[BCTJ]

So, yesterday, I decided to do an "Epic" ride before the weather gets too hot. I started out in Anthem and rode the Maricopa Trail to the Cave Creek trail system and then dropped down into North Scottsdale. I got onto some pavement at that point and rode down to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. I then rode the Gateway Loop Trail. 47.8 miles in total. It was the perfect day.

I also encountered my first snake and it was quite unpleasant. I was coming down Quartz trail in the Cave Creek Trail system, probably going about 15 mph. I rounded a turn and suddenly heard a tremendous hiss and snap right below my feet. Fortunately, I was going fast enough I just rode right through it but I stopped and looked back up the trail and, sure enough, there was a rattler right across the trail, still perched up in attack mode and looking straight at me. I snapped a photo (the 3rd photo - you can see the snake perched up although he blends in pretty well with the trail) but obviously didn't want to get too close. Man, that was a close one. I'm guessing that he may have actually bit at me because I rode almost right over the top of him. Mr. snake's bite was a miss this time though. :thumbsup:

 

[pointerDixie214]

Great photos and glad you're ok...

What time of day was the snake out? Summer and fall were easy for me to predict when they would be out, but I haven't figured spring out yet...

 

[BCTJ]

Great photos and glad you're ok...

What time of day was the snake out? Summer and fall were easy for me to predict when they would be out, but I haven't figured spring out yet...

Thanks. It was about 9:00 AM.

 

[SSdirt29]

I guess that kind of myth-busts the theory" If you leave them alone , they'll leave you alone".

 

[MTBeing]

Great photos and we're glad you didn't get hit. I'm gonna keep my eyes peeled next time I hit Slate/Quartz/GJ, or anywhere for that matter.

 

[pointerDixie214]

Thanks. It was about 9:00 AM.

Dang! Wasn't it still a little cool that early?!?!?!?!

This is always in the back of my head when I ride alone.

 

[BCTJ]

Dang! Wasn't it still a little cool that early?!?!?!?!

This is always in the back of my head when I ride alone.

Yeah, it was still rather cool, with a cool breeze. I'm not sure what made this guy come out. I didn't see any other snakes during the rest of my ride, however.

 

[pointerDixie214]

Well I guess there goes my "80 degree" rule of thumb. lol

 

[happyriding]

I got a flat tire on Pemberton...

...so I coasted to a stop. How did a brand new tire get a flat on a perfectly smooth trail?? Hey, wait a minute, that hissing isn't coming from my tire. This is what I saw raised up in the trail behind me:

 

[Mtn-Rider]

Ranger Trail at South Mtn.

 

[happyriding]

Two days later I was driving out of the Pemberton trailhead, and this guy was sitting in the middle of the road:

 

[happyriding]

I got out of my car to investigate, and the snake didn't move a muscle, so I thought it was dead. I walked all around the snake, and it didn't move. Since the snake wasn't coiled up, I knew it couldn't strike me even if it was alive. Then I walked around to its tail end, and I stood 3 feet from it's tail end for about 5 seconds. Then in the blink of an eye the rattlesnake lifted the front half of its body and snapped it towards me. I jumped about 4 feet in the air backwards. In a split second, that snake went from completely motionless with its head pointing away from me, to coiled up and ready to strike with it's head 3 feet from my shins. Then the snake quickly moved towards me, but at an angle, while keeping the front half of its body coiled, and slithered off the road. If that snake had wanted to, it could have easily bitten me. I've never seen anything move so fast! I will never get within 10 feet of a rattlesnake again.

 

[Crazycarwes]

And everyone in that other thread wonders why people kill them on sight. Great pics those first couple pictures, those snakes do not look happy!

 

[SSdirt29]

And everyone in that other thread wonders why people kill them on sight. Great pics those first couple pictures, those snakes do not look happy!

Still no reason to kill them.

 

[joeynational]

Yikes with that first close call!! I always get paranoid about riding this time of year, it always takes away from somewhat of the enjoyment for me, as I'm trying to pay to much attention to try and look out for a snake to avoid, as I frequently ride alone..

 

[pointerDixie214]

...so I coasted to a stop. How did a brand new tire get a flat on a perfectly smooth trail?? Hey, wait a minute, that hissing isn't coming from my tire. This is what I saw raised up in the trail behind me:

Man, I am no expert, but that one's tail looks like the double stuff'd orea... is that a Mojave?!?!

 

[Crazycarwes]

Still no reason to kill them.

Do you catch and release the scorpions you find in your house?

I love riding my rigid ss in the dirt. :thumbsup:

 

[SSdirt29]

The trail isn't my house. It's the snakes.

 

[Crazycarwes]

The trail isn't my house. It's the snakes.

If you do find scorpions in your house then where your house was built was a snakes home before it was yours.

 

[SSdirt29]

I'd put'em in a jar and look at them for a bit. Feed them some crickets and then take them to your house while I'm visiting your wife and let them go there.