Deer hunter

[Barry McKee]

I got home from the ride this morning to find a note from my wife that she went to the Emergency room at the Royal Jube. Dana hit a deer on the hill down from the Royal Vic Yacht Club this morning at around 6:20. It must have been about 20 minutes before the first TSC group went through on the water route. It was a big buck. Dana says she was blinded by an oncoming vehicle and did not see the deer until the vehicle passed her. Then it was "oh sh-t" time, there was the deer in the middle of her lane. She elected to hit the side of the deer rather than tangle with antlers on the front end. While lying on the road she noted that a vehicle was coming down the hill behind her. Very fortunate that the guy saw her lying in the road. Dana has a broken collar bone (2 breaks actually), 4 stitches in her left ear and some bruises on her head. Limited road rash. She is home, resting and will make a full recovery. She's not sure about riding in the dark when she does recover enough to get back out there..... I provide this info and detail to emphasize that regardless of precautions and equipment, shit can happen in the blink of an eye. As it is dark when we ride mid-week, and getting darker, please be careful.

Barry

[JohnT]

I wonder if we can send them to the same ranch in Texas that's taking UVic bunnies.

Very sorry to hear that news - I have special sympathy for people with collar bone injuries. Best wishes, and don't resist the pain-killers. I used to be a grin and bear it type until my wife, the nurse, told me that's stupid - you heal better when you are not in pain and able to sleep.

I will buy a better light this weekend. Something good has to come from this, no?

John

[mlawless]

Dana, Get better soon. Sorry to hear about the crash. I recall going between two deer at speed one morning ride and then realizing that could end very badly!

For Lights - I was at MEC this afternoon and picked up another light. It is $125 ($140 incl tax) and is a 250 lumen light. I rode last year with a 120 lumen light that was fine but 250 must be better It is made by cygolite and is a rather small light considering its output. MEC says they are selling like hotcakes. The model is "EXPILLION" and it is 130g - looks like a good deal...

Michael

[AlW]

Best wishes to your wife Barry. Hope she gets well soon.

I'll offer a similar warning for the Gordon Head area. I live off Ferndale and have noticed a significant increase in the number of deer. They're everywhere. In the past, you'd see one or 2 together, but now, it's common to see groups of 5 or 6 grazing on lawns and gardens near the road. Obviously, they spook easily and I've had a number of close calls in my vehicle in the last few weeks, so I'm being particularly observant when on the bike.

Ride safe.

Al

[Rolf]

Oh deer! I wish your wife happy mending, Barry. I hope she's buck to normal in no time.

You've given us all something on which to ruminant. You never know what's going to jump out of the shadoes.

[leftcoaster]

I bought the same light last weekend that Mike just bought - 250 lumin EXPILLION for $125 ( a good light at a good price) and it makes a huge difference. When I rode on the goose and up the Malahat early last monday, it worked great. My other light was a 'you can see me light', but did not really enable me see very much at all.

Best wishes to Dana and I hope she recovers soon.

- David B

[Paul C.]

Barry ..sorry to hear about your wife and the deer.

Some cycling thoughts to ponder on your weekend rides....... WE probably can not lower the Victoria deer population ourselves[unless some of you are hunters]....and I'm not sure if bright or dull lights will stop a deer from crossing a road [do they even know what a bike is???]

So, thinking about preventative riding, what else can , we, TSC,do?? How about in the winter when it is dark [and wet or dry out] we have no more than about 8 or 10 riders per group..a,b,c,d,group?? Also is it really necessary to ride on Blenkinsop.?? It seems potentially dangerous with no street lights, a narrow shoulder and often a few cars. This is my first fall/winter with the club. It would to great to hear some other peoples suggestions re: winter riding>>>>>>>

[Barry McKee]

Thanks everyone. Even though she is partly drugged at the moment, Dana did appreciate the humour and very much appreciated the best wishes expressed. I hope to ride on Sunday morning should everything on the home front allow. Got to run, I'm already way behind on the laundry, dishes, cleaning......and this is only day 1. Just kidding, of course.

Barry

PS: Paul - I agree with your concerns. Perhaps a new thread on the subject? I actually thought the same regarding groups of 6 to 8.

[4827north]

Holy crap. I saw you guys walking this evening. I waved from my window but I guess you couldn't see. What seemed odd was Dana seemed to be walking rather stiff and slowly. Now I know why! Well, get better Dana. We'll be over with well wishes (I live next door).

Rest well Dana.

[Chris Watt]

Just thinking out loud here but...if the phrase "like a deer in the headlights" means the critters don't move when you shine a bright light at them then won't brighter lights just guarantee they stay fixed in the path of collision? It's those damn deer that need the lights.

I'm starting a petition for a new by-law for lights on all deer: the Rudolph Amendment.

Chris
PS. Dana- very sorry to hear. May your recovery be speedy and complete. Barry's skinny enough already; I'm worried what's going to happen when he has to eat his own cooking.