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Video: Angry ram charges and butts cyclist

This week’s animal vs cyclist encounter involves a tiny, but very cross, ram

No, not that RAAM, the other kind. This tiny, enraged creature, which is about the height of its victim's knees, was caught on camera charging at and repeatedly butting a man on a bicycle.

The attack takes place beside what looks like a car park by a picnic area. The man can be seen standing over the bike when the animal rams the front wheel, before backing up and charging at the man’s leg and the rear wheel. His companions don't seem too worried, judging by the sound of hysterical laughter in the background.

The man gets off the bike and attempts to use it as a shield, while the animal repeats the charge. Eventually the diminutive ram gets a longer run-up and knocks the bike over, before chasing the man around a car at speed.

Video: Emu chases cyclists in Canberra

Rams can be extremely aggressive, and larger breeds can charge at up to 40mph. They are particularly aggressive in breeding season, and can view humans as either a threat to their ewes or a rival.

Advice is usually to avoid rams entirely, including fields where a ram might be. If you do happen to come face-to-face with an angry ram, don’t turn your back on it, ever.

This WikiHow page says it's possible to tell the difference between a peaceful ram and an aggressive one. “If the ram gives you a mean look or a mean ‘Baaaaa’, then he is going to charge you,” it says.

We’re not sure what a mean "baaa" might sound like, but maybe it’s one of those things you just know when you hear it.

The page also gives instructions on how to tackle a ram onto its back (no, we’re not joking).

Another option is waiting until the last moment of its charge, when it cannot change direction, before stepping out of the way.

It’s probably best just to steer clear of angry rams.

Laura Laker is a freelance journalist with more than a decade’s experience covering cycling, walking and wheeling (and other means of transport). Beginning her career with road.cc, Laura has also written for national and specialist titles of all stripes. One part of the popular Streets Ahead podcast, she sometimes appears as a talking head on TV and radio, and in real life at conferences and festivals. She is also the author of Potholes and Pavements: a Bumpy Ride on Britain’s National Cycle Network.

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12 comments

Avatar
gazpacho | 8 years ago
5 likes

Obviously angry because the bike wasn't fitted with S-RAM... my coat? I'll get it...

Avatar
StraelGuy | 8 years ago
1 like

Are you implying I'm Welsh  ?

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oceandweller | 8 years ago
0 likes

Laugh by all means but a friend of mine had his leg broken by a ram.   2

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StraelGuy | 8 years ago
2 likes

I was watching this at work while talking to a customer on the phone and I was literally biting my lip trying not to laugh!

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Guanajuato | 8 years ago
7 likes

just goes to prove that even short-sighted, stupid sheep can clearly see a cyclist who's not wearing hi-vis... smiley

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Grizzerly | 8 years ago
0 likes

Whilst it looks very amusing,  even a small ram can be very dangerous.  If the victim had been taken off his feet, he could well have been killed.   Townie bike riders do well to treat all farm animals with respect. 

Avatar
Jackson replied to Grizzerly | 8 years ago
0 likes

Grizzerly wrote:

Whilst it looks very amusing,  even a small ram can be very dangerous.  If the victim had been taken off his feet, he could well have been killed.   Townie bike riders do well to treat all farm animals with respect. 

Seriously? 

Avatar
Mungecrundle replied to Jackson | 8 years ago
0 likes

Jackson wrote:

Grizzerly wrote:

Whilst it looks very amusing,  even a small ram can be very dangerous.  If the victim had been taken off his feet, he could well have been killed.   Townie bike riders do well to treat all farm animals with respect. 

Seriously? 

 

And certainly don't mess with their females.

Avatar
Yorkshire wallet | 8 years ago
5 likes

Needs Benny Hill music.

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Boss Hogg replied to Yorkshire wallet | 8 years ago
0 likes

Yorkshire wallet wrote:

Needs Benny Hill music.

lol

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PaulBox | 8 years ago
6 likes

I bet the little fcuker reads the Mail...

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brooksby | 8 years ago
5 likes

Why wasn't that ram wearing a helmet?  Doesn't it understand the damage that can be done to its skull???  yes yes

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