Deer strike.

[flynrider]

That is a HORRIBLE STORY! Thank God, you are AMAZINGLY lucky you weren't hurt worse.

A close encounter with a deer is my biggest fear while riding. Up where I typically ride I pretty much see deer almost every single ride, especially during peak season. I have hit them with my truck. They have an amazing ability to jump out of NOWHERE and seem to be incredibly stupid as I think they are attracted to headlights. Hit one of these you you can easily total a vehicle, on a bike it can be much much worse.

Wow, so glad you are alright.

Now it's mine too. I've been riding in the mountains all my adult life and this is the first time I've hit one. I spent the rest of the week suspiciously scanning roadsides whenever I saw one of those yellow jumping deer signs.

At least crazy drivers are somewhat predictable. These deer seem suicidal and completely unpredictable.