Understand about not wanting to mess with the wildlife.
The other day a turkey gave me the stink-eye, and there was a mean looking red squirrel too. I guess everything is at a higher level out West.
Good choice. Bikes are quiet and fast and can surprise bears sometimes. Luckily, you didn't and now you have a great story!
I feel the same way when running on my own here, I pick the trails close to civilization or the ones that are more popular. Running alone in dawn or dusk is way out of my comfort zone.