snakes on trail

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Anonymous on 6/20/2012 8:34:09 AM:

I've read on this forum about a few folks who encountered sunning copperheads on the trail. I'm biking the whole trail this summer, and this got my to thinking...what is way for a biker to handle this situation? Thanks

Jim from St. Thomas on 6/20/2012 10:02:12 AM:

Holler "on your left" and ride around them. However, Copperheads are notorious for not following trail ediquette and sometimes take up the middle of the trail. If you encounter one of the inconsiderate ones pass them on whichever side gives you the most room. All kidding aside the odds of coming across one in mid-summer is pretty slim.

Robin from Macon on 6/20/2012 11:59:20 AM:

I have encountered them on the trail many times, usually in the spring and/or fall, however. I usually throw my legs on the handle bars and scream like a little girl, but regardless of that ritual, I have found that they seldom do anything other than slither off into the grass. Enjoy the ride - it is a beautiful part of the trail!

Anonymous on 6/20/2012 12:45:16 PM:

I'd been wondering who that was! Now I know, it was Robin from Macon.

Harry from Annandale, VA on 6/23/2012 12:29:31 PM:

Unless you actually stop and pick them up (or run over them), it's really, really hard to get a Copperhead to strike. They're very laid back and are reluctant to bite. Most bites from them involve alcohol use... Here's a shot of one take a few weeks ago on the trail: http://www.pbase.com/harry1/image/144218331
We stopped to look at it and it simply uncoiled and moved off the center of the trail.

Anonymous on 6/24/2012 5:05:59 PM:

Thanks to all.

Robert from Roan Mtn on 6/25/2012 8:38:52 PM:

At least in my neck of the woods water snakes at least during part of their growth look very much like copperheads and since the KT is near water a lot of the time it just may be. We only saw green snakes on our journey last month from end to end and tried not to run over any of them though sometimes that was impossible. Having ridden this trail I would not concern myself with snakes in the least.

Anonymous from Jefferson City on 6/26/2012 10:18:32 AM:

In Central Mo snakes (of all varieties) are commonplace on the trail. This is especially true in the Spring/Fall when they are trying to warm up. Simply treat them as a large stick in the trail and ride around them. The greatest risk of having a bad interaction with a snake is to STOP and try to poke it with a stick.. or panic and crash right on top of it! LOL

Anonymous on 6/26/2012 1:40:37 PM:

Black snakes are much harder to avoid because they are longer and are more difficult to ride around than a copperhead.

ArkyKenny from Farmington, AR on 6/26/2012 4:18:10 PM:

Any snake I've ever ridden over was on the eastern 1/2 of the trail near farm land. Most of the time, they have been small and/or young snakes. I'm real bad about putting my head down and pedaling: Every once in a while, I'll feel a "bump", and I'll realize that I ran over a snake, not a stick. Oops. Sorry dude--hope I didn't break anything.

I did that once with a skunk too. That is a potentially VERY BAD deal, but nothing happened to either of us. I also had the pleasure of running over a dead dog once, and his entralls were "ripe". I don't recommend that either.

I really need to learn to keep my head up when I ride.

Brian L. from Wichita on 6/27/2012 7:40:54 PM:

Ha-ha, ArkyKenny - you are *definitely* a "focused" cyclist!

Sheribdiver from Coastal california on 6/29/2012 2:11:54 AM:

Good to know I can add snakes to weather - my list of things I 'm concerned about for my July tour.

Darrell from Jeff City, MO. on 6/29/2012 5:24:23 AM:

Sheribdiver, as for snakes being on your list of things to be concerned about, it shouldn't be very high on that list because you will probably not even see one. If you do see one, just ride on by and let it be. Enjoy your tour on the Katy.

Brian L. from Wichita on 6/29/2012 6:45:53 AM:

Agree with Darrell -- I've only ridden the trail a couple times, but I've never seen a single snake -- or even a married one! (Sorry, couldn't resist ;-) Cows, beagles, etc., but no snakes. Good luck on your ride!

Anonymous on 6/29/2012 7:55:30 AM:

Drive like you're from California and you'll never hit a snake!

Tess from OFallon, MO on 6/29/2012 9:39:08 AM:

Snakes, turtles, cows (really), vultures, fox, deer, ground hogs, actually hit a fat squirrel once..... Unless they are completely covering the trail, just ride around. Personally, the greatest danger is small children. They love stopping dead in the middle of the trail.

Sheribdiver from Coastal california on 7/2/2012 12:57:56 AM:

Sheribdiver hit the trail today and saw one teeny, tiny snake. I was so intrigued I stopped to get a picture, but it slithered off -- and I had no desire to go all Steve Irwin on him. So, I've seen a snake and don't have to fret about it any more. Great birds out here!

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