I was out on a ride yesterday – just seeing how my legs were after a few recovery rides since my hard week last week (I’m glad to report they are back to normal!). After a quick blast up the Col D’Ornon, I decided that would do for the day and came back down, but added on a little warm down detour that goes down some small local back roads. They dont have any through traffic (but bike and walkers can get through o.k.) so they are usually very quiet.
As I was passing through a wooded area, I saw a squirrel cross the road in front of me. Big deal you might think, but we dont have the common grey squirrels round here, just the more rare European ‘red’ ones. Anyway, as I was just thinking about red and grey squirrels, I came round a fast corner (about 30 kmh) and right in the road in front of me was a snake! Now I’d seen little foot long snakes in France before, about as thick as your finger, but this was a proper, at least 3 foot long, 5 cm diameter snake. My first thoughts were ‘I’m going too fast, I’ll have to bunny hop it’, but I couldn’t stop my instincts to slam on the brakes.
This brought me to a halt about 1 metre infront of it, and whilst my heart was racing it looked up at me, not at all bothered, and slithered into the undergrowth at the side of the road.
I have no idea what kind of snake it was – I didn’t see a V or an A on it’s head so it probably wasn’t anything dangerous but it sure did give me a shock.
As I went on my way, I thought about snake avoidance manouvres for next time; perhaps the bunny hop approach would be a little risky – if I timed it wrong I have no idea who would come off worse – the snake or me!
Cycling Ascents – Bourg D’Oisans Accommodation and Guided Rides
The question to ask yourself is “what would Ray Meares do?!”
I’m loving the blog entries – the Kevin Smith sense of humour shines through – keep them coming!
I’m not sure what Ray would have done….Bear Grylls – now he would have eaten it I reckon!