Chased by herd of militant cows!
Discussion
Out for a nice evening ride around the back of Waddesdon etc., and had to cross a field containing about 50 cows.
First couple of cows start walking behind me, then in to a canter, so I stop turn around and shoo them away. They move in the opposite direction, I carry on my way.
Then I became aware that I was not alone.....
Turned around to see 40+ cows galloping? towards me!!.
Pretty duanting sight considering each one weighs about 700kg perhaps?, ended up with me dismounting, putting the bike between me and the cows and shouting "BEEFBURGERS" at them.
They backed off a little but still stood their ground.
Ended up having to walk backwards through a flappy gate thing with my bike with the cows advancing as I retreated through the gate into the next field.
Just to put the icing on the cake, whilst walking backwards I stepped in a massive squelchy dung in my cleats- I'm sure one of them chuckled at the back!
Questions:
Anyone else had this sort of thing happen?
Is it the fact that I'm on a bike that made them charge?
Does the speed you go across the field make a difference to their decision to chase or not?
Has anyone been trampled/mounted/knocked off their bike by cows in a field?
Are they as dangerous as I thought they were?
First couple of cows start walking behind me, then in to a canter, so I stop turn around and shoo them away. They move in the opposite direction, I carry on my way.
Then I became aware that I was not alone.....
Turned around to see 40+ cows galloping? towards me!!.
Pretty duanting sight considering each one weighs about 700kg perhaps?, ended up with me dismounting, putting the bike between me and the cows and shouting "BEEFBURGERS" at them.
They backed off a little but still stood their ground.
Ended up having to walk backwards through a flappy gate thing with my bike with the cows advancing as I retreated through the gate into the next field.
Just to put the icing on the cake, whilst walking backwards I stepped in a massive squelchy dung in my cleats- I'm sure one of them chuckled at the back!
Questions:
Anyone else had this sort of thing happen?
Is it the fact that I'm on a bike that made them charge?
Does the speed you go across the field make a difference to their decision to chase or not?
Has anyone been trampled/mounted/knocked off their bike by cows in a field?
Are they as dangerous as I thought they were?
A stampeding herd of cows is very dangerous - once they have started they scare each other and just keep going.
Best ditch the bike if its slowing you down and get out of the way!
A few dogwalkers have been trampled recently (dogs freak cows out) trying to catch their dogs. The dogs survived.
Best ditch the bike if its slowing you down and get out of the way!
A few dogwalkers have been trampled recently (dogs freak cows out) trying to catch their dogs. The dogs survived.
Edited by was8v on Friday 30th July 10:12
Many many moons ago, in my yoof with the ATC, a good friend and myself were tramping across a huge field near Salisbury Plain in full DPM, with bergens, and the godawful L96 Cadet Rifle. A full moon, but with cloud.
"Oooh, thunder" says my mate
"yeah, rain I reckon" Says I
pause
"it's getting louder"
"big storm"
"the ground is shaking"
another pause, and a break in the cloud gives us a short but brilliant burst of waxen light, illuminating the field... and the 800,000 cows thundering down the hill straight towards us at about 90mph.
"JeeeeeeeeSAAAAARSSSE! LEG IT!"
"Faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!"
250yds to the nearest fence, in the half light, on hoof printed ground, in DMS boots, with a heavy bergen, and an SA80 equivalent without any ammo.
It was funny afterwards, but there's something deeply primeval awakened inside you when you're pursued by animals.
"Oooh, thunder" says my mate
"yeah, rain I reckon" Says I
pause
"it's getting louder"
"big storm"
"the ground is shaking"
another pause, and a break in the cloud gives us a short but brilliant burst of waxen light, illuminating the field... and the 800,000 cows thundering down the hill straight towards us at about 90mph.
"JeeeeeeeeSAAAAARSSSE! LEG IT!"
"Faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!"
250yds to the nearest fence, in the half light, on hoof printed ground, in DMS boots, with a heavy bergen, and an SA80 equivalent without any ammo.
It was funny afterwards, but there's something deeply primeval awakened inside you when you're pursued by animals.
Yes, I turned round and went the other way 
Cowardice rocks 
In my case there were about thirty all gathered round a cattle grid wanting to go through. I wasn't about to argue but speaking to the farmers wife later it turns out if you clap they'll get out of the way. Tell you what, I'd rather take a five mile detour than test that one
Cowardice rocks In my case there were about thirty all gathered round a cattle grid wanting to go through. I wasn't about to argue but speaking to the farmers wife later it turns out if you clap they'll get out of the way. Tell you what, I'd rather take a five mile detour than test that one
I think animals are drawn in by bikes for whatever reason, I was on an organised ride last weekend with about 150 people on it and we passed a field with about 10 horses in it, and they galloped alongside us.
Quite a pleasant experience actually when they are the other side of a fence.
Quite a pleasant experience actually when they are the other side of a fence.
I had a similar experience while ride my bike many years ago. Crossing a field and a herd of cows started runnig towards me. I bricked it too and just headed in the opposite direction and managed to get over the fence in time.
On that occaison the only brown smelly steaming pile of poo was in my lycra shorts
On that occaison the only brown smelly steaming pile of poo was in my lycra shorts
Not tried it with a bike but there are wise words on this thread.. they do tend to scare one another when in a group and become a large unstoppable beef-based mass... and they can definitely get a touch of the mental if you have a dog with you.
And yet other times they can be the most docile unbothered animals you can imagine.
I think "unpredictable" is the word I'm after.
And yet other times they can be the most docile unbothered animals you can imagine.
I think "unpredictable" is the word I'm after.
Yes cattle can be very dangerous.
They are naturally inquisitive, the one or two edging toward you is a sure sign.
Best policy is to make yourself look bigger wave your arms and shout ya ya loudly.
Rule of thumb, young cattle will more curious and energetic, bulls - goes without saying.
Most dangerous. Cows with calves, do not, do not approach, do not take a dog into the field, I guess a bike would be scary too.
Cows with a calf can get defensive and will attack. The countryside is a dangerous place and can kill you.
They are naturally inquisitive, the one or two edging toward you is a sure sign.
Best policy is to make yourself look bigger wave your arms and shout ya ya loudly.
Rule of thumb, young cattle will more curious and energetic, bulls - goes without saying.
Most dangerous. Cows with calves, do not, do not approach, do not take a dog into the field, I guess a bike would be scary too.
Cows with a calf can get defensive and will attack. The countryside is a dangerous place and can kill you.
On holiday, a few years ago, I was walking back to the farmhouse via a previously empty field - when it seemed to fill with cattle. A few of them took such an interest in me that I was forced to climb a hedged, stone wall. I was stuck up there for a couple of hours before they got bored and moved away.
condor said:
On holiday, a few years ago, I was walking back to the farmhouse via a previously empty field - when it seemed to fill with cattle. A few of them took such an interest in me that I was forced to climb a hedged, stone wall. I was stuck up there for a couple of hours before they got bored and moved away.
Another I can imagine driving past and seeing 
Fetchez la vache said:
Not tried it with a bike but there are wise words on this thread.. they do tend to scare one another when in a group and become a large unstoppable beef-based mass... and they can definitely get a touch of the mental if you have a dog with you.
And yet other times they can be the most docile unbothered animals you can imagine.
I think "unpredictable" is the word I'm after.
I think "female" is the word you're after And yet other times they can be the most docile unbothered animals you can imagine.
I think "unpredictable" is the word I'm after.
Guy in this village got trampled badly a couple of years ago while out with his dog in the fields...
tell you another way they are dangerous too; the buggers lie at night in the summer on the warm surface of the unlit road I cycle down on the way back from the pub (through a farm estate). Guess who centre-punched one pedalling like billyo on the big ring in the dark one moonless night! Good job I was fairly well 'refreshed', woke the next morning and found a pile of bloody rags on the bedroom floor and a bent MTB in the garden. No idea how I got home
ETA bulls/bullocks will charge blind with their heads down, cows keep their heads up and look for the target; much worse
tell you another way they are dangerous too; the buggers lie at night in the summer on the warm surface of the unlit road I cycle down on the way back from the pub (through a farm estate). Guess who centre-punched one pedalling like billyo on the big ring in the dark one moonless night! Good job I was fairly well 'refreshed', woke the next morning and found a pile of bloody rags on the bedroom floor and a bent MTB in the garden. No idea how I got home
ETA bulls/bullocks will charge blind with their heads down, cows keep their heads up and look for the target; much worse
Edited by Pupp on Friday 30th July 19:29
rudecherub said:
Yes cattle can be very dangerous.
They are naturally inquisitive, the one or two edging toward you is a sure sign.
Best policy is to make yourself look bigger wave your arms and shout ya ya loudly.
Rule of thumb, young cattle will more curious and energetic, bulls - goes without saying.
Most dangerous. Cows with calves, do not, do not approach, do not take a dog into the field, I guess a bike would be scary too.
Cows with a calf can get defensive and will attack. The countryside is a dangerous place and can kill you.
Fully agree with this statement cows esp female with calves are more dangerous than bulls esp when said cows are in a herd with youngThey are naturally inquisitive, the one or two edging toward you is a sure sign.
Best policy is to make yourself look bigger wave your arms and shout ya ya loudly.
Rule of thumb, young cattle will more curious and energetic, bulls - goes without saying.
Most dangerous. Cows with calves, do not, do not approach, do not take a dog into the field, I guess a bike would be scary too.
Cows with a calf can get defensive and will attack. The countryside is a dangerous place and can kill you.
never enter their enclosure unless you are familar to them as it only takes one agressive one to set the whole herd of after you and once rolling they can get you down and trample you to death .A friend of mine was turned on by his own herd just because one female was having a bad day he has not long been out of hospital where he spent many months recovering this guy was 70 and had spent his whole life with cattle.
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