Seemingly Innocuous Creatures

The American River Bike Trail, a true gift to cyclists.

It's 33 miles of majestic and winding trail from Sacramento to Folsom, totally natured and without traffic, and there-in lies it's deviousness.  Sure, I've been clipped by angry/distracted drivers, dealt with glass on roadways, dodged giant potholes, but "The Trail" has a way of lulling you into a false sense of security.  You think it's safe but here are just a few of the obstacles to contend with:

Certainly none of these obstacles would consider me an obstacle, especially not the cat, since it is incapable of considering others.

Then there are the squirrels:

I suppose I shouldn't fear them, since last Fall I ran over three in one week without incident (unless you consider the squirrels' perspective).  Still, they have a way of darting, and/or staring you down as you rapidly approach them.  Just look at how stone-faced that guy is.  Don't invite him to poker night.

But the most dangerous and fearful creatures on the Bike Trail are the "Trail Bunnies" as some have deemed them.  Said Bunnies are a distraction even if they're not actually on or near the trail.  They "draw the eye" away from your route and some have even been known to "snap their neck" attempting to catch sight of them.  But how could you not stare at this:

Anywho, Malm and I were on the trail last week, and the sunshine and warm weather seemed to draw out a large number of Trail Bunnies.  On our way out I shared how in my college days I enjoyed teasing my buddy Vince who literally snapped his own neck to look at all version of Bunnies: Trail, Cafeteria, Bookstore, Mailroom, Corolla, you get the idea.

When the eye wanders, it's quite literally a dangerous thing on the bike trail.  But this time our eyes didn't need to be the problem.  As we finished one of our intervals (by which I mean a section where we drink from our water bottles in a really "pro" way), who should dart across the trail like a steely eyed squirrel, but one previously noticed Bunny.  She was on the wrong side running with her back to us, Bose noise canceling headphones implanted in ears, and zagged straight across, looking over her shoulder after arriving on the other side.  It was a good thing I did look at her or she would have easily snapped my neck.  I think we all know what the moral of this story is...

Now you may be thinking, "Wait a second, you have a nice trail to ride on and avoid traffic, you interval like a pro, and it was sunny and warm?  What are you complaining about?  Allow me to answer your question with a question: