1st Fall

victoriac

I've only been doing this for a couple of weeks so I'm very new
I've been really worried about hurting myself whenever I get a bit wobbly and I've been tensing up on harder trails. Yesterday I had my first proper fall on an easy bit - I 'supermanned' (or 'supergirled') over the handlebars and ended up in a pile with my bike on top - but at least it didn't get scratched!
It happened so quickly that I didn't tense up and I didn't hurt myself other than a couple of tiny scratches and bruises so I just wanted to say to any other beginners who are worried about hitting the ground, try not to worry too much as it might not be that bad!

1mancity2

Helmet on, and stay loose, 9 times out of 10 you will get up laughing.

wordnumb

That's the way, over the bars to give your bike a soft landing.

Thewaylander

Thats the part to get past, Tensing up. stay relaxed and firstly your far less likely to have an off, and if you do, your more likely to be ok

.blitz

In the ongoing battle between bicycles made of metal, rubber and plastic travelling at several miles per hour and the ground going zero miles per hour, the ground has yet to lose.

bentes

1mancity2 wrote:

Helmet on, and stay loose, 9 times out of 10 you will get up laughing.

That depends on the terrain.
I've seen broken teeth (not mine fortunatelly) on quick hardpack fireroad descents, broken ribs on rocky descents, nasty scratches on tarmac... Helmet only saves your head (most of the times). It really depends on the type of terrain you ride on, speed, protection you carry, etc etc.

Just stating the obvious, I know, but I think it's better a beginner to have this in mind than "9 times out of 10 you will get up laughing".

tom_howard

bentes wrote:

1mancity2 wrote:

Helmet on, and stay loose, 9 times out of 10 you will get up laughing.

That depends on the terrain.
I've seen broken teeth (not mine fortunatelly) on quick hardpack fireroad descents, broken ribs on rocky descents, nasty scratches on tarmac... Helmet only saves your head (most of the times). It really depends on the type of terrain you ride on, speed, protection you carry, etc etc.

Just stating the obvious, I know, but I think it's better a beginner to have this in mind than "9 times out of 10 you will get up laughing".

If beginners have that mentality they wouldnt start MTBing in the first place, falling off is as much a part of the sport as singletrack or jumps. You cant stop it but you can protect yourself for when it does happen. Of all the times I've fallen off (been riding DH/FR/jumps/street for 13ish years, so there have been alot...) only twice have I not got up laughing. For the more morbid among you the first time my forks snapped so i used my nose as a brake (and it broke...) Second time i hit a corner too fast and ran wide, hit a bridge wall, went over the bars and said wall, fell 20ft onto a rocky river bank, rolled into the river, lay unconcious face down with an 8in cut in my head (wasnt wearing a helmet, just a beanie hat :roll: ) luckily somebody saw the whole thing and pulled me out of the river. Result? lots of stitches, a couple of days of hospital food, concussion and new brakes! I've also had falls where things have broken (hand and ribs, seperately) and walked away grinning.

To the OP, dont go out thinking you are invincible (insert 'always wear a helmet' lecture here) but in the same way dont go out thinking everything is scary, otherwise youll never get the adrenaline pumping or try new things and youll miss out on a whole pile of fun!

if you arent falling off you arent pushing your limits.I know that isn't ideal advice for a beginner but if you dont try you'll never know for sure!

dizzyblonde82

Glad you are okay after your first off

I found out last night that I have a hairline fracture of my elbow due to coming off my bike, most embassing part is I was stationary testing out my new spd pedals and shoes and just leaned over to one side and landed on concrete on my elbow. Did it 4 weeks ago but only gave in and went to the hospital last night

zenistar

I also had my first fall last night (not really ridden a mountain bike for 10 years), i ended up stalling on a steep incline, back wheel spinning and I just went over sideways with my feet stuck to the pedals

Had to laugh at the time but my thigh is killing me this morning with a massive black and green bruise.

mac_man

dizzyblonde82 wrote:

Glad you are okay after your first off

I found out last night that I have a hairline fracture of my elbow due to coming off my bike, most embassing part is I was stationary testing out my new spd pedals and shoes and just leaned over to one side and landed on concrete on my elbow. Did it 4 weeks ago but only gave in and went to the hospital last night

Ouch... done that. Not with SPDs on though. I fell off coming down a slope of rough cobbles. I panic braked and the front wheel went sideways into a hole and I ended up sailing over the bars. Kneepads did a sterling job but the old elbow took a hit. Took 8 weeks before I could start riding again :-(.

Don't forget to do your physio dizzy.... It took a while before I could fully extend my arm properly.

To the OP... if you're concerned about coming off it may help to do a skills course. I've done a couple and they made a big difference to my confidence... which is a large % of what it's all about.

victoriac

Thanks for all the replies guys!
I'm really keen to do a skills course when I get back to the UK (I'm in Bulgaria all Summer) so hopefully I'll still be in one piece to be able to go and do one in September!

supersonic

You'll have more believe me! I had a big one yesterday, bust my ribs! But won't stop me...

Anonymous

I've had a few bad stacks this year too. Quite a spectacular loss of blood on Sunday, but no major injures.
About a month ago though, holy hell that hurt. Mashed myself up good and proper on some rocks. I've still got cuts and bad bruises from that one that haven't healed yet.

Welsh_Tom

yeehaamcgee wrote:

I've had a few bad stacks this year too. Quite a spectacular loss of blood on Sunday, but no major injures.
About a month ago though, holy hell that hurt. Mashed myself up good and proper on some rocks. I've still got cuts and bad bruises from that one that haven't healed yet.

just got to get right back on the horse is it?

i had a off 2 weeks ago, not a bad one, but rode after it and ever day after that for a week.

the hardist part was the next day, was not getting any speed till about 45 min into the ride

Anonymous

Right back on the horse? Hell yes! Got to finish the ride.

Muttly1981

had a great over the bars at Glentress a few weeks ago hitting the red jumps on the "good game" section, had been hitting them clean all weekend and the air was getting bigger and bigger so on the last jump i'd already decided i was going to get it sideways but hadn't thraightened my wheel enough on landing resulting in an instant stop and me doing my best superman impression. It was a good job it was wet as it ment i just slid along the ground for about 15ft, my mate stacked it the day before on the same jump and was left with a pretty good sized cut arm where as i just brused an elbow and winded myself i just wish i'd have gotten it on film

p44cmb

I had an over the bars moment yesterday. I'm now in plaster with a broken wrist

Trickytoon

Yep, i busted up my hand badly yesterday directly as a result of tensing up,when I should have stayed loose and relaxed.

Mistakes are the best way to learn and improve i think.

Welsh_Tom

hope you both get better soon. amd back out rideing

tenfoot

victoriac wrote:

I've only been doing this for a couple of weeks ............ and ended up in a pile with my bike on top - but at least it didn't get scratched!

You sound like a seasoned MTB'er already.

Blind Danny Johnson

I've been at it now for about 4 months and I've had a couple of scrapes but nothing major until...

I went for a ride on Tuesday afternoon and was having an amazing time. Came to 3ft drop into a mellow slope followed by another just the same just after it ie you land the first one and fly straight off the second. I was too scared to do it at first but got annoyed at my wussiness and got to it.

After working out my line, there were various roots etc to avoid, I had a go and landed the first drop perfectly but at quite a bit of speed and I had no time to sort myself out for the second drop off, hit a root and got sent over the bars down the whole second drop and slope directly onto my back.

It hurt.

If I hadn't had my rucksack on it would've been worse but unfortunately what cracked my ribs was landing on my metal water bottle inside the bag. I definitely wish my Camelbak had come in the post earlier! The reason for this crash was undoubtedly that I didn't look at the landing area as I launched off the first drop. A lesson maybe, always look towards your runout and the direction you want to end up heading!

specializedsteve

Hmm i think this thread needs pictures! . . . :P Ive been out of biking for a while so i dont have any snaps to show!

p44cmb

specializedsteve wrote:

Hmm i think this thread needs pictures! . . . :P I!

Here ya go. 5 hours after "The Crash" ....at least the kids thought it was funny.

Anonymous

Kids, got to love 'em. Apaprently

Bishbosh10

Are they laughing at your injury or your shirt? :P :P

bushu

I think the worst thing of all is commuting the next day with fresh injuries
but i kind of get a wee kick out of it, knowing im just 1 slip away from a lorry

get back on that horsey, if you haven't broken anything that is..

S-M

Dislocated my shoulder today at Hamsterlys black route

About 10 seconds after i hit the deck, i heard my mate land somewhere near me to my right lmfao!

Both on the same corner, going faaaaaaarrr too fast, he locked up his rear and tried to skid around the corner like a speedway racer, and his 4 ride old, but still pretty new Cube Acid just folded his rear wheel in half and threw him off.

He was trying to keep up

On the plus side i did acquire a winter restoration project from ebay
1998 Specialized FSR

geebee2

Hmm.. have just been reading this thread.

I'm a total beginner, 53 years old, have been riding road bikes for about 3 years, improved a lot, enjoying it. I have a MTB on order ( should come late this week ).

My first reaction is that you are a load of nutters!

Obviously I have not yet understood the ethos, but I'm planning on just riding around, exploring local routes, staying fairly safely within my limits, adding a bit of variety to my rides.

Falling off regularly is not part of my plans.

Anyone else with this ethos?

cooldad

geebee2 wrote:

Hmm.. have just been reading this thread.

I'm a total beginner, 53 years old, have been riding road bikes for about 3 years, improved a lot, enjoying it. I have a MTB on order ( should come late this week ).

My first reaction is that you are a load of nutters!

Obviously I have not yet understood the ethos, but I'm planning on just riding around, exploring local routes, staying fairly safely within my limits, adding a bit of variety to my rides.

Falling off regularly is not part of my plans.

Anyone else with this ethos?

The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

Welcome and good luck.

nosnevets_semaj

This forum is crying out for a bumps and bruises section. I'm lovin this. Only had one nasty fall where I shaved most of my skin from my lower leg and put a whole in it. Gravel road :oops: . Nice slide. Been very fortunate really though. Either that, or I'm not going fast enough.

Rich9

My first big off at Gisburn 5 weeks ago. I'm still not fixed.