June 5, 2007
COUGARS AND FOREPLAY
Seems I have more than bears (and deadlines) to fret about these days — a wildcat chased a local bloke on the trails I run, often with headphones blocking crashing-in-the-bush-sounds, I might add.
So if I go AWOL …… check the papers 
The biker was chased on an area of trail called Lower Foreplay (don’t ask), and now other offroaders are being warned. From the WORCA (Whistler Offroad Cycling Association) website is his tale (below):
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This is just a quick announcement for riders to take extra caution when riding in the area of lower Foreplay. On Saturday June 2nd Steve Patterson not only spotted the big cat on the trail but experienced the ride of his life as he was chased down to the disc golf course. Luckily he was able to out ride the cougar who gave up. Steve’s version of the story is told below!
If you see a cougar in the area or anywhere else in Whistler please let us know so that our riders can take proper care when out on the trails. “So there I was, five and a half hours into a solo Kill me Thrill me - Comfortably Numb loop. I had negotiated snow patches, windfall, exhaustion, and I was a little concerned with sunlight. I finally reached some familiar trail at the top of Foreplay, since I had ridden that trail years earlier. I crested the rock gardens just above the Disc Golf course, the village was in sight and I couldn’t be happier - All I could think about was tailgate beers and a big greasy burger.But then, I heard a crashing throught the woods. I had startled something, I figured a bear at first. No big deal, bears usually run away when you yell at them. The crashing continued, and got louder. It was then I realized something was actually running towards me. To my astonishment, a 2-3 yr old 125 lb-ish cougar jumps out of the woods behind me. I whirl around, since I was practically at a standstill I moved the bike between myself and the cat. It proceeds to run over to me.. within about ten feet. I slowly back away, talking, looking straight at it. The trail switches back so I bushwack down to the next swithback below, cat advancing with me the whole time! This went on for a couple hundred meters, and after shouting, standing up to appear taller, it was becoming apparent this thing wasn’t going anywhere. As soon as it looked like I could start descending, I whirl around, get on the saddle, and start given’er. The cat keeps following, sauntering at first, then galloping. It was a hummocky rolling section for a bit, so it was super intense, it was right on me and I was half expecting something to jump on my back - then, finally, it starts to drop a little steeper! I pin it.. two wheel drifting corners, sailing over everything in my path - I started to lose it, or more realistically, it was just getting tired of following me. The rest of the trail I couldn’t make myself slow down, at one point nailing a tree with my head and shoulder but managed to wobble out of it and keep going. At some point I got off Foreplay and fast tracked out through the disc golf course. I encountered a couple hikers on the lost lake main trails and yelled out that there was a large cat not far behind me, and to get out of the area. it wasn’t until I was alll the way down to the campsite that I actually felt safe. Anyways, I made it out unscathed, and the beer and splitz burger has never tasted so good!”
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