Snake-in-a-bike

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Allan McLane

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May 8, 2024, 9:36:41 AM5/8/24
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Here's a tale from the “Well, I never thought I’d see that” department…

This afternoon I was out on the Yvez Gomez, exercising the dog, when we encountered a smooth green snake (Opheodrys vernalis), sunning itself in the middle of the road. I stopped next to the snake to maneuver it to the side but it decided to climb up my back wheel spokes and inspect the interior of the cassette instead. After several failed attempts to nudge it along, it exited the cassette, went forward along the chainstay, and completely entered the fender, going up.

To extract it from the inside of the fender I slowly rolled the bike backwards until the snake popped out the rear and onto the ground. At this point it had gotten the message well and slithered off into the stone wall.

For the curious, full photo documentation here:
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBpqQB
<https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBpqQB>

Allan in Marlboro, Vt

Michael Kashuba

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May 8, 2024, 9:48:03 AM5/8/24
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Great images! 
Sent from my iPhone

On May 8, 2024, at 6:36 AM, Allan McLane <allan....@gmail.com> wrote:

Here's a tale from the “Well, I never thought I’d see that” department…
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Justin Kennedy

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May 8, 2024, 9:53:05 AM5/8/24
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Amazing! Great snaps too. 

Patrick Moore

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May 8, 2024, 10:02:26 AM5/8/24
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He wanted to examine the YG's lugwork up close.

I often come across snakes on paved recreational trails in the bosque at this time of year, as the pavement warms up but while the thicket is still cool. I don't stop to see how they're doing, so I don't determine the type, but rattlesnakes are common here, and I've heard the buzz of rattles before as I skimmed past a snake's nose. 

Lizards too: I barely missed a few tails recently of lizards sunning themselves in the middle of the asphalt.

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Patrick Moore
Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum
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Gordon Stam

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May 8, 2024, 10:38:52 AM5/8/24
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Snaking it's way through your frame. Interesting. 

RichS

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May 8, 2024, 11:29:45 AM5/8/24
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Good story Allan! Grant would appreciate this. He occasionally posts snake pictures in his BLAHG.

Best,
Rich in ATL

Valerie Yates

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May 8, 2024, 1:19:19 PM5/8/24
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Wow! Very vivid snake. Amazed it got in and out without injury. Awesome photos. 

Michael Morrissey

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May 8, 2024, 3:26:42 PM5/8/24
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That is very cool and unusual! 

st nick

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May 8, 2024, 4:05:40 PM5/8/24
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That is remarkable.
Thanks for capturing and sharing the pics.

I first saw this pic years ago during the time I did a few bicycle tours.

As I recall someone was touring in Indonesia and one morning was shocked to find this critter checking out their touring bike.

How would you go about shooing that beast away so you could begin the days ride?

Paul in Dallas 
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John Rinker

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May 8, 2024, 5:41:25 PM5/8/24
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Ha! Great story and really nice photos. it's always good to make new friends!

Cheers, John

Ted Durant

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May 8, 2024, 6:59:41 PM5/8/24
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On Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 3:05:40 PM UTC-5 Paul in Dallas wrote:
As I recall someone was touring in Indonesia and one morning was shocked to find this critter checking out their touring bike.

Yikes! 

My story is far less scary. My first time doing a S24O with Grant we rode up the paved side of Mt Diablo then headed down the back side on the trail. For some reason I was the first rider going down a dip then up a little rise, at the top of which was a rattlesnake sunning itself in the middle of the path. Luckily I had slowed down going up the rise and was able to stop in time. The others pulled up behind me; it regarded us for a bit then slithered away at a leisurely pace.

Ted Durant
Milwaukee WI USA 

iamkeith

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May 9, 2024, 4:59:14 PM5/9/24
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Beautiful animal.and beautiful bike.

Allan McLane

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May 10, 2024, 8:40:03 AM5/10/24
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That python was probably just attracted to the handlebar tape!

John Rinker

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May 10, 2024, 2:25:01 PM5/10/24
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A new friend from this morning. Focused, ready but relaxed.
IMG_3322.jpegCheers, John

Matthew Williams

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May 11, 2024, 4:41:47 PM5/11/24
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On a ride a while back, I stopped for lunch under an oak tree and heard rustling in the leaves at the edge of the path. This poor little guy was caught in a nylon erosion net. He hissed angrily as I cut the netting with my multitool to free him, then he quietly disappeared beneath the dry, crackling leaves.

IMG_7498.JPG
IMG_7499.JPG

Curtis McKenzie

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May 11, 2024, 6:11:20 PM5/11/24
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Great save!

On Sat, May 11, 2024, 1:41 PM Matthew Williams <matthewwil...@gmail.com> wrote:
On a ride a while back, I stopped for lunch under an oak tree and heard rustling in the leaves at the edge of the path. This poor little guy was caught in a nylon erosion net. He hissed angrily as I cut the netting with my multitool to free him, then he quietly disappeared beneath the dry, crackling leaves.

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John Rinker

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May 11, 2024, 7:38:06 PM5/11/24
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I agree with Curtis. What a very fine thing you did! That looks like a variety of gopher snake. Quite beautiful, and I'm told they like to hiss.

Cheers, John

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