How tough is the American squirrel?

I have to admit that I read a triathlon board at work.. one of threads turned into squirrel (and other animal) stories that people have witnessed while riding their bikes.. I had to close the office door - was crying like a baby laughing..

Here are some of my favorite quotes:

"Wife & I were riding side by side down the Santa Ana River trail about 3 miles from the beach. She screams, swerves and almost takes me out....Thump - rear wheel over the squirrel. She was very upset about the whole thing. My nerves were shaken and the adrenaline was pumping. We went back and couldn't find the squirrel. She solidly ran over it at about 15 mph. We did see a lot of pissed off squirrel cousins, though. "

Response:

"Was it a screaming noise, a gurgle, or a grunt?"

Response:

"It was like a "Ohh-eeee-grrr-ooo-ee-aahh" in a very high pitch."

Response:

"That is how squirrels laugh."

Another quote:

"Last fall on an urban MTB ride. 5 of us in a pace line, about 16 MPH, I was 4th rider. Saw a flash of brown under me, and felt a bump. Guy behind starts yelling. Squirrel came off my rear tire and flew up and hit him in the chest, fell to the ground and ran off."

Another:

"My friend Joe killed a bird with his mountain bike. Accidently, of course. Joe's about 6-6, 300lbs, has the speed and agility of a tortoise and can leap like a rhinoceros. This bird decided "Today is a good day to die" and flew across the trail about a foot off the ground; a little less than "hub high." Joe hit him and just smacked him down to the ground ... like swatting a fly, but flies don't crunch-squeek. Joe was really upset about it, very upset, more upset than a straight man should have been. It made the ride home very somber. Joe played The Cure all the way home. Made me wish he'd run ME over with his bike!!!

I don't ride with Joe anymore."

Another:

"I believe they are indestructable, one got caught in a friends bike between the tire and the frame, it had to pass through a clearance of 1/2 inch, wailed like a banshee, looked dead, he rolled backwards it hit the ground and took off running.

I think they are in training to take over the world. "