The Crash That Has Me Questioning Mountain Biking
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ย. 2024
- I have crashed hard before but have only gotten physically injured. This MTB crash was different. I'm mentally shook and questioning if the risk of mountain biking is even worth it.
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Mate, life is far too short. I lost about 5 years of my life due to severe mental health issues compounded by disasterous medication choice and neglect by my 'doctor'. I practically did nothing but sleep and work and sleep away entire weekends for 5 years. It feels like no more than 1 year could possibly have passed. Suicide was always in my thoughts, every single day. And during that time I did not set foot on a bicycle, I could barely function as it was.
When I finally got back into mountain biking, I felt it's what saved my life. Engaging my mind and body progressing MTB has helped me claw back into functional life.
I've never been a risk taker, not even in my youth. I was a wimp and a nerd and poor at sports as a kid. Now approaching my late 30s, I've started doing more technical MTB riding such as smaller jumps and bunny hopping off little trail features. I'm no less of a wimp than when I was younger, but I am now able to mentally plan out and design strategies to safely (as much as possible) progress skills.
I don't really get much of an adrenaline rush from jumps or slashing berms. I don't get "stoked" in the way I think others do. I'm not that excitable. But at the end of a ride I feel a sense of productivity and that I took advantage of the day, not just riding and doing cardio but also progressing technical skills in a logical and measured way.
Finding new limits has nothing to do with being reckless or stupid if done well. It is about "how can I make this work for me?" given current circumstances.
I feel that many who are of the opinion that's it's selfish or irresponsible to continue (or start!!!) mountain biking due to life responsibilities or certain age milestones simply need to bring a more problem solving style approach mountain biking as opposed to throwing up their arms and saying that's it.
Living is risky. Disease or non MTB related accidents don't care that you are feeling sorry for yourself and indulging yourself with excuses of responsibilities and life circumstances so you can quit or semi quit MTB.
Life's short so make it work. Ride on.
I read every word you wrote. Really good insight and advice, brother. Thank you for sharing. Pinning to the top as I’m sure others will also benefit from it.
Wow, I'm so glad I scrolled down to the comments. Thank you for this, and best wishes.
@@MILTONATOR Thank you and thanks so much for the video! (sorry for the late reply, I forgot I had notifications turned off!)
I could relate bro..amen to this.
Preach 🤝
Honestly this is why I went back to milder trails. My ego hurt at first with the milder trails, but then I ended up falling back in love with what got me started in MTBing to begin with.
well said.
Totally. Unfortunately, too many people don't know the value of the knees, shoulders, or spine until it's too late.
getting fit is what got me into mtbing then it just turned into adrenaline seeking and downhill... then i got hurt(broken humerus/collarbome/dislocated arm) and realised this haha
Unfortunately there's a lot of places that put massive ramps and drops with crazy rock features etc. Over fun simple flow trails. It's hard to find them now tbh
It's all about one hardcore track then 100 of mild ones. If one hunts down and only does the hardcore or harder ones, they're just gonna tire out both the body and mind. Think of the hardcore ones as rewards and points. If you did more then 20 hardcore tracks, it's more then enough to proof you have balls haha so now you can just relax.
I'm 55 and still enjoy mountain biking a great deal. Been riding since the 80's and took many hard crashes in my 20's and 30's that would probably kill me today. Multiple concussions, broken ribs, separated shoulders and a collar bone. I don't regret how I used to ride but I look back and consider myself lucky to have fully recovered from all the injuries and still enjoy riding. My goal is to still be mountain biking in my 80's. My best/fastest riding is behind me but my most enjoyable riding is ahead of me. I cruise now and challenge myself when I feel like it and am not ashamed to get off and walk or take the b-line through a tricky section.
B-line squad represent.
😂👊👊
This! I’m almost 51. I do ride a lot still with my sons but don’t take the big chances I use to. Things break a lot easier and heal a lot slower than they did in the 20’s & 30’s. I plan to ride for many more years but gnarly downhill rock gardens are no longer on my menu!
Couldn't have said it better myself sir. I subscribe to the same sentiment. I've been a fan of everything 2 wheels and being outdoors my whole life. My teens and 20's I was a factory Kawasaki rider out of San Diego. Did the whole gambit of hard injuries running the Baja 250 and Motocross circuit. Decided to minimize my risks and made the transition to serious mountain biking after my last motorcycle crash 25 years ago. Somehow my body has not only held up but at 55 I feel stronger and look more fit than I ever have. And I've been a professional athlete my entire life. I too hope to be riding just as hard in my 80's as I do today. Maybe we will pass each other by on the trail one day. If we do you'll be eating my dust! 🚴💨🤠 Happy trails pardner 😂🤙
Agreed. I am 62. Saling it. Well, it goes bad that the ground comes up fast and hard.
I'm seeing a lot of comments from guys that are 40, 50, 60 years of age. As a 29 year old, I really respect reading all of your thoughts. Whenever it comes to trails and obstacles that are tougher, I always ask myself "is the juice worth the squeeze?". Oftentimes, I'll end up skipping a feature if I feel like my skill set isn't there.
It's great to read through these comments and realize that there's nothing to be ashamed of and that it's better to "live to ride another day" vs pushing it to the extreme.
Thank you all for the awesome discussion!!
Thanks for chiming in man. Some crazy stories shared in the comments
If I was in my 20's I'd be riding the feature where he crashed. But I started riding when I turned 40, I have a builtin safety margin my brain won't let me pass. It's weird getting older man, when you're in your late 30's and early 40's you can consciously notice how your body recovers slower, your brain ramping up the fear factor and bigger safety barriers. When I started riding I was 100% trying to do and learn everything I could, and it quickly tapered off when my brain was like ok wait, this is actually dangerous. I'm still really serious with my riding, I do a lot of indoor training, road biking, skill work, but I do skill work that makes me better at riding trails and not jumping, I don't do big drops, etc. If I was younger I'd be going full force, but being older you also learn to be comfortable with saying "I don't need to do that, or ride that feature, and that's totally fine with me"
Also, part of being older is you generally have a professional job that you can't risk skipping because it's paying your way in life, you probably have a family, married, basically people in your life that it would effect if you had to walk around in a cast for 3 months. There's more at stake when you're older, I think that's another big factor that makes you feel totally ok with not doing big sections on a trail, not doing double black diamonds, etc.
There's never any shame in taking the easier route, heck there's no shame in just not riding single tracks at all!
I'm trying to find the video I'm thinking about, but I saw one with two guys riding something a bit wider than a quad trail along the side of a mountain, the view was breathtaking, the flow was awesome and it only required an XC bike and could have been riden on a gravel bike. No big risks and they had just as much fun for sure!
Deciding not to go down that nasty path you know you're not able to handle is something to be proud of. Self-preservation instinct is the main feature that allowed all your ancestors to live long enough so that you are here today. Perpetuating that long-lasting survival tradition is one of your highest prides.
The Lucky think they're smart.
The Smart know they're lucky
Two suggestions:
1. Go for easier trails so you can still have fun but not getting injured as often.
2. Go with friends that don't give you peer pressure.
I see MTB as a way to get some exercises, a little sight-seeing. As soon as I feel any particular trails may put me in harm's way, I re-evaluate the situation before taking my bike there. If it seems it could paralyze me, no thanks. Staying healthy (i.e, not getting spinal injury) is my #1 priority. I've nothing to prove to other riders (friends included).
I'm in my mid-40s, been riding for a while now. I've never got myself in any serious crashes or injuries at all. Touch wood.
This as well,
Doesn't matter how long you ride for or not sometimes you will get hurt from something you don't think will. All a matter of how you fall.
I've just recently gotten back into it and I can say I'm definitely not as brave or possibly stupid as when I was younger. Way more hesitant to jump etc.
I got back into it same reason, exercise and just a bit of sight seeing in nature.
I have nothing to prove, I'm not competitive with it. End of the day I'm an adult now (sadly) with responsibilities like bills etc. And I work a physical demanding job. Can't really be doing something stupid that would mean I can't work anymore even if it's short term injury.
I'm 68 and still riding trails and here are my tips: Never ride ANY trail you think you need a DH bike or full-face helmet on. Leave the rough stuff to the kids. There are plenty of other ways adults can challenge themselves without thrill-seeking descents. Maturity insists that you consider a different perspective on the sport. It's part of growing up. I ride the green trails in Bentonville/ Bella Vista and love it! While I have the lungs and legs of a 40 y.o., my joints are all original equipment. Gravel riding has also taken a bigger part of my riding time. Still on dirt, still in the woods, just a much smoother ride. Weight lifting has also helped me stay riding longer.
I would wear a full face no matter the trail safety is important and jaw surgery is $16k
I’m 67 and I live in Bella Vista AR. One of the nice things about living here is there’s a ton of blue trails. Most of them have a little bit of technical on them but nothing too serious. You still get a little bit of a thrill without the big risk of a major crash. I also ride a lot of the same stuff so I am familiar with them. I don’t do jumps.
67 in AZ. I don't do jumps. Period. There are so many miles of desert mountains to ride I don't have to be bored and I don't have to ride sketch.
There is a 4 mile straight slight downhill that we used to call the "trail of a thousand whoops" when we riding motorcycles. Doubles, triples and craziness at speed. But just standing on the pedals and coasting down it is the trail of a thousand rollers and still fun.
I’m 67 and used to ride down a 3 mile downhill stretch with many rock gardens,berms and turns here in the Zuni mountains NM , and was always thankful afterwards that I didn’t crash’n burn. This year I decided not to press my luck and no longer ride that trail. I now concentrate on my cardio and how beautiful it is up here. Live to ride another day! Check my ego at the trailhead.
I like this, good advice.
My MTB philosophy has been ‘Live to ride another day’. I’m 46 and started riding 6 years ago. Though I’m comfortable riding, I never just ‘Send it’ and would rather walk where I know it may be beyond my comfort zone. To be fearless is to be wreck less. I hope to enjoy many more years this way. All I can say if that if you are OK with bouncing back from injury all the time then have at it. Otherwise act your age and live to ride another day! Be risk conscious, in this case ‘sticks and stones will break your bones’
Truth. I just sent it and now I wish I could take it all back. This eMTB isn't cheap, and my elbow isn't cheap.
I'm 39 and just started riding a few months ago and after a few weeks, I got comfortable and then too comfortable and went over the bar lol. Laying there on the ground I realized if I want to keep riding that I had better chill. So now I also ride with that same philosophy. Live to ride another day! Cheers!
What's the saying? there are old riders and there are bold riders, but there are no old bold riders.
@@Zetler when people say “ just send it “ I think it’s basically if you’re gonna hit a big drop or jump you can’t just call time out mid air , you have to commit, I remember when Dave Jenvey did a drop at Forest of Dean and he was going so slow he went over the bars if he’d of been going faster he probably would’ve cleared it he also broke his collarbone 🥵
Great comment Bro
I have been mtb for about 5 years,I started at 61, I swear it puts a smile on my face from ear to ear. After crashing many times and getting hurt I started to take lessons and I have gotten pretty good. Another thing I learned is when your tired and had enough, it means your tired and had enough, it's the best time to stop. He (or she) who puts their bike away has a better ride another day. Keep riding. Cheers.
I started Emtb riding at age 63. Last year I rode 2100 miles and 230,000 verticle feet (I did the math and Strava had it right). I can think of a time or two when I knew I was getting way too tired or should have paid more attention. It ended badly those days. I now slow way down at those times and make it home just fine. BTW, IF you get tossed on the top of your femur, the hip breaks. (That one took me out for 12 weeks) and you are NOT a pussy for wearing safety equipment. Shit happens and it allows you to walk away unscathed.. Still riddin'. I liked the "Ride like Lightening, Crash like Thunder" comment.
As you get on in years, as am I, look at some of the electric bikes, they're a little heavier but the suspension is all made for them, it let's me play longer before i get to that "I'm too tired ' phase. And F all the people that think it's cheating.
Exactly sometimes you're body doesn't react the same after so many miles and you don't realize it since you're having so much fun
@@jwall62 cheating? Against who? Everybody thinks something anyway.
It’s all about your own joy that you put in your hobby on your own terms.
I crashed recently as well (61) not on those trails but just on a flat pavement.
I decided to wear a full face mips helmet and extra protection for knee and elbows. But my face and neck was pretty messed up for a while. Now everything is ok again on my electric MTB. Will do my first ride after the accident soon again. But only on forrest routes. I didn’t liked the close up study of the pavement for the 3-4 seconds of scraping.
After 40 years of MTBing and multiple accidents, I had a downhilling accident last year which resulted in a subdural hematoma (brain bleed) that caused multiple physical and mental issues for me. Recovery took over four months to be back on my bike. Only into trailing these days...And, still love the sport!
40 years? MTB barely existed 40 years ago. Were you one of the Mt. tam originals?
@@blurglide clunkers pal, look em up!
@@blurglide Not an original. They started in the seventies with Klunkers; but, I joined in soon after production mtbs became available in 1983. My first mtb was a Ross Indian; but, all my race bikes were by Tom Ritchey.
It’s not just “part of the game” I just seriously injured my back for the rest of my life in a spill no worse than the ones you showed here.
my mate did the same. he WILL NEVER work again
MTB is inherently dangerous and getting fucked up is most certainly part of the game. There isn't a rider in the history of the sport that hasn't crashed. So how is it not a part of the sport?
@@jonnie2bad Never say “everyone”. I’m 43, been mountain biking for 25 years, and never crashed. In fact I’ve never even wore a helmet on a ride. I know my skill and don’t take unnecessary risks. Ride trails of all difficulty and my friends have crashed countless times and broken bones.
@@phoenixrising441 Well, so you're riding off-road, not mtb'ing. As someone already stated, wearing no helmet IS taking unnecessary risk.
@@phoenixrising441 yes show me riding leogang worldcup downhill or hotshots trail with no helmet, you wouldnt even start rolling on to there :D
I had a similar experience when I was 42. Went MTBing with a group who were all younger than me with nearest being 36 and the rest all younger down into their mid-20’s. We were riding on some pretty technical trails. One of the guys wrecked early in the ride and seemed kind of proud of being the first to go own; kind of a badge of honor. I eventually wrecked too. I got up, backtracked and tried to ride through the same section again only to wreck again. I had wrecked several times B4 over the years when I was younger and it had never bothered me. But that time it did and what I concluded was that tolerance to risk for most people (not all) drops as we older. That’s why countries recruit or draft only young men and women to go off and risk their lives fighting in wars. As for the 40+ folks, when shit happens, it has a greater affect on our psyche. I think it’s natures way of reminding us as we get older to slow down and stop and smell the roses. I’m 62 now and still riding. Do I ride the same trails as I did when I was 42 . . . absolutely not! But I still love what riding I do which is mostly cross country single track with plenty of good climbs. My motto ever since I wrecked at 42 is “better to live to ride another day.” Most of my friends who are my age or older are not in as good a shape as I am. I’m not trying to brag and I’m definitely no Adonis by any stretch of the imagination. But I am grateful that I love to do something that keeps me in shape and young at heart. And, I don’t have many of the health issues that plague a lot of 62 year olds who choose not to be as active. And my continued riding has kept me in decent enough shape to do other things I love. Backpacking, traveling, hiking, goofing off with my wife and keeping up with my grandson. So my advice would be to keep riding, listen to Mother Nature, lower your risk tolerance and live to ride another day. Do your best and be careful. And above all, may peace, love, and gratitude be with you and your family. Cheers mate!
I'm 71 - yours are words of wisdom. When I was younger than 40, bikes were not near as capable as they are now and trails were relatively scarce. I regret being too old to experience the wide selection of trails now available, with bikes that can handle them. It is what it is. The old days were good enough for John Tomac and Ned Overend, so shouldn't complain. Keep on riding, but be safe.
Well said @ucdChe. Just separated my shoulder, two months ago AGAIN. Now both sides have the clavicle sticking up. I turn 62 in two months. I am suffering more mentally than I am physically as I contemplate ending my 33 year run as a mountain biker. Even on green trails there is danger. I don't know...I am real sad about this possibility. Mountain Biking is such a huge part of my life.
Good thoughts. As for me, I am going to enjoy extreme mountain biking the TH-cam way.
Im 66 and riding almost every day, roadbike or mt bike. Basically none of the people I grew up with are doing anything like this, they all got old. Even though they're the same age.
I think, they think Im nuts out doing what Im doing. And yeah I could get hurt, but I really try to keep it on the sane side of fun. Still love it or I wouldnt do it.
Great advice!
I'm 73, I was hard riding MB's before they had shocks. Lots of crashes over the years (only one broken bone).
Sometime in my late 50's I had a crash and that was it. Wasn't my hardest crash or worst crash but it was the one that put doubt in my mind. That's all it took.
I continued to ride but a lot less aggressively and on a lot milder trails.. I discovered safe thrills were more than thrilling enough.
With each passing year the trails I ride have gotten easier and easier (I'm guessing in a year or two it'll be the equivalent of a Sunday morning stroll trail) but I'm still having fun and still in one piece.
Nice response. I'm 54, riding since 20s. Lots of crashes. Last couple of years 2 concussions and a broken finger. I did the www.transnz.com 2 years ago and signed up for a repeat. Was a bit relived when it cancelled to to Covid. Most of the days fine, but one day was just v really bigger then my comfort zone, and racing it. Time to tone it down.... I'm a doctor age see the injuries... Happy to ride, but nothing to prove
I am older too, and I bike a couple of times a week. At my age I don't want to get racked up for a lengthly recovery, and maybe even limit my mobility in the future. I do some off road because it is actually safer than being on the road in some cases. But those dirt roads are easy and present just enough challenge for me. Good judgement on your part. It's smart.
Started at 56, now 64 and loving it. Some of the initial crashes I'm VERY lucky to have escaped with only bruises. I thoroughly enjoy the physical and technical challenges, but there's enough sanity to avoid pushing it too far. The real potential problem for me, and anyone for that matter, as Miltonator said: "Third lap and feeling confident"
@@JohnSaccoccio Good for you. I can understand pushing one's body. I love to get on my bike, but no way am I doing that kind of riding. The big thing is that at my age I don't want a serious injury. My 'off road' are dirt roads and farm access paths. There are some moderate ruts and gravel, but that is it. Good luck and keep riding.
I had a crash that broke my clavicle and scapula a couple years ago, it got in my head bad. I had an epiphany during my healing though, I have literally invested blood sweat and bones to this hobby, I’m not going to quit or regress. The next season I went out and hit that feature that fucked me up three straight times and now I know to just trust my skill, it was a fluky crash and it happens. Im still out here chasing my next thrill and pushing harder and harder trails. Just need to work on my jump confidence.
I'm 51 now, and I've been mountain biking for around 40 years. I've been pretty lucky in the injury department; one shattered wrist that required surgery, one concussion, one torn up shoulder that healed without surgery (though it took months before I was pain-free) and the elbow on the same side, broken hand, sprained jaw (took a couple of weeks before I could eat solid food without substantial pain), lots of cuts and scrapes, and one pretty cool scar where a brake handle ripped a 5" tear into my forearm (same crash that racked up my shoulder).
Risk is part of riding, but there comes a point where you start to realise that it's more fun to get out in the fresh air, get some decent cardio in, take in the scenery, ride within your skill level and go home without an injury.
Love the part where you say "I've been pretty lucky in the injury department" and then go on to recite a long list of pretty serious injuries that would make a normal person gasp and pass out....lol. You are a true mountain biker my friend!
Well said.
I had 4 major surgeries in 2015, all from riding dirtbikes over a very long career, new knee, etc,etc. But Im good now! Nothing hurts and I ride everyday. Somehow I lost the jonesing for the dirtbike. I just lost interest. But 2 new mt bikes are getting used a lot.
Kestrel, that's what it's all about! Speed is for the younger guys who haven't learned that crashes can take you out of action for a long time.
Lucky hahahaha that is ridiculous!!
Dude. That’s a gnarly trail. Thanks for sharing. Definitely puts things in perspective for us 40+ youngsters
🤙🤙
As i turned 60 this year and retiring, I came to the realization that even some of the smaller crashes could do some serious damage to me now. I do a lot more hike a bikes than I would have even 5 year ago. Now, my decisions to ride trails are ones that if I crash, it's because the bike fell apart and not because of a skill issue. I enjoy the scenery a lot more and 'full send' happens infrequently. Better to be smart and safe and pedal another day than to risk it. Also, my 30 year old nephew was in a MTB crash 2 years ago and is now paralyzed from the waist down.
So said for your nephew. Really sucks. There is light though. If he is bright and astute the science is progressing and he may walk again before to long. Perhaps pursue the science and research and discover a way to re fire and grow those neurons.
@@Rzagski He’s actually taking it quite well, started his own business and is a rep for a company that specializes in motorized mountain bikes and three wheelers for handicap people. He never once let it get him down, As soon as he got his halo off he was doing pull ups with his wheelchair attached to him, getting ready for whatever came next. He actually made runs down Whistler on his motorized bike, he hasn’t given up MTBing, just does it differently now.
@@jwall62 I’ll look out for your nephew next trip to Whistler with my grandkids👍👍😄
@@psoon04286 he just finished a 3 day 37 mile 8000 foot elevation gain trek on his new hand pedaled 3 wheeler. No motors, no electric, all arm powered.
@@jwall62 I’d have a hard time keeping up, but it would be exhilaratingly to photograph his trek. It would be an inspiration to lots of other folks struggling with similar physical impairments👍😃
Hi and glad you’re ok 👌 my 2 cents. I’m 63 and have threw myself uphill and down since my teens, including rock climbing, mountains, mtb, scuba, ice hockey etc. My knees, back and shoulders remind me every day of what I have done. It didn’t matter, until, KIDS!!! I now know fear. Not for myself but because I have dependants who need me to be around. Personally, I believe you’ve been given your message. After a few nonsense moments I stopped and re-evaluated, I still have fun but it’s at a much easier pace with less catastrophic potential. You need to be a provider not a burden, it’s not just about you anymore. Take care.
I‘m 58 and started MTB in 1996. my summary so far: scattered collar bone, broken wrist, left knee injury (legaments) and shoulder surgery. Will I quit-never. I ride about
3000 - 5000 (approx 1800 to 3000 miles) km a year, so you need to put this in context. And I live in Switzerland there‘s some tricky trails😂 Live free or die as one says in New Hampshire…
You may want to limit your injuries from this point on. I'm 70 and all my old injuries are coming back to haunt me. I slowed my speed a little bit to stay under control. In the last 5 years of riding under control - one sprained finger.
@@thelakeman5207 thanx for your advise -I know that you‘re probably right. But is is in my genes to live life to the fullest and I guess therefore will have to pay my dues sooner or later. Take care buddy!
Same thing happened to me. After riding downhill for years I suffered a broken collarbone and then I broke my shoulder on a really steep drop which I flipped over my handlebars on. The pain of my broken shoulder for about a week was unbearable. I eventually recovered and thought the same exact thing and I questioned it also. Purchased a nice 140mm bike and made the move to trail riding with some nice speed but avoided all the pitfalls of downhill.
Have to say i.have no.enjoyment riding over all those rocks..but love down hill
I was going 35 right after a trail couldn't stop, went over my handlebars and slammed into a tree on the side of the road. Ever since then I stopped show boating and am more careful. Trail riding is where its at, tempting fate on rock doesn't seem like a long term plan.
Thanks for the video. 48 years old, crashed at a cross country mtb race on April 23, 2022. Nothing hard about the course, just clipped my handlebar on a tree and went down knee first into a rock that broke off inside my knee. Two knee surgeries, a serious infection, a week in the hospital and three weeks of IV antibiotics. I'm just now able to pedal a bike on a trainer and still have problems walking 8 weeks later. Hoping for a full recovery by late August. Already had to cancel one family hiking vacation at Glacier NP, probably another in late August with a friend. I'm still thinking about what I'm gonna do as far as mtbing in the future is concerned.
Did you wear knee pads?
@@HarryKuloh No, I didn't.
Bro bpc 157 look it up
my gosh, all those injuries caused by an XC race?
as a downhill rider this scares me damn
@@rafael_13 Well, you guys tend to wear more padding. A simple pair of knee pads would have saved me a lot of trouble. I"m back to riding, but with knee pads!
At 59 I have transitioned (several years ago) from weekend racing taking risks that push my skill level to simply riding for the cardio. This decision came after two collar bones fractures and the big downhill race wreck where I fractured by L2 vertebra, cracked three ribs and collapse a lung. I have decided that racing places me mentally in a dangerous mind set so no more racing and no more down hill riding. I live in the Blue Ridge mountains and a typical ride is 8-10 miles with 1000 ft of climbing a few time a week which is all I need and no more fractures...the older you are longer it takes to heal which is also a larger percentage of you remaining years.
So well said. At our age, time takes on a whole new dimension. I am 61
Looks like a great trail! It appeared you were riding near the edge of your capabilities and maybe even a little spent after now being on a third lap. All things that lead to nasty crashes. I’ve been in similar circumstances many times and the two things that helped me were 1: learn how to fall. It’s natural to reach out to catch ourselves but that’s a quick trip to the ER- glad you didn’t break anything. There are ways to tumble that allow you to disperse that energy and get back up with minimal issue. I liked to have basic chest and back protective gear with a backpack (holding gear, water, etc.) to help take the blows. 2: keep building muscle. Not sure if there’s science behind it, but I sure noticed a difference in injuries (lack of) when I lifted regularly. I ate dirt a fair share and could take the hits a lot better.
I agree with this assessment. It looks like you were getting tired there towards the end. Gnarly tech sections require you to be at your best lest you pay the price. Glad you were okay.
I've been riding mountain bikes for almost 30yrs & I can say that I had my share of crashing but none of them have ever taking me out of the game. But last October that changed. While riding back to my car after awesome shuttle laps all day I took a nasty fall & tore my MCL and fractured my tibia & it put me out of action for about 5 months & I'm just now getting back on the bike again. It's not about if you fall but when you fall because you are going to fall again. I'm 51 & I don't plan on quitting mountain biking anytime soon but I'm definitely changing my game when out on them trails. I don't know what that will consist of but I'll be a little bit more chill while playing with my bike. Keep shredding my dude🤘🏿
Oh man, on the ride back to the van. That blows! Hopefully you’ve healed well. Appreciate the encouragement 🤘
were you riding with clip ins pedals or flats?
@@AM-yb1ez I ride clipped in. But when I tore up my knee I was unclipped & off my bike when my leg hit the ground. Funny you ask because my orthopedic doc ask me the same question😅
@@AM-yb1ez Flats. Don't even wanna think how this would've ended had I been clipped in.
Oh man, so glad you’re okay! And I think you’re right… it’s not about IF you should ride, it’s to what degree you decide to push your own limits. ✌🏼🤟🏼
Thanks Adam
The adrenaline rush you get is totally crazy, at times you feel invincible tackling all those obstacles and wants you to chase even harder paths, makes you deliberately reckless, it’s there when you are most vulnerable!!
Glad you’re ok. As I get older I question the same things. I went OTB on a gnarly trail recently and landed softly but I cracked my new intense frame. I was following younger, faster riders on a blind double black trail I’ve never ridden before. I was caught up in the moment instead of riding sensibly and within my skill level. Time to be smarter now, but still seek out a challenge. That’s the hard part. Good luck in the future and I wish you nothing but safe fun rides.
Thanks John. Sucks to hear about your frame. Hopefully you got a crash replacement
@@MILTONATOR Thanks Milton. Yes, I'm using Intense's crash replacement policy but it's still going to cost over $500 and more importantly, time away from my new bike LOL
Been there. My most severe crashes were when I was pushing my limits, when I was trying to learn something new. This is an extreme sport, and lets not lie about it. We tend to go over terrain that no one in their right mind would attempt, and keep calling it a normal Thursday. After crashes - I get up, get down and if I can, ride the rest of the day. Then when back home - I put the damn thing into the garage all dirty and leave it there for a week, not getting near. Then I get to terms with the bike and service it, clean it and go back on trails. Once I start going down I get this feeling of bliss and notice how I missed it all.
Funny thing is - I ride a hardtail trail 29er with 140mm travel up front on most of the trails, including black ones. This bike doesn't give me a false sense of security and lets me know when I screwed up. It humbles me in a way, making me reconsider taking the trail and if I dare to do it, forces me choose my route carefully. I will eventually upgrade to a full sus bike, but only when I feel I mastered this one.
Know the feeling man, I crashed up Greer 3 weeks ago and broke my collarbone. I’ve ridden some of the gnarliest trails over the years I’ve been riding and have came away with a few scratches. But this recent crash was purely from not paying attention and it caught me out on a trail I’ve ridden hundreds of times. I run my own company and it immediately made me think is it worth it for the risk. But it’s too hard to get a feeling that lives up to doing something so fun and yet so dangerous. A break from riding may help you and pick trails you are comfortable on and enjoy. That’s just my thoughts as I know I’ll never stop riding 😂
Oh man, that’s at least six weeks recovery. Heal well brother. I just finished my first recovery ride just now. Chill ride but it was awesome nonetheless 👊
dude i smacked a pole going down hill after my suspension bottomed out and launched me, broke my seat and post, bent my seat, cracked my brake switch housing, bent my front wheel, my shoulder also contacted the pole i got a shoulder impingement from it, ( i must have it going at least 20 something mph) you have 2 choices to make you either hang it up or you get back on and keep riding. i road for another 5 miles of trail with a smashed shoulder and bike and im glad i did. i love this sport so much im glad i didnt give up. ( father of 2 and a blue collar worker)
I think we all get caught up on that "the gnarlyer the better" mind set, we can't go away from the good feeling of conquering those kinda of trails but when we find ourself on this kind of accidents we arealized that at our age, our families depend on us and 5 minutes of adrenaline rush can put all the people around us in a tough place.
Thanks for the video I glad you are ok and you walked away from that one. 🤙👍🔥
Thanks Daniel🙏
I think you have to try to think what memories you’ll have when you are older. A lot of what most people do in life is building memories that you look on fondly when you are older. Call it reminiscing.
Personally most of my great memories don’t involve huge risk, it’s more about being in fabulous remote scenery or overcoming the elements, ideally with a bunch of great guys for company. Riding a really technical difficult trail doesn’t do it for me, so I don’t do it, or if I do it I’m slow and very careful. Everyone’s different, but adrenaline is a short term effect drug.
I worked in a neurological intensive care unit for 11 years. One patient in particular I will always remember. A mid-40s Asian doctor, very muscular build, very active. Went over the handlebars while mountain biking, and broke his neck. He was a quadriplegic for life.
I’ve been there. I questioned myself the same question after having rib fracture, and both arms fractured on different occasions in my 40’s. I’m now 50 yrs old. The answer to your question is, it’s not worth it esp when family and work comes into play. It’s being selfish. However, I still ride my bike responsibly by riding to easy trails and not taking risks.
I cased a double at a bike park 3 years ago. My back end bounced me off the seat and I lost control. Basically hugging the handlebars as I headed toward the side of the trail. I ran into a big rock where my foot took the brunt of the impact. I was lucky nothing major happened, but it took me off the bike for 3 months. I told myself after the crash that it's not worth it. But, I was soon back on the bike , mostly trail riding, and of course as the years turn you go back to the bigger mountains. But, I don't take unnecessary risk now and haven't crashed since then. Knock on wood, but I have nothing to prove, just happy to be up there on the mountain.
My moto: When you ride like lightning, you crash like thunder!
Enjoy your video,but I think with family keep riding,but dont push so hard enjoy the ride
@@alfredot2739 That's the key, enjoy the ride. Why suffer and endanger your life. Take it a little slower and ride completely under control. Your body will thank you for it when you get into your 60's.
@@thelakeman5207 Oh my god, that's such a good line. I'm gonna steal that
When you bought your bike the salesperson said, " the question is
Not if you're going to crash the
Question is how hard and how many times". Right? Mountain bikers and
Motocrossers and off road enthusiasts all face injury and death every time they ride. You're alive,
You not paralyzed from the neck
Down. You're one of the lucky ones.
God bless.
I remember my last nasty crash. It took some time to regain confidence. It was a sobering reminder to just have fun and be safe. No need to impress others as they're not paying those hospital bills
“Are you paying my hospital bill?”Thats gonna be my answer to the next person who yells out just send it! On a sketchy feature 😂
Totally understand where you're coming from. My riding has progressed a lot over the past 2 years since I got back to riding. After a couple of hard tumbles, with the last one nearly ending in concussion had it not been for a lucky water bottle bounce that cushioned my head from a rock. I had to re-assess my riding and dial it down a notch, especially where I am now with my career, a new house under construction, and a pre-schooler and a 1st grader I have to support.
Appreciate this video. Shout out to the older folks who keep riding and taking it easy. I’ll be right there with you on the green runs and blue XC trails.
I'm older and not willing to get hurt. My adult son was seriously injured after a failed jump with a broken rib, punctured lung and dislocated shoulder in his latest crash. So, yes, I agree with you that it's not worth that type of risk especially when family members depend on us to be healthy. I am more satisfied to do more cross country type of trails where it's less technical and if I do fall, it's not like falling down a set of concrete stairs with shards of concrete there to impale hips and bones. It's a great sport, but like Clint Eastwood said, "a man's got to know his limits." Stay safe.
It's a fine line between pushing yourself to develop your skills, and riding in ways that are beyond your skillset. Don't ride sketchy stuff if you're not ready for it. Don't try to keep up with your friend who's been riding mtb since the age of 2...you won't have the skills to bail yourself out of situations like what happened in this video. Use caution ⚠️ when trying to build up your skills, be realistic about your abilities.
Can definitely feel your pain literally!! I had a very similar crash 3 weeks ago. I was riding a trail that I know like the back of my hand with no problem, then I spotted my friend riding another part of the trail. That moment of inattention caused my to catch my left handlebar on a small tree. Basically I did what they call in motorcycling a "highside". Straight up into the air over the bike and smashed my whole right side into the ground. My arm was smashed into my chest instant searing agony, completely winded. I staggered up took about 2 steps then collapsed and passed out. Anyway we got it sorted, I fortunately didn't hit my head. I was able to SLOWLY ride back to the car with only the occasional hit of searing agony from my right chest area. The first week was a nightmare, searing agony every time I got out of bed or even moved in bed. Medical diagnosis was badly bruised ribs. Not much I could do other than painkillers and rest. 3 weeks later it still hurts like hell but I am getting there. I can do things slowly without major pain. It will be a while longer but I will definitely be back on the bike. I guess the main thing I will take away from this is CONCENTRATE on what you're doing and not what others are. I do try to ride within my capabilities (i.e. don't get sucked into racing people or trails that are above what I can do). I will also be upgrading my protective gear. I was wearing knee pads and my legs barely got a scratch but no Elbow pads and of course my elbow was a mess. I have fixed that up already with some new elbow pads purchased this week.
I can't wait to get out again, although I will wait till I'm ready. I love just riding the bike, being outside enjoying nature. Letting the kangaroos and wombats go their way when I come across them (yes I'm Aussie). Great being out there with good friends too.
Rest get over your injuries and get out there again. BTW I'm 61 so if I can do it you can too 👍😉
This is partly why I've been riding rigid almost exclusively for 5 years plus: fun, cheap, and you are not often going the sorts of crazy speeds at which a crash can maim you for life
I spent the last 15 years working a job that had me sometimes doing 70 hours a week, eating in gas stations and fast food constantly because there was no time to cook. I got up to 325lbs. I quit that job, went back to school, got a job that lets me work the hours I want to. At 30 I was 225 and biking all the time in the mountains of Washington state. This year at 53, I got back on my bike and started riding to work and back. I dropped my weight to 250 and started training to improve my fitness. I’m not quite ready to do mountains yet, but I’m getting better every week. I wish I hadn’t ever stopped and let my health get so bad.
I hear you completely. I have a few riding philosophies now. 1. No injuries 2. No air time. I. Ow ride a full suspension fat bike on XC trails because I figured that was the safest that I could get and still allow me to enjoy the forests and biking. Since my last concussion I realized that it is DEFINITELY not worth the risk to me. Thank you for the honest questioning.
Thank you for sharing you experience
Concussion with a helmet on?
@@LilyWillow22 did you really just ask that? 🤦🏻♂️
I remember sending trail features and gnarly drops on my crappy hardtail in my early 20s that I would think twice about now with my $4000 dual suspension bike (15y later). It's not that I can't do it or haven't done harder trails since, it's just that I don't see a point pushing my luck anymore. Sometimes I'll do them, when I'm feeling good going up to it. If I'm doubting myself, I walk it. Looks like that's how you felt going up to that section, you took it way slower than your first pass when you cleared it, like you were already trying to avoid it in your head.
Edit: One thing I've noticed is bikes with long wheel bases and steep rakes have really clumsy front ends at low speed, the loss of control can really surprise you
I think there's an argument that most bikes are to slack, and over suspension travelled for what most riders need to enjoy there local trails
I’m still recovering from a gravel bike crash. Abrasions all over my left side, bruised rib, and a really nasty sprained/hyperextended shoulder. I was back on the bike for an easy 2 miler on tarmac today. Personally, I will keep riding until my body won’t allow me to anymore. I will be riding less gnarly terrain now, but I just can’t stop riding . It’s been a few months since you posted and I hope you’re doing okay now and have the will to ride again and maybe keep the trails a little more tame lol. It’s fun to shred the gnar, but it is miserable when the gnar shreds you. And to anyone else who is going through the same thing: You are not alone. We all wonder about this sport sometimes. You will ride again and you will crash again, and you WILL be okay.
You get to a point in your life when you realize that doing a thing can take away a lot more than the thing itself. I ride for the fun of it, not the challenge. I stay away from big drops and jumps and just ride easy and that keeps it fun for me. You can be on a trail you've done 100 times and hit a spot that has never given you a thought before and suddenly there's a rock or tree branch or a squirrel or something you don't expect and down you go. A simple fall can be nothing or a lifetime in a wheelchair. I see guys taking dumb risks all the time, 10 miles from a trailhead and reasonable expectation of getting help...no thanks... If you want an adrenaline rush, take your 17 year old out with her driving the car. Stay safe out there!
z3ro panic bro u mentally screwed yourself
your a good rider dude u had it
My last 2 rides ended with 2 broken arms (the only broken arms I ever sustained on the MTB) and a head knock so bad that they put me in a coma. The doctors told me I had to stop which was super hard at the time, but I'm loving what I do with my time instead
@@gurusson That really sucks, sorry to hear about that, but glad you're recovering. As I get older, I take fewer risks, there are plenty of off road trails out there that aren't dangerous or risky, flow trails without jumps, etc where you still get a nice day out in the woods. You can still ride a bike, though maybe you need a motorcycle helmet :).
excellent response...i agree 100%... why risk what you enjoy and suffer downtown time and potential disability when you spend the rest of your remaining good time pedaling away?!
I keep shuttle laps and lift service to minimal, I mean, minimal to lesson the odds of getting hurt. I have been enjoying powering up heavy climbs and getting super strong just as much as sending downhill.
Little late but I'm happy to see you're still at it! I had a bad off a while back (Toro Crash on my channel) that left me with severe nerve damage and took PT and time to heal. I've also had many broken bones in motocross. Much as others have said though, if MTB is something you love doing, stopping altogether is no good. We need our enjoyments in this life, and MTB is far from an unhealthy one. Do what you love, smartly. My humble opinion is to scale back, work on your skillsets as a rider, then get back into the tougher/more fun trails. Ride safe and have fun!
When I was just starting out I had a similar crash. Not carrying a lot of speed I went off trail into some tall foxtails. Instead of going off straight, slowing down then getting back on trail I turned the bike to get back on trail and lost traction. I high sided, over the bars. Maybe 10 miles per hour over the bars directly face planted onto a rock. I had zero time to react. A kin to jumping off a diving board minus the water, add a rock!! I shattered the bone in my nose, broke the cartilage, deep laceration on the upper left side of my nose by my eye, sent my teeth straight through my upper and lower lip, tore my right nostril, chipped about 10 teeth. I lost feeling in my front teeth for about a month. Immediately after crashing blood was pouring out of my mouth and nose like a river. I instinctively felt my face and noticed my nose felt like a flag flapping in the wind. I grabbed my nose and reset it myself knowing if I waited it was going to be far worse when the swelling started. My buddy who was with me was roughly 25 yards ahead and when he came back his face as he saw me said everything. I flushed out my nose and mouth as best I could with water and let the blood drain out of my broken face. I didn’t want to let the blood drain back into my throat due to the dirt and bacteria which lives in your nasal passage. I was able to ride back to the car slowly. Each person I passed had the look of terror as they saw what the crash did to my face. Straight to the ER. As we walked into the ER, the receptionist looked at me and said,” Broken nose!” Since I had reset my nose post crash it was looking pretty straight and centered. Took me about 6 weeks to heal up. The evening I was in the ER I actually had it in my mind to buy a full face helmet. I was already telling myself that I was going to get back out on the trail asap. MTB is a release for me. Focusing my concentration, forgetting about all the stress of daily life not in the trails. Complete freedom to test one’s ability. Slow starting back but now being 6 months post crash I have gained more understanding of the finer details of handling a bike properly. What to do if I can sense an imminent crash before it happens. Now I wear a full face, goggles and a few other pads then I previously did. Take it slow and it all comes back. Suffer Now, Summit Later!!! Cheers brotha!!!
I agree with the comments noted below. Just need to be selective about where you ride so that you feel good about it and have fun.
53 here. Getting back into the sport. Been 30 yrs. I've been road for some time now, pushing through the difficult parts is most rewarding. BUT! MTN is a different game. I'll consider mostly trail riding, nothing crazy as I want to enjoy the experience. We have a local park that I've hiked many of times. Went out first run in my Roscoe and I was humbled quickly. Not exactly trail riding but strep climbs, narrow and steep falling down grades. I almost ate shit easily a few times. Need to remember I'm 53 and new again to this. Like you, I'm invested in my job as a restaurant owner, husband, father of four so I need to not be laid up. Great camera work and I'll remember this video to keep me honest!!
I'm really glad that you are essentially okay from this accident--your wife and kids need you. I'm an avid rider in my 50's and I'm going to tell all you other fellow riders out there: ALWAYS wear helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads. It's also a very good idea to wear a chest protector and protective shorts on trails like these.
You may be a world-class MTB rider, but you can still wreck. Do you want to shatter your elbow, knees, hips, or ribs? Gear up....better safe than sorry.
This. My rib/wrist/elbow fractures were on 'easy' sections and going slow. Now I wear better protection every ride, and would feel naked without elbow and knee pads any time I get on my bike.
@@jemez_mtn I also feel naked without my elbow/knee pads, protective shorts, and helmet! My Fox D3O Pro pads are so comfortable that I forget that they're even there. It helps me ride more relaxed.
What I also have in common with you is that I seem to be more likely to wreck on simple stuff. I guess it's because I get too relaxed and even cocky. I almost had 2 wrecks the other day on really easy stuff!
@@mesabmanyeah once you get used to it you don't even know they're there anymore, so why would you not. Like you said, more relaxed. I'll have to check out your pads, love my 7iDP shorts.
I’m 54, and last year I had a near miss - climbing!
(This makes me sound like a noob, but I’ve been riding since I was 14 (bmx, some road racing and mtb since 1987 - started on a Marin Pine County, and did the Fox Antifreeze Enduro in Wales 3 years ago)
It was a simple switchback climb, pretty steep and unused so there’s a lot of debris builds up (small rocks and twigs) and it’s fairly isolated, but honestly nothing difficult.
The incident:
I turned right on a switchback climb so that the slope ‘up’ was to my left, and the drop to my right, when my front tyre ran over a small rock I hadn’t seen (size of a golf ball) coming out of the turn. My front wheel rode up and over the rock to the left ‘up’ the slope.
The wheel lifted slightly (as it does when you pedal hard on a steep slope) making it worse, and dropped back down too far to the left side and I just fell to the right.
No big; except the slope to my left was steep so I could put my hand on it, and on the drop to my right where I fell the ground was about 18 inches lower than my cranks so I slammed hard by the time I hit the ground where my head landed.
The tip of my helmet smacked a rock the size of a coconut, I wasn’t wearing a full face helmet but I was OK.
The thing is, if I’d been just 3 inches further down, that rock would’ve smashed the side of my face/cheek bone/jaw bone.
Could’ve been nasty - and off of such a dumb easy thing.
I decided to ride more flow trails and leave the steeper stuff alone from now on.
This week I tried my first MTB experience on a beginner's trail and now I'm nursing a displaced fracture of my collar bone. I never wanted to MTB "to the X-treme", just take in the beauty of trails I'd rather be biking than footing. I don't want to be one-and-done with my MTB experience but I also have a job I can't take for granted for what it puts on the table. So now I'll heal up, accrue more sick days, then maybe try again sometime next year.
Its super hard to see someone dealing with this and I’m still young so it’s easy for me to say but part of what helped me progress and have an even better time was just slowing down and having fun it seems so obvious and kinda dumb but it works
I did track days on my bike for 10 years and 6 years ago I hung it up after a low side crash. Nothing serious but it made me realize how fragile life is.
Family and work is great and jeopardizing all that for a day of thrills wasn't worth it.
EXACTLY!
Damn man, when you were going down it looked pretty chill, when you were going back to get your bike it really illustrated how sketch that was. It's tough with TH-cam, I can tell from some of the things you do hit and the speed that you are substantially higher than my level riding, but when you were doing that part it really didn't look bad. Glad you came out OK. Had a couple of tumbles since I picked up riding again, stopped at like 24, took it back up at 35, and holy shit is crashing a different thing than it used to be.
Haha! Thanks man. This was my first time here and when I got invited, I watched a few videos of the trail and thought “that don’t look that bad” Yea, I was wrong. Anyway, thanks for stopping by man 👊
So you're a vey skilled rider and you guys are riding some rowdy terrain. You can back it off quite a bit and still enjoy riding without risking serious injury.
@@torreyintahoe thanks! It’s exactly what I’ve done 🤙
Maybe don't go so hard so quickly...knowing your limits and skill set is everything when it comes to reducing adverse risk outcomes. Being over prepared is key. I've never seen you do any skill lessons or work with a coach to build a solid skill foundation... But don't give up mountain biking! It's too amazing of a sport! 😉
I crashed rolling off a 6 ft log drop right on top of my head. Had so much dirt jammed into my helmet vent holes and I realised right then I was lucky not to break my neck.
Pretty much stopped DH mtbing then. I miss DH but the risk isn't worth the possible injuries.
I'm 74 years young, and took a nasty spill on my mountain bike a month ago. I jammed my right thumb, hit hard on my left shoulder and then tumbled over hard on my right shoulder. I am still having a rough time with that swollen thumb, and still have quite a bit of pain in my right shoulder if I move it wrong. To sum it up, from now on I only do mild biking. It just isn't worth it.
That's a fun trail but definitely can get you. I OTB at almost the same spot on my first time. It is part of the game but sucks when you crash hard. Luckily if you don't get physical hurt your ego is definitely bruised. Keep up the progression and great videos. 😃👍💯🇺🇸
Oof, same spot huh. Worse place to OTB for sure. Thanks 👊
Guess it come down to “who” you are and where you are in life.
A young person (18-40) without family responsibilities and in good health can take bigger risks than a married man with a family.
A rider with family and major responsibilities have much more at stake then just his own health and his career. His child or children depends on him/her. Being out for 10-12 weeks have huge consequences. Financially, socially and mentally.
I no longer take unnecessary risks on my ride after breaking my hand.
It has changed my perspective. Its not worth it.
Still ride and have fun but no crazy routes.
Yup!!!! I also take in to account my health insurance deductible.
I’m a 58 year old female. Been riding since the 90s on the North Shore and Whistler in Canada. I’ve had some slammers, broke both hands, an elbow once, tore my UCL off my thumb which required surgery and lost a lot of skin on mountains. I switched to full upper body armour, torso, butt, hip, thigh armour, knees, shins and elbows. I still crash doing single and double black but I’m not flying. I go at my own pace, carefully and never ride alone. The full armour and full face helmet makes crashing a non-issue. I get up and get back on. Slow down, armour up, and enjoy the ride.
At 53 no more super technical trails my last spill took me 20 minutes to get up nothing broke but definitely hurting everywhere since that day I decided is was not worth it to challenge myself this way I seen people get crippled in a bad fall do what is right for you don’t let your ego tell you go for it man you got this because you don’t anymore is simply not been a coward just smarter older rider.
God bless you brothers
No need to quit, you love it. May just need to reassess the stuff you’re willing to ride at your age and with your current skill set. The risk
eward ratio may need to be adjusted some to keep you out there, smiling like you always are, and healthy. No shame in that at all, riders ride.
Yeah man, I’m pushing 49 later this year. Appreciate you man👊
I took a steep downhill in 2000, ended up supermanning over the bars and hit a tree very hard. It hit my shoulder, but if it had hit my head , possibly would have been fatal. Severe shoulder separation. In the past 24 years been very lucky. I very seldom spill, and nothing more than rash damage. Have done 30-40 full DH park ski runs without a spill at full speed. Now, been MTBing since the 80s, so before all the jumps and high transitions, so I dont do much of that, but still do hit black diamond trails, but been tapering down the risk levels
If you can't climb it, don't downhill it. We are not a pro's and doing it for fun.
Well, this is a year old, and about the same time, I flew off a cliff and was asking the same kind of questions. As I flew off the cliff, I was thinking I was in a life-flight situation. Fortunately, I landed in a tree about a third of the way down. I was pretty banged up. I opted to no longer ride the crazy stuff, and I'm content riding single track and avoiding the jumps and sketchy downhill stuff. I still have a good time but maybe not the adrenaline rush I used to chase. BTW, I'm 60. I don't heal like I once did. There is lots of fun single-track around that you won't risk your well-being.
Leave the crazy riding to the young thrill seekers. They'll take some hard crashes and then they'll start riding like us older folks. Being in a hospital bed many times will change your attitude.
I had a bad motorbike accident years ago. A lot of people expected me to give up biking. The only thing that concerned me was how long it was going to take to get fit enough to ride again. Everybody dies one day and whilst we don't want it to happen too soon, it could get you doing something as simple as walking down a set of stairs. You can't waste your life on 'what ifs'. If you are concerned, maybe tone it down a bit for a while but never give up doing something you love unless you no longer have the choice.
Dislocated my elbow back in 2023, got back up on the bike after a few months. Enjoyed the trails, joined a couple of races, just can't get enough of mountain biking 🤣😜
I was 55 when I went over my handlebars and was pitched head-over-heels down a steep incline. It was very similar to your crash. As I tumbled, my chin was pushed into my chest and my upper back was tweaked. Even though I was wearing full-finger gloves, my hands had somehow gotten scraped enough to draw a fair amount of blood. Later, as my chiropractor worked to put me back in order, he reminded me of a woman that we both knew. She had a similar crash, but she ended up paralyzed. She was a very fit and active wife and mother, and she was so devastated by the loss of her physical autonomy that she somehow found a way to take her own life.
After I recovered from my injuries, I began avoiding the trail I had crashed on. That was a first for me. But during the next three years, I had more crashes, and I began avoiding other trails as well. I was really unsettled by my uncharacteristic apprehension until I heard a podcast from an older strength coach on aging well. He explained that the key was to maintain your physical autonomy for as long as possible. He said to weigh the risks versus the rewards of your activities. Realizing that I was only one good fall away from ending up in a nursing home, I finally gave myself permission to change the way that I ride. I’m almost 64 now, and I’ve become more of a gravel rider than a mountain biker. I’m much happier and healthier because of that decision.
Thanks for this. Glad to get the end of it and find you’re doing well. All the best.
been there the other day, still thinking what should I do. my shoulder still hurts very much. thank you for sharing. wishing you fast healing.
Thanks and all the best to you
First crash was 6 days into a full suspension for the first time and it required surgery and 6-8 weeks off of everything. I got back into the sport immediately and I love it more than anything. Because I worked for it and it’s a risk I choose to take and know I can come back from. MTB is life
As a ski instructor (23 ) I take every mtb trail like a new terrain park line. You ride past / around the features first. Getting a feel for the conditions, the speed the terrain gives you, even watch a few people better than you. Then you ride it a second time. This time at higher speed. Maybe hit the small/low consequence features with no tricks, feeling the flow, then, 3rd lap, start integrating personal flourishes.
FWIW, I have 50 plus years riding and racing dirt bikes. Started when I was 12 and now I"m 65. Got into mountain biking in 1987 when I was 28. The no suspension days. Got away from the sport around 2000 until getting back into it in 2009. I was 50. The improvement in suspension was incredible. I could ride trails at 50 that were a pipe dream in 1990!! The young fellows that never rode a rigid framed bike had phenomenal skills!! BUT the one thing that never changed on our new dual suspension bikes was that high Center of GRAVITY!! You're right, video NEVER does a trail justice!! I saw how steep that rock garden descent was when you picked your bike up. THAT was a nasty assed, no room for error descent!!! It's not that it can't be done, it's just that it has to be done PERFECTLY!! There is no room for error and our bikes are still too freaking TALL. That's why you crashed hard!!! Personally I don't need this type of riding to have a fun time on a mountain bike. I never really did. I rarely got air on my mountain bike. I lived for a good tight single track without crazy descents!! It left that to my dirt bike. It was meant to do that!! It seems to me that you.ve reached that point where there is no shame in cutting back, having more fun and coming home in one piece!!! Best wishes!! Bryan
Had a bad crash on a steep rock surface with a small landing halfway down. I hit it slightly off line but figured I could correct partway down. I couldn't. My bike was going to hit a tree and I didn't want to be on it. I bailed and tumbled onto a small patch of grass amongst body puncturing stumps. I remember sitting there just like you did in this video shook up with some impressive skin loss. Bent my bars but I was able to ride out. I stick to green and some blue now. That was around 10 years ago. I'm 66 now.
Totally get this. I'm 57 now and have been riding a long time but a week ago had the worst crash of my life. I have some awesome trails close to my house and its not uncommon for me to go out once or twice a week during lunch to ride my favorite up and down 12 mile loop. This particular day I was having a bad day at work and decided to go for a ride to forget about work for awhile and clear my head, problem this day was I didn't clear my head and started down the downhill portion thinking about work. About a quarter of the way down the downhill single track I crashed and fractured my tibial plateau in my left leg. I didn't feel anything at first until I got up and could not put any weight on it. I managed to get my bike up and actually rode the rest of the way back home with this fracture, no way I'm leaving my bike on that mountain. I'm only a week into my 12 week recovery but also questioning if the risk is worth the reward at my age?
No way you’re leaving your bike on the mountain 😅 Totally get it.
It’s been a year since I uploaded this video and this experience. I’m not the same rider I was back then. And I’m perfectly OK with that 🙂 Heal well and thanks for chiming in.
General rule is, you have to be 100% committed to the feature. it's easy to couch comment so take it for what it is but it looks like you were going a bit slow and it was harder to stay on the right line and maintain momentum. I would get proper pads and ride it until you nail it.
Appreciate the straightforward advice. It’s been over a year and haven’t gone back… yet
Man watching bike crashes makes my toes tingle and stomach turn. I can't MTB anymore because of crashes; my wrists, ribs and sternum were broken, so my body can't take the rigors of MTB'ing any longer, as you get older you just don't heal. I miss it so much.
Definitely hurts more at 48 and feels like I don’t heal fully. But man, I do love it
I took a spill on a rigid steel MTB in October 2019. I broke ribs & appendages, but what scared me off biking for two plus years was the head trauma and the resulting issues. I’ve finally fully recovered & I’m beyond happy to be back on the bike, but it’s fully understandable for a serious accident to make a person consider putting it down for good. The trauma that comes with that is all too real.
Indeed
55 and working well and slowly into this season, being alert and trying not to take too much risk. There's one tiny hill with a very steep decline i worked up to riding each week and it went better each time. Last week my front wheel slipped on a root, i went OTB and head, shoulder and back into a tree at full speed. Concussion, pulverized clavicule, 4 broken ribs close to the spine and rashes everywhere. This is not only the end of this season, this will be the end of my MTB "career" as well. I have a tough time to lie to me about the rewards being greater than the risk. Cold stopped impact at high speed was a thing i always dreaded and sadly i had to experience it on my first big crash. When i'll be back to health in a few months time i'll crawl back onto the road bike, i'll maybe get on the BMX for some pump track fun but the MTB i a goner which makes me sad to no end but i can acknowledge a fair warning when i feel it stinging on every breath that i take.
I ride high speed ebikes, & still do freestyle bmx at 49 years old, & thank God I never had an injury yet that kept me from ever riding again, & I've been hit by a car, flipped over my bars at 30mph, & had OF COURSE some bad injuries on my bmx, but last year I snacked my head off the concrete so hard just "goofing around" in front of my house practicing manuals, & looped out, & it's definitely kept me from doing freestyle bmx anymore, I still ride it, but it took 6 months to recover from that, we still think we are capable of what we did in our 20s!😂
We reach a point where, we ride to ride another day. 13 years ago I had a really bad accident. Since I dialed back and just make sure I can ride the next day. That accident too me out for a year. And it affected me financially and having my wife, being my nurse. Am glad I can still ride, I will never stop riding
Hey man! This sucks.
It's been awhile since you've posted this but I still figured my story could in some way shape or form help you a bit. My big crash happened in a road criterium so the setting is very different but I feel like even though it's in some way a different sport, bikes are still bikes. And recovering from a hard bikecrash will still require the same mental steps.
I was 14 years old in 2016 riding about twentieth position in a criterium and the peloton was singlefile, one guy overtook me and chopped right very quickly, leaving me with nowhere to go. My frontwheel hit his backwheel, which caught me off guard. I was only racing bikes for a year and had no sketchy moments up until that point. I got down really, really hard. Vomiting left, right and center. The whole left side of my body filled with road rash and I passed out a few times. Due to some poor first aid management, an ambulance stabilizing my neck wasn't called for, causing me to take a bumpy car ride even though I had serious neck injury. When I woke up in the hospital, after some very heavy checks with I believe no surgeries, it was mentioned that I was very close to a spinal cord injury. If I would have been in that car ride five minutes longer it could have meant that I could never walk again.
That got to me.
After weeks of recovery I hopped back into bike racing, thinking nothing had changed, but no matter what I tried there was no way for me to ride in the middle of the bunch. I was constantly scared of a rider chopping my front wheel and other riders' backwheels where the only thing I could look at in a race. I guess you could say I only realized I had trauma once I put myself back in the position.
To get back in, I decided to analyze every single moment of that crash, luckily the other rider had the accident on tape so I could watch it on youtube. I wrote down every single thing I could do differently if I would get in a scenario like that again. Training my reflexes, so I'd respond the correct way If I almost went down. Right when you're about to crash, you're body responds instinctively based on previous expierences with falling down, which aren't necessarily the best. So, training reflexes, when I rode home from school on a very cheap bike (in The Netherlands we cycle everywhere) for the entire winter, I used to ride against obstacles with my shoulders, my front wheel, or try to clip my pedal in a corner. This caused me to, at low speeds, with a very cheap bike, learn some skills to keep the bike upright. When I rode with someone I'd sometimes clip their backwheel on purpose at low speeds and try different methods to stop me from having to put my foot down. In 2017 I still had trouble holding position, but in 2018 I was finally back in the front off the peloton, with a lot more knowledge of bikehandling.
One race the same thing happened as in 2016, and I had nowhere to go. My reflex wasn't to go put my hands on the ground or something, my reflex was to pull the bike back. I stood up, out of the saddle, and dragged the bike back as far as I could without having to brake. I managed to escape the backwheel and I remained upright. Ever since my confidence on the bike is a lot higher.
Analyzing everything you could have done differently, and working towards doing those things differently, will definitely help you to f-ing nail this trail one day dude.
I'm 38, need to drive to be able to work. Been into Trials riding since i was 13, the had numerous breaks in between. Made my 1st ever drop off mistake while warming up about 3 weeks ago. The drop wasn't big, like 6 foot, basically hopped to close to the edge to get over a light on the other side of the wall, bike went virtical, back brake didn't hold, wheel slipped out. Was gonna take the fall to my back, so put my feet out, sprained both ankles really badly, haven't been able to work.
Thought about sacking off the bike, but i love it, had a better idea, injury insurance.
I grew up on mountain bikes. Downhill riding in the end. Sold that awhile back and moved onto a small yamaha dirt bike that's road legal. Now camping/fishing adventures with a loaded bike are my new pleasure, go with buddies and find new places, leave the trail and the whole world becomes your playground with an engine. 2 wheel enjoyment doesn't need to be extreme to be fun! Ride safe!
Big crash and I am glad you are relatively OK. I just bought a bike as I have been out of MTBing for at 25 years and I learned my next door neighbor has multiple broken bones. I am at the age that any semi serious injury is going to mess up my life big time so while I have gone on a few relatively easy rides, I have been asking myself the same question knowing my thirst for adventure and pushing my limits.
@@Bavafa1 thanks! There are things we can do to mitigate risk and injury, some of which I’m now doing… such as: being selective of which trails to ride, when to ride and when not to ride (I.e. fatigued) I also started gravel riding and that’s turned out to be a whole more fun than I anticipated. All the best to you
@@MILTONATOR Stay safe and make it fun.
Same experience....more mellow lines and trails for me now. Too many other things in life I enjoy, rather than be hurt long term by mountain biking. Still enough to get my mountain fix but I stopped progressing to more difficult trails. Smart realization by you!
I’m on the same path as you. And I’m good with it. Thanks
I just started at 46 my first crash I went over the handle bars and actually seen my soul leave my body first before landing in poison oak. I thought I broke my leg at first but was more concerned for my 5k bike. Yup, I never gotten my priorities straight and most likely never will but I'M HAPPY
Gnarly! No wonder crashing there had you questioning riding.
Ahh yes, getting older makes us contemplate this more. I am 51 and scheduled 3-hours of jump training in a few weeks. I think risk should be managed... prior to this training I will be increasing my fitness, doing weights (to minimize injury in case I crash) etc. I think choosing 'life' every day is important. As long as it doesn't take away from the most important things (family, rel etc.). :) Glad you are ok.
@@ReginaldStaples thanks! Well said - risk should be managed. Exactly where I am now
About 6 years ago I clipped a tree going full speed with the bar. Just barely clipped it, but it sent my bars sideways and me over the bars. At the time, I was running clipless, and one foot did not come out of the pedal. The momentum of the bike continued and threw the bike over my shoulder with my leg still attached. I legit thought I would have to break my ankle to get free but was able to wiggle out luckily and free my shoe and the bike up. I rode the rest of the ride (7 more miles) and felt relatively ok. The next few days my knee would just kind of give out on me and make walking pretty painful. Took over a year to get over the pain and hop on the bike again. But I have never pushed myself like I used to. If you love it and accept the risks, then it is worth it to keep going. However, as age progresses, injuries become way more real and potentially long lasting. This video brought me right back to that. Happy you were able to make it out mostly unharmed... But that was a tough one and definitely would have rattled my mental as well. Thanks for sharing this.
@@benkressdesign thanks man. My crash was mostly mental, it stuck fear in me. Like you, I still ride… just not same as before. I actually just picked up gravel a month ago, and loving it
Hey man, TH-cam just decided I should see this. I've had a pretty decent crash coming off a rock drop where my saddle got stuffed into my abdomen so hard that it took weeks to heal from it and I am still not completely healed. That said, I'm still riding the trails but I'm a little more wary of the kinds of things I do. I'm sure you have sorted yourself out by now, but for what it may mean, keep it up, but you've got a wife and kids to think about too. I'd say that the risk is worth it, but not every risk on the trail is worth it. Keep shredding and be safe.
@@isthatachallenge2196 Appreciate you taking the time to chime in here. For the most part I have sorted things out. Still riding but very selective of when, where and even with who. Just picked up gravel to mix things up and it’s awesome. Hope you heal up 100% 🤘
Im 54 now and have been riding since the late 80's. Like many here, I shredded my share of the steeps and wormed my way down super technical single track. Busted more bones than i care to thibk about. At this point...Ive accepted the limitations that aging has put on my riding...and im totally ok with it. Now I love to cruise the trails...nothing too knarly and I enjoy it thoroughly. Dont let a spill ruin that for you. Ride to live...live to ride.
@@frozencanuck6764 thanks for chiming in.
Hey brother. I just wanted to tell that I found myself in a similar situation 2 month before yo posted this video, I went over my bar and landed on my hands, chest and hips, it was never confirmed it with a dr but due the pain on my ribs that I fractured a couple of ribs, also I got my both hands sprained, (wrists and fingers) I bruised my knees and hips and took me around 12 weeks to heal my hands and around 18 weeks to feel no more discomfort on my ribs. It was painful, I missed my bike so much and it never came to my mind to stop mountain biking but one thing is for sure, now I’m more careful and I’m taking it easy on the hard stuff cause I drive a manual 18 wheels truck for living and I have kids. So I’m still MTBking when im at home but more for the fun and exercise and not to prove something to myself or my buddys. I founded myself too confident and that’s why I crashed.
Glad you recovered well from what sounds like a really nasty fall. Appreciate you chiming in
@@MILTONATOR yeah brother. It was nasty, I hit my head against the ground too but helmet did it’s work and I was fine. My wife wasn’t happy but she helped me a lot on the healing but damn it sucked to eat, sleep and even to take a crap. But I always being doing exercises and sport and since I became a truck driver cause the pandemic I’ve been lacking on adrenaline and exercise so much that it was wearing me out mentally and mountain bike brought back up physically and emotionally, and that’s why I gave it a second chance even after that hard fail.
@@luismendez-tu7mr Yeah man. Riding bikes is a life! Be safe out there and have blast 👊
As for me and after my last big fall which resulted in a new shoulder, 13 screws and plate, and 4 broken ribs, I've decided to slow it down at my age of 56. I don't want to go through that again and truthfully, I probably can't do it anymore anyway. My advise is to take it easy so you can still enjoy the sport at a certain level.
Good luck and I'm glad it wasn't worse for you.
Thanks man. All the best to you
I bought a first generation Mountain Bike in 1990 at a little shop not far from Snohomish, Washington. I was impressed by the New Tech this bike had. Easy to shift 18 gears, Eliptical Sprockets, a good seat, big tires, but an old school frame. Suspensions were still experiments that weren't working out at that time. I was amazed at the trails I could go on, but I soon realized, that there are folks that were far more blessed with reflexes, and coordination. They could always go faster on area's I had to slow down. I soon realized, the greater the speed, the bigger and more painful the crashes. As you get older, some of that pain gets worse. I love a good adrenaline rush, but I'll leave the risk to permanent injury, to those that can't find their limits. In the sport of Skydiving ... There is a quote. There are bold Skydivers, and there are Old Skydivers ... but there are no Old Bold Skydivers. Most are killed making maneuvers, under open, high performance canopies. Speed Kills !
I think its important to know yourself enough to either trust your gut instinct or to know what your actual skill set is at when getting into dangerous sections or trails in general leaving the ego at the door. I used to always get hurt putting me off the bike 2-3 weeks at a time countless times a year because I thought the only way to progress was to send it even though my skill set was clearly not there yet. After changing my mentality to trust how I’m really feeling and analyze what my skill set is at really, I haven’t had a major crash in almost 1.5 years and have actually improved a lot
more by being safer. MTB is fun, but having the discipline to asses whether or not a trail,jump, section, is worth it is key in longevity in this sport/hobby in my opinion
💯 agree