Cyclist fends off leopard attack with mountain bike

Aushiker · Postby **Aushiker** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 4:00 pm

Hi

Time to toughen up?

Pieta Ncube, 39, was able to fight the animal off as it tore into the back of his head with its claws.

"I slowed down to see what was behind me," he said. "I was just able to use my bike to stop him getting me.

Mr Ncube said he managed to trap the animal's two front legs in the triangle of his bicycle's frame so that it could not move freely or reach him with its teeth.

He eventually pulled a loose steel bar he had attached to his bicycle and smashed the leopard around the head as it clawed at his face and head.

The frightened beast then ran off into the bush.

He said he then tried to administer first aid on himself before calling his boss for help.

Police launched a full-scale search for the leopard following Tuesday's attack, which happened near the town of Brits in South Africa's North West province.

Mr Ncube has been released from hospital but will need injections every three days for a month to prevent infection.

- The Telegraph

Andrew

ozrider · Postby **ozrider** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 5:37 pm

He'll be right, for the future he can fit a few cable ties to his helmet, no worries....

If this was in Australia the press would have reported it as

"Cyclist Attacks Leopard"

Old and Rusty · Postby **Old and Rusty** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 5:52 pm

Sounds as dangerous as cycling through Macquarie Fields on a Friday night.

human909 · Postby **human909** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 6:13 pm

Another reason not to go carbon!

sli123 · Postby **sli123** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 6:49 pm

ozrider wrote:
.....If this was in Australia the press would have reported it as

"Cyclist Attacks Leopard"

sogood · Postby **sogood** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 7:28 pm

Andy Schleck attacks!

GingaNinja · Postby **GingaNinja** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 8:25 pm

now that puts "wildlife" into perspective.

Glad he could fight it off. Oh and the Pic or it didn't happen rule - does it apply?
hmmm maybe I would have a bit of a go with him to with the cards in the forks, very confused cultures between retro fixy and serious mountain biker on a BSO.

*all said in humour. The guy was extremely lucky.

Fred Nurk · Postby **Fred Nurk** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 9:26 pm

Talk about hard, he even adds weight to his bike for extra training benefit...

He eventually pulled a loose steel bar he had attached to his bicycle and smashed the leopard around the head as it clawed at his face and head.

At least I think thats why it was there.

sogood · Postby **sogood** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 9:34 pm

Fred Nurk wrote:Talk about hard, he even adds weight to his bike for extra training benefit...
He eventually pulled a loose steel bar he had attached to his bicycle and smashed the leopard around the head as it clawed at his face and head.
At least I think thats why it was there.

It's also know to us as the "kick stand".