Mugged by Malpas the Maniacal Magpie!

David

[Re-Posted from Facebook]

Final training ride before Sunday’s fundraising ride (Sydney to the Gong) raising money for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) (sponsor me here:http://goo.gl/uSp7Pu)

Anyway, was riding out to Richmond (about 40KM away) for a light training run and got attacked by that damn Magpie out near McDonald’s near Vineyard (most riders will know of this little sod). Well today, I guess because I was alone, he had a good old go at me, to the point I had to get off the bike and turn around and walk out of his ‘area’ – I didn't take my eyes off him as I left and he didn't take his eyes off me as he swooped at me a few more times (me with stick in hand).

Suffice to say he drew blood, fortunately for him I did not…well played Malpas, well played indeed.

You little bastard...

 

(and yes I was wearing a helmet)

Matt

I'll donate more if you can come up with a video of you and your trusty stick.

David

Yeah funny guy, you and the truck driver tooting me as he supported the Magpie on his 15th swoop

Matt

lol. 

Collingwood supporters are everywhere.

Charlie

Stupid birds...  I was warned about these creatures from above when I would play golf a Kaperra Golf Club. Only one time did I get buzzed but no contact.  Sorry David...

[Deleted User]

You Aussies sure have some frightful fauna!

Mark

Could have been worse!

BTW not a bad ride out through Kenthurst and down Pitt Town Rd. You come back out at Vineyard near the hotel on Windsor Rd. I used to go on my motorbike, but roads probably okay for treadly as well.

David

Bah! She had it easy...

Look at the size of ours (actual Maggies in attack mode here in Australia):

And here's one on video - the guy gets attacked about 4 times a week and has taken to wearing ear muffs to protect himself

http://video.news.com.au/v/81960/Magpie-attack-as-youve-never-seen-it

Mark

I had a running battle with a local magpie when I first moved to the Blue Mountains. Once they get to know you they are okay. 

After a while they used to look for me having lunch outside and swoop down out of the trees for some bread. Pretty unnerving to have them land so close, even though I knew they weren't in full attack mode!

David

Mark said:

Could have been worse!

BTW not a bad ride out through Kenthurst and down Pitt Town Rd. You come back out at Vineyard near the hotel on Windsor Rd. I used to go on my motorbike, but roads probably okay for treadly as well.

I used to ride from my place down Glenhaven Rd to Richmond and back, about 60KM, but the last 8km back up Glenhaven Rd used to kill me. Also the roads around here are too narrow and drivers here are not 'rider friendly'. When I first moved up from Melbourne I used to ride on the motorway to Eastern Creek, always a tail wind despite the fact that sometimes the trucks got so close if you could smell the DNA of the driver as he went by...

Better to drive down to Nor' West and ride Old Windsor Rd to Richmond - great ride. I also ride with friends on the M7 bike path, bit more of a casual ride, but end to end and back again about 80KM.

Mark said:

I had a running battle with a local magpie when I first moved to the Blue Mountains. Once they get to know you they are okay. 

First time I have ever had a run in with one. Didn't like it, and it hurt. 

(

Paul

Crikey.... What causes them to attack people?

We have a similar thing here with Sea-gulls. People feed them with their left over Fish and Chips being the sea-side, and now they don't wait, they just attack you if you have any....

There's been warnings on T.V. and such about not feeding them, but the bloody tourists still do, and they are still being attacked, but those Maggies over there seem unprovoked..   

Matt

Breeding season. When their eggs hatch, the swooping starts. Generally 50 to 100 meters from the nest.

Matt

They only attack people with bike helmets.

Mark

I think it's only the female that attacks and like Matt said only in Spring when chicks are in the nest.

There are a lot up here in the mountains and they can be cunning. I walked past one at an unfamiliar place once and watched the little b every step of the way. Never once did it acknowledge me or make eye contact. Soon as I turned my back - straight in the back of the scone! 

Little fu##er!

Paul

What a going on, I think I'd be taking my trusty Samurai Sword with me on bike trips... 

[Deleted User]

Fearless birds!