Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

diggerdantheman wrote:tell us what you really think
blood is never good though.

You know me Dan... hard to rile, but I should point out that each blood drawing hit was the birds first swoop. I heard no clacking, flapping or any warning .. just a thump to the side of the head, followed by the flow of claret / i thought someone had thrown a rock at me. Still sore over a week later.

Have been buzzed, clacked, swooped, chased and generally harrassed by many a magpie over the years, mostly good fun, but this bird has me spooked. I avoid that stretch completely now. Id rather face a studio full of angry, but alleged, future designers

Repeated Saturdays ride on Sunday (same wind direction but stronger!).

First Magpie asleep on the job

Second Magpie up to the task. This time we had reversed the order on the road and Mrs C+W was leading (thinking the maggie was going for the rear most helmet) but said Magpie was much smarter. Two swoops directed at both of us (will split points) then Mrs C+W attracted an additional 3 swoops (would have been more but for covering traffic). then she got another swoop further up the road all to herself.

Mrs C+W: +5 points = 11 total

Me: +1 point = 2 points total

I think i will take her on all my rides over next few weeks.

coffeeandwine wrote:I think i will take her on all my rides over next few weeks.

5 swoops, head ducking efforts but no more venom than that today........

Duck and weave total = 47 points

4 hits to helmet but not viscious. Half way up Mango Hill (Anzac Ave)

Total 12 points

Two belly flops into my helmet (in quick succession) yesterday morning from my friend at the Oxley Golf driving range = 2 points.

Two "noisy wing beat and clack" combos from another in Inala this morning. = 1 point.

These were doubles, but close together, so counting as one episode.

They try so hard, but I dont get scared of them at all. I did wave my hand around above my helmet at my belly flopping friend this morning

Grand total 11 points.

I got hit so hard recently I couln't touch my ear for 3 x days, f*ck knows how it affected the magpie!!!!!!

Another attack by a myna - clipped my knee then swung off through the top triangle - Cirque de Soleil indeed. 2 points, and a distinguished service medal for the now (I'm told) deceased myna.

Previous Total: 3

New Total: 5 points

Purple Hearts awarded: 1

During 98 km today I was swooped a total of 14 times; though 11 of those was by one pair. They were also the helmet whackers. (x2)

New total: 20 Points

I was stared at most evilly by a pair of crows. Don't suppose there are points in that.

I see ravens making very slow / awkward swoops on me but compared to the jet fighter maggies, the ravens are like B52 bombers.......

36km today no less than 9 swoops from 5 different magpies and a few more paltry attempts which are not score worthy........

Running total is now 56 points.

coffeeandwine wrote: ... then Mrs C+W attracted an additional 3 swoops (would have been more but for covering traffic). then she got another swoop further up the road all to herself.

Mrs C+W: +5 points = 11 total

Me: +1 point = 2 points total

I think i will take her on all my rides over next few weeks.

Out for 50km with Mrs C+W as the decoy, then an extra 50km solo. All went according to plan at the start; first 2km and our magpie on the Midland Hwy had 2 goes at Mrs C+W and left me alone. (This fellow at least lets you know he is coming, he prefers a frontal assault rather than from behind).

A few more attacks during the first 50km saw us tied on 7 points each.

For my last 50km, all was quiet until about 15km from home in fading light, I had one magpie swoop me 11 times!!!! I figured it is a quiet stretch of road and he must have had a quiet day, or he was out to impress or something. I knew he was there from last year when he got quite aggressive (road between Mt Egerton and Yendon near Spread-Eagle Rd if anyone wants to know).

Mrs C+W: +7 points = 18 total
Me: +18 points = 20 total

I'll have to see if Mrs C+W wants to go a bit further next week

Gluttony........ 14 swoops today........

13 close-ish calls and one hum dinger right between the shoulder blades from the usual source.........


Running total 71 points............ where will it end..........

Got a belly-flop into my helmet this morning from a magpie in Inala. This is the first from him, after several weeks of doing contact-free swoops and clacks. 2 points.

Running total = 13 points.

Well I opened my account for 2012 with the GC100 last Sunday.

Didn't the little b@stard know I was on a Charity ride!!

Saw him on the wire above me, take a crap and then it was on. He had just had 3 or 4 goes at the two riders ahead of me, only to go back up to the power lines, and line me up.

I even looked at him and yelled as he came in at me, which usually sends em packing... not this one!

2 Swoops and 4 actual hits to the helmet!

Points = 10

Was annoyed me is he even knew what to aim for.

1. Slightly tubby man in lycra on a bike - check
2. All alone - check
3. Going up hill in a small gear with bugger all chance of powering away and escaping - big check!

Aggghh!!! I hate Magpies!

open roader wrote:Gluttony........ 14 swoops today........

13 close-ish calls and one hum dinger right between the shoulder blades from the usual source.........


Running total 71 points............ where will it end..........

What do you ride through normally??? An Avery?

hosko wrote:What do you ride through normally??? An Avery?

Some days it could be described as a free range aviary........ rural roads only, all lightly wooded and some farms have woodlots / plantations. All these roads have powerlines alongside so there is plenty of vantage / takeoff / landing spots for these feathered feinds.........

The last ride with 14 swoops counted was only a 36km affair too..........

have been lazy. actually had a strike this morning (have previosly had 2 swoops, but can't remember the dates, so they don't count)

roma st parklands this morning. magpie hit my helmet

total: 2 points.

Double attack by Mynas out of the bushes yesterday - along Roma St Bikeway link. No contact.

Previous total: 5 points

New total: 7 points

diggerdantheman wrote:Double attack by Mynas out of the bushes yesterday - along Roma St Bikeway link. No contact.

Previous total: 5 points

New total: 7 points

so ours happened our the same point?

Cranked out my maiden century ride today!! Pleased to say I counted only 5 very lazy swoops which count for points and maybe a dozen even more half hearted efforts which I barely noticed

Running total 76 points

jasonc wrote: so ours happened our the same point?

On the ramp/platform from Normanby to parklands? Correct.

Went for a ride with james184 on Friday around Ballarat. 76 km in total and climbed Mt Buninyong to the top and Mt Egerton. 3 points each in Moving Target Award.

My total 20+3= 23 points total.

118 km in the Shepparton Fruit Loop and NOT ONE LOUSY POINT.

Still on 20 points.

4 attempt combo from a persistent myna along the vic park bikeway this morning - 1 swoop then 3 separate contacts into the helmet. 7 points.

Previous total - 7 points.
New total - 14 points.

Late starter to this. Thought I had scraped through with nothing!

Magpie at Granville near Parra Rd (7-eleven servo??)

4 swoops, 2 with contact to helmet. The 3rd and 4th swoops would have been contact too if I hadn't been watching him. Cranky one, that one

I take it that's 6 points?

Cheers,
Dave