Tumbling Down the Trail: Opinion

Mar 31, 2016
by Mike Kazimer  
Spinning Circles column Mike Kazimer


Broken radius. Shattered thumb. Broken elbow. Fractured vertebrae. Broken ribs. Separated shoulder. Concussions. Stitches. Abrasions. Bruises. My tally of cycling-related injuries over the last twenty years keeps growing, and I'd be willing to bet there are plenty of mountain bikers out there with similar or even more painful-sounding lists. I don't consider myself particularly accident prone, it's just that when you ride as much as possible every week, year after year, eventually gravity catches up and delivers a knockout punch. And it's not as if those injuries are the result of an Evil Knievel-like disregard for my body's limitations – most of them occurred on trails I'd ridden dozens of times before, until a little extra speed, muddy conditions, or fading daylight conspired to smack me to the ground.

I've become a little superstitious after all of these beatings, and nowadays I start to get worried if I haven't crashed in a while. The way I see it (a way that isn't statistically correct, but that my brain still believes) is that a crash is likely to occur every X number of rides. Each ride past that mystical number is a dance with the devil, and eventually the statistics win. Emerging unscathed from a crash still resets my imaginary inevitable-crash counter, and means I won't need to worry about eating dirt for a little while. This superstition sounds slightly crazy, and it probably is, but it's best the way I've come up with to push aside worries about injuries and focus on the ride.


Huge crash on the chute at Windham WC Round 6
Now that that's out of the way, Sam Bull won't have to crash again for a while.


After an injury occurs (and they will – even the most timid mountain biker is guaranteed to get a scrape or bruise at some point in time), the next step is the hardest – finding the patience to deal with the healing process. I'm used to the slightly disappointed look on my doctor's face when I try to get him to form a cast around a bike grip, or when I accidentally admit that I've been riding off-road weeks before getting the official green light. I like to think that I've become better at waiting the recommended amount of time before hopping back on my bike, but I'm still never going to be in the running for the title of 'World's Most Obedient Patient.'

Trying to explain to non-cyclists why you have a cast on your wrist or a brace on your knee can be frustrating at times – for much of the world, the idea of willingly plummeting down a mountain aboard a bike seems crazy, or at least something that's best left to energy-drink addled preteens. For the non-indoctrinated, mountain bikes are still seen as toys, playthings best left behind once a driver's license is obtained. It's easy to forget how silly the sport that many of us hold near and dear can seem to those who haven't experienced the pure, unfiltered joy that comes from rocketing through the woods at full speed, railing through perfect corners and blasting off of immaculately shaped jumps.

As the oft-quoted Hunter S. Thompson once wrote, “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'Wow! What a Ride!'” Carpal tunnel syndrome from too much time on the computer? A body shaped by the office chair it resides in? No thanks – I'd rather have scars with stories behind them, battle wounds earned from a life shaped by mountain biking and all the adventures that accompany it.

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Member since Feb 1, 2009
1,719 articles

140 Comments
  • 200 17
 Neg prop me for not being "radical" enough. But if the options are; A) ride at 90% and dont write yourself off, go back into work on monday and dont suffer niggles and tweaks in later life or B) Be the Gnarliest dude on the trail pin it and send it and post it first class- break a limb every other week, call in sick to work every other month and have a f*cked pair of shoulders, knees and toes when im older.
Ill take A. I cant stand the "here for a good time not a long time" mentality, im here for both.
  • 87 5
 More importantly, option A means you can ride more.
  • 35 2
 When option B guarantees you no paycheck, gotta go with option A. And as others have mentioned....option A guarantees more riding.
  • 9 37
flag MaxDeutsch (Mar 31, 2016 at 15:28) (Below Threshold)
 @c-dale99: $>bikes? really
  • 52 0
 Even riding 90% is gonna get you jacked up from time to time! Sure, you will crash less, but like Mike was saying all two-wheeled adventurers will eventually eat dirt. Not everybody needs to be a hero and huck 25 foot drops and 50ft tables, but going at 90% for most people is still enough to earn them a cast or brace.
  • 23 1
 @MaxDeutsch: It is when you have bills to pay
  • 9 2
 Another "Option A" here. I can't ride (or work) if I'm injured, and I really like to ride. As I make my way into solid 'old man' territory, accepting the limits your mortality (or resilience) sucks, but it's part of growing up and part of life. I do wish I could send it down that drop or lean it hard on that loose, exposed corner, but then I ask myself "do you want to ride tomorrow?"
  • 5 0
 Option A for me
  • 10 0
 @Billjohn6: just make 25 footer drops and 50 foot jumps your 90%! I understand the argument my dad gives me ("I'm 55, I don't need to be airborne!"), but otherwise, you can work up to however you want to ride, within reason.
  • 7 0
 I agree. I really just want to be able to teach my little girls how to shred one day and be able to keep up.
  • 7 2
 Totally agree. I rode whistler with two buddies last fall. One guy wrapped himself around a tree with a few thousand dollar med bill and the other guy shredded his elbows and knees. I didn't look as cool on A-line but I came home with no injuries.
  • 1 0
 Edit, Double post
  • 6 3
 Option A is basically saying that if you ride at 90 the whole time, you won't get hurt. You can crash on every lap, and anyone of those can destroy you mentally and physically, so if its what you enjoy doing it, why not go 100 and pin it to win it? If you can accept those risks I personally think its worth it.
  • 13 0
 @c-dale99: Also depends on if you've got kids to feed. If I mess myself up and can't take care of the people counting on me - then I'm losing at life. The season is just getting started here, and I'm always watching that line between pushing it and pushing too hard. Writing off parts of the riding season this early isn't worth it for me.
  • 31 0
 most of the time that grin in your face comes up when you start flirting from option A to B...just that foreplay...
  • 1 0
 @Lagr1980: haha this is so true
  • 4 2
 Option C: Ride at 100% and push yourself when the time is right. Midway between Zink and A weekend warrior.
  • 3 0
 @Lagr1980: we're still talking about bikes, right?? Wink
  • 3 0
 Amen to that! Bottom line, it's all about what you value-- what's your priority??? Remember, ur injuries also affects those around you including ur job... I love riding and constantly push myself, but I always keep what I value at the forefront.
  • 4 0
 A for me. Sitting on the Couch after ACL and PCL surgery four weeks ago and not being able to ride Trails for the next half year, not even thinking about skiing the coming winter is a sad thing which makes you think about taking stupid risks compared to just having fun. (When Jumping over a fire, check landing first!!!!)
Having to change Jobs for not being able to attend work for at least 3 months might be another downside...

I got a friend who crashed himself out on literally EVERY bike park visit and Enduro race over the last two years, not talking about crashes in the local woods, to a point where nobody wanted to take him for a weekend. Now he is out for at least half a year with multiple shoulder and wrist surgery ahead of him for never getting that stuff to heal properly. One way to go through your life but I'll stick to the other way when I am back on my bike.
  • 8 1
 I'm on minimum wage Option A can suck my dick
  • 6 0
 I've crashed badly on sections of trail that I've ridden literally hundreds of times before and it wasn't because I was pushing that extra 10%, sometimes shit just happens and IMO whether you are riding at 90 or 100% you will stack it from time to time. How many times have you had a comedy crash with no consequences that would have been so different if there was a tree or rock in the wrong place?
  • 2 0
 To finish first; First you need to finish!
  • 1 0
 that´s it! A)!! not mentioning also the fact: the pain of being kept away from riding trought injuries!!
  • 1 0
 dont know which option to choose but at the end of every bikepark day i always go full retard specially at the last ride of the season and if you ride 90% you would still get injuries atleast once a month. xD
  • 7 0
 The irony, IMHO, is that riding too cautiously carries it's own perils.
It is usually hesitating, second guessing and too much brake that cause most crashes...assuming you are not doing something stupid / high risk.
  • 1 0
 @metaam: how many times would it have been a comedy crash if there wasnt a tree or rock in the wrong place? 3...3 times
  • 1 1
 @andrewgiesbrecht: Yeah... good answer...


If Dad is paying your medical bills. I would have thought that way when I was a teenager, too.

You just don't know what you don't know.
  • 2 0
 Most of my crashes seem to happen when I'm going at about 10% and not paying attention. I take my sweet time working up to stuff and when I do finally try something that feels "gnarly" to me, it ends up being way easier than I thought. I'm a dad who freelances to doing shit that is way out of my comfort level is just straight up irresponsible, cause not being able to work costs me 1000s of dollars.
  • 2 0
 @JesseE: the times i really injured my self were when i was riding slower than normal,and not even gnarly trails. I fractured my shoulder blade last year on a trail i was shutlling and riden more than 50 times,on the same day i did full race run slyle laps and always good, last lap was simply flowing and both my tyres loose traction on a smal lip and i get my self ejected shoulder first at 35 k/h, this just a example that every time i get a serius crash and injur my self (3 times in my life, shoulder blade, fractured wrist and a partial ruptured frontal knee tendon) is always smal crashes. And i have several times crashed above 50 k or at 8 meters jumpes and came away with nothing and the more bas8c crashes are the worst when you are not even pushing
  • 50 1
 Not only do I feel like if I've gone past X amount of rides without crashing that I'm on borrowed time but, the more rides I keep surviving the worse the coming injury is going to be.

Gets to bike park and realizes was statistically supposed to crash last trip. Hops on bike and tips over in parking lot. Yells out "that counts" and thinks to self, "whew that was close".
  • 27 1
 The more you crash the better you get at it.
  • 5 14
flag niliusw (Mar 31, 2016 at 18:29) (Below Threshold)
 @Helm72: I subscribe to the belief that if you aren't crashing, you aren't riding hard enough. I crash alot, naturally. I have crashed up to 11 times in one ride. You get extremely skilled at it, and after an amount of time, you don't hurt yourself more than some elbows and knees; Then you get back up and ride again. Sure, you'll have the occasional baddie, but this is better than being a wussy.
  • 3 1
 So I agree wholeheartedly.
  • 4 0
 @Helm72: tuck & roll
  • 12 0
 I think that every time you crash you roll a dice that has ten thousand faces. Thousands of faces say something trivial like bruising, gravel rash, hundreds of faces say broken arm, torn ligaments etc. But a few faces say permanent disability or death. The more you roll the dice, the more chance there is of it showing a very ugly face. So my philosophy is to try not to roll the dice.
  • 1 0
 @Helm72: I absolutely agree. I crashed only twice last season, went over the bars both times. But I vaulted the bars and landed on my feet both times and enjoyed the rest of the day. Just comes with experience.

I think going balls to the walls constantly is for youths. I prefer to ride at 80% of my abilities most of the time.
  • 7 0
 @iamamodel: you roll the dice when u get out of bed in the morning
  • 2 0
 @riggadon if you didn't flip in the vault- you weren't trying hard enough Wink
  • 41 6
 As the oft-quoted Hunter S. Thompson once wrote, “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'Wow! What a Ride!'”

^this!
  • 9 1
 Love it! He also said something along the lines of it's better to be shot out of a cannon than squeezed out of a tube. When I need to convince myself to not be a nancy he is always good for inspiration.
  • 9 1
 the possibility of physical and mental collapse is now very real. no sympathy for the devil, keep that in mind............


www.pinkbike.com/video/398562


buy the ticket, take the ride.
  • 2 0
 I actually witnessed HST getting shot out of a canon. True story.
  • 52 19
 "Carpal tunnel syndrome from too much time on the computer? A body shaped by the office chair it resides in?" - righteous words but you make the mistake of thinking that MTB is a pursuit above all others. what about the man who works long hours at a desk job only to go fishing st the weekend? the man who works an extra job trading stocks online to provide for his family? neither have time nor interest to pursue MTB

the self righteous MTB monoculture gets old when the author has to put down others to convince himself of the importance of his own time, expense, effort, and dedication to something that is becoming an "industry" more than a counterculture/alternative pursuit of leisure and pleasure

MTB is just as much faked brand loyalty, marketing, advertising, unethical and questionable production processes, short termism, retail hell, disposable purchasing, support of third world labour abuses, questionable environmentalism, and much more

too much time fully immersed in the world of MTB denies you an objective view of the world

tL;dr not to MTB is not "bad"
  • 55 1
 You're right, there's nothing wrong with not mountain biking. But there is something wrong when too much working and a lack of physical activity leaves you shaped like a baked potato. I don't care how people choose to recreate - rollerblading, speed walking, LARPing, whatever, as long as they make sure to find a balance in their lives, and to spend as much time as possible outdoors.
  • 5 0
 @mikekazimer: even telemark skiing? As dangerous as it may be?
  • 7 1
 @mikekazimer: what the hell is larping
  • 2 0
 @dropoffsticks: live action role playing
  • 60 10
 @gnarbar. I am not sure that Mike tried to bring us office rats down but I could not have better said is myself when it comes to the rest. MTB is a fake passion for the people who keep it rolling that is those who buy bikes and related accessories. Those who watch commercials of products that are put on MTBers. I just met a dude who says he loves biking but he can barely ride. He sucks ass since years. How can he say, he loves biking when you compare him to a guy like Hill who puts his ans family life onthe line by riding a bike. No the guy I met is barely an enthusiast, but the way "passion" is measuredis pretty much by the price of your bike and nr of your pictures on it.

Then comes the archetype of a hero. Another unreal object in our MTB lives. Since I understood how it works I have developed alot of compassion for "fans of the sport" and at the same time a certain level of disregard to pro athletes, because they no longer inspire me and I truly believe there is very little water in their job of "inspiring" and "entertaining" people. The fact that someone can do onething very well no longer impresses me, because how much less impressive is a combination of skills? I learned to appreciate what I do at the office, and what I have learned. I serve humanity on so many levels, almost everyone does.

As to crashing, that's very impressive and interesting to a kid but sorry, get kids yourself Mike. As much as I learn from these pitiful crashes and unimpressive injuries, I don't fkng care if I go with a bang or not. When you have a 4 and 2 year old at home you really appreciate lack of injury or any form of sickness. When you walk around house on painkillers with limited movement and two monsters crave for your attention you feel like you are dying, like they are sucking days off your life, tearing the very fabric of what keeps your heart beating. And then you watch your spouse getting tired and wasted for having one more kid at home. It's a very high price to pay and saying that it's worth it, is only a way of dealing with it. No medals will ever be given as the Pale Blue dot flies through the universe. Make whatever you want from it, but hell, the idea that there is dome universal law making someone's way of life worth more than anothers is as delusional as it is common. Someone has to do the grind, someone has to make the light bulbs shine and chain lube come into the bottle and their lives have little to do with inspirational, cheesy "factory visit".

All we can do is to enjoy the ride and the first crime against it, is feeling like you'd like to be in someone elses shoes. I said it numerous times - I value lady cleaning toilets at my ofgice higher than World Champ in DH. Because she affects my life. Everyday. I have no intention to save her from this supposedly horrible existence, by becoming FB friends with her and sending her some motivational bullsht from a Yoga teacher like: it's not about errors of yesterday but possibilities of tommorrow. I'm just saying thank you to her. That's the best thing I can do. Or would she be happier in a promo with GT racing team?

We all have injuries, some are sustained by hitting the ground, and some by a deadline at work, or by disease of our family member. It's just a fkng hobby of a life form on the surface of a Pale Blue dot.
  • 4 2
 @WAKIdesigns: deep, but I like your response
  • 9 1
 @WAKIdesigns: said with the perspective of a man with a balanced family life. Well said! And thank you.
  • 4 0
 I just ride my bike when I have time and appreciate I have the time and money to do it. Balanced life works best
  • 1 0
 I got carpal tunnel from complications from breaking my wrist...and some screws and a plate, from a crash. All from not paying full attention over a root ball, BS'ING with the riders ahead and behind... Anyway, lesson learned. To paraphrase Ferris Beuller, PAY ATTENTION.
  • 9 1
 @mikekazimer: I'm a mountain biker and shaped like a baked potato :$
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I thought we were on a green dot?
  • 3 3
 Great words Waki, if only i could props you more than once.
  • 2 0
 @dropoffsticks: sadly, I know...it stands for live action role playing...the movie "Role Models."
  • 1 0
 That's where I saw it too lol great movie!!!
  • 2 1
 @WAKIdesigns you are a wise man. We all must work within the confined of the lives we chose to live. For me I'm the sole earner and self employed with 2 little mouths to feed. I've learnt that offs are NOT acceptable. Now days I will happily settle for a 20-30 mile XC ride hust to be able to get the cranks spinning.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I tottaly agree with you man (my kids are 1, 2 & 4 years old so you can understand the energy they suck from my body) but EVERY time I ride my bike I cant help but going faster and faster.
I try to calm down my riding as much as I can but when I get in the state of mind (concentration level that is) that I ride best I forget everything, kids, wife, work, problems.
I suppose that is the best thing with action sports and that is the factor that clears your brain every time you have a good ride.
What I try to do is ride wisely that is not taking jumps, drops and risks on trails that I havent checked the same day but even this is hard to me....
Maybe i'm just a fool....
OK there you have my morning psycotherapy...
Thanks again man!
  • 3 0
 @gapos999: wow, I don't even want to imaginehaving 3 kids. You and your wife are tough. I am also trying to push (more with fitness and skill learning than with daring) and both of my bails last year ironically happened due to being overcautious, read: lacking confidence. One with concussion one with torn ligament in my arm. In both cases I was tired and untrained. James Wilson told me something extremely wise lately, on a different subject but still: the key is to work on making your comfort zone bigger from the inside, not just by stretching the edge by balancing onit. In this way we can excell in a relatevily controlled manner. There are times inlife to go yolo, and times to take it ine step at a time. When my kids will get bigger and more manageable I'll start taking greater risks again. Right now I don't even take bigger risks at work, by taking more than I could bare giving me unncesseary stress. Trying to get No overtime. Every act pf pushing the edge, pushes pressure on my wife. We're in this together whether we like it or not.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: deep words indeed. I ask myself those questions ("if you don't crash you're not trying hard enough" theories etc) and your views are interesting. I guess the situation is much easier when your beloved rides with you, understanding the sport and taking the same risks...

Note on "yolo" : only one life means as much "do crazy stuff or you will regret it" as it means "be careful because this is your only life". Life is too short to spend it in a hospital!
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: having three kids is not a drama... Wink C'mon you have two already, third is going to be risen by them, not you! Big Grin

As for the riding. Be smart. Meaning make you comfort zone bigger by extending it from inside as you put it down already. Get fit. Stretch as much as you can. And take small steps. You're 30 yo, so you must have some "riding wisdom" already. You know what to do and when.
  • 1 0
 @szusz: I am not taking that risk Wink I'd rather take some drop at Rampage. My two are hyperactive enough and my daughter is as messed up as I am.
  • 3 4
 @WAKIdesigns: You are going to get your worst injury when you finally fall off your "High Horse". I am curious how you became the resident expert on the entire universe. I suffered my worst biking injury when I didn't have the " guts " NOT to ride a jump trail I have never ridden before because I didn't want to look like a pansy in front of some buddies and broke both my scafoids coming up 2 feet short on a step up. I had to cut one of the casts off the next day to be able to perform my heavy lifting, truck driving delivery job. I was careful about how I used said wrist. But it was still a vicious cycle of bad decisions caused by one bad decision. I never missed a day of work against doctors orders. I don't know if it has effected my physical riding ability to this day, but it definitely made me a better rider. I don't normally comment. Just read. But you really get my juices flowing with your holier than thou rants. We all take chances. You sir are not more important than anyone and your opinion or perspective is not more or less correct than anybody else's.
  • 5 0
 @kevander: dude, I am guessing you don't have kids and a partner reliant upon your income? It's a cliche but you will understand Waki's comments if you do.
  • 1 4
 @fartymarty: Are you saying that your children make you more important? Did you not read my comment? Own up to your decisions. Even if that is the choice to have kids. I went to work out of consideration for my coworkers who shouldn't be affected by my choices. Just like your children.
  • 1 2
 @MX298: no one should ever telemark.
  • 3 0
 @fartymarty: Exactly! I've come full circle with my riding now that I too have 2 little ones. I started with xc, pushed limits of gravity for years and now I'm riding xc again. If I go down I'm taking a whole family with me. Kids change everything.
  • 3 0
 @kevander: kids make me (and my needs) less important hence I have to tone down what im doing when riding. If I was 20 again I would be pushing my limits (and probably my luck). As Waki said before once the kids are older I can start pushing it again. It all relates to where you are in your life... there's no right, no wrong which is why our sport is great.
  • 1 0
 @fartymarty kind of funny how it used to be my dad pushing me when I was little but now I'm pushing him. On the rare occasion we get to ride together I'm always trying to get him to do that rock garden a little bit faster, send that jump just a little more. Super fun, love riding with the old man. He started out trail riding, and I don't think he expected having kids to lead to him riding DH
  • 1 2
 @fartymarty: I understand what you are saying. I am not an advocate of pushing limits and being hardcore. I ride within my boundaries, that I have taken many years to figure out. Like anyone I have desires to go above my skill level occasionally and if the situation feels right, that's great. I have been teaching my girlfriend for a few years now and I actually think I hold her back due to my experience in the field. A lot of my riding buddies have kids and I see their priorities change, I get it. Some people can't have kids, does that make them a lesser human? Are they missing out on life? It's all perspective. The irony of this is when I (myself and nobody else) broke both wrists I had to cover people at work who constantly couldn't come to work because of their respective children. I wouldn't dare ask them to do the same for me because of my injury. Ownership. Anyways, I am going to go back to reading rather than commenting. My bone was never with you, it was Waki. I hate the way he talks down to people.
  • 6 0
 @kevander: i am sorry If I got on the high horse and as to having kids I did not mean, I am any better or any more entitled to have a say in the subject. What I meant was that priorities change because they have to change, there is no way around it. I was simply challenging the ever present notion of "go big or go home" with life value being measured with how much risk one takes and bruises and scars being the record of one's achievement. Nothing to Mike either. It's just like with any ideology, it's a failed one because it cannot stand up to diversity of human circumstances. As to your lifting sht with broken wrists - the same as with anything else - only you can give yourself a medal for that. I wasted years after studies on being loyal, working crazy overhours, losing whole nights of sleep, working with 39C fever on ibuprofen, blocking my nose with Xylomethazolin, and coughing by some other chemical sht. Tohide I am sick. 4 coffees a day, nicotine, nervous breakdowns by the side of the road, wheeping like a child in the midst of passing people. I got nothing for it, they even fired me. When we are 20-40 nobody gives a tiniest fk about our "ethics" and "motivations" so we may as well relax. Nobody ever thanks soldiers until they are dead.
  • 3 0
 Not talking down to you, just sharing observations.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: nobody "gets that" which you speak of, until they have lived that life and pushed themselves hard. for nothing. fuk them. look after yourself. the only thing in all this BS is a good happy rounded life. have a good life - live big or go to sleep for a nap. but "going big" wins no prizes and when you are dust in the grave, nobody else will give a crap
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: fair enough. I will admit I got a bit lost in anger in my original comment and lost my point. That's sad to hear that in your particular line of work there is no reward for loyalty and ethics. Sounds like work wise you chose a path of "bigger" reward which always comes with bigger risk. The parallels to biking are sort of ironic. Provide more for your family, but risk providing nothing when you are replaced. I don't believe anyone has job security in this day and age but you can earn respect in you respective field. My job lets me enjoy my life without taking the pressures of the job home too much. I start very early in the morning and could basically ride my bike almost every day if I wanted to. So basically, I am going to log out right now and cancel my account so that I am not even tempted to get involved in this circus ever again. I have been reading this comment section for years and years and managed not to get involved. I am not sure what happened this time. It's not that I don't have the time, I am just going to back to riding my bike which is why I am on this website in the first place.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Apparantly you can not cancel your account. Probably should have looked in to that before declaring. Anyone? Little help here. Do I have to get myself banned? Because I could probably pull that off.
  • 1 0
 @kevander: A little off topic but I work with a lot of Architects and get Wakis situation. Most I know now work for themselves now. Maybe uts a Gen X thing... Its no fun making the man rich at the expense of your own happiness. Ive been there and done that too and now work for myself.
  • 11 0
 As I grow older I seem to manage risks a bit better. When a crash occurs its due to something unusual happening, not from doing something stupid. A good set of pads and quick reflex action saves you most of the time. Based on the stat factor I'm overdue. What the hell I agree with Hunter Thompson.
  • 9 0
 As I sit at my desk I can see blue sky & sunshine ( rare in Wales) and I know my local trails are drying out to perfection, unfortunately my cracked ribs won’t let me play.

This article strikes a chord with me too having had my last big crash 2 weeks ago and statistically it was due. My stats say I crash big twice a year. I rationalise this by saying to progress you must push and pushing your limits often involves crashing. It’s a price I’m prepared to pay to keep improving as getting better, going faster, riding gnarlier lines, hitting bigger jumps is what I love about Mountain biking. Let’s face it “if you aren’t crashing you aren’t trying” some ride “safe” and within their limits and still enjoy their biking, it’s just not the way I ride. I’ve made it to 55 and am riding harder than ever, I hope I have another 10yrs of hard riding ahead but I am all too aware that shredding is age limited. I intend to make the most of the next 10 years and continue to push my riding accepting the crashes ahead. As others have said not being able to ride is way more painful than the injuries but I have learnt not to get back on the Bike too early. I assess new jumps and trail features to minimise the risks but accidents will always happen.

Life is for living, get out and try something new and challenging on your bike, crashing isn’t failure is all part of progressing.
  • 1 0
 I find i crash when I'm out of synch between body and mind,happens a few times when I've been off the bike for a few weeks or when I'm tired and not in the flow!
Came off yesterday at Antur trying a new line and at 51 should have known better and stuck to the easier one! Smile
But like you,I'm riding harder than ever,wouldn't have it any other way,I'd get bored,lose concentration and crash even more!

Sore hand today,so a lot of ice should do the trick so i can go racing on Sunday! Wink
Heal up soon! the sun is still shining in Gods own Wink
  • 7 0
 Funny this article should come out. I dislocated my left knee on Sunday while in a bike race. Worst part I was not even on my bike. I was in fact pushing (walking not running) said bike up a muddy hill. I got to the top of the hill heard a POP and dropped like a sack of sh1t. It's crazy we all think mtb can be dangours, which it can be. But seirously I hurt my self WALKING MY BIKE. lesson of the day. ITS NOT SAFE TO WALK. Ride my friends ride.
  • 5 0
 I never believed the old farts telling me that I'd feel all my healed up injuries from sports and motorcycle crashes when I got older. I was wrong + they were right I realize as I'm getting older. The past injuries come back to haunt you! Lifting weights, hitting a speed bag + stretching helps allot.
  • 1 1
 I'm still too young to feel the effects from my injuries, but I am far more active off the bike now and am generally more safe. Even started to stretch because I heard that it will help hold off some pain when you're older. Also focus more on reading and mind games because I figure 3 concussions means I'm on my way to dementia and want to hold it off as long as possible.

Injury list, if anyone cares, is: broken elbow, humorous, tibia, fibula, the 4 big bones in my foot, cracked a rib, bruised a rib, broke a toe, dislocated my hip, separated my shoulder, separated a rib from my spine, lacerated my spleen, 2 hernias, 3 concussions, and more. Always forget the whole list. Countless stitches and cuts but I don't tend to count those.
  • 3 0
 Constant pain from 3 plates and 20 screws in my leg until I get my my total kneed replacement in around 10 to 20 years time? Yes I regret "trying" downhill racing. Should have stuck to the normal "average Joe" riding that I was only ever average at best at.
  • 4 1
 I can deal with the looks and goofy questions from my doctor and coworkers. I'm just not sure which is worse; the fact that I can't ride for weeks or months, or the fact that my wife is again going to ask me if I'm ready to give up mountain biking because I'm injured again.
  • 26 2
 Time for a new wife
  • 4 1
 @Tmackstab: AMEN TMACK! Or you could do what I did and marry a mountain biker chic. She not only gets it when I crash, she gets it when I want to spend $$ on nice bikes and gear.
  • 3 0
 Dude! Its not crazy. I went over the bars on my last ride, I felt so relieved, riding away... phew got that out of my system.
Then later the with the soreness come the flashbacks come of the tibial plateau fracture, smashed patella, fractured ribs, clavicle, wrist, and all the other injuries associated with the daily beatings; and what you gonna do? Tomorrows long ride day!
  • 3 0
 We crash because we ride.

I've been MTN Biking for over 20 years now and the one thing I've learned well is that the more I ride the better I get. Crashes come when you feel you dominate one stage and you want to pass into the next. In the real world (that real boring world of everything else rather than MTN Biking) they call it "learning from the experience".

So... if you wanna get better, learn from your crashes and take your time to step onto the next stage.

Cheers,
Beer
  • 3 0
 I don't have sensational skill, a sensational bike or sensational injury stories. What I do have is a family and a job with no sick pay so my limits only get pushed a tiny amount on every ride but I love my sport and the idea of being in the woods or on the hills so will ride with that all in mind. Mountain biking is only extreme in the pleasure I get from it, an adventure ride rather than a roller-coaster ride. Each to their own.
  • 2 0
 I couldnt relate more to a PB article!
Yeah you play the game long enough, sure enough sooner or later it kicks your ass! Ive been riding for the best part of almost 2 decades now as well, i've had my fair share of big offs small scrapes and such, its all part of the game, its all a drawn out risk assessment, yeah you can do all you want to mitigate the inevitable but sooner or later it'll catch up the odds are forever against you.
Few days ago, I was riding the same old trails flat out as usual, that same jump that i've hit and cleared 100x over, but this time for some reason my right foot slipped of the pedal and the crank dug into the take off of the jump and catapulted me into the air landing me unceremoniously on my head/back/ass, yeah i'm seriously stiff, sore, bloody, bruised and swollen, but like every other knock down, i'll do my time i'll let the wounds heal, and then i'll get right back at it, its just one of the many prices we pay as riders, sometimes we pay with blood and pride not just money, sooner you realise that the stronger of a rider you will be.
  • 2 0
 Crashing and ending up badly injured sucks big time, 2 years ago a tree saved me from a 60 foot drop, ended up just battered and bruised but very lucky. A few months later somehow went over the bars and corkscrewed and landed on my back, water everywhere but not a mark on me, the Camelback took the full impact, Lucky again. Fast forward to 5-months ago when my luck ran out and also thought I was invincible, resultant crash caused a very badly separated shoulder requiring extensive surgery, Sh*t . I am recovering but still a long way from recovered. !!
  • 3 1
 LOL! Why is there always a "crash" article after I just ate shit.

Yup, just had a crash a couple of days ago on the most benign part of the trail (washed out the front end because I couldn't perceive the absence of a bank during a turn... that's what happens when your depth perception is worse with age). Anyway, I've got road rash in places I shouldn't, and my body aches, but nothing's broken.

But what I got out of that crash was as long as I stay within 100% (or much lower), and barring any freak circumstance, I shouldn't worry too much about consequences because consequences will ALWAYS be a part of riding, especially when you ride responsibly and take measured risks.

Rubber side down, bros. =)
  • 2 0
 This really strikes a chord with me. EXACTLY 1 year ago from tomorrow I shattered my foot strolling casually down a trail that I know very well. I wasn't doing anything stupid but as you say, gravity will eventually catch up with you (also my tire blew out). The non-athletes in my life scoff at the fact that I was riding with my fracture boot on 3 months after reconstructive surgery and on the same day my doc released me to "load bearing as tolerated". I even had people yell on the trail "now that is commitment!". But unless you've sat idle on a couch for 3 months (or longer) it's hard to describe the agony of not being able to do the thing that keeps you whole.
  • 2 0
 I ride for fun. If I'm injured and sitting on the couch I'm not having much fun. So, if I tone it down just a bit, don't ride like I know I'm out of my abilities, then I feel better about being able to ride tomorrow.
That being said, I still crash, but usually it's just scrapes and bruises instead of broken bones. At least for the last couple years anyways... "superstitious knock on wood"
  • 2 0
 What timing Mike. On 3/19 in a single crash I: broke my wrist, broke 4 ribs that punctured my lung lining, fractured 3 vertebrae and fractured my pelvis. Plus random soft tissue damage in my shoulder and elsewhere that just hurts.

The down time is very painful and very hard. Plus the fact that once I'm mostly healed Ill have lost a ton of fitness that ill have to work to regain.
  • 1 0
 fractured sternum and chipped collar bone in august, my therapist had me back on a bike within a month and i was still crashing! Most recent was a bad concussion and i couldnt drive for almost a week.The doctor asked me when i got my first concussion i wasnt sure but my first good smack was when i was 9 years old. Now people tell me that i cant have a career in construction and do extreme sports or think im plain foolish for still riding. Either way it makes me happy so ill keep riding!
  • 1 0
 I'm on my first of 6 weeks off with a broken foot (just as the sun has decided to show up) This is my first injury that's kept me from riding in at least 6 years. Guess I'm overdue.

All I know is, however shitty the first climb will be, the descent will be hella sweet!
  • 1 0
 Very good article! Iam recovering from a small injury, but still it doesn´t let me ride under this lovely sun. As complement to the info i think that a good level of fitness (Higher muscle mass protecting both bones and ligaments) and some skills like low reaction time response and good decision making can lead to less severe consequences in situations of crashes.
  • 1 0
 I'm 2 months into the healing process of breaking my ankle after a stack testing out a new jump me and my mates built.
Longest 2 months of my life!
When the dr tells you "there's a chance you may never have full and proper use of that foot again" it really makes you sit back and ponder if this wild world of mtbing with the mud, the blood and the beers is worth the risk.
But then I see my bike sitting there parked up in my room looking all sexy and dangerous, teasing me to ride her again, that slaps me back to reality quick smart.
Can't wait to rider that buckin b*!ch again!!
  • 5 1
 I sit at my desk every day with an MTB related shoulder injury giving me grief. Worth it.
  • 3 0
 Getting diabetes from being lazy and eating chips all day because biking is too dangerous seems crazy for some reason...can't quite put my finger on it
  • 1 0
 I used to think in a similar way, but not anymore. We make the statistics, not the other way around Smile . Superstition is no good, it can lead to more fear, that often makes us bikers overreact and crash because of that.

Luckily, I never had any serious crash. Most of my falling happened on familiar tracks, I think this is because my awareness lowers when confidence increases. It's important to always focus on the path, since it's never exactly the same.
  • 1 0
 I'm sitting here bloody with a possible broken wrist. I'm never taking out a hire bike again, unless it has proper tyres (aka not made of rubber so hard it could be wood). Combined with a very wet set if tracks and here I am. Guess its the beach in the rain tomorrow then and some beer :/
  • 3 0
 I don't crash often but just got back from a riding holiday and had 4-5 crashes in a week. I should be good for a few years now, right?
  • 2 0
 I don't crash often, but when I do I do it with DOS EQUIS.
  • 2 1
 Broken bones are not trivial issues but to be honest, when compared to head injuries, theyre small time. With the concussion issue being tackled by the NFL and the acknowledgment that head injuries can lead to dementia later in life, that is what keeps me a bit more grounded.
I can break bones and be a happy 80 year old with shitty joints & f*cked up x rays, but I can't get to that point if I end up like my father, with a form of dementia at 55 & being completely incapacitated at 58. While there's no evidence his was caused by head injuries (of which he had many) it very well may be related to the many chemicals he was exposed to growing up & working around (of which, there were also many).
As much as it seems like some crashes arent a big deal, when you ring your bell well enough, youre putting your future self at risk. Which is why that even though it hurt my wallet I dropped some cash on a new MIPS helmet when i had a bad enough spill.

With the connected world we live in & the adored athletes we spend our time following well into retirement, we will see these people become afflicted with these mental disabilities in a way that was not possible before. It's going to suck.

That said, I dont think my Dad would have wanted me to have fewer scars. Just better gear & maybe a little more fear.
  • 1 0
 What about the other people on the trail? Seeing someone get badly injured always sucks. Not to mention when someone gets injured others around will usually stop their fun to help.
Not sure what its like in other parts of the world, but when theres too many injuries on one trail it either gets dumbed down or closed for good.
In my younger years I used to ride with some real kamikaze pilots, I'm glad I dont anymore.
  • 1 0
 Ive always had a similar superstition about the period of time between crashes. I've found that after a certain period of time I start to fear crashing. This tends to affect concentration and a very mild panic will set in from time to time. Ultimately this ends in a crash. Also, I've always said crashing is an art form, and like any form of art, practice makes you better. I've found a regular bail here and there keep me more graceful and im usually able to ride it out to an extent or roll out of it with some success. Many have said riding at 90% is better but I strongly disagree. I've had more accidents when doing nothing risky or intentionally holding back. One of my worst crashes took place while coasting leisurely down a flat gravel road on my way back from a ride.

Ride with what feels natural even if that is pinned and your skills will work in your favor.
  • 1 0
 Funny, I was chatting with one of my friends during class and when she noticed a recent scrape on my knee I ended up showing her and recalling the stories of all my other scars and that. (All of which are on my arms and shins, I've never had super bad luck crashing except for the one time my seat completely crushed my balls during a XC race, otherwise I've always been rather elastic.)

I've still got two long purplish scars going up my left arm from getting aquainted with a tree this summer. They're fun to show off every now and then. Smile
  • 1 0
 Great write up! I would say that almost all of us here on PB can relate to this by having had some form of accident that's kept us off our most prized possession for a few days if not weeks or months! I have had my share of injuries (dislocated both wrists and both thumbs, broke my wrist, dislocated a shoulder, had many sprained ankles, popped a few ribs out, and a few concussions). Wiping out is part of our sport, it's inevitable no matter how careful you are, but there's a reason we keep being drawn back to our bicycles. It's the adrenaline rush, the fun you have with friends, the great stories you can tell after an amazing ride, and just for the love of the sport!
  • 1 0
 Crashing sucks but it doesn't dent my ego the way it used to. That's because I have come to accept it as part of the sport and always try and take something away from a fall, try and learn something and improve my skills. I most hated crashing when my skills were static and I didnt know what I had done wrong or how to correct it.That said, I have had some bad , for me, injuries lately, a messed up shoulder from a fast dead sailor and torn ligaments knee from a gentle crash in the Alps. Recovering from damage like this takes far too long and affects not only your riding life but family too...
  • 1 0
 Every time I have a bad crash, I slow down a bit and focus on fundamentals -- for a while anyway. I slowly get complacent again, forget that I am almost 50, and go fast (for me anyway) again. Until the next crash. I can pretty much count on one good one every season, and I do get nervous if I get near the end of a season and haven't had one. Luckily no broken bones lately, but bruised ribs suck (superman, tuck and roll!).
  • 1 0
 "Emerging unscathed from a crash still resets my imaginary inevitable-crash counter, and means I won't need to worry about eating dirt for a little while" with me is complitey different; after every crash I start to ride slower, and the longer it lasts with no crash, the faster I ride untill I crash.
  • 1 0
 This hits home. Had my knee scoped on Monday. They removed my lateral meniscus. Followup is on Tuesday where I'll find out how long I can expect to be off the bike. The wait sucks already.
  • 3 0
 Here I am with a torn A-C Joint and multiple rib separations....I can relate.
  • 1 0
 that's a good combo
  • 4 0
 Unrelated injuries suck worse.. They keep you off the bike as well
  • 1 1
 My riding has progressed every year since I started riding. I was sure my first year on a full suspension last year would end in an injury since I was able to carry so much more speed. The opposite happened, I put my riding on a whole other level. I went to the bike park twice and learned a ton. I think it really comes down to being confident but not cocky. I'm a confident rider but I also know when to save it for another day, or at least a day when I can practice in a safer environment with medics around. This has enabled me to stay on the bike, improve my skills, and increase strength. Injury isn't part of the sport and in my opinion it is what separates the cocky from the confident.
  • 3 0
 right shoulder...15 staples.....both thumbs......13 ribs.....i suck but my bikes rock
  • 1 0
 people say biking is dangerous, same people drive while talking or txting on their phone, cross the street without looking, eat unhealthy, and sit on the couch all nite watching tv...
  • 2 0
 Hopefully this will push the bike industry to provide us with a handy dial and read-out so we can set what % of our ability we want to ride at.
  • 2 0
 'Moderation' gets us to the grave in the most ideal fashion I think. Statistically speaking.
  • 3 0
 Evil should make a slope bike called the Knievel.
  • 1 1
 or the "k-n oath"
  • 2 0
 I wish I crashed more... seriously! I obviously don't push it enough.

*Writes in notepad, "try harder, crash more"
  • 1 0
 Great article. I love hearing the opinions on some people of the highest pedestal overlooking the industry. Whether I agreed with it or not, it was a good read.
  • 1 0
 Crash a got a concussion yesterday. Sucks!! The worst part is I'm off the bike for a while.
  • 1 0
 Good article and good timing... I broke a rib 2 days ago and have had all the same thoughts as Mike!
  • 1 0
 Crashing is equivalent to earthquakes, the longer you go without having one, the more violent your next one will be.
  • 2 0
 I have the same superstition.
  • 2 0
 Nuff respect Stacy kohut..
  • 2 0
 Ride on mower = broken neck; bike = fun times - go figure
  • 1 0
 Sadly keeping the rain on the roof is more important than riding like a maniac , sad but true , I must be getting old !
  • 1 0
 I too suffer from the 'eh, not crashed for a while... big one coming' paranoia.
  • 1 0
 Ride to ride another day????♨
  • 1 0
 *Smiles*







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