[Zen0]

Saw this guy (or gal) on the road between Curtlestown and Enniskerry. Tried poking it back into the grass to save it from death by squishing, but it refused to cooperate. Must have been a gal!

[Sr. Assumpta]

Originally Posted by dave2pvd

Jekyll Island, Georgia. Had an up-close encounter with a 10ft alligator.

I didn't notice him him as I approached the bank of the pond.

Happily, he chose flight rather than fight. Reared up on his tail, spun around (half axle?), splashed down into the water and headed off to the other side of the pond, at pace.

To say I was fairly shook would be an understatement.

Good that in your shaken state (both of you) you still managed to get a photo op.
Is that "fight" or "flight" he's doing there???

[elduggo]

Originally Posted by Raam

I want to cycle with you more often.

nothing good ever happens in north county

I always find you're more likely to come across something odd if you cycle during the week (when most people are at work).

I'll bring a camera in future!

[Jawgap]

A Nintendo DS near the Castleknock entrance to the Park - helpfully the owner had a number taped on it so I rang it and they met me later to reclaim it.

Money - the most I've found was a tenner on the way into Skerries (I've already spent it, Beasty!)

And cycling on the North York Moors between Danby and Pickering I was crossing the moor-top and when I looked down in to the valley I saw an Apache Helicopter zipping along right on the deck - stopped the bike to watch when his buddy came over the ridge I was on about 50 metres away - I just stood there with, no doubt, a stupid look on my face ->

[-K2-]

Lots of roadkill but the most memorable were: a full (fresh) deer near Blessington during the Wicklow 200 in 2010; 2 dead foxes side-by-side on the UCD flyover; the head, neck and about 1/4 of the body of a deer in a ditch near Manor Kilbride: the rest of it must have been eaten by foxes.

A guy in full camouflage with a rifle or shotgun stepped out from behind a bush in front of me near Roundwood last November; luckily it wasn't open-season on cyclists or I would be roadkill.

Gougers in modified cars. Lots of them. They aren't roadkill.

[GlennaMaddy]

Originally Posted by bcmf

Saw a tank parked in a field near Ballyboughal.

Saw a herd of Buffalo, or is it Bison, in a field near Ballyboughal, gone now.

[dave2pvd]

Originally Posted by Sr. Assumpta

Good that in your shaken state (both of you) you still managed to get a photo op.
Is that "fight" or "flight" he's doing there???

Hah! Well, I felt that mere words were not enough to convey how frightening these giant reptiles are when up close and personal. So, a google search for "Jekyll Island Alligator" ensued. Pretty sure its the same feller though

They smell pretty bad too. If only I could somehow share that part....shame google doesn't have a smell search engine.

[GlennaMaddy]

Originally Posted by Jawgap

And cycling on the North York Moors between Danby and Pickering I was crossing the moor-top and when I looked down in to the valley I saw an Apache Helicopter zipping along right on the deck - stopped the bike to watch when his buddy came over the ridge I was on about 50 metres away - I just stood there with, no doubt, a stupid look on my face ->

I had that experience with a harrier jump jet while cycling the Brecon Beacons on holiday

[Colonialboy]

A KANGAROO jumped out from the ditch in front of a friend of mine a few years back.
He was driving a van but he is a keen cyclist...so its borderline if this qualifies for the thread but the strangest thing about it was he was in the Comeragh mountains in Waterford.

[Captain Havoc]

Stephen's day, I saw a guy with a fox on his shoulder on a leash at Tuitestown.

[McTigs]

There was a guy doing a poo under a hedge on my morning commute there just before the christmas. About quarter to 8 so it was dark but under lots of lights so he could be seen clearly.

Didn't look particularly homeless either.

[potsy11]

I spotted 2 men breaking into a factory. They were in the process of cutting the chain on the main gate. I thought it to be a bit odd considering the vehicle they were driving (an ancient flat bed lorry).

I didnt batter an eyelid as they saw me. I continued on up the road and cycled up to the open window of the Garda Station where 3 x Gardai were reading the newspaper and having their dinner...

I told them what was happening and they leaped up with the speed and determination of a superhero.

I let them at it and continued on with my cycle. I passed by the factory about 25 mins later and the 2 men were in handcuffs and being put into the rear of the squad car.

Needless to say, after telling my friends of the incident, I now get called Jessica Fletcher and recommendations of retro fitting a basket to the front of my carbon bike have been made. the theme tune can be heard as I walk into the pub on a night out with them!

[bcmf]

Originally Posted by GlennaMaddy

Saw a herd of Buffalo, or is it Bison, in a field near Ballyboughal, gone now.

I think in Europe its Bison.
When I moved out here there was a farm on the Naul Rd. that had ostrich (plural?).

[Raam]

Originally Posted by bcmf

ostrich (plural?).

The term that you are looking for is "a shít load".

[Lars1916]

A police horse opening his bowels right in front of me