Editor:
This is Part 2, of Michael “he who herds bears” Maser’s story from page 16 of the July 19 Coast Reporter.
As I started to head up the “S” turn on Gower Point Road with my electric assist bike, vehicles were coming down. The second vehicle had a couple people hanging out the widows waving and yelling. I thought they were yelling my name, “Ben!” Ben!” and I thought, “I do not know these people.” But suddenly it became very obvious they were yelling, “Bear!” “Bear!” as there was the black bear running down the hill straight toward me. He stopped and looked down at me. I had stopped part way up and was wondering what I should do next. Should I abandon my ride or try to sneak past him? Then he moved and starting climbing a big tree, so I began to think that it should be OK to continue past him. He was panting and snorting at me and I was probably panting and pointing at him. As I passed, I was talking to the bear, saying things like “Good bear” and “You’re OK!,” “I’m just passing through!” I probably was only 10 feet or so from him but he never paid any attention to me as there were now two dogs barking just up the hill.
When I looked back, the bear had jumped off the tree and was heading down to the ravine off the road.
I think this bear knew the rules of the road and sharing and had given me more than the 1.5 metre spacing required for bikers. At least as good as some of those monster truck drivers out there!
Anyway, this was a good ending for both him and me! So happy biking and enjoying the wildlife viewing! See you out there!
Ben Foster, Elphionstone
