squirrel autonomous defense theory

Dan said:

I had the opportunity to test my squirrel defense theory today. I
believe that squirrels behave like prey. I think that they tend to stand
their ground as the predator approaches and then dash one way or the
other at the last second. It seems like this would work very well to
escape from a hawk or coyote which is going full speed and can't change
direction fast enough. The key for the rodent is to stay unpredictable.
The little devil will always end up exiting one way or the other in a
line perpendicular to the predator approach path.

The sure-fire way to miss a squirrel is to head straight for it.

So today, I am cruising down a country lane at about 20 mph when the
evil menace casually entered the roadway from the right. Our speeds and
paths were in perfect synchronization for collision. I "stayed the
course" and he stopped, reversed direction in a sprint, re-reversed
direction and shot out of my path by a tail length.

If I had tried to dodge one way or the other, I would have had a 50-50
chance of hitting him. But my method worked.

So, if you want to miss the enemy, stay the course.

How many spokes does your front wheel have, and are they sharpened so
as to shred the varmint prior to it engaging your forks in a
bike-lethal manner?

-bdbafh

"Dan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I had the opportunity to test my squirrel defense theory today. I believe
that squirrels behave like prey. I think that they tend to stand their
ground as the predator approaches and then dash one way or the other at the
last second. It seems like this would work very well to escape from a hawk
or coyote which is going full speed and can't change direction fast enough.
The key for the rodent is to stay unpredictable. The little devil will
always end up exiting one way or the other in a line perpendicular to the
predator approach path.

The sure-fire way to miss a squirrel is to head straight for it.

So today, I am cruising down a country lane at about 20 mph when the evil
menace casually entered the roadway from the right. Our speeds and paths
were in perfect synchronization for collision. I "stayed the course" and
he stopped, reversed direction in a sprint, re-reversed direction and shot
out of my path by a tail length.

If I had tried to dodge one way or the other, I would have had a 50-50
chance of hitting him. But my method worked.

So, if you want to miss the enemy, stay the course.

I think this one may have bottled it.

Or perhaps he was trying to assess your front wheel for squirrel sized gaps
and decided that the Probability of Kill was too low to warrant taking his
own life. I expect that it was shunned when it returned to the trees
without taking out the bike.

Skippy
E&OE

Dan said:

So, if you want to miss the enemy, stay the course.

[insert gag about dubya and rumsie: Here]

Dan said:

I had the opportunity to test my squirrel defense theory today. I
believe that squirrels behave like prey. I think that they tend to stand
their ground as the predator approaches and then dash one way or the
other at the last second. It seems like this would work very well to
escape from a hawk or coyote which is going full speed and can't change
direction fast enough. The key for the rodent is to stay unpredictable.
The little devil will always end up exiting one way or the other in a
line perpendicular to the predator approach path.

The sure-fire way to miss a squirrel is to head straight for it.

So today, I am cruising down a country lane at about 20 mph when the
evil menace casually entered the roadway from the right. Our speeds and
paths were in perfect synchronization for collision. I "stayed the
course" and he stopped, reversed direction in a sprint, re-reversed
direction and shot out of my path by a tail length.

If I had tried to dodge one way or the other, I would have had a 50-50
chance of hitting him. But my method worked.

So, if you want to miss the enemy, stay the course.

I've been preaching that for a couple years. While it will deter the normal,
sane squirrel there are the terrorist squirrel brethren who will happily give
their lives to take you out and claim their 72 chattering virgins.

Ron

In article <[email hidden]>,

Dan said:

I had the opportunity to test my squirrel defense theory today. I
believe that squirrels behave like prey. I think that they tend to stand
their ground as the predator approaches and then dash one way or the
other at the last second. It seems like this would work very well to
escape from a hawk or coyote which is going full speed and can't change
direction fast enough. The key for the rodent is to stay unpredictable.
The little devil will always end up exiting one way or the other in a
line perpendicular to the predator approach path.

The sure-fire way to miss a squirrel is to head straight for it.

So today, I am cruising down a country lane at about 20 mph when the
evil menace casually entered the roadway from the right. Our speeds and
paths were in perfect synchronization for collision. I "stayed the
course" and he stopped, reversed direction in a sprint, re-reversed
direction and shot out of my path by a tail length.

If I had tried to dodge one way or the other, I would have had a 50-50
chance of hitting him. But my method worked.

So, if you want to miss the enemy, stay the course.

<[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I never struck a creature on the bike. Many times I held
my course, and watched the creature avoid a collision.
It's a heart in throat episode for both of us, but
ultimately harmless. They're good at evading large
predators.

<[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

N.O.Body said:

Round here, there is a much too high equilibrium population in the
squirrels-born and the cars-crunching system. You'd think the little
bodies littered about the street would warn them, but I'm still forced to
do the old Squirrel Distress Call too often when the little buggers are
doing their "Do I or Don't I" Polka in the street before me.

They are thrill seekers. Maintain a boring old straight
line and they will lose interest in you. It takes two to
polka.

--
Michael Press

On Mon, 11 Sep 2006 12:03:31 -0700, Dan <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

The sure-fire way to miss a squirrel is to head straight for it.

I've heard it said that the same applies to spinning race cars; if you
drive straight at where it is now, it won't be there by the time you
get there.

My experience with squirrels is limited, and different. One thought he
could outrun me on single track; he couldn't, and there was a pleasing
bump-bump as both wheels went over him.

The grey ones I'd shoot on sight; they're an introduced pest which has
all but wiped out the native reds, but it's hard to get public support
for culling the tree-rats, because they look cute and cuddly.

Kinky Cowboy*

*Batteries not included
May contain traces of nuts
Your milage may vary

Kinky Cowboy said:

On Mon, 11 Sep 2006 12:03:31 -0700, Dan <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

The sure-fire way to miss a squirrel is to head straight for it.

I've heard it said that the same applies to spinning race cars; if you
drive straight at where it is now, it won't be there by the time you
get there.

My experience with squirrels is limited, and different. One thought he
could outrun me on single track; he couldn't, and there was a pleasing
bump-bump as both wheels went over him.

The grey ones I'd shoot on sight; they're an introduced pest which has
all but wiped out the native reds, but it's hard to get public support
for culling the tree-rats, because they look cute and cuddly.

Kinky Cowboy*

*Batteries not included
May contain traces of nuts
Your milage may vary

There are people fighting the good fight against the skwerl menace:
http://www.scarysquirrel.org
However, they seem to know nothing about the skwerl/bicycle problem.

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Dan said:

There are people fighting the good fight against the skwerl menace:
http://www.scarysquirrel.org
However, they seem to know nothing about the skwerl/bicycle

problem.\

Quoted message said:

Dear Dan,

Some pictures of the bike with the snapped fork and the squirrel
responsible may show up soon.

Cheers,

Carl Fogel

Sometimes it's better to let sleeping dogs lie....

Groups like PETA would try to get anti biker legislation to protect the
squirrels.

I have a painted plastic hawk decoy that I keep on my front porch to
ward off the squirrels that feed in my juniper tree making a mess of
needles and spit out seeds.

Remember, they're just hairy tailed tree rats! Breaded and deep fried
they taste just like chicken!

Chas.

Not a bad idea, really. Even if he/she doesn't get out of the way at
least you're going straight and can bunn - er - squirrel hop the
critter.

- -
Comments and opinions compliments of,
"Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

My web Site:
http://geocities.com/czcorner

To E-mail me:
ChrisZCorner "at" webtv "dot" net

Group: rec.bicycles.tech
Date: Mon, Sep 11, 2006, 10:27pm (EDT-3)
From: [email hidden] (* * Chas)

Quoted message said:

Remember, they're just hairy tailed tree
rats! Breaded and deep fried they taste
just like chicken!

Quoted message said:

Chas.

As to that over used comparison, I'l wager that "breaded and fried",
Elizabeth Hurley would probably taster like chicken too.

- -
Comments and opinions compliments of,
"Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

My web Site:
http://geocities.com/czcorner

To E-mail me:
ChrisZCorner "at" webtv "dot" net

On Tue, 12 Sep 2006 16:21:13 -0400, [email hidden]

(Chris Z The Wheelman) said:

Group: rec.bicycles.tech
Date: Mon, Sep 11, 2006, 10:27pm (EDT-3)
From: [email hidden] (* * Chas)

Quoted message said:

Remember, they're just hairy tailed tree
rats! Breaded and deep fried they taste
just like chicken!

As to that over used comparison, I'l wager that "breaded and fried",
Elizabeth Hurley would probably taster like chicken too.

Everybody knows human tastes like pork - they don't call us long pigs
for nothing.

I'd guess squirrel is much like rabbit.

Kinky Cowboy*

*Batteries not included
May contain traces of nuts
Your milage may vary

"Chris Z The Wheelman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Not a bad idea, really. Even if he/she doesn't get out of the way at
least you're going straight and can bunn - er - squirrel hop the
critter.

Why hop over when you could neutralise the threat?...

Quoted message said:

- -
Comments and opinions compliments of,
"Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

My web Site:
http://geocities.com/czcorner

To E-mail me:
ChrisZCorner "at" webtv "dot" net

On Tue, 12 Sep 2006 16:21:13 -0400, [email hidden] (Chris Z The

Wheelman) said:

Group: rec.bicycles.tech
Date: Mon, Sep 11, 2006, 10:27pm (EDT-3)
From: [email hidden] (* * Chas)

Quoted message said:

Remember, they're just hairy tailed tree
rats! Breaded and deep fried they taste
just like chicken!

Quoted message said:

Chas.

As to that over used comparison, I'l wager that "breaded and fried",
Elizabeth Hurley would probably taster like chicken too.

Somehow breaded and fried isn't what I'd have in mind for Elizabeth Hurley.

Ron

Chris Z The Wheelman said:

As to that over used comparison, I'l wager that "breaded and fried",
Elizabeth Hurley would probably taster like chicken too.

I was going to say something about fried oysters but it is too crude and
I won't.

"Chris Z The Wheelman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Group: rec.bicycles.tech
Date: Mon, Sep 11, 2006, 10:27pm (EDT-3)
From: [email hidden] (* * Chas)

Quoted message said:

Remember, they're just hairy tailed tree
rats! Breaded and deep fried they taste
just like chicken!

Quoted message said:

Chas.

As to that over used comparison, I'l wager that "breaded and fried",
Elizabeth Hurley would probably taster like chicken too.

- -

Smells fishy to me.....

Chas.

"Kinky Cowboy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Tue, 12 Sep 2006 16:21:13 -0400, [email hidden]

(Chris Z The Wheelman) said:

Group: rec.bicycles.tech
Date: Mon, Sep 11, 2006, 10:27pm (EDT-3)
From: [email hidden] (* * Chas)

Quoted message said:

Remember, they're just hairy tailed tree
rats! Breaded and deep fried they taste
just like chicken!

As to that over used comparison, I'l wager that "breaded and fried",
Elizabeth Hurley would probably taster like chicken too.

Everybody knows human tastes like pork - they don't call us long pigs
for nothing.

Gives new meaning to the expression "having the neighbors over for
dinner"...

Quoted message said:

I'd guess squirrel is much like rabbit.

Rat too!

Chas.

"RonSonic" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Tue, 12 Sep 2006 16:21:13 -0400, [email hidden]

(Chris Z The

Quoted message said:

Wheelman) said:

Group: rec.bicycles.tech
Date: Mon, Sep 11, 2006, 10:27pm (EDT-3)
From: [email hidden] (* * Chas)

Quoted message said:

Remember, they're just hairy tailed tree
rats! Breaded and deep fried they taste
just like chicken!

Quoted message said:

Chas.

As to that over used comparison, I'l wager that "breaded and fried",
Elizabeth Hurley would probably taster like chicken too.

Somehow breaded and fried isn't what I'd have in mind for Elizabeth

Hurley.

Quoted message said:

Ron

bedded and tried?

Chas.

* * Chas said:

"RonSonic" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Tue, 12 Sep 2006 16:21:13 -0400, [email hidden]

(Chris Z The

Quoted message said:

Wheelman) said:

Group: rec.bicycles.tech
Date: Mon, Sep 11, 2006, 10:27pm (EDT-3)
From: [email hidden] (* * Chas)

>Remember, they're just hairy tailed tree
>rats! Breaded and deep fried they taste
>just like chicken!

>Chas.

As to that over used comparison, I'l wager that "breaded and fried",
Elizabeth Hurley would probably taster like chicken too.

Somehow breaded and fried isn't what I'd have in mind for Elizabeth

Hurley.

Quoted message said:

Ron

bedded and tried?

Chas.

Did you say "Tied?"

Ron

Quoted message said:

Dan said:

There are people fighting the good fight against the skwerl menace:
http://www.scarysquirrel.org
However, they seem to know nothing about the skwerl/bicycle problem.\

Dear Dan,

Some pictures of the bike with the snapped fork and the squirrel
responsible may show up soon.

The REAL enemy here is those low spoke count wheels.

The squirrels have been framed. I'm on to your little agenda.