Motorcycle Noise

Actually there have been a few in the last few years...that guy that go badly mauled at Lake Wenatchee and a MTN bike rider at Banner Forest where I ride my bike occasionally. However, I agree carrying firearms for bear protection in WA seems  a bit OTT.

NRA has this country in a stranglehold due to political corruption and as a result common sense has been suspended when  it comes to gun regulations.

Most horseback riders I've encountered were packing either a sidearm or a rifle in a scabbard. I suspect that pack stock tends to attract cougars.

The goat attack, I'd forgotten about that. Wasn't the guy having a "Treadwell" moment?

We had a few goats chase us off Long's Pass recently (a known area for aggressive goats). Whilst picking up rocks to throw at the goats if necessary, I had the (for me) odd feeling of wishing I was packing heat. One goat in particular was being super aggro and weird (desperate for salt and very habituated I think) and it had me on edge....I think I would have been a lot more at ease if I had a modicum of defense. Shouting and waving did not work, goats ran to within 20' before we found a snowfield where we could out-glissade them; never did have to throw the rocks, which I was leary about doing. Probably didn't help that the Olympics death was on my mind.

FWIW this incident would have definitively met all the criteria for trail closure under ONP's new Goat Safety Plan. Also, I have no plans to carry a gun as a result, but it would make me more understanding of people who choose to (although most of the ones I've seen never make it above the subalpine).

NRA has this country in a stranglehold due to political corruption and as a result common sense has been suspended when  it comes to gun regulations.
   

Thanks, Scotsman.

We had a few goats chase us off Long's Pass recently (a known area for aggressive goats).  Whilst picking up rocks to throw at the goats if necessary, I had the (for me) odd feeling of wishing I was packing heat. One goat in particular was being super aggro and weird (desperate for salt and very habituated I think) and it had me on edge....I think I would have been a lot more at ease if I had a modicum of defense.  Shouting and waving did not work, goats ran to within 20' before we found a snowfield where we could out-glissade them; never did have to throw the rocks, which I was leary about doing.  Probably didn't help that the Olympics death was on my mind.

FWIW this incident would have definitively met all the criteria for trail closure under ONP's new Goat Safety Plan.  Also, I have no plans to carry a gun as a result, but it would make me more understanding of people who choose to (although most of the ones I've seen never make it above the subalpine).

Radio said some Olympic trails were just closed due to aggressive goats. An interesting situation--I've been around lots of goats at Mt. Ellinor, Stevens Canyon, places in MT and never saw any aggression--not to say I doubt the reports, I don't; just wondering why this local population seems so aggressive.

The biggest offenders of course are Hardly David's son and other cruiser riders who refit their bikes with loud pipes because "loud pipes save lives"..........

Ahhhh, thread drift once again, I just couldn't resist. Remember the days of the Schwinn bikes, with those big tractor seats, one speed and foot peddle brakes. Wow, you could get a new deck of cards, double them up, fold the top over and clip them on the spokes with wooden clothes pins, made lots of noise . Think I scared a few robins off the diveway a couple of times. Had extra cards in my basket just in case .