Avoiding Grizzly Encounters While on the Road

[RossKB]

I suppose this is an ever relevant topic, especially with the TransAm going through the Tetons and Yellowstone.  Understandably most of the posts in previous threads I have read have been related to camping, but I wonder if people can give any guidance on avoiding bear encounters when on the road.  I am doing the TransAm solo and am coming to Colter Bay from DuBois this Saturday.  Specifically:
--Is there a time that is too early to ride?  I like to start early, even before sunrise (sometimes 4:30am)  to get miles in and enjoy the quiet.  Maybe that could be problematic in grizzly country on several levels.  Maybe there would be increased bear activity at this hour of the day.  Also I would imagine a decent level of car traffic would lead bears to stay clear of roads, but if there aren’t cars around….  (Maybe in this case, cars are your friend.).   I see from a 2013 AADT that there is a good level of traffic on 287 into Moran Junction.  (but in the early morning?)
--Maybe the risk is super small, but with all the talk about storing food-bearing panniers, it seems to me like whatever food-aroma comes from panniers on a moving bike, could be the equivalent of the music coming from one of those old-timey ice cream trucks.   Also if bears are more and more used to humans does the old advice about making noise (attaching bells, etc.)  still apply? 
--It seems like there are different opinions on bear spray.   My gut feel is that the risk of a bear encounter is  small and I would be unlikely to use spray effectively, but I would be interested in hearing any thoughts. 
Thanks a lot.
Ross Bassett in Saratoga, WY

[John Nettles]

Since you are only asking about while riding, without trying to sound rude, I honestly think you are overthinking this (is there a police way to say that?).  It is pretty dang rare for a bear to chase after a riding cyclist on a paved roadway, much less catch it.  Sure maybe on backcountry forest roads but not on long-established roads.  Tens of thousands of cyclists have ridden this route over the decades and I can't remember one case of a bear attacking a cyclist on the roadway. 

The only thing I might consider is if you stop for a snack, do it in a wide open area so you can keep an eye out since you are riding early in the morning. Of course, if there is a "bear traffic jam", I personally would work my way toward the front (say 5th or 6th car back, preferably by a big RV) and wait for the traffic to move along. Of course, do not be the idiot who wants to give the bear a treat of beef jerky or whatever.

Last summer, I rode across Alaska entirely then rode down from Fairbanks to BC until the forest fire smoke killed my trip.  In Alaska, I saw bears every couple of days.  South of the AK/YT border, I saw them daily sometimes many times.  They were content to ignore me as there was plenty of food source they were munching on.  I never got closer than probably 150 feet but it was very common. I personally think, bears will not attack riding cyclists if they are 1) not surprised/threatened  and/or 2) have plenty of other food to eat.

On the bright side, if you do get attacked, you will probably make news worldwide  . 

Tailwinds, John

[RossKB]

Thanks John, Not at all rude.  My natural habitat is the Eastern city, and I can use some guidance from folks with more experience in this matter. 
Hoping to avoid fame,
Ross

[John Nettles]

Hopefully John will speak about this as he lives in Buffalo, WY and is much more knowledgeable about bears than I.  Sure, you could get attacked but the chances I think are pretty minimal. 

Have a great tour!  John

[jamawani]

Ross -

I live in Wyoming and have been here since 1990.
I live near the Bighorns, now, but was in Jackson in the 1990s.

You will be lucky if you even see a bear. Extra lucky if you see a grizzly.
You won't have a problem riding unless you do remote trails and startle a bear.

The real issue is camping. Make sure you use bear-safe camping practices.
Always store or hang your food and toiletry items.
Never eat in your tent - not in Wyoming, not in Kansas, not in Jersey.
If you have, it may be wise to wash out you tent with unscented soap
and let it dry in the summer sun. (Bears have 2100X the nose you have.)

https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/bears

I have never had a single problem in decades of hiking and cycling.

About Yellowstone.
Teton Pass is closed and, if reopened, will have monster traffic.
The key is to start early and, if needed, do some later riding.
Roads are busiest 9a to 5p.

Since you are westbound I'll give you specifics.
There's fantastic hiker/biker camping at Jenny Lake in Grand Teton NP.

Jenny Lake to Flagg Ranch - 35 mi
You have all day. I'd stop at String Lake and do the short hike up to Leigh Lake.
String Lake has some of the most spectacular vistas.
The park road is slower and has moderate traffic.
When you get to US 89 is will be busier, but with a small shoulder.
Then there's a chunk of a climb to Flagg Ranch.
There's a camp store and restaurant at Flagg Ranch.
I like treating myself to an early dinner there because ...

Flagg Ranch to Lewis Lake - 14 mi, 1000 ft. climb
I like to do this after 6p. The road is steep in places without any shoulder.
There is a lot of traffic leaving the park southbound, but very little northbound.
And I prefer Lewis Lake to Grant Village even with the mosquitos.
Grant Village is huge and noisy - I rarely get much sleep there.
Hiker/biker camping at Lewis Lake.

Lewis Lake to Lake Village - 30 miles
I like to leave at dawn, skipping Grant Village altogether.
I do like to stop at West Thumb and enjoy the geysers when it is empty.
Then I follow the shore of Yellowstone Lake to Lake Village.
If before 8a, light traffic and small shoulders.
Make sure to take Gull Point Road and enjoy a secret, unvisited place.
then there's a rough bike trail along the old roadbed to Lake Village.
(Higher bear risk on the trail - you can also stay on the road.)
There's a camp store and lunch counter,
but the Lake Hotel dining is lovely, if you don't smell too bad.
(You can always do a quick sponge bath in the restroom.)

The views of Yellowstone Lake are stupendous.
You can head over to Fishing Bridge and the visitors center there.
Plus do a few short hikes along the lake shore.
Again, I would wait until after 6p to ride to Canyon.

Fishing Bridge to Canyon - 16 mi
Hayden Valley is the Serengeti of America.
But riding later you will have far less traffic and more wildlife.
The road sucks - narrow, no shoulders, and crumbling edge.
But it is truly worth it. Plus there are hiker/biker sites at Canyon
so you don't have to rush.

Canyon has showers, laundry, a big camp store, restaurants, visitors center.
Plus it has some of the best hiking in North America.
Try to spend two nights if possible.

Canyon to Norris - 12 mi
Moderate climb, small shoulders, then a killer downhill.
Norris Geyser Basin is worth a long stop and a good walk.
So much better than Old Faithful which is a zoo.
There's no water available here, so stock up beforehand.
(You can also ride over to the campground to top off.)

Norris to Madison - 13 miles
Recently rebuilt park road with small shoulders, mostly downhill.
Madison has a nice hiker/biker area - but no store or cafes nearby.
I think it is smart to camp here as camping further west is hard to find.
Set up early and ride without panniers up the Firehole River if you wish.
Again, evening riding is lovely.

Happy Trails! - Jama

Journal from back in 2005 - starting at Jenny Lake
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=3d2&page_id=26429&v=OF

[davidbonn]

Realistically, bison and moose are much more dangerous and much less predictable than even the grumpiest bear.

You have a much higher risk of a troublesome bear encounter in camp than you do on the ride.  So keep a super clean camp, avoid campsites where there has been recent bear activity, and avoid stinky and odorous foods or foods that take a long time to cook.

For psychological reasons if anything else, cook and eat dinner and then relocate a few miles to where you are going to sleep.

[RossKB]

Thanks everyone for these suggestions!  Ross