Video: Exploring the Tricky Relationship with Injury in 'Dirt is Soft' - Race Face Creator Series
Filmmaker: Peter Wojnar
Synopsis: Getting hurt is, unfortunately, an eventuality with mountain biking. For some reason, hurtling ourselves down obstacle-riddled hills as fast as possible is inherently dangerous. But for the most part, injury doesn’t scare us away: where others would back away, we push forward. Injury drives us to work hard for recovery and motivates us to be better. We have a tricky relationship with injury. But if the worst thing about getting hurt is the time away from our bikes that we’ll never get back, then the silver lining is that feeling when we finally get back on the horse.
Why We Chose this Film: Crashing sucks. As mountain bike riders, we have to come to terms to the fact that it's not if you'll crash... it's when. We learn so much about ourselves in dealing with this reality and the journey to get back on the bike after injuries. Peter explores this relationship we have with crashing through thoughtful prose and powerful visuals. Enjoy this insightful film and remember to keep the rubber side down!
Head over to Creator Series to see some behind the scenes shots!
Next week is our third round of Creator Series! We'll start off with Dru Kennedy's Landwash - a look into a growing mountain bike community on the mythical island of Newfoundland.
Author Info:
Member since Mar 20, 2007
Must Read This Week
[UPDATED] Final Elite XC Results & Overall Standings from the Mairiporã XC World Cup 2024
42067 views
42067 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup
I have noticed when I speak to my riding friends there is a different mind set to the norm. My other friends and family question my desire to get back riding again after injury (one or two injuries have been pretty serious over the years) and they can't relate to the benefits, both physical and mental, that come from getting out there on a bike.
I probably don't have to explain this to most people on here, you already get it. This sport is like an addiction, the main difference being, a lot of those addicted to other things want to stop.
Great to see piece based on the reality of our sport.
Cheers all - Stay safe and have fun out there.
#dirtdonthurt
Like you, I'm immensely grateful for coming out of it mostly intact -- any injuries above the shoulders can go from "eh" to "oh shit" really quickly, and the fact that we're here to trade war stories on the internet means it could have been so much worse.
I haven't lost my job, yet, but I've had to take an unpaid leave of absence, and who knows what will happen in the future.
So, yeah, I very much echo how hard something like this is. Do you have a good support network at home, and people to talk to about what you're going through? Keeping everything bottled up is a recipe for disaster. For what it's worth - I'd be happy to chat if you ever need an ear, one head trauma patient to another.
Good luck on your recovery, mate. Keep your goals in focus, and try to keep momentum moving forward toward them. It's a long road, but every day gets you healthier.
- Duncan
I went straight head over heels and suffered a flexion injury, crushing my C4, the exact type of injury they are designed to protect against. So on paper, yes it would've certainly reduced the impact onto my vertebrae, but life isn't written on paper.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, I have a few friends who wear them and I certainly plan on investing in one once I get riding again.
Yes I've moved back home so my parents can look after me, not something you want (or ever expected I need) at 26!
I'm trying to remain focused. Thanks for the kind comment!
It could have been much worse, to be honest. I'm alive, fully mobile, and my condition is progressively improving -- but this is the worst injury I've ever sustained in almost 20 years of riding, and it's going to take a lot to come back from. I'll hopefully be starting an intensive brain injury rehab program in a few weeks, which should increase the likelihood of a strong return.
But for all of that, the single best feeling I've had since the accident was picking up my bike from the shop after the necessary post-crash service and coasting it back to the truck.
What I don't know, though, is how this will change me and my risk tolerance if and when I get back on the bike for real.
Still, the prospect of riding (and skiing) again is what keeps me pushing through.
Its just a matter of time till skill or fatigue or luck changes the outcome.
I don't think anyone who mtb's has not suffered through some sort of injury and recovery.
As this video states, almost everyone wants/ needs to get back on their bike for the thrill/ enjoyment the sport brings.
Ps. The shot at 0:25 is captivating as hell.