start licking you. Its akin to be being licked by a big freindly belt sander so that might not work for ya. Of course, I only do this if there is a nice solid wall or fence between us. Never forget they were once Aurochs!

Posted : 11/08/2025 5:37 pm

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