With the greatest regret we must inform you of the very sad news of the death of Si Paton
by Simon Paton
Apr 8, 2008
With the greatest regret we must inform you of the very sad news of the death of Si Paton shortly after attending a competitive downhill race the other weekend here in the U.K.
Unfortunately Si suffered massive head injuries during a practice run on the Sunday morning and was air lifted off the hill by the Air Ambulance to the nearest Neurology Department some 90 miles away. According to his father Si received the best possible treatment from the surgeons but they were unable to save him and he passed away during a second emergency operation on the operating table on the Sunday evening after the race.
Unfortunately Si suffered massive head injuries during a practice run on the Sunday morning and was air lifted off the hill by the Air Ambulance to the nearest Neurology Department some 90 miles away. According to his father Si received the best possible treatment from the surgeons but they were unable to save him and he passed away during a second emergency operation on the operating table on the Sunday evening after the race.
A confirmed report from the attending Commissaire who questioned several eye witnesses has documented the following:
During Sunday practice Si was completing a full practice run down the course into the last wooded section where he clipped a tree with his handlebar and was bucked side wards clipping a tree with his head. The force of which separated his helmet from his head and as he tumbled to the ground he landed head first on a large rock.
The course was immediately closed and the attending medics were there in seconds. The rest of the riders descended safely to the bottom of the course and within 10 minutes the Air Ambulance had landed and the crew were attending to the fallen rider.
Several eye witnesses reported seeing Si riding with his helmet undone with his chin strap visibly flapping in the wind. On inspection of the helmet the Commissaire agreed the helmet straps were not properly attached.
The race was immediately called off and everyone respectfully left the venue for the long drive home.
The U.K.'s governing body has just released a statement saying it has decided to suspend all racing and uplifts here in the U.K throughout 2008 whilst a full investigation and inquiry is held. The report and it’s recommendations are expected to be made public in September 2008.
All our thoughts go out to his distraught parents and girlfriend who were all at the race to cheer him on and where there trackside comforting him whilst the medics attended.
===============================================================
Alright, alright, put your handkerchiefs away, it’s not true, I’m alive and kicking!
The aim of the above is to really make you think next time your stood up there on that hill and your actions.
For those of you that race here in the U.K you may already be aware of the humiliating position I’ll put you in if you cross the line with your lid straps either undone or not properly attached. Microphone in hand you’ll be put on the spot and asked publicly over the sound system why?
You would of thought that the public shaming should of stopped any such incidents? Not the case ladies and gentleman. Every weekend we see riders breaking these rules that are put in place to benefit the rider and their family.
Not only could this save your life and your good looks (Okay most of you are ugly) and at the worst end up brown bread (Dead). You might receive brain damage and end up eating every meal out of a Goodridge Hose straight into your gut. If you are lucky, you may well become Kenwood’s number one customer for their food blenders as you’ll be sucking on straws for a long, long time.
Not worried about yourself, then just think about the heart break you will be putting your family through.
The consequences for you not attaching your lid correctly could be life threatening. The consequences for our sport that we all love, live and breathe could also be life threatening. This is where you come in, if you see a rider on the hill with a loose strap, give them a polite reminder, you never know it might save their life!
Below is what will be enforced at the NPS, some of which may well trickle down into the regional races and uplifts:
Regarding helmets: The BC rule book states your helmet must be correctly attached. This means it should be fastened securely using either the clip or through the double D buckle loops. It should not be attached by the pop stud, that is there to secure the excess strap and to stop it flying around.
Please note that being able to take your helmet off without undoing or loosening the chin strap means it is not correctly attached, the Commissaire will be called to warn you. If you are seen a second time then your number board will be removed and your riding for that weekend will be over. You will have to wait in the finish arena until the appointed British Cycling Commissaire comes to speak to you regards any of the above. Please be aware that the BC Commissaire may well be up the course and you may have to wait some time before he is able to speak to you, thus loosing you valuable practice time. Your co-operation to adhere to the rules may help save your life and ensure you get another run down the hill.
Please note BC Commissaires turn up all weekend and work for free, yes it’s voluntary. Their only payment is accommodation, fuel allowance, bacon sandwiches and cups of tea. Their main purpose is to ensure primarily the safety of everyone and secondly that everything is fair.
Si “Superfly” Paton
www.Descent-Gear.com
For 661 Protection.
During Sunday practice Si was completing a full practice run down the course into the last wooded section where he clipped a tree with his handlebar and was bucked side wards clipping a tree with his head. The force of which separated his helmet from his head and as he tumbled to the ground he landed head first on a large rock.
The course was immediately closed and the attending medics were there in seconds. The rest of the riders descended safely to the bottom of the course and within 10 minutes the Air Ambulance had landed and the crew were attending to the fallen rider.
Several eye witnesses reported seeing Si riding with his helmet undone with his chin strap visibly flapping in the wind. On inspection of the helmet the Commissaire agreed the helmet straps were not properly attached.
The race was immediately called off and everyone respectfully left the venue for the long drive home.
The U.K.'s governing body has just released a statement saying it has decided to suspend all racing and uplifts here in the U.K throughout 2008 whilst a full investigation and inquiry is held. The report and it’s recommendations are expected to be made public in September 2008.
All our thoughts go out to his distraught parents and girlfriend who were all at the race to cheer him on and where there trackside comforting him whilst the medics attended.
===============================================================
Alright, alright, put your handkerchiefs away, it’s not true, I’m alive and kicking!
The aim of the above is to really make you think next time your stood up there on that hill and your actions.
For those of you that race here in the U.K you may already be aware of the humiliating position I’ll put you in if you cross the line with your lid straps either undone or not properly attached. Microphone in hand you’ll be put on the spot and asked publicly over the sound system why?
You would of thought that the public shaming should of stopped any such incidents? Not the case ladies and gentleman. Every weekend we see riders breaking these rules that are put in place to benefit the rider and their family.
Not only could this save your life and your good looks (Okay most of you are ugly) and at the worst end up brown bread (Dead). You might receive brain damage and end up eating every meal out of a Goodridge Hose straight into your gut. If you are lucky, you may well become Kenwood’s number one customer for their food blenders as you’ll be sucking on straws for a long, long time.
Not worried about yourself, then just think about the heart break you will be putting your family through.
The consequences for you not attaching your lid correctly could be life threatening. The consequences for our sport that we all love, live and breathe could also be life threatening. This is where you come in, if you see a rider on the hill with a loose strap, give them a polite reminder, you never know it might save their life!
Below is what will be enforced at the NPS, some of which may well trickle down into the regional races and uplifts:
Regarding helmets: The BC rule book states your helmet must be correctly attached. This means it should be fastened securely using either the clip or through the double D buckle loops. It should not be attached by the pop stud, that is there to secure the excess strap and to stop it flying around.
Please note that being able to take your helmet off without undoing or loosening the chin strap means it is not correctly attached, the Commissaire will be called to warn you. If you are seen a second time then your number board will be removed and your riding for that weekend will be over. You will have to wait in the finish arena until the appointed British Cycling Commissaire comes to speak to you regards any of the above. Please be aware that the BC Commissaire may well be up the course and you may have to wait some time before he is able to speak to you, thus loosing you valuable practice time. Your co-operation to adhere to the rules may help save your life and ensure you get another run down the hill.
Please note BC Commissaires turn up all weekend and work for free, yes it’s voluntary. Their only payment is accommodation, fuel allowance, bacon sandwiches and cups of tea. Their main purpose is to ensure primarily the safety of everyone and secondly that everything is fair.
Si “Superfly” Paton
www.Descent-Gear.com
For 661 Protection.
Must Read This Week
- 1. STUND Episode 5 - Watch Now! 26163 reads
- 2. Andrew Taylor - Bike Check 18226 reads
- 3. Chase Life #9 - Get yo 3's dumped! 14757 reads
- 4. X Fusion Side flight Championships 14378 reads
- 5. Sam Blenkinsop joins Lapierre! 13876 reads
- 6. Team Ok - First Short Film 13019 reads
- 7. Loeka Tech Jacket & Pants Review 12422 reads
- 8. Brendan Fairclough Training Session 12261 reads
120 Comments
- + 28
micahvt
(Apr 8, 2008 at 1:27)
Man, i thought that was real. Excellent way of getting the point across.
dude that wasnt cool to pretned your dead, but it came across very strong which is most likly what your trying to do an should send a good mesage across
probably the stupidest joke i've heard in some time :/
there are many different ways to let us know to close our helmet straps
there are many different ways to let us know to close our helmet straps
That's a great way to get the point across. I was sad when I started reading and all I could think of was all the times I just wear my helmet unstrapped.
Glad to hear you are alright Si, at least physically. I'm pretty sure this story will be in my mind every time I'll even think about not strapping in, and it will make me do it.
So from now on I'm Strapped in you C*nt!
Glad to hear you are alright Si, at least physically. I'm pretty sure this story will be in my mind every time I'll even think about not strapping in, and it will make me do it.
So from now on I'm Strapped in you C*nt!
dude i ws gonna say how ironic it ws tht the guy who would have u DQ'd for havin ur helmet strap undone would end up being rushed to hospital and die cos of it oh well thank fuk for tht
f*cking weak man. it always sucks when a solid racer goes down and doesn't get back up. rest in power si!
[Reply]
I've gotta say I think this ad is pretty sick, putting a headline that someone has died just for advertising!!!
I know that you should always wear a helmet, and make sure that the thing is fastend properly but trying to get this message across by pretending that a dh racer has died is a bit stupid.
I know that you should always wear a helmet, and make sure that the thing is fastend properly but trying to get this message across by pretending that a dh racer has died is a bit stupid.
your missing the point dude, it isnt advertising, cos he aint selling anything here. He is just letting us know the worst case scenario here, also he is an organiser so is responsible for the riders, etc.
Fair point, but you think about your actions too. That article is irresponsible in as much that many won't read further than the first paragraph leaving them with completely the wrong message. It may say "by superfly" at the top but I'm guessing many pinkbike/descent world readers don't have the most critical eye. Fair point, but is this the right way to make it?
you have a point, but ask yourself - would you remember this or would it have as bigger effect on you if that wasn't the headline, and also, if it was just a 'safety' headline, would you actually have read it? you do have a point, i was like 'shit' and then i read the second bit, but if it was just a 'wear your lid' news title - i would never have even looked at it. it just depends on character, some people need alot of force to persuade them, and some people are quite easily disturbed by things, its better to have a definate effect than just to get the message to a smaller minority.
[Reply]
[Reply]
this is very wrong and sick. this is no way to get you point across. if people are stupid enough to not do their lids up prop after being told the f**k them. if they fall and kill them selves then its one less stupid person in the world. super fly? more like stupid fly.
nah dude thats the wrong attitude about this situation, all hes trying to do is keep dudes safe in the sport. man it would suck if you just let you mate race off down the track knowing that he didnt do his lid up , then he crashes and really f*cks himself. all this article is doing is raising awareness of a problem within the sport. i say good on him for wanting to make a change where its needed.
could do it with out being sick. whats wrong with personal responsibility? and its not about helping others, as much as its letting you know the rules as not to get dh racing and uplifts banned in the uk. why not just write about wearing lid and not sensationalizing it? i wear a lid and do it up as not to die if i fall, dosnt take much brain power. how many people do you know that dont where lids and race dh? anyway most mtb lids arent upto the job. i know two people whos lids smashed into tiny bits on impact, and one was a tld. if he was that bothered about head injuries he would be recommending wearing motox lids.
Actually people racing DH and not fastening their helmets is a real problem. This guy had to take someones name at a race recently because he was riding with his helmet undone. So for this guy it is something important - it's not just a sick joke. If you dont like the idea of this article then fair enough, but maybe you should research what you're critisizing. Also, helmets are supposed to break when they save your head - it isnt the sign of a bad helmet.
ginger ninja you do realise that by shattering, the helmets absorbed more of the energy tham if they hadn't of.
Si Paton is the guy who runs the NPS and the only way your going to drill a message like that into the idiots who don't strap up is by shocking them. He's been trying to put this across for years.
all well and good but what happens the next bounce? helmets are designed to crack not shatter. if you hit the ground that hard first time it shatters in to bits, what happens on the 2nd and 3rd bounces?
if its mandatory to race with a lid done up, then the person on the starting gate shouldnt let people start who havnt simple. no pretending your dead or stupid things like that. just seems a bit over the top to me for the point hes trying to make.
if its mandatory to race with a lid done up, then the person on the starting gate shouldnt let people start who havnt simple. no pretending your dead or stupid things like that. just seems a bit over the top to me for the point hes trying to make.
I think it's right way, because it's shocking. How many would listen if there was no story of Paton? Couple years ago I had a crach without properly fasten helmet, when i hit the ground by the first time it (my lid) flew away, and it was about 50 feet from me. Bike went his own way, and my handlebarsn(easton) and ti seat rails (wtb) were smashed. Since then I always attach my lid correctly! thank god it was on my head durring the impact.
It is the right way, what other "story" on the pinkbike homepage gets around 120 comments! (at the time of writing this comment!)
Si, I would advise telling all friends and family before they read this! I was feeling saddened as I read it and i dont even know you! Good way to get the message across though.
I also think people should pay more attention to the type of buckle on the strap of their full face. The little plastic clippy ones are far less reliable than the MTX style loop buckle system. A guy I know came off on a set of tables in Whistler (not a section you would think of as being particularly scary) - broke both elbows, both wrists but the worst part was the fact that he lost his helmet on impact, ended up smashing his jaw in 4 places, knocking out a ton of teeth and bleeding out of his ears.. When the buckle was tested, it turned out that it would come out of its clip if pulled moderately. The guy is still having reconstructive surgery and this happened over a year ago. The lid was a nice one too - a 661 carbon, i forget the model. Anyone know if they are still using the clip buckle system?
Might it have been a 661 Bravo Carbon? Unfortunately they do use a clip buckle system, though I hadn't been aware that they were so unreliable. I currently sport a normal, non-carbon 661 Bravo with the clip buckle system. 
Yeah im pretty sure thats the one. The majority of the buckles are probably fine but I certainly found reading this article ironic, seeing as its written by Si for 661 protection. Not trying to hate on 661, but when you see a bro get messed up that badly its hard to trust 661 stuff ever again for me.
holy crap man my heart sank for you there, very good way of getting the piont across though and please no more
cheers
cheers
Well... This was a strange helmet-enlightment, but a working one!
IMO this wasn't "sick joke" at all.
IMO this wasn't "sick joke" at all.
Am following you on that point man... seems like it's cool these days to let the strap floating in the wind...
I took the time to read everything... It's a bit rough at the beggining better after all why not using that to make people understand it, and if you don't have the decency to read it to the end... you don't even deserve to say RIP to the man... I mean if it was true you should at least spend 5 minutes to read everything...
Any way, wear your helmet properly...
I took the time to read everything... It's a bit rough at the beggining better after all why not using that to make people understand it, and if you don't have the decency to read it to the end... you don't even deserve to say RIP to the man... I mean if it was true you should at least spend 5 minutes to read everything...
Any way, wear your helmet properly...
haha sick but thats the funny part. not the best way of putting things across but it grabbed my attention
good point well made in my opinion , altho it did sadden me quite a it when I first started to read the thread :/ but fair shout there are far too many fools riding with out strapping up , one of them is in my close riding group..
ha ha that was funny,and to be honest can't believe people will still break the rule's,it's not only ignorant to there family but also fellow rider's as it's hard enough finding decent riding spots as is,without some muppet risking it all for glory.
[Reply]
wow i was first shocked, but it's okey to do that like this.
i had befor 6 months a simular accident, and i had the helmet straps attached, but to soft with to much space. then i felt and had a dangerous cerebral haemorrhage. since then i never attach my straps too soft, for sure!
i had befor 6 months a simular accident, and i had the helmet straps attached, but to soft with to much space. then i felt and had a dangerous cerebral haemorrhage. since then i never attach my straps too soft, for sure!
yeah, poor taste. well written, though: i was thoroughly convinced someone had died. now i don't care if they do, i've already read how they did.
I think a lot of people are missing the point here. Yeah it was written in a shocking way, but that is to grabs people attnetion. The point which then follows is something that every rider should be taking home.
It wasnt written as a joke, but a way of making people realise that all it takes is one person to die as a result of not wearing their lid correctly for the sport to be ruined for all. Dont doubt the power of the Health & Safety Executive, they can shut anything down.
I suggest you all re-read the article, in particular the bottom part of it.
It wasnt written as a joke, but a way of making people realise that all it takes is one person to die as a result of not wearing their lid correctly for the sport to be ruined for all. Dont doubt the power of the Health & Safety Executive, they can shut anything down.
I suggest you all re-read the article, in particular the bottom part of it.
We know that it wasnt written as a joke, I love mtb, i dont expect to logon to a website and see a massive headline that a dh racer has died, read a big acticle about how he died and how sad his family are, then at the bottom of the page find out this story is a lie and its supposed to be a promotinal artical about safety gear. This same message could have been achieved without making people think that a dh racer has actual died.
It seems more like a promotion of actually USING the safety gear you already wear. Its not until the very last line that any company was mentioned, and that only underneath Si's name. Everything you mentioned is necessary to make the point as strong as possible for all the people who insist on not wearing their helmets properly. By making it a big deal, people are more likely to remember and take the message to heart than just dismiss it.
it's a shame that it's about a dh rider though because it's bmxer's who need a kick up the ass to make them wear their lids. maybe went a little too far though si
I'm not sure how anyone would understand this as funny, least of all families that have lost loved ones in riding accidents.
"the biker prayer"
when i die bury me deep
lay my bike at my feet
strap my helmet to my head
so i can ride when im dead
when i die bury me deep
lay my bike at my feet
strap my helmet to my head
so i can ride when im dead
@dbox... just think of it like the drink driving ads. Sometimes the shock approach is the best way to get a message across to people.
the only thing sad about this,is the face that some dh pro has to pretend he has died to get the message across.
how many time's do muppet's have to be told to wear a lid,if it were me i would ban the f*****'s until they learned to stop being selfish toward's there family and other rider's.
how many time's do muppet's have to be told to wear a lid,if it were me i would ban the f*****'s until they learned to stop being selfish toward's there family and other rider's.
i think they should have the freedom not to wear there helmets.
if they dont care for the consequences then they deserve to die anyway.
if they dont care for the consequences then they deserve to die anyway.
thats a bit of a stark comment, dont you think? the other point is if someone dies risking their own life by not wearing their helmet, the venue will most likely get shut down
Could have put your point across in a different perspective instead of telling the biking community one of there own is dead.
No way. That's the way to do it. You think this article is in poor taste? Think about it next time you see a cover shot with a helmetless rider. The issue is about the only piece of equipment which can make the difference between living and dying. All your little shin/elbow/chest pads don't save lives, but helmets do.
this was not a joke. not at all!
this is just the only way to get a subject like this into the right heads. you think people who don't do up their helmets will read an regular article about doing up their helmet poperly? no, they won't because they don't give a f*ck. this is the only way to get the relevant peoples attention.
props to si for putting this up
this is just the only way to get a subject like this into the right heads. you think people who don't do up their helmets will read an regular article about doing up their helmet poperly? no, they won't because they don't give a f*ck. this is the only way to get the relevant peoples attention.
props to si for putting this up
[Reply]
[Reply]
I would have fallen for that.....if I hadn't have noticed that it was you that'd written the report.
Have to say though, brilliant and powerful way to get the point across, thumbs up from me.
Have to say though, brilliant and powerful way to get the point across, thumbs up from me.
Really good article, nothing gets the point across like a shock, though evidently some people don't bother reading things completely. Plus alot of people seemed to miss this....
The U.K.'s governing body has just released a statement saying it has decided to suspend all racing and uplifts here in the U.K throughout 2008 whilst a full investigation and inquiry is held. The report and it's recommendations are expected to be made public in September 2008
i.e. what the actual response to such an incident would be. Its not just about the idiots killing themselves its about the damage to the sport as a whole.
The U.K.'s governing body has just released a statement saying it has decided to suspend all racing and uplifts here in the U.K throughout 2008 whilst a full investigation and inquiry is held. The report and it's recommendations are expected to be made public in September 2008
i.e. what the actual response to such an incident would be. Its not just about the idiots killing themselves its about the damage to the sport as a whole.
Exactly, its not just the "I'll wear my lid, and anyone who doesn't should just crash anyway" attitude, all it takes is one major accident and some good lawyers to get trails shut down or resorts closed
[Reply]
bloody hell Si! had me proper gutted there! god!! iv seen u name and shame riders before. and good on you! fair play into shocking everyone into thinking about it!
man I read this and thought "aww f*ck, it's not even april fool's day"
it must be weird to write your own obituary though
it must be weird to write your own obituary though
The U.K.'s governing body has just released a statement saying it has decided to suspend all racing and uplifts here in the U.K throughout 2008 whilst a full investigation and inquiry is held.
I was upset when I came to that bit.
I was upset when I came to that bit.
wow,crazzzzzzy.i got shivers down my spine on that one,as i always ride with my chin strap undone,not anymore ha ha
[Reply]
You F@#!ing C#@* Si, you make a great point but the first few paragraphs really started to bum me out as I thought I had lost a friend.....you Fu@#er!
Thought I was never going to see your ugly ass again.
Keep in touch
Thought I was never going to see your ugly ass again.
Keep in touch
that was daf tman. i thought u were dead a*shole! good way to get point across tho.
just a sick ass joke thats all
just a sick ass joke thats all
wow that was really f*cked up. ridiculously f*cked up. you don't fake death to make a point you f*ckin dick knuckle. i don't care who you are or what you did. that was f*cked up.
id just like to add that ill definitly be clipping up from now on!!so quite an extreme approach but u definitly got ur point across!
i think it was a good aproach, i meen seriously who would have rear a article saying 'do up your helmet' i know for sure i wouldnt have. so thanks for bringing it to my atention and in future ill be checking to make sure my helemt is properly secure.
I think the message was clear. But the main problem is with the BMX guys that constantly do wear a lid at all. Any pics and vids of riders without lids should be removed from the site to set an example. Stupid hurts and then your dead.
well it is the only way people will take note , it will stick . kind of similar with the whole thing with seatbelts in cars it needs sumthin very direct ,shock is 1 of the best advertising mediums . nice 1 si good write up
ana a dnt know ya but i was canny gutted when a red tht, and thts stories gona stick in my mind forever, a ope it does to everyone else aswell
man i was soo disappointed when i read the top section complete shock to read about you not wearing a lid properly. and now i am glad you are still alive. great idea Si brilliant way to get racers and general riders into thinking about there actions
[Reply]
well it may not come across as a very good thing to lie about...but it certainly did get the point across...i personally always buckle up and i got a full face and people are always buggin me about it since all i do is dj but when thay are on a cold slab because they werent buckled up or wearin a helmet at all its their own fault
PROTECT UR BRAIN BOX!
PROTECT UR BRAIN BOX!
F**K MAN! That got my attention! This is worst than April's fool joke! Man, I know I'll never ride again with my strap lose! OMG
Awesome to know your still here, and yeh totally agree, if your doing full on dh racing thn thrs no question tht ur helmet should be tied. Im sure most ppl tht read tbis would have got the message. Good article bt dont ever fake tht ur dead...ever!
[Reply]
thats not cool man, I understand that people need to have their helmets done up. but faking a death, not cool
Dang man.
That was crazy.
Mixed emotions on that homie.
I thought you were dead, a very sincere paragraph or two and the BAM!
Kinda cool and not at the same time.
But anyways.
Way to get the point across.
That was crazy.
Mixed emotions on that homie.
I thought you were dead, a very sincere paragraph or two and the BAM!
Kinda cool and not at the same time.
But anyways.
Way to get the point across.
not cool to pretend you are dead. There are many people who have actually died biking. You could just have easily posted one of their stories.
[Reply]
Whether people liked this or not it will make us all think about the issue, which I suppose was the point. Given that it is an important issue that could save someone from serious injury or worse, it was worth walking close to the "good taste" line.
[Reply]
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Guys,
Yes i'm still alive!!
I spent over an hour of my time typing this little piece up. Why did I do it?
For you the readers. I don't want you to die or to be seriously injured whilst riding your bike and this shock tactic article has already made some of you think whilst you are reading this and no doubt will make you think up on the hill.
I race every weekend here in the U.K and without fail I have to remind dozens of riders to do their lids up. Not because i'm a Commissaire but because I don't want them to be injured, even if I don't know them from Adam..
Yes, we must agree with everyone this was in bad taste and very close to the knuckle as far as journalism goes.
If it helps save one rider from a serious injury or possibly worse then it's done the job hasn't it, even if it was in an unconventional manner.
Now tell everyone i'm still alive as I don't want them having a heart attack when they see me up in the woods dressed in my white TLD kit, they might think they have seen a ghost!!
Cheers.
Si..
Guys,
Yes i'm still alive!!
I spent over an hour of my time typing this little piece up. Why did I do it?
For you the readers. I don't want you to die or to be seriously injured whilst riding your bike and this shock tactic article has already made some of you think whilst you are reading this and no doubt will make you think up on the hill.
I race every weekend here in the U.K and without fail I have to remind dozens of riders to do their lids up. Not because i'm a Commissaire but because I don't want them to be injured, even if I don't know them from Adam..
Yes, we must agree with everyone this was in bad taste and very close to the knuckle as far as journalism goes.
If it helps save one rider from a serious injury or possibly worse then it's done the job hasn't it, even if it was in an unconventional manner.
Now tell everyone i'm still alive as I don't want them having a heart attack when they see me up in the woods dressed in my white TLD kit, they might think they have seen a ghost!!
Cheers.
Si..
Point well made. Just tell all your friends your alive quickly! I've just enjoyed the response to such a controversial article, and like others were saying, i was thinking about the times i havent strapped my lid on securely "just for one run" All it takes is one person to have a freak accident and the rapid growth of this sport in this country could be stopped for good. Thanks for this.
dude I get your point of what your saying and I makes my heart skip every time I hear of a mountain biker kissing the eternal dirt but I have mixed feeling towards this advert. I think the message is loud and clear but to mess with life and death scenarios is right on the edge of what is ethically moral. I work in the health profession and regularly work with just this situation. It affects people in a deep way and I think (and i feel this is how most bikers live) its too raw. We all live on the edge on a bike and as one biker described it as occasional 5 minutes of pure indulgence when all of lifes essentials don't matter. We all make mistakes in the heat of passionate moments. Thats how babies are made!. We all forget little things during important moments and we have all forgotten the little things at times. Bikers take risks which we all calculate. Bikers will always try different things and the type of sport we choose to compete in makes us a breed apart (I'm not exaggerating when I say this from the people I have met). We do this sport because of who we are and putting mainstream care tacticks into it aunt right. If we are all brave enough to take the risk we all have to be man enough to accept the consequences. Let the living live strong. Enough.
Guys,
Of course were still concerned about any two wheel riders out of competition just messing about down their trails. Riding street or their backyard is up to them.
The real concern if for our sport and during competition / uplift days is the real accident waiting to happen. The other year at the Scottish Ae SDA race some lad slipped at the top of the final 30ft drop into the field. He slipped at the top and rolled down the big drop and his helmet came off!! Luckily, very luckily he was O.K. Reports were his helmet wasn't attached properly.
Imagine if the worst had happened and he died? Imagine all the consequences? Now thats a debate right here.. And how would you feel and what would you feel about the whole situation?
Was it his own fault? Was he to blame in anyway? Would you feel deep sorrow for him and his family? How would you feel about being told the race is cancelled? No refund. Go home. Has he wrecked your weekend and cost you loads of $$$$? Could this have been prevented? Will we be racing next weekend? Do I need to cancel the hotel I booked? Do I have to leave workearly still on Friday? Will next weeks uplift be cancelled? What will the press be saying? Will this stop parents buying MTBs for their kids? Will this put riders off riding MTB? Racing MTB? The questions are endless..
Mountainbikepike and everyone else I think your responses have all been fantastic. 8billion people read Pinkbike.com and for sure not everyone is going to like your style.
Tyler from the site e-maild me telling me the serever nearly melted when this post went up.
My points been made, just make sure if your at the U.K Nationals that I organise or any other events that I Commissaire at and you break this rule i'll be coming down on you like a ton of bricks..
Cheers.
Si..
Stay Unclipped. (Your pedals).
Of course were still concerned about any two wheel riders out of competition just messing about down their trails. Riding street or their backyard is up to them.
The real concern if for our sport and during competition / uplift days is the real accident waiting to happen. The other year at the Scottish Ae SDA race some lad slipped at the top of the final 30ft drop into the field. He slipped at the top and rolled down the big drop and his helmet came off!! Luckily, very luckily he was O.K. Reports were his helmet wasn't attached properly.
Imagine if the worst had happened and he died? Imagine all the consequences? Now thats a debate right here.. And how would you feel and what would you feel about the whole situation?
Was it his own fault? Was he to blame in anyway? Would you feel deep sorrow for him and his family? How would you feel about being told the race is cancelled? No refund. Go home. Has he wrecked your weekend and cost you loads of $$$$? Could this have been prevented? Will we be racing next weekend? Do I need to cancel the hotel I booked? Do I have to leave workearly still on Friday? Will next weeks uplift be cancelled? What will the press be saying? Will this stop parents buying MTBs for their kids? Will this put riders off riding MTB? Racing MTB? The questions are endless..
Mountainbikepike and everyone else I think your responses have all been fantastic. 8billion people read Pinkbike.com and for sure not everyone is going to like your style.
Tyler from the site e-maild me telling me the serever nearly melted when this post went up.
My points been made, just make sure if your at the U.K Nationals that I organise or any other events that I Commissaire at and you break this rule i'll be coming down on you like a ton of bricks..
Cheers.
Si..
Stay Unclipped. (Your pedals).
Hi Si,
sorry if I went on a bit in the last e-mail. I think your point was well made and having read more of the responses I think its probalbly a bigger issue than people realise. Certainly bigger than I reckoned after re-reading some of the comments.
To cut a long story short everyone should pay just that little bit more attention that only costs a fraction of a second.
Keep rolling fast and spitting stones. I love this sport and have the greatest respect to the all bikers. Its always good to be reminded every now and again about certain key things and its never a waste of time if it grabs your attention escpecially like it did mine last night. I think your advert was very successful with its message and got a strong point across.
respect.
sorry if I went on a bit in the last e-mail. I think your point was well made and having read more of the responses I think its probalbly a bigger issue than people realise. Certainly bigger than I reckoned after re-reading some of the comments.
To cut a long story short everyone should pay just that little bit more attention that only costs a fraction of a second.
Keep rolling fast and spitting stones. I love this sport and have the greatest respect to the all bikers. Its always good to be reminded every now and again about certain key things and its never a waste of time if it grabs your attention escpecially like it did mine last night. I think your advert was very successful with its message and got a strong point across.
respect.
Post A New Comment
Why was a comment deleted?
1. add additional on topic info to the article that other users will find useful
2. add props and support/encouragement for the video/photo/article/product/story
3. add and explain constructive criticism for the video/photo/article/product/story
1. add additional on topic info to the article that other users will find useful
2. add props and support/encouragement for the video/photo/article/product/story
3. add and explain constructive criticism for the video/photo/article/product/story
RSS
