Wow, that's quite an account!

I wonder what the best response in a situation like this is? I know I've usually heard that you don't want to run because it triggers the predator reflex, but in this case he was already in motion. Would stopping and facing the animal been a better or worse response?

In any case, his response was obviously a good one since he walked away, uninjured, to tell the story.

I was just about to post this story but clearwater beat me to it.

The cyclist did a good job with what he had, but I sure would have wanted some firepower in my hands.

I was really surprised the bear pepper spray was really that ineffective against an animal who has that keen of a sense of smell. That must have been one hungry wolf!

That is extremely unusual behaviour for a wolf! Especially the part about "More cars began to pull up and honk at the wolf, but he would not leave my bike, as though he thought it was his kill. It took someone finally beaning him in the head with a rock to get him to leave."

Mountain biking has become quite popular here in Alaska. However, cyclists are to some extent at greater risk of dangerous wildlife encounters (moose, bear, wolves) than hikers. Riding a bike one is moving fast, relatively quiet, and probably somewhat more focused on the next bit trail than what else is around you. This makes it easier to get into a bad situation before you realize it. In recent years there has been one girl seriously injured when she bumped into a griz while biking. There was also an interesting You Tube video recently of some bikers charged by a moose.

On another note, it will be interesting to hear how these guys do when they get to the Dalton Highway (the "Haul Road") to Prudhoe. If they found the Cassiar Highway challenging on a bicycle they will really enjoy the Dalton. That being said, I know it is sometimes done on bikes. I've been on both the Cassiar and the Dalton (in a pick up and a van, respectively), and the Dalton was a far worse road, in my experience.

Here was another wolf chase a couple of weeks ago, tho motorcycle.

http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/outdoors/2013/jun/16/photos-wolf-chases-bc-motorcyclist/

I have read, unless rabid, a wolf attack is rare. That must have been outdated information.

Jeanette Isabelle

I was thinking that the "unusual" aspect wasn't so much the chase (chasing things is what wolves do), but rather that the wolf refused to leave even when other cars pulled up, and that someone needed to bonk him with a rock. Most wild critters recognize bad odds when they see them.

I suspect this particular wolf is destined to very soon become a fur ruff on someone's parka hood.

Once an animal has decided to attack, pepper spray is really useless.

I just think that these cyclists have GOT to stop smearing themselves down with BBQ sauce. To me ... it's cause-and-effect :-)

Pete2