"my best friend gave me a bear bell to take along with me. " Nooooo, bear bells are the WORST thing to use. They actually ATTRACT bears as it's a noise they aren't used to, it's high pitched and they will come to investigate what it is. You're better off shouting to let a bear know you are there. And take some bear spray with you, just in case. Although i think you've finished the ride now :-P