Watch A Bicyclist Pedal For His Life As A Relentless Grizzly Chases Him

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Written by Kirstin Harrington

Updated: November 9, 2023

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Hiking, Bear, People, Men, Grizzly Bear
© iStock.com/xalanx

A video with over 41 million views shows just how intense interactions between humans and beasts can be! A YouTube account by the name of “McGregor” was enjoying one of his regular bike rides through the forest.

With a GoPro strapped on and recording, the cyclist assumed he was simply going to film his travels. Little did he know, he’d end up biking for his life! At about the 12-second mark, the camera captures a giant grizzly bear running full speed toward the biker. 

This footage is unbelievable! Thanks to GoPro’s first-person point of view, it feels as if the viewer is the one attempting to ride away from the apex predator. Bears may appear fluffy and chubby, but they actually have some pretty amazing muscles hidden beneath all that fur. 

Grizzly Bear Jumping

Once a

grizzly bear

identifies its target, it will become a relentless hunter.

©outdoorsman/Shutterstock.com

They unexpectedly resemble a human bodybuilder with a bit of fur. These muscles grow as a result of a lifetime of hunting and prowling through the forests. A bear’s claws also render them exceptionally adept at climbing trees and getting grip on rocky terrain. 

Grizzly bears can run at high speeds of 35 to 40 miles per hour, making them the fastest members of the Ursidae family. Although they are unable to sustain this top speed for very long, they are incredibly effective predators because of their capacity to sprint quickly and sustain high speeds.

Pedal For Your Life

Cycling, Bicycle, Sports Race, Road, Men

While a pro cyclist can reach 25-28 mph, and an amateur 17-18 mph, they’d be no match for the top speed of a grizzly bear.

©iStock.com/pat138241

Professional cyclists typically travel at 25 to 28 miles per hour while on level ground. On flat ground, the typical amateur cyclist moves at a speed of 17–18 miles per hour. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to notice that it would be nearly impossible to out-cycle a grizzly bear running at full speed. 

There is a lot of debate in the comment section of the upload as to the authenticity of this clip. Many state that the bear doesn’t cast a shadow and appears fake when you slow down the footage. Snopes wrote an article about the fabricated interaction as well.  

Others comment about being in the same woods and having close interactions with grizzly bears. Eventually, the biker loses the bear and pulls over, only to spot the grizzly seemingly looking for him. 

Thanks to some well-timed gunshots, the animal is spooked and runs in the opposite direction. The Youtube account does mention “for the whole truth behind this video, become a sponsor.” This leads us to believe there may be more to the story than we can see… for free. 

Either way, if it was an authentic interaction, it would be absolutely terrifying. If it’s edited and fake, well done to those in the graphics department. Nonetheless, it makes a great watch! 

Normal Behavior of Grizzly Bears

Brown Bear Close Up

Wild brown bears eat many insects, fruits, and berries.

©Piotr Krzeslak/Shutterstock.com

Grizzly bears are powerful animals that inhabit many parts of North America, including Alaska and the Rocky Mountains. They are usually solitary animals, although they may form groups during breeding season or when there is an abundant food source.

Grizzly bears typically show no aggression towards humans and will avoid contact with them if possible. However, they are normally quite active during the day, and they may move through areas where people are present.

Grizzly bears feed mainly on plants such as grasses, roots, and berries, as well as some insects and fish. They are usually not predators, but they are opportunistic feeders and will take advantage of any easier food sources.

It is not normal for grizzly bears to chase after moving objects such as cars or bicycles. They do not have the instinct to hunt as a predator, and they are not likely to attack a human unless they feel threatened. If they do feel threatened, they may make loud noises or swat at the object in an attempt to frighten it away.

Overall, grizzly bears are usually not aggressive and will usually only attack if they feel threatened or their cubs are in danger. They are normally peaceful and usually just want to be left alone.

Size of Grizzly Bears

gigantic grizzly bear

A large, adult grizzly bear can weigh up to 1,200 pounds.

©neelsky/Shutterstock.com

Grizzly bears are among the largest mammals in the world. Adult grizzlies can weigh anywhere from 300 to 1200 pounds and measure 6 to 8 feet long. The size of grizzlies can vary greatly depending on their diet, age, and region.

Grizzly cubs typically weigh from one to four pounds at birth and measure up to 16 inches long. As they grow older, grizzly cubs will weigh up to 70 pounds by the time they are two years old and attain full adult size when they are four years old.

The size of grizzlies can also differ based on their geographical location. Grizzlies in the Alaskan coastal regions tend to be larger and heavier than those in the Rocky Mountains. In addition, grizzlies in the northern parts of the continent usually reach bigger sizes than those in the southern parts.


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About the Author

Kirstin is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering animals, news topics, fun places, and helpful tips. Kirstin has been writing on a variety of topics for over five years. She has her real estate license, along with an associates degree in another field. A resident of Minnesota, Kirstin treats her two cats (Spook and Finlay) like the children they are. She never misses an opportunity to explore a thrift store with a coffee in hand, especially if it’s a cold autumn day!

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