Counter Assault
This stuff actually works, had to use it on the Coal Discovery Trail on July 19th. Two of us had just cycled past Loose Change and were approaching the Little Chain Ring intersection. We had just finished riding Porky Blue Trail and were cycling back the last 5 km to Fernie.
Cycled around a corner and encountered two black bear cubs on the trail. My dog barked, the cubs cried and momma stood straight up and then charged. I had pepper spray in my front pocket and was instantly discharging it in the bear’s direction. She ran through the cloud and took a full blast in the face near my front tire. She reversed direction but turned to possibly attack again as I dropped my bike and retreated down the trail. With two cyclists and a dog staring back at her she decided not to attack again and then followed her cubs up a tree. I grabbed my bike and we backtracked towards Loose Change and up to Ridgemont Road.
It was unusual for me to have the pepper spray in my pocket, usually it is buried in my pack somewhere. Recent bear events around Fernie had me thinking about bears and I wore my hiking shorts that had a pocket for the counter assault bear spray. Bear encounters happen fast!
I feel bad for the sow and cubs who just had a chance encounter with us. I suppose both parties are still able to carry on and hopefully avoid future meetings. Lots of wildlife and recreationists on the trails surrounding Fernie and we all have to be careful and prepared and do our best to respect wildlife and avoid these encounters.
