From Darren:Well hello there to all. So I just returned from a epic trip to Argentina filming for the TV show. the weather was perfect for shooting so I called up sterling to see if he was available and he said hed be over the next day. I built this tree to tree air on these two massive cedars in one of the greenest lichen filled forests I know of. Myself and Sterling shot this stunt all day until we were satisfied. Once again I was impressed with Sterl's shots. So its been five days since that shoot and I've been riding my trails a bunch which are running so good right now. The only bummer thing is that I've been riding by myself since there's nobody around to ride with. Even though I've been having fun sessions with me and my ipod.
Part of Darren's private trail.
With contest season just around the corner I've been stressing about dialling in my tricks so I don't look like a chump. So I've been trying to be smart and not try any hard tricks when there's nobody around and good thing cuz yesterday I asked Megan to watch me ride my contest set in the yard while I tried some front flips. You know sometimes its just really hard to put yourself in the right mind frame to try hard tricks when your riding alone but I at times can push through it so I went for a fronty and I knew I was underotating but I didn't think it was that underotated I also got pushed in the wind which made me come up a little short. I landed pretty much flat on my back and knocked the wind out myself. Its been a few years since I've done that and as I stabilized my breathing I knew that something was wrong.1 hour later I'm in a CT scan getting barrelled.
Doc says I broke my t7 t8 and. T10 vertebrae. Now here I am once again laid up in a hospital.
Wood kicker behind the machine - front flip training zone.
The outcome of this from my perspective is, just another bump in the road and I'm glad I have no complications. I do miss having a good riding scene with tons of people to shred with and also wish I had a foam pit to practice on instead of trying stuff on dirt.
| Going down and injuring yourself is a huge part of the sport, if you're on the edge of riding you go down, and every once in a while, you go down hard - Darren Berrecloth (NWD10) |
All the best to Darren in recovery
Heal fast Darren!
EDIT : Woops I hit negative prob by mistake !!
But when im riding i dont like the feel of it, spesh on stuff im comfortable with.
The way i see it, and impact with the ground is a impact with the ground, regardless of protection, landing on rocks and roots is where armor comes in.
Heal fast Darren!
Wish you a fast recovery bro
Redbull Rampage! Lets see that again! lets see that again! lets see that again
Combee - he could have come out of this alot worse. never walking again because he landed just that little bit different would turn his life up side down.
And regarding the knee/shin guards. A shin guard will defiantly stop you from braking your leg. if you are coming down a loose trail, and your feet blow off. you fall off to the right of your bike and slam your knee/shin onto a rock the side of a soccer ball. your shin guards are going to stop you from destroying yourself, i guarantee you.
some people ride just the knees, but when i look at the shin guard part of my shin guards, there is grooves and scratches everywhere. and that's on a hard plastic. i don't even want to know what that would do to my flesh. they might not look as good but i sure as shit prefer that to anything else.
haha
i do see your point, and i have nothing against people wearing armor, coz at the end of the day, its you that will poetically get hurt, so you do what ever you think is good/necessary.
like i said before i dont like armor, i find that i crash more with it on. Helmet, knee pads and neck brace are still necessities tho
Good (and fast)recovery Darren!
recover fast, and strong, bro. I hope to see you riding soon.
One question, and not to sound like a noob, but why wouldn't Specialized supply you with a foam pit? Or something? Surely that won't work in all circumstances...but something along those lines sounds seems necessary (not just nice to have).
Also appreciate the lack of riding buddies That's not only good for safety, but it's so much more fun (heh...the Follow Me movie comes to mind). For me it's work, kids, sketchy timing and most of my friends in the same boat. Need a way to find other people in my area willing to ride (with location, timing, ability, and style all kinda factored in there). Sort of a where-the-ladies-at iPhone app kinda thing for mountain biking. Where-my-riderz-at...
In any case, your situation made me think about safety and riding with others. Damn, Claw. Even laid up in a hospital bed you post on Pinkbike and get people excited about riding and designing for people/places/stuff. Godspeed!
i have the same problem.. friends draged me into riding my bike again and now i'm on my own....
\\// .... never stop tryin'
Red Bull have got to hook him up with a foam pit!
get well soon claw! you are the best out there!!!
NWD10 is mint too
and get well soon
GOOD LUCK GETTING BETTER DARREN !