I live in a area where black bears are common. (Mid Maryland)
With the new housing developments going in, which displaces wildlife we have seen more activity in recent years.

I’ve seen bears on my rides in the past no problem. Once even in a tree...

The other morning I was riding my road bike, still pitch dark. I thought I heard a galloping sound like a horse on my right side behind me... then gone only about 3 or 4 seconds I heard the galloping. pitch dark could not see anything. Forgot all about it.
Even if I had bear spray, i could not see anything to spray and happen much faster than I could have take the spray out.

Today I opened the local news paper and found that a woman was attacked by a bear, which was about 5 miles from where I heard the galloping.

Has anyone carried bear spray on the bike or run and had to used it? Or use it in general?

Is this something I should even be concerned? (At this point I am a little)
I do swims in areas where 6 ft bull sharks have been caught, never worry about sharks at all. Been walloped in the side by a large snakehead last year.

https://www.fredericknewspost.com/...74-25c35781f011.html



This was taken a few years ago at our friends house.