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Damp roads are a cert for Scotchland.

Skub wrote: Fri Jul 05, 2024 1:44 pm Damp roads are a cert for Scotchland.

And I did wonder whether 'old' is calibrated for Scottish riders or rest of the UK.

Is there anything much we can do about wildlife, especially deer, other than hoping for the best?

One thing to note is that deer are herd animals. So remember the reminder "Where there's one there's another".

Another is that they typically use the same locations to cross roads.

Horse wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2024 11:40 pm One thing to note is that deer are herd animals. So remember the reminder "Where there's one there's another".

Another is that they typically use the same locations to cross roads.

My old riding buddy always used to ride slowly on a very fast bit of road and I always did the same cos I was following, then one day we saw a deer on the verge. It's not easy to see them in the fields as there were big hedges (with gaps, but still not easy to spot them!) - when we got to the coffee stop he said it was a 'deer area' on that little bit of road. And he said exactly that - if you avoid the first one, there's always a chance the second or third will get you!!

When I used to commute through the depths of Suffolk and Norfolk I was always really nervous of the areas where deer crossing was well known. More than a few colleagues had been involved in collisions and an ex-boss had her car absolutely totalled, she and her husband were quite badly injured. Hitting one on a bike would be somewhat worse I imagine...

Re impact damage, bigger deer are 'sheep on stilts'.

Re locations. Some of you will know and enjoy the Newbury-Wantage road
In particular, the section heading North after it crosses the Ridgeway and descend in a series of bends. Big, open, fields either side.

Out training one summer evening, we whizzed along, stopped for a chat at the top of the hill down to Wantage. Then, a few minutes later, returned Southbound.

Deer in the fields. They must have been in the hedges as we passed.

Horse wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2024 11:40 pm
Another is that they typically use the same locations to cross roads.

They do. Quite often at similar times of the day as well. Often dawn and dusk. The deer warning signs are something to take notice of.

The best mate of my riding buddy hit a deer. Usually they rode at warp speed. Luckily this guy was on his own and had just come out of a village and passed a car, the driver confirmed he wasn't madly over the limit, if at all.

Still broke his pelvis and lower back in a few places and some internal injuries - can't remember the rest. Bike written off!!

Definitely avoid if you can!!

Scootabout wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2024 10:07 pm Is there anything much we can do about wildlife, especially deer, other than hoping for the best?

Yes.

Expect them to jump a ten foot wall.

Practice emergency stops from 120 mph.

Practice deep breaths to get heart rate back down when said deer jumps back the way it came.

Don't do 120 mph next to the rest of said wall.

Don't ask me how I know.

Horse wrote:they typically use the same locations to cross roads.

Probably not a lot of people know this but there is a deer bridge over the M25 where it cuts through the north end of Epping Forest.

Two deer memories stand out, for me. On a trip to France a few years ago I had one jump out in front of me. My wife was behind and confirmed it was close.
The second was on a group ride, when several of us had to wait while a dozen or so trooped across the road.

Scootabout wrote: Mon Jul 15, 2024 10:19 pma dozen or so trooped across the road.

[Vicar voice]
"Ah, the deer departed"

Coat time for that one, horse!

Scootabout wrote: Wed Jul 17, 2024 8:26 pm Coat time for that one, horse!

Your waitress is called 'Tip', apparently, and I'm here all week.