Pro Mountain Biker Robert Mennen Hit By Antelope During Cape Epic Race In South Africa (VIDEO)

Any mountain biker will tell you navigating unexpected obstacles is part of the fun. If you're in South Africa, just make sure those obstacles are inanimate.

Robert Mennen, a professional German cyclist, learned that lesson the hard way after colliding with an antelope while competing in the first stage of the Cape Epic race this past Monday.

According to The Guardian, Mennen was traveling at 37 mph when he collided with the animal. The force of the impact snapped his handlebars, sent him spiraling through the air, injured his collarbone and knocked him out of the race. A camera on the bike captured the entire incident.

The rider later remarked on Twitter, the antelope "crossed my line and there was no chance to react."

Fortunately for Mennen, the antelope he hit was relatively small. In 2011, a much larger antelope hit pro mountain biker Evan van der Spuy on a South African trail. That species, a red hartebeest, has been known to weigh as much as 330 pounds. The collision landed van der Spuy in the hospital.

WATCH the collision, above.