Haldon Freeride on a Shockwave

jackmcd

I noticed a thread the other day about people on cheap mountain bikes on the trails. I ignored it as it sounded like the writings of childish middle class snobs - however...

Went to Haldon Forest at the weekend and going passed the freeride area - saw a bloke on a full suss shockwave with no helmet, gloves or pads about to launch himself over watched by his young son on an appollo (also helmet free).

I made a comment about suicide by bike and he got off the north shore but he and his son started to mess around on the large dirt jumps to the side.

I was horrified - even the people on the family trail all wore helmets. I know people with low incomes have to buy cheap bikes but that really made me despair. I hope they are OK and perhaps I should have done more to stop them...

grumsta

Its really up to them if they want to wear helmets or not (though I think the kid should be wearing one really until he can make his own mind up about it).

At my local dirt jumping spot almost no-one wears a helmet (apart from me on the rare occassions I venture down there). Seems pretty daft to me but its up to them.

Markmjh

This is exactly what very nearly closed off Delamere and ALL other fc controlled land.
Bloke showing off in front of his family cased it head first off a dirt jump and died with a broken neck.
Family then proceeded to try and sue :evil:

I really feel sorry for the family, but if he was stupid enough to try to clear a large double on a halfords special without ever jumping before then it's his own fault!

ExeterSimon

the writings of childish middle class snobs

No one ever believes me at first!!!!

Then again I no longer ride up Haldon for this and other reasons.....the main one being it's not very good!

P-Jay

I blame the makers of these "mtb" bikes for this nonsense. The blurb reads like you can tackle anything on these things. Even Halfrauds, a major high-street retailer sells their £100 specials as super capable off-road machines. And it’s not like trail web-sites warn you that you need a certain level of machine to hit them safely.

Saw quite a sight in Morzine a few days ago. Older dude on Le Shockwave wearing a motorbike helmet wobbling to the start of the Pleney with kid following on a rigid Le Apollo and a motorbike helmet about the same size. Thought “they’re in for a shock” but spotted them an hour or so later headed back for a second go!!

Bikedevil

If you don't wear a helmet you can't seriously expect to be not at fault if you suffer a head injury, and by attempting a jump you're accepting the risk and the consequences. Its not someone elses fault if you lack common sense.