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Scars

Oct 25, 2013 at 22:07
by Danielle Baker  
Scars and tattoos are often compared, however while tattoos are used to purposely decorate, commemorate or remind us why we don't drink tequila, scars are usually forced upon us. I got my first scar when I was eight, I went over the handle bars of my bike and landed on the jagged end of a stump. Your first scar in life gives you much freedom, like the first time you scratch the paint on a new bike or drop your $600 helmet, it's game on after that. Years later a friend's mom looked at me and exclaimed "Look at your legs! If you were my daughter you would be grounded!" If I had worried about preserving my legs my whole life, I would be boring as hell!


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  Darren - Shattered heels, cliff drop/road gap gone bad.


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  Steve - Multiple compound fracture, torn fascia, hardware removed.


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  Phil - Degloved knee, SPDs and big dirt jumps, 44 stitches.


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  Stuart - Whistler Bike Park carnage.


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  Celina - Broke top of tibia bailing on a really small jump.


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  Rebecca - Shattered collarbone, eight screws and a titanium plate.


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  Isabel - Beauty marks.


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  Phil - Bone graft for knee surgery.


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  Arthur - Race light wheels on a not so race light ride.


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  Arthur - City boy tries to ride the north shore.


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  Dave - Separated shoulder on the pile driver on Bogeyman.


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  Kevin - BMX'ing at 37th and Oak, nose cased a jump and went over the bars.


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  Seann - There's nothing more disheartening than seeing your foot on backwards.


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  Seann - "PULL UP!"


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  Kelli - Tried to catch air on my tricycle, landed on my chin.


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  Unknown - Leg cramp at the top of The Plunge, ran the chain ring into calf and rolled down the bank into the blackberry bushes, got up and finished!


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  Tim - B-Line crash, three surgeries, three months off work, riding now more than ever!


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  Lindsay - Rock drop at Ardum, A-C joint separation, two surgeries, one metal plate.


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  Dave - Bucked off the bike on Dead Dog, leg lacerated by shale rock, all happened during a hail and lightening storm.


The scars we have tells stories, contribute to who we are and act as icebreakers. The smallest scar sometimes has the biggest or the funniest story, while the gnarliest scar can come from trying to eat a sandwich while riding your bike. Scars provide us with a map of our almost glory moments, average rides gone horribly wrong and friends that you wish had just kept their mouths shut.



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237 Comments
  • 6254
 i burned my tongue on some hot coffee once
  • 3113
 I have a scar on my heart from the jerk that stole my banshee amp last night Frown

www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1456087
  • 901
 you poor thing... I hope they catch that good for nothing shit bag.
  • 1080
 hit me up if you find him, ive got a knack for hiding bodies Wink
  • 751
 Let's give ANY bike thief some big new scars!
  • 140
 i feel you thekayo, my banshee rune got stolen today
  • 201
 I've got scars by selling off my kidneys so I can afford a decent bike. Not sure it's counted coz it's related to scars and bicycles.
  • 7169
flag Maksimbike (Oct 30, 2013 at 23:31) (Below Threshold)
 post your shit locally thekayo, not for all of pinkbike to see.
  • 320
 Chicks dig scars.
  • 61
 Step 13.5: Oh you are a definitive coffee snob!!! Burnt tongue or not! Ha
  • 120
 That guy who stole the bike... We should give him some scars worthy of an article like this, broken kneecaps shins elbows etc... Wink
  • 40
 I got my scars for meeting a tree or 3 ... Shattered shoulder and long term ligament damage.
  • 30
 I got a 5" scar onto of my collarbone after it snapped into 3 pieces.... Girls compliment on it Wink
  • 281
 9 th picture looks like an ad for Marrocchi!!
  • 31
 Iv got a scar from racing my dad down neds i went over the handle bars and my brake lever tor my leg. seven stitches an inch from my balls.
  • 141
 i would say this takes 1st place

www.pinkbike.com/photo/10275409
  • 21
 Broke my skull twice. Second time because I went over the handle bars. Rode home like some drunk f0ck Razz
  • 20
 I have scars all over my knees, arms, hands from too much bad shit happening. lol. But to Thekayo, siri told me where to hide a body, if you need the list of shit... hit me up!
  • 140
 I say let's catch all the bike thieves use them as doubles tables step downs and make one gnarly downhill course. we should have a website where we can post stolen bicycles and video of thieves in action. that way we can keep our tight knit community from buying stolen parts. can put it right under broken riders.
  • 50
 ^ this guy is onto something.
  • 60
 I have a long as scar on my quad and I have no idea where it came from. Not saying it was Aliens, but...
  • 10
 Syncros Mental pedals are sharp!

www.pinkbike.com/photo/3530623

Chainring teeth are also sharp!

www.pinkbike.com/photo/2123238
  • 60
 Im pretty sure you just took a whistler run and encountered a bear both times..,
  • 10
 I still remember the first time I had to get stitches. Tried to nose bond over a jump and slipped pedals. Sliced my left shin, 21 stitches later I was good as new. Haha not even 3 days later I was playing football with some friends, got tackled super low and his zipper on his hoodie caught and ripped them all out. Back in the days of elementary school Smile
  • 10
 @cretin82

these days it all seems to be superglue and adhesive sutures rather than stitches!

my last trip to hospital involved the doctor supergluing a nasty gash above my left eye, after a pedestrian stepped off the sidewalk without warning and I ended up hitting them full-on and going head first into the road at 20mph. Smashed my glasses and the helmet to pieces, mild concussion and awesome scar for life.

Found superglue very effective for cuts in the workshop, piece of elephant (tank / gaffer) tape to protect until the glue is set!
  • 10
 Not quite scars, but 2 caved in ribs on my right where i oversent a little table landing pretty much in a tree Razz
  • 30
 Ahhh, them trees never seem to get out of the way!
  • 44
 Burnt your tongue on the coffee ey ? You must be some bad hipster wannabe kid who drank it before it was cool

lol
  • 20
 Went over the bars, ripped my shorts right up. Felt something warm running down my leg, turns out it was blood and I ripped my nutsack open and had my right nut partially hanging out. 3 stitches
  • 20
 Torn cartilage in the knee featuring key hole surgery, 8 stitches in the eye socket, dislocated thumb, dislocated and fractured toe, hemorrhage in abdomen featuring CT scans and two nights in hospital due to severe impact with handlebars... and that's just this year! Maybe I need more practice!
  • 50
 hey guys lets f*cking hang bike theives or behead them! one tried to steal mine last night i sprinted after him and cracked his tim/fib in half with a pipe wrench!
  • 40
 Normally I would say what the f*ck it wrong with you... But he did try to steal your bike so I would have to congratulate you on your victory !!! Wink
  • 20
 Heampsteadbandit: Thanks for the tip. Im going to carry super glue in my first aid kit. You are not progressing as a rider unless you crash here and there. Ive scars on top of my scars.
  • 30
 Good point. "Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go" - T.S. Elliot was obviously a mountain biker.
  • 581
 Great article, compound fractures have to be the scariest sports injury. This spoke to me because my scars were my identity for a lot of years after I got third degree burns on my chest, neck, face and hands. I was ridiculously self conscious until I found out what I was good at and learned to own my scars. But the scar that I got from my scars was a massive chip on my shoulder and worries about how people perceive me that took me years to get over. I was quick to get in a fight if I thought someone was looking at me wrong. Over the years it's been a positive experience for sure. I'm physically and mentally tougher and able to be open to people and their imperfections, physical and otherwise. When you see a guy or gal with something wrong with them, instead of judging or making assumptions, think about your own scars and how you got them, and know that they've walked a different road that has left them scarred too.
  • 10
 Theres a guy near me who from what i can gather is burnt head to toe. I always said that if i got my arm burnt i'd get flames tattoo'd up the other am to show i wasnt scared by it. good on you for coming out the other side of it a better person
  • 10
 Well, mrgonzo, to be, as we in The Netherlands put it, busting through an open door (=citing the obvious): IMHO this says incredibly much more about you than about your scars. The only thing I hope now is that there are some people around you that take notice and learn...
  • 10
 Yeah compound fractures are horrifying especially when it happens to you! Your first thought is.... "holy sh*t.... thats my bone...." followed by a lot of curse words usually! Auburn, CA at the Mammoth Bar DH Race in 2009 was my "big crash". Compound wrist fracture. Shattered my radius, ulna, and schapoid! Doc said i couldn't have messed up my wrist anymore. Gotta love bikes though, we always go back to them like a psycho ex girlfriend after 3 beers at the bar! haha cheers
  • 10
 mrgonzo I can identify with you in 1999 I was 3rd degree burned face, left arm, and both legs below the knees from a turkey fryer spill. I was extremely lucky to have an excellent burn Doctor, but it is something that is always with you! Your thoughts and attitude are awesome!
  • 240
 More excellent content to be found lurking beyond the front page pf PB . Thought provoking, both about the role that a scar plays in the lexicon of our memories, and about my own, predominantly right sided, scars. A pleasure to read over a coffee. Thanks.
  • 241
 Totally makes me want to huck a cliff to flat in order to join the club!
  • 10
 face palm>
  • 142
 This just proves how badass mountain biking is and how tough riders are. I'm so sick of people thinking its some pussy sport because they have some image in their head of mountain bikers cruzing down grass double track or some shit. Lets see people in football, basketball, soccer, any sport take an injury like that and come back stronger.
  • 50
 Oh I don't know if that grass double track stuff was "pussy".... looks pretty badass to me.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-32KVUU3OU
  • 20
 Holy shit that video was funny, omg
  • 140
 Honestly, I never met a single guy that thinks mountain biking is a pussy sport. Most of them are wondering why the hell we are doing this thing to us.
  • 71
 I'll give you sports like basketball, soccer, and baseball. But I'd be careful lumping football in there. Football on a high level, as in division 1 and NFL level is absolutely brutal on the body. Those guys take an unbelievable pounding every time they step in the field.
  • 120
 And I wish 15 year olds on the internet would stop trying to make themselves look cool by belittling other people's sports
  • 10
 Funny Shit!
  • 30
 Talk to JA Happ...pitcher on the blue jays got drilled in the head by a liner and came back a few months later
  • 30
 LMFAO at the guy at 3:48, what a dismount!
  • 10
 I broke my radius bone on 4th of august on a bmx track...Then,20 days after my plaster cast was removed,my bone broke again and now i m wearing a new one...And a big frinction burn under my right knee...But the above is just the ugly side of our sports..Hope everyone get better!!!
  • 21
 Real football (soccer) is plaid by puffs that fake injury and waste time.
  • 120
 My favorite scar is the one on my back that looks as though it was caused my harpoon impalement... lost control while drifting/sliding around an easy corner and landed directly on a sharp rock. Luckily I didn't require any surgery but the doctor at the hospital did spend a good amount of time tweezing little pieces of rock out of my back. He also managed to locate a potentially dangerous birth mark that I ended up having removed... maybe that crash saved me from cancer in the future?!?
  • 110
 I found an original pair of new in box Shimano DX bmx pedals in Chicago back in the late 80's. Had 3 pairs and they were some strong pedals. I put the unused Chicago pair on my first mountain bike in 1990, cuz I kept bending spindles and cages of the mtb pedals of that time frame. The first mtb pedals sucked. So I'm out jumping. Land kinda hard from a flyout type jump. I just see a flash of red. My first thought, "Broke the pedal spindle? No way". Walk over to the pedal, had the crank arm and a short piece of spindle on it. I walk back up the hill and some little kid looks like he's gonna puke and asks, "Does that hurt?" I look down and see a really deep 3 inch gash in my calve. Even had some stuff hanging off the broken spindle on my bike. I called my mom and said, "Can you pick me up? I need stitches" She yelled at me all the way to the hospital about how she's getting sick of driving me to the hospital, never seeing the injury. Doctor comes in and takes the gauze off and my mom spends the next 2 weeks apologizing. If I point at my scar today, 23 years later, she still feels bad... Haha.. Todays parts are waaaayyyyyyyyy better btw...
  • 30
 Funny, i just got the same speech a couple times this month oldschool. Haha, and got the same reaction to my injuries abt a few hundred times th past month (not exagerating)
  • 20
 I've broken my left collarbone three times, none while biking. Every time l head out, my mom tells me to not break my collarbone. Oh boy, if l do there'll be hell to pay...
  • 10
 I sprained my wrist, and was riding with the brace when I crashed and hairline fractured my hand, then I kept riding after my dad told me to take a few weeks off. I broke my fibula and, needless to say, he was pissed.
  • 10
 I've been there, hit up sugarbush this summer, they had a promo buy 4 sets of lift tix for $80 so i got 2 figuring i'd be spending some time up there... Anyways 5 min into my first run tap my rear brake on wet bridge to drop... Wash out before i knew what was happening, broken fibula... Dad was REALL pissed until he found out i was trying to play it safe Razz
  • 10
 Haha mine was off of a 3' gap, tiniest thing but he was still pissed.
  • 10
 haha i'd feel better if it was a 3' gap... it was like an 8inch drop, in my defense there were some rocks that didn't look too fun
  • 20
 Well, that year really sucked for my mom. Otb'ed to "I'm not sure who you people are, but you look familiar", clipped a tree with my grip and landed on a log, 2 broken ribs, jumping a big double and unknowingly had the front tire going flat and went off axis as I launched and came down from 15 feet and broke both naviculars in my wrists, both wrists in casts for 6 weeks, "Mom, can you button my pants?" I guess it wasn't so great for me either..
  • 20
 That's rough man... sweatpants became your new best friend i take it?
  • 10
 Yeah, sweatpants and board shorts, anything with a string. Life's a Beach and Vision Street Wear had some Zubba style elastic band pants that I actually wouldn't mine being seen in public wearing, mostly black. I never really got into neon. My doctor was cool though, I had him shape the thumbs to fit my grips, so at least I could ride my bmx bike, couldn't shift.
  • 10
 Thats awesome, i dont' think my doc would be too happy to know about the roots and drops i've been hitting on my hardtail... My yeti needs a tube and don't feel like going to the bike shop Razz
  • 10
 Haha, just throw a patch on it! I said that many times due to the kenda mini block eight's. tice i was shocked to pull my tube out and find that i had five or more patches on a single tube! I belive my record is like 9 or so patches on my tubes at one time... Needles to say, i run dual ply minions now. Haha
  • 10
 I don't think I have any more of those I may have a maxxis dh tube but I was trying to keep weight down where I could on my wheels as sun mtxs are overkill for a 575
  • 20
 Haha.. The doctor told the guy applying the cast, "He mow's lawns, let him tell you how to shape it" and gave me a wink. Cool doctor.

Patch it. I took my brother out to California with me back in the early 90's to visit a friend who got a job under the same roof as MTB action. They told us how to get to the trails we'd seen in the mag and "bring tubes and patch kits!!". I had a patch kit, but stopped and bought another one. Day one, 5 thorns in the rear. Day 2, 3 thorns. Day 3, 4 more. I kept using it, it held air. In about 2007, I was changing out tires and pulled that tube out, 16 patches!!!! My brother freaked out. "DUDE!!! Is that the California tube?" I ended up giving it to him. It's lightly inflated and hanging over his bar in the basement. He loves that thing.
  • 20
 14 patches is my record, took my hardtail to Costa Rica and rode really rocky stuff: I'd always pinch flat. And the bike tubes down there had a shitty valve system so I hung on to that rear Shrader tube.
  • 10
 Haha, y record was on a hardatail too! One time, The day after i put a new tube in the rear finaly, i went to the jumps, and second jump of the day, some retard dumped a rock into the path to the launch, i didnt see it, and the second i left the lip of the ramp, u just heard "paaa! Fthfthfthfthfth" as my wheel spiraled out the air, while mid flight. Having lost speed off the lip, i cased it without an inflated lip. Dang
  • 100
 Super interesting and crazy to think that everyone else has their own scars.
I have my own on my left ankle from surgery giving me some of my own hardware - A titanium plate and 8 screws.
It definitely isn't a deterrent. I always get asked "Why do you still ride?!". I honestly can't give a short answer, and I feel everyone knows the feeling.
  • 50
 True true two knee surgeries one wrist rebuilt and after a five year break getting back into things full swing!
  • 30
 True, Broke and dislocated my collar bone. 9 screws and a stainless steel plate. 8 weeks later i rode moab, and went over the bars. Dont go easy after an injury, take a line you know and trust, not something you think is "easier"
  • 20
 Ion my case it took two years to rehab my hand to the point of being able to effectively do my job and when I did get the mobility back I'd gained a wife and one child with another on the way. I'm just now finding the time and funds available to get back into the swing of things. Im still yet to even ride one trail I used to ride prior to my wrist surgery. I'm finally in the same state though. Might ride bc before my local trails...see how that goes.
  • 10
 Shattered my collarbone into 11 pieces and had surgery exactly 1 year ago, a plate and 6 screws. Then this month I broke my fibula, a plate and 5 screws put in. I can't really explain it to anyone, but I still want to keep riding.
  • 10
 I broke my femur, wrist, scaphoid and getting ready for knee surgery. it's funny because people can't understand what joy I get out of riding.
  • 100
 I have some scars in a place that shouldn't be shared on this website..................... it has nothing to do with bikes
  • 80
 poop shoot?
  • 200
 zipper issues??
  • 420
 Was she a biter?
  • 50
 all of those replies made me lose it HAHA
  • 50
 Sounds like someone needs a button fly…
  • 60
 @midbestdj - sounds like you'll find the answer in his username...
  • 31
 I have a scar in a place that shouldn't be shared on this website.... and it has everything to do with bikes. I crushed my 'helmet' twice between my body and the back of the saddle when I crashed on something steep. Over ten years later it still looks like wine stains.
  • 10
 I feel ya gator... Lets just say that girls( if any of u are. Reading) ALWAYS trim your nails!

Bad experirnces, but like it says in the article, scars surestart conversations....
  • 80
 "Find what you love and let it kill you." Charles Bukowski
And in Mountain biking, if it won't kill you it will make you stronger.
  • 30
 Interesting quote.
  • 10
 His name sounds alot like kick butowski, but poems arent exactly stunts....
  • 60
 And finally, by far the scariest encounter of my life that has resulted in a scar: While partying with some people that I didnt know very well in Orange County, one of the party-goers, a tweaker I later found out, decided he didnt like me. He sucker punched me from behind while I was hanging out outside the room, I hit the ground. Got back up, told him I dont want fight. He punched me again, I again told him I dont want to fight him. This went on 2-3 more times, and everyone who "had my back" fled inside the motel room and closed the door. I ended up with my back literally against a wall, still being punched. being a pacifist at the time, I just didnt fight back. The fact that i wouldnt back down either though, really pissed this guy off. With my back against a wall, the bastard pulled a pocket knife on me, and proceeded to spend 30 seconds trying to stab me in the gut. Thankfully, even in my intoxicated state, I was able to deflect the blows with my arms/elbows. He actually only broke skin once, right on my elbow. There's still a 1/4" bump from where the knife penetrated the bone there. After he realized he wasnt going to incapacitate me, he just stood there lookin at me. I said once more, dude, I dont wanna fight you. He then just walked away. Tattoos kick ass.. But scars are definitely tats with better stories Smile Stay safe and happy trails my fellow pinkbikers!
  • 30
 Shit, sorry these got double posted
  • 30
 Dude, thats the exact reason i always carry a very well maintained and tuned knife. Im faster than tweakers, but dam those suckers are scary
  • 60
 On way home on nice shiny new bike and got hit by a car, was knocked into the middle of road and was then run over by a bus, smashed ankle that was rebuilt, 105 stiches both internal and outside, in plaster for 6 months, hey ''live life '' that what I say.
Not stopped me riding n yep there r scars :-)
  • 50
 Shit man, you're lucky to be alive.
  • 30
 cheers mate, was a fair while ago now, mainly ride AM and DH, its safer !!!!.............
  • 70
 Scars are part of riding. Each one makes an excellent story. Everyone has to have there shins covered to be a real biker! Or at least a real hack.. Wink
  • 10
 I called my neighbor who claims to be a redneck, a bad father, if you saw his sons shins, you would agree, the kid is spotless. I have divits and spots where hair cant grow on my shins, and this kid walks up as if hes never even had fun with his smooth shins
  • 50
 I have two 5" scars on my right fore arm, which hide 2 titanium plates and 8 screws, as well as an exit wound. Hit the wrong side of a double as I wasn't carrying enough speed, landed on my arm and bent it round so I could touch my elbow. All because of the those infamous last words of "One More Run"
  • 40
 Everytime I see my scar it reminds me of who I used to be, and how I'm not invincible. I thought i could do everything on a bike, had a stupid crash, and was left with a foot long incision on my belly, along with the loss of my stomach, gore bladder and some other organs. Everytime the story comes up in conversation it gets funnier and funnier
  • 50
 Missing organs, foot long incision, stupid crash and funny story. you shall tell us what happens! PRETTY PLEASE! Big Grin
  • 20
 Pretty pretty please
  • 62
 Degloved knee? Do most people here know what that means? I "degloved" a finger once. Ring got caught and just kept getting pulled. Goodbye skin! Do not google that. You won't be happy when you see it.

A lot of those injuries are bad, but a degloved knee... that makes me shiver in utter fear the most. Jesus...
  • 20
 You ain't kidding.
  • 70
 oh yeah? i have a scar on my kidney!!! how hardcore that is uh? haha
  • 30
 I feel like a wuss looking at the scar on my elbow. I was charging down the dirt road I live on and my SINGLE SPEED chain slipped (I didn't tension it properly), sending me straight to the gravel. No hospitalization or anything..

I did send myself to the hospital washing out of a corner on an actual paved road, though. Landed on my chin. Was again charging down the road (no common sense- middle of winter, snow and ice melting everywhere, SB8 up front and a tire akin to a Rythm Lite in the rear, 80PSI in both). Moral of the story? Don't crash on Valentine's day and ask your girlfriend/fiance for a lift to the hospital.
  • 30
 i would really like to know if all this scars were made while not having protectors ?? or with them, you see i wanna know how good are the protectors ??? here seems like if one had full face, knee shins/pads, neck lace would rather not have this scars !?? or they were too big that even protectors weren't good enough??
  • 20
 Some of the scars are caused by the operations that are needed afterwards, and you can still break bones with pads on. Hope this helps Wink
  • 40
 Yeah, like the shattered collarbone, got the same scar but going downwards after inserting a metal plate and pads did not help.

Dunno, don't think chicks dig it that much...maybe they hang around to many rad guys or the norm of sexy has changed from cave man to hipster Wink
  • 10
 And depends on the scar too, I have some that look really rad, but I have another who looks horrible, I lost "meat" of my arm, and now looks like I had a skin graft.
  • 10
 we dragged a friend downhilling, get to the top on the first run on our shiny rental bikes, he goes down hard by grabbing too much brake. Whole arm shredded, I guess he didn't really bike but thought it'd be a fun thing to try.... We felt so bad but he stuck it out and had fun... His arm still looks rough :/
  • 20
 Thats what real friends ate for tho, if you dont push eachother, your not helping
  • 30
 I had 5 stitches put in to close a tear on my scrotum.

Had my seat at a steep angle and my bars suddenly twisted. With the majority of my body's weight on the seat and the forward momentum my scrotum tore open an inch, enough to have lost a testicle (still have both). I also fractured my collar bone and shredded my chest in the same swift crash.

The scar still remains on my scrotum, but I ain't posting a picture!
  • 50
 Shit. This gets me stoked, scared, creeped out, and motivated all at the same time.
  • 60
 I have a lot of scars...but none that bad!
  • 31
 I have a good few scars.. Many from bikes, many from other sh*t.. My first scar was at the ripe age of three: After throwing a temper tantrum when my mom refused to change the TV channel, I somehow got my hands on a ceramic cat of hers, and smashed it into my head in a blind rage. Still have a scar right on my hairline from that lol. Some of the stupider ones Ive gotten involving bikes: ---8" vertical scar on my knee from cracked patella: wrecked on a city bike path of decomposed gravel on a beach cruiser. I also have a 1" scar on that knee from a DIY surgery.. After it got inflamed to the size of a very large grapefruit following a street riding incident, I decided to drain the fluid myself by slicing it open with a razor blade, squeeze out the goo, and then stitch it up myself; no anaesthetic. I used a quart each isopropyl alocohol and hydrogen peroxide to prevent sepsis, and it healed wonderfully. Stupid, I know. But it was that or add to my 30K+ debt of hospital bills. ---6" on the side of my leg just above the knee: Was riding with no hands down the sidewalk. Completely enamoured by a cute girl walking down the opposite side of the street, I rode straight into a 4 foot tall electrical box. The girl didnt even notice, damnit!
  • 21
 ---1/8" wide by 1.5" long scar below temple: After blacking out drinking at a party, apparently decided to ride home on a beach cruiser with no helmet. I dont remember wrecking, but I hit the ground so hard with my face that it knocked me out of my blackout. It also broke the handlebars in half. 1/2" below my temple, and I had a 3" by 4" section on the side of my face that was road rash for a good month. Very, very lucky. ---Another one on the forehead: Bike related, but not from riding.. After I broke my Cannondale Gemini in 2 behind the headtube, I strung a length of bike chain through the headtube and hung it on the rear view mirror in my truck. I was headbanging to some death metal, and an idiot "friend" grabbed the headtube by the chain and swung it into my face as I was moshing. Jackass. A few assorted non-biking scars: A sweet 1/4" by 3" on the palm of my right hand from a mazda 323; was replacing the engine, a rusty bolt head rounded as I was loosening it, and gouged my paw on the unibody. ---One more forehead scar: During a 2-year stint working at Discount Tire Co, I was dismounting a low profile Nitto Terra Grappler all terrain tire off of a 20" rim. The 2 foot long tire iron slipped out of my hand right as I got the bead pulled over the lip of the rim, and smacked me in the face. 2 hours and 7 stitches later, I was back at work Big Grin
  • 21
 And finally, by far the scariest encounter of my life that has resulted in a scar: While partying with some people that I didnt know very well in Orange County, one of the party-goers, a tweaker I later found out, decided he didnt like me. He sucker punched me from behind while I was hanging out outside the room, I hit the ground. Got back up, told him I dont want fight. He punched me again, I again told him I dont want to fight him. This went on 2-3 more times, and everyone who "had my back" fled inside the motel room and closed the door. I ended up with my back literally against a wall, still being punched. being a pacifist at the time, I just didnt fight back. The fact that i wouldnt back down either though, really pissed this guy off. With my back against a wall, the bastard pulled a pocket knife on me, and proceeded to spend 30 seconds trying to stab me in the gut. Thankfully, even in my intoxicated state, I was able to deflect the blows with my arms/elbows. He actually only broke skin once, right on my elbow. There's still a 1/4" bump from where the knife penetrated the bone there. After he realized he wasnt going to incapacitate me, he just stood there lookin at me. I said once more, dude, I dont wanna fight you. He then just walked away. Tattoos kick ass.. But scars are definitely tats with better stories Smile Stay safe and happy trails my fellow pinkbikers!
  • 13
 sorry "six66" dude but you're a p---y.
  • 60
 That i like to walk into my pedals whilst pushing
  • 10
 yep same here...always doing it
  • 20
 I'll be able to join the scar party in a couple weeks. Broke my collar bone last weekend and had surgery yesterday. Its all bandaged up so no idea what it will look like. Jump was a little different than what I'm comfortable on but I felt ok the first time I tried it. Just needed a little more speed. Had the right speed, but was thinking more about the speed than the landing. Crash, snap, end of riding season and a delayed snowboard season.
  • 10
 I just had that same surgery, shattered clavicle with 9 screws and a titanium plate + ribs and lungs 1 month ago. Sucks, but you bounce back pretty quick after everything gets bolted back in place.
  • 20
 a faded scar but still visible received on my 5th birthday. a motorcyle with a sidecar lost control into my uncle's driveway and managed to hit me while trapping my left leg inside the front fender and dragged me to a stop. so, plenty of blood and tissue shredding. good times. a tiny scar on my nose from doing a header of a blind drop with my first "real" mtb. do miss that yeti fro w/accutrax fork though.
  • 20
 "Seann - There's nothing more disheartening than seeing your foot on backwards". No kidding! Been there, done that......twice. After crashing I thought "how the hell am I going to get down the mountain with my foot on backwards", so I grabbed it and straightened it out. Firefighters packed me out on a stretcher. Got a plate on the fibula and screws in the tibia. Second time doctor removed the plate and screws then put a new plate on the tibia to hold it together. If you're busted up in the Fraser Valley you'd better hope that Dr David Lee is your surgeon in Abbotsford. Awesome guy and does awesome work!
  • 20
 I shattered my right heal in a box race which is now a fussed ankle. Broke my left elbow on my dh bike. Still ride as much as I can. Just way more risk now with a fussed ankle.
  • 10
 * fused

(not that ankles don't mind being fussed over;-)
  • 10
 Hell yeah p3! Somethin u just cant shake. I havent had bars for 2 months, and during that time i tried to fill the gap with dh longboarding... Its a rush to, but nothing compares to mtb! Its litteraly unexplainable.... Finaly got the bars, went on a ride while sick, topping off the month with 6 new scars, and 5 visits to " medical facilities" because ive been living my life to the fullest!
  • 10
 Chicks dig scars, my work mates never talk about scars or accidents for fear of the mountain biker starting and hogging the conversation.... lol. First year not in cast in 5 years, lets hope I get to the end that way. Broke ribs on the 2nd Jan though.
  • 50
 "Chicks dig scars" - total myth.
  • 30
 Very much a myth. My life is living proof.
  • 10
 I have the same scar as Darren on my right foot after shattering my heel while dirt jumping. It was pretty much during the same time as Darren. I also have a long one along my lower left leg after suffering a compound fracture of my tibia two years ago. Being a flat peal rider - my shins are a canvas full of scars. Not much room left for anymore.
  • 10
 ---1/8" wide by 1.5" long scar below temple: After blacking out drinking at a party, apparently decided to ride home on a beach cruiser with no helmet. I dont remember wrecking, but I hit the ground so hard with my face that it knocked me out of my blackout. It also broke the handlebars in half. 1/2" below my temple, and I had a 3" by 4" section on the side of my face that was road rash for a good month. Very, very lucky. ---Another one on the forehead: Bike related, but not from riding.. After I broke my Cannondale Gemini in 2 behind the headtube, I strung a length of bike chain through the headtube and hung it on the rear view mirror in my truck. I was headbanging to some death metal, and an idiot "friend" grabbed the headtube by the chain and swung it into my face as I was moshing. Jackass. A few assorted non-biking scars: A sweet 1/4" by 3" on the palm of my right hand from a mazda 323; was replacing the engine, a rusty bolt head rounded as I was loosening it, and gouged my paw on the unibody. ---One more forehead scar: During a 2-year stint working at Discount Tire Co, I was dismounting a low profile Nitto Terra Grappler all terrain tire off of a 20" rim. The 2 foot long tire iron slipped out of my hand right as I got the bead pulled over the lip of the rim, and smacked me in the face. 2 hours and 7 stitches later, I was back at work Big Grin
  • 10
 Shit, sorry these got double posted
  • 10
 I have a tastey scar on my knee cap and an even bigger one up my thigh where I had to have my femur put back together again after snapping it.
2 bolts in my knee and 2 in my hip and a rod still inside my femur Frown it's still painful sometimes even after a few years but enjoying my bikes again Smile
  • 10
 I have a fresh new scar that is forming on left elbow from this past saturday, after i wrecked at the two rivers downhill course, but i also got along with the scar a fractured pelvis. So now i will have a good story to tell about how i got the small scar on my elbow and fractured my pelvis.
  • 10
 Scar running right round all but five millimetres of my finger just below the first joint along with a messed up finger nail. Three wires and an X ray showing a perfect cut through the bone say Fingers don't go in Disc Brakes! All credit to the hospital for stitching the finger back on after an hour and a half op though
  • 10
 Chainring into my Calf been there done that, I had to scrap for leaves to stop the pissing blood. My friends had to turn away seeing the blood gushing out. Oh and AC3 collarbone also, now that really hurt !!! Well like the old saying goes..."Nothing ventured, nothing gained".
  • 10
 I got two scars on my belly, one on left under collarbone, and a speck on my groin. None were from riding, but had to do with my health. I'm thankful to be alive and able to enjoy shredding trails. As far as bike-related scars go... I have a couple above my right ankle from contacting a chewed up old plastic pedal while coming to a stop using my legs.
  • 10
 Whistler Bike Park, June 17th this year, crashed badly over the bars on a-line, realised all the lads were in front of me. Felt my shoulder which felt really really bad, got back on the bike, rest my arm on my leg for support and rode down to catch up with mates (only about 500 metres or so). Got a lift the the clinic from patrol, turns out two broken wrists, 3rd degree separation of the right shoulder, broken fibula and broken bone in my foot. Good times!!!! I have that many scars it's not funny, but they all have a story to tell.
  • 10
 I got countless number of pedal scars on my legs, all of my broken bones are from bike fails...6 in all. Im now recovering from a broken collarbone for the second time. the first time I broke it was 12 yrs ago. I forgot how it hurt the first time. But it feels worse now
  • 10
 i do not have pctures of my scars, funny enough i don't even have that many... but scars are only a reminder of time not being able to ride your bike so guess here is my "collection"

a total of 1 and a half years of not being able to walk due to multiple knee injuries from riding bikes or snowboards...
a total of 2 years of not riding my bike because i couldn't hold a handlebar after breaking both hands in multiple locations
some weeks of because of smaller injuries and or concussions...


in shorts scars don't rock or tell great stories they remind me of not being able to ride...
  • 20
 www.pinkbike.com/photo/10280024

I feel I should at least get honorable mention for this one, not because of the gravity of it (though getting garotted is not a nice sensation) but due to it being pretty unusual.
  • 20
 Scars aren't nearly as cool when it's 2 feet long down your entire spine from when they inserted 4 titanium rods to put your broken spine back together. Never walk or ride a bike again.
  • 10
 Tail whipping my son's 16-inch wheeled bmx at the pump track during a lull. Went sideways on a small jump and couldn't pull back, but ego prevented what would've been a harmless bail. Landed on toe in a mushroom cloud of dust. Get up, shake it off, try to walk off the course, foot doesn't work. Look down, notice foot on sideways. In panic, pops foot back in place. On lookers wince noticeably. Walk back to car, and drive 20 miles back home. Go to urgent care and was told to ice for rest of the weekend. Come Monday, foot and leg look like purple water balloon. Dr. friend strongly advises on second opinion. See orthopedic surgeon on Turesday. Surgeon takes one look and turns to have assistant call all nearby OR's. Surgery that afternoon. Five hours later, come out proud albeit loopy owner of 200+ stitches, a plate, 4 screws a 6-incher on the inboard side of calf and a 13-inch zipper on the outboard side. Original urgent care Dr. calls back in a week apologizing profusely for misdiagnosis (though not in so many words). Back on bike after 8 long months. Life lesson...when it comes to injuries, ignore the recommendations from the cat 3 weekend stand-ins and go straight to the experts.
  • 30
 I've got more scars on my body than i can count, added a few more this year. not mad about a single one. great article
  • 20
 the warriors were recognized by the gods when they died for the scars over their body..... in our case how experienced riders that we are!
  • 20
 Great story. Scars are a funny thing. At once reminding me of my own mortality and how teetering on that edge is where I feel most alive.
  • 30
 Got my scar when I was two. I had cancerFrown should be able to do half the things I can now
  • 40
 My shins have seen some shit!
  • 60
 get a front mudguard, or just stop riding through shit
  • 10
 Anybody else just let their flag fly? Cuz even when mine are fresh, i let them breath! Unless its like a punture wound.... Then it gets wrapped. Go injuries, cuz if your not getting hurt, your not trying hard enough.
  • 11
 Someone should have told me that going over the bars at 70 km/h is not a proper way to dismount from your bike.
Today a year after the crash i am doin jokes about 4 broken vertebras and hardware with 9 screws in my sternum.
These 15 centimeters of scar are always good for a campfire story in the bikepark
  • 20
 Some people think tattoos are the best, but I've never seen a tattoo that had more 'meaning' than the story behind a decent scar. Great article. Keep 'em up Danielle.
  • 20
 Straitline pedal vs shin to OTB into a riverbed... 11 days in hospital... hi5
s744.photobucket.com/user/derstefprev/media/26fbe400.jpg.html?sort=3&o=6
  • 10
 gots some scaring on the back of my right shin from a peddle slip on landing up north shore

got countless less impressive scars all over with amazingly more impressive stories attached to each one B)
  • 22
 Scarry,....these pics, now i can't stop thinkn about my awesome healthcare plan- that's about to go bye bye!
Hope and change I guess. ...(but hey, obama said If I like my dr. And my plan, i can keep em)
Liar liar pants on fire!
  • 11
 Exactly. My premium is going up by 131%. Translation: I'm paying for myself plus 1.3 other people. "Healthcare for all" sounds great, it's just a question of who is going to pay for it.
  • 10
 Got to many scars to count, but i did recently add a very nice one to my neck when i got impaled by nature, with a short cut off bit of branch lol, virtually hugged the tree haha.
  • 10
 I had nine stitches in my top lip, now got three three scars on it, sorta looks like a claw mark! That's what happens when your chain drops off going down a concrete hill and you're wearing a pisspot!
  • 10
 2-piece collarbone, two devolving shoulder joints, crooked hips, crushed lumbar disks, non functioning spinal stabilizers ... Body is failing from the inside out, but the stoke is still strong, still holding it all together.
  • 30
 My arm schould be on there ;-)

www.pinkbike.com/u/michafrombelgium/album/Arm
  • 10
 FUCK!!!!!
  • 10
 Yup, and this picture is 2weeks after the 2e operation, my arm was 3times as big as normal
  • 20
 So accurate. I've got my fair share of scars and there's a bike story behind each one. Really great article.
  • 30
 I tend to fall on my right arm so from elbow down its one big scar
  • 10
 Some of us had a discussion in the thread of an article about how we all seem to fall on the same side all the time.

You left or right handed? Goofy or regular?
  • 10
 Right handed, right foot forward unless I'm cornering
  • 10
 My injuries always happen on the right side: shattered right collarbone, torn tendons in right wrist, hairline fractured right 5th metacarpal, broken right fibula.
  • 10
 I'm left handed and I'm left foot forward (and snowboard goofy) but I also crash on my right side.
  • 20
 how was it put...." scars are souveniers you never loose, your past is never far away"
  • 30
 I have a formula rotor burn, branded on my leg. Best natural tattoo ever
  • 10
 Haha, I have an accidental rotor burn myself.. But mine is from a Hayes rotor Frown
  • 10
 compound fracture of my lower leg going through my frame on aline and shoulder popped out after hitting a tree on shleyer on whistler
  • 20
 I have a gnarly scar on my shoulder from the surgery I needed after I tried hopping a curb. Call me hardcore.
  • 10
 First pic - Darren Butler - watching that on Drop-In was one of the most disheartening things I've ever seen. Was happy to see him back on a bike.
  • 20
 Comparing scars huh. Pointing to my chest, “Right there...Mary Ellen Moffat, she broke my heart.”
  • 10
 I've not clearly understood about "Dave - Separated shoulder on the pile driver on Bogeyman." the shoulder was separated from th body? looks like he misses his collarbone.
  • 20
 Pinkbike has completed one of the steps to becoming a mountain biker! Matt dennison would be proud
  • 10
 My favorite scar has got to be from shoulder buzzers. Seeing peoples reactions to "that means I did the trick well" is pretty priceless..
  • 30
 very few people "earn" scars sitting in their LazyBoys.
  • 10
 Absolutely the worst type of article to read just before three days of riding on a long weekend. So disheartening. But yeah, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
  • 10
 I have a scar on my chin like in one of the above pics... Fell off a curb whilst looking at xmas decorations. Fail on my part.
  • 20
 When I was 4 years old I thought I could fly. I executed a perfect dolphin dive into my grandparents' fireplace. 1st scar.
  • 10
 Hope it wasn't lit, when you attempted it.
  • 10
 My elbow looks just like Steves, same injury. Cool. My scars remind me of the mistakes I have made, and that I am human, and not to take my health for granted.
  • 30
 Arthur's scar (5th image) look a bit like Marzocchi's logo!
  • 10
 Didn't happen while mountain biking, but I still almost died. I was biking home and an Idiot cab driver blew a red light and t-boned me.

www.imgur.com/b7mKyGk
  • 10
 I hit a tree with my foot 2 months ago, today the toenail popped off. otherwise i've been pretty lucky in terms of not getting injured
  • 10
 My buddy just crashed on a dirtjump a few hours. Broke his clavical and collarbone. I'm sure that'll be a nice scar after surgery tomorrow.
  • 10
 www.pinkbike.com/photo/5820806 head first into a tree after my wheels washed out on a landing. T5 to T10 fuzed together with a bone from my pelvic bone ... good times
  • 10
 check the bullet holes i got thru my calf from my cousins and i shooting goffers from our bmx's...good ol' saskatchewan. go riders!
  • 10
 did some kind of front flip cause haven't seen a ditch afore me.in result face planted in sand, and have a little scar on left leg
  • 20
 I just have a lot of little "I'm an idiot" scars from stupid crashes that shouldn't have happened
  • 10
 i have scars on my head lol from jumping on a bed. Got lots of scars from the 90s riding bmx lol, and a nasty sholder scar from Oakley jumps.
  • 20
 I found the part about finding you foot on backwards quite funny.
  • 31
 scars are the natural, raw tattoos!
  • 20
 My legs are just covered in scars. Maybe flats aren't the way to go?
  • 10
 You need 5.10's, bro. But for the scars, flaunt 'em. Gotta have war stories.
  • 20
 If running dmr vaults 5'10s wont save you
  • 20
 Got 8 fingers now due too an overly clingy disc rotor lol
  • 10
 lot of scars on my left shin from learning how to bunny-hop days hehehehe..
  • 20
 Pain is temporary. Glory lasts forever!
  • 10
 Arthur - City boy tries to ride the north shore.


Looks just like my legs Smile

Pedal pins plus shins is messy.
  • 10
 Arthurs not so race light ride - pretty decent effort at a Marzocchi logo!
  • 10
 I was wearing shorts and I slipped off my pedal landing a drop and the posts on my pedal dug into the side of my leg
  • 10
 Going to mess with my friend after his surgery that's all doped on pain meds if anyone wants to join!
  • 10
 Whenever I think I have something to complain about... I'll click on this link.
  • 10
 city boy riding the north shore.. my legs look exactly like that and i live on the shore!! hahah
  • 10
 My scars tell everyone that i have shit luck because the one time i forget to wear my bloody pads i fall off.
  • 10
 The majority of them are from acting a bellend ! Oh this will be fun.........wake up in hospital The big boys are from dh
  • 10
 1st picture is Darren Butler right? He huck that drop on the his feet baad. Classic dropin
  • 10
 i have a scar on my dick, yes, it is from a biking crash. Skin is only stretchy to a point! :/
  • 20
 lol that guy has a Marzocchi M on his arm
  • 10
 Front tire case & Over the bars, Hit the ground hard - ripped artery to kidney, lost it.
  • 10
 Front tire case and over the bars - Ripped the artery to my left kidney, lost it.
www.pinkbike.com/photo/7822343
  • 10
 I f#cked up... that's what mine say
  • 10
 ive got like an 18 inch scar... plus multiple shorter ones.. fun times!
  • 10
 i just seem to break collar bones...4 times :-(
  • 10
 U need to do it 4 real so you get surgery, that give U a nice scar to flaunt. Wink
  • 20
 the pik above is just after i did it.....had the surgery got the scar :-/
  • 10
 Holy moly, looks looks like its about to pop out of the skin. Congrats to the battle scar then Wink haha
  • 10
 personal experience advice: wear full face as much as possible, enduro...
  • 10
 I seem to bounce.... Not break!
  • 10
 Don't overshoot landings. www.pinkbike.com/photo/10275409
  • 10
 I got my arm cut it cut all my tendons nerfs and bone
  • 10
 My foots been on backwards to! I've got three scars to prove it!
  • 10
 Good lord, that makes me wince just looking at those.
  • 10
 8 stiches on my anus from 5 years in the Kingston pen.
  • 11
 A broken Collarbone is a must have ! A true Freeride Accessory
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