Deer Miss of the Day: Startled deer jumps over group of cyclists during gran fondo – and nearly clips George Hincapie

I had something v similar happen 20+ years ago:

I was going at high speed downhill on a narrow country lane at dusk. There were high hedges on both sides atop an embankment.

As I reached the bottom of the gradient (at 20 + mph) a whole herd if deer jumped through the hedge on my right, onto the road a few metres in front of me and then straight off the road into the hedge on the opposite side.

It was all over in seconds, but nevertheless, horrifying.

I braked hard and came to almost a complete stop and of course was in top gear. Unable to change down as I was too slow, I was then faced with a huge uphill gradient. The tension of hard braking and then climbing the uphill gradient in a completely unsuitable gear led to me pulling a groin muscle. I was in my way to a destination in Cambridgeshire, some 30 miles away, and had no option other than to carry on, so it was hurting like blazes by the time I arrived.

This injury is still with me to this day, albeit only an occasional niggle. Thankfully, it's incredibly minor compared to what might have happened had I hit them, or even been trampled by them.

Google - Mountain Biker taken out by Buck. Only in Africa. 

That's proper antelope vs cyclist.

(You Tube wont let me post link).

Few years ago, a herd of deer ran right into our group from the side. I personally hit - square on - what I think must have been a stag. It was like hitting a furry concrete wall. From 20mph I literally stopped dead. No broken bones, bike was OK, but my helmet was smashed and I was carted off to hospital, dazed and confused.
Apparently a full grown stag can literally weigh a tonne. Certainly felt like it to me.

It's surprising just how good deer are at jumping. Some species can jump higher than an average bungalow, but then bungalows can't jump.

Oh deer, not herd of that before! 

Was the deer wearing a helmet and hi viz and had it got a jumping licence? That's what I want to know.

an old one, 2016   https://www.rte.ie/news/2016/0829/812657-stag-collides-with-cyclist-duri...

Had a similar experience many years ago whilst mountain biking in Cannock Chase. I was was descending a fast forest track and a whole heard suddenly ran out from the trees. It was VERY close and I was very lucky!

I had it twice in the space of a month a few years back.  The first time I was deep in deer teritory heading fast down a gravel track.  When a huge black stag deep in the woods came charging towards me and jumped across the track right in front of me.  A few weeks later on a busier rural one jumped over the tall hedge on my left and just in front of my nose.  Phew I thought, I was at the front of the pack and it would have been very messy if I'd went down.  What I didn't realise that was only the leading deer of a pack and the following deer went right into my tall mate. The collision broke his collar bone!  With the latter I think deer raised in the Covid Lockdown period had no fear of traffic.

There have been a few deer incidents on my club's outings including some leading to hospital visits (for the cyclist). The woods round here are hoaching with deer.

I've had deer run out in front of me as I was going down hill at speed. I needed a new saddle after that episode. 

That is amazing!

Looks like someone is auditioning for some work 25th December....