Unfortunately, I am the slowest -- it's just DW and me, and I made the mistake of marrying a frisky and athletic girl. That was 34 years ago, and I am still trying to catch up.
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I've done it many times, bike camping on the Kenai Peninsula. Have encountered bears a handful of times on the trails. (I'm sure that there are many more times they've been around and I just didn't see them.)
The increased speed (riding versus walking) is the biggest danger. Generally, I don't ride a lot faster than I walk. When I've gone into camp at dusk, I often sing loudly.
I don't worry any more about it than I do about being out fishing or anything else. If you enjoy being out on the bike, do it. I don't feel any less safe on the bike than doing anything else.
Lots of good advice already and you are thinking ahead so you will be prepared. I spend a lot of time in grizzly country and have never seen one while hiking, only while driving but I have seen digging spots, tracks, and droppings from grizzlies. I have encountered black bears while hiking/biking but they always have moved off once they identify me as a human.
I carry a bear banger for more distant encounters which could develop into a closer encounter for which I carry a bear spray. Have never used either except to practise with an outdated spray (they have a finite life) and to fire off a bear banger cartridge to see how it works.
The key is to be aware of your surroundings. If you have good sight lines you have nothing to worry about. If there is brush along the trail it is time to sing/yell out, to make bears aware of your approach. Look at every muddy spot on the trail for tracks. Stop and poke bear droopping with a stick to see how fresh they are. Similarly be very aware when near noisy creeks as the bears can't hear you coming then. Bear bells are too quiet and are annoying to the rest of your group. NEVER listen to a music source while hiking/biking as bears will sometimes be noisy in the brush and may give an alarm Whoof which you can hear. Watch for ravens circling which may indicate a bear kill, a place you don't want to be.
On a bike the problem is the speed and silence of your approach so slow down when in prime bear country when you can't see what is ahead or close beside the road, and sing/shout. The card on the spokes might work but would sure wear thin with your group after a day.
Bear encounters are serious events but rare, even in prime bear country since the bears will avoid you if you give them a chance.
Powder Pig's comments are pretty accurate.One thing I should add is that although grizzly bears encounters are rare, black bear encounters can be quite common especially if travelling on fire, mining or forestry roads by MTB late Aug through September when bears are trying to bulk up before denning.We lived over 30 years near Smithers in north central BC and although we saw many grizzlies while hiking, fishing(very common around fall spawning area) and hunting, never saw one while cycling the thousands of km's on mining, firelookout and forestry roads. Lots and lots of black bears however. We felt quite special if we ran into a group. One thing that I have on my MTB is a thumb activated hammer which strikes a bell which can be operated with both hands on the bars and is quite loud.
BC because of it's rough and mountaious terrain has the largest concentration of black and grizzly populations in Canada.Time to get out there and see the wildlife.
Dave
Going through grizzly country. Kakwa PP
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You have a gotten some great advice here so far. I'll add to it and pass on what I know.
I live about 30 mins from the Rockies, I am an endurance athelete and I race primarily Mountainbikes. So with saying that, I am riding in the Rockie upwards of 20+ hrs a week.
I primarily ride alone as I have a hard time getting people to ride as much as I do. So some of things I practice to keep safe are:
I make constant noise while riding my bike, whether it be yelling or whatever. This lets the wildlife know I'm coming. Most wildlife want nothing to do with you, it's when you sneak up and startle them is when you have a problem.
I am on the lookout for Bear, Cougar scat. If it looks fresh I'm out of there, especially if it's on the trail, as some predators will mark their territory this way.
I carry the strongest Bear Fogger(not spray) you can buy, I also carry this on my person and not on my bike, there are plenty of stories of bear encounters whilst the spray is taped to the bike about 4' away, while you are taking a pee break.
I ride trails only where I see cars parked in the parking lot.
I check the message boards that are posted on the trailheads, they are usually up to date with sightings etc.
If I come across a bear (which I have) I do not make eye contact and back away from the animal slowly but never turning my back to run.
If I come across a cougar, (which I haven't) I will make myself as big as possible and prepare myself for a problem. This animal has probably been hunting you for a while now, and his intentions are not good. I would never back away from a cougar, and I would never turn away from one either, (fogger comes in handy here).
I don't use bear banger's , if you accidently shoot it over the bears head, chances are it'll send the bear running right at you. Plus we have had a few deaths up here from accidental shooting with them.
I do not ride in the rockies after September, Animals are stocking up for food for the winter hibernation and I don't want any part of it.
The most important advice I can give, If someone in your party has bear bells. Have them ride up ahead as the sacrifice, and to clear the trail. I and most bikers here refuse to ride with someone who has them on their bike. No B.S.
Seriousely the worth the effort, get out and ride.
greyram wrote: You have a gotten some great advice here so far. I'll add to it and pass on what I know.
I don't use bear banger's , if you accidently shoot it over the bears head, chances are it'll send the bear running right at you. Plus we have had a few deaths up here from accidental shooting with them.
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There was a death see article near Rocky Mountain House a few years back. One teen accidentally shot a friend with a bear banger that had been modified to use 22 bullets.
Not to say there were no others but I am not aware of any and a quick search did not reveal any.
To Profdant139, The short answer is Yes they do. Hikers should not use bells either. That's my opinion and take it for what it's worth.
Plenty of people use bells, and that's the problem, I believe that bears identify the bells with food or prey. Trust me when I say this, Grizzlies are probably one of the smartest animals in the wild.
My favorite is when hikers put bells on their dogs and then wonder where their dog got too.....
Lots of human noises, talking, singing, clapping hands every so often, works for me. I keep an airhorn in my TT as well.
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