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Currently sat at home feeling sorry for myself...again! Seems every few rides I end up hitting the deck and always, bloody always, find the hardest most abrasive surface to land on!
This time its badly bruised and swollen hip, elbow and shoulder. Helmet a write off, which explains no head injury, glasses smashed as was the exposure joystick mount on the lid! Idiot wasn't wearing his elbow pads but the kneepads saved further damage.
It was a fun bit of trail and not at all technical, relatively bimbling along and front wheel must have gone into a rut (found a grassed over one shortly before the first impact mark!), twisted and I headbutted the floor before I knew I was falling.
The bike is perfectly adequate so it all points at me being a crap rider. I will be booking some training but just keen to find out whether it should be an expectation to crash so often!!? For me, I seem to 'land heavy' probably every 8-10 rides with tactical dismounts a more regular event.
Is this the same for you?
I am thinking of switching to flats in the hope that I have more chance of landing on my feet rather than plunging head first attached to a bike!
Very rarely. Getting older so I have scaled things back a bit and have never been that much into seeking the gnarr. Its many years since I did anything but a slow speed topple on the tandem and even that is a couple of years ago
Perhaps I'm not trying hard enough, I reckon over the years I've had one big crash every two year. Fortunately only one has ever required a visit to hospital. I do prefer getting away from it all rather than bike parks, so perhaps I mostly ride with a bigger margin for safety.
I'm pretty steady but take the odd tumble still. A few years ago I had a summer where I couldn't stay on the bike!
Was at Leeds Urban Bike Park today, never seen as many people fall off.
proper crashes fairly rare (couple a year at most) but many, many tactical dismounts/slips/silly clipless moments......
I'd definitely recommend getting coaching but the major part of it is 'feel for' and (lots of) practice
Used to crash quite often, every other ride I'd be on my arse at one point or other. As I got better I got faster, but crashed less.
Then I had a massive crash which really messed me up, 10 years later I'm having more surgery next month because of it. I became very cautious, and didn't crash for years, scared to death of 'that pain' again and too many warnings from Doctors about "borrowed time" to take the piss.
Last year or so I've been pushing a bit more again, I crashed last night, rooty, muddy slick little steep section, the sort of thing I absolutely hate and I was riding solo and not a trail you'd ever find on a map. I stopped, planned to walk it, changed my mind, I know I can ride it, I'm actually a decent rider, just a bit cowardly, rode it and the front only flipping slid out on me, I grabbed a passing friendly tree so wasn't really a mark on me. I won't let it slow me up too much.
About once a month and always at a very slow speed due to trying to negotiate something and then slipping and not getting feet out fast enough. So very much a fall rather than a crash and as I have been riding 100% clipless for 20 years I can't see me getting any better at getting feet out in time.
Define a crash...
I sometimes part company with the bike but not had a proper one for a couple of years
Once or twice a month, only small stuff but I do like to see a line and think can I make that go? Sometimes the answer is no.
I define a crash as something that results in a lot of pain and/or damage to the bike or gear!
Wobbles and landing softly in the undergrowth just count as comedy.
Many tumbles over almost 30yrs mtbing but nothing serious. However, that changed a week ago, now nursing separated collar bone after crashing on rutted moorland.
Mate used his 3-Words app to pinpoint our position with the ambulance service. Paramedic only had to walk half mile!
I used to crash a lot more than i do now, but still take the odd tumble. My mate rides at the same speed as me down hill but is a relatively new rider (just a few years) and he crashes a lot more. I think a lot of it is about rider input. If you are moving the bike around and actively controlling it then you crash less. If you are brave and go fast but only hang on and let the bike do the work then crashes are more often.
Well thats my little theory anyway...
In recent years, a minor off approx once a year.
A major off needing surgery under general, once every 40 years and 4 days... So far!
I probably crash twice a year, but not being the bravest rider I’d say the crashes are caused when I slow down too much and don’t commit.
Was out on two rides at the weekend, one of the group had 3 crashes in two rides. I could tell the reason for the crashes were similar to what happens to me, lack of commitment and stalling on a technical section.
depends on what you're defining as a crash, if you mean it's hitting the deck and drawing blood...That would mean a crash every few months or so. But...the terrain around here is pretty hairy. There's a couple of trails I can barely get down in one piece. It's fun trying though.
At one point it was pretty much every ride but I got better. The trouble with getting better is the crashes happen at higher speed. I’ve replaced 2 helmets since lockdown finished! No serious injuries to date although I’ve probably just jinxed it and I’m off to BPW on Monday...
Not very often but when I do I do a proper job of it.
Sitting here with a broken collarbone that after 5 weeks is still in two seperate bits that move independantly of each other.☹️
Oh well at least the bruising has 75% gone and I can move my arm a little bit again.
On average I'd say I have a big stack about every 4 or 5 years.
Really need to crash more often with less damage rather than saving them all up for a big one.🙄
2 in the last 3 years I think. Only one required a general anaesthetic.
Over the last 20 I've probably averaged one a year, with one in 5 ending in hospital I guess
I fall off every couple of rides but luckily they are usually slow speed comedy pratfalls. A couple of times I've had serious incidents where I could have been badly hurt but lady luck has intervened and I've come out okay.
Last proper big crash was about a year and a half ago at BPW, last run of the day going too fast and long over a jump. In the last month I've had 3 or 4 'moments' where fortunately I've managed to save at speed, mainly either tucking the front under at speed or pedal clipping hidden stumps, any of these had the prospect of being a major ouchy.
Too few to progress quickly.
One significant crash, involving a sprained AC joint in my shoulder, probably about 10 years ago. A few OTB incidents over the years, but nothing too serious. The odd 'comedy' moment. Couple of commuting greasy/icy slides. But that's it. And nothing for ages, certainly months, if not years.*
So, I am either a riding god. Or a mincer who is too fearful of getting hurt so rides well within himself.
*Tell a lie. A few weeks back, Pedal caught on a root heading slowly uphill (I was heading uphill, not the root!) on a climb I've done dozens of times and pivoted me sideways and downwards mostly into a Holly bush.
Nearly all my riding is local, very very familiar stuff so I know where the hazards are and where I can, and can't, push it. But I have no trouble in going slowly, or walking sections, of unfamiliar, or scarey-looking sections of trail, and I don't do very much at all steep, techy, greasy, rooty, jumpy stuff.
Quite a few crashes over the years and its usually a case of cuts n bruises when travelling at a decent pace, stupid crash a few years ago ended with a broken wrist, more or less at walking pace. A lad I was riding with last Saturday managed to completely wreck his left leg doing a manual on a wide open fire road, wasn't covering the brake and fell backwards, the bike and his whole body weight hit just below his left knee leading to a shattered kneecap and 4 breaks to his lower leg. He's been told at best its gonna be 6 months with a cage around his leg, at least 3 operations and extensive physio afterwards, worst case he loses his leg from just above the knee. I feel a bit guilty for laughing when it happened now
Comedy crashes and bailing from when I attempt things I really shouldn’t are a regular occurrence. I’ve always got scrapes and bruises. Proper bike or body wrecking ones are, thankfully, few and far between. The last one, which resulted in a broken arm and fork, was about six years ago.
Almost every ride a few times, buuut always uphill or on the flat. Legs that don't work correctly + a lack of balance make for spending a lot of time inspecting the ground close up. Don't fall off often downhill though!
Pennine
With a collarbone injury why did you not walk out rather than making the paramedic walk in?
Edit
that sounds a bit nippy - not what I meant. I am interested in peoples thought processes and looking for learning for me
Not often enough, I ride far too often within my comfort zone.
Every two or three weeks, maybe every week if I'm riding more.
Not had a bad one for a while, thankfully. I reckon modern geometry and longer drop posts are really helping me stay upright generally.
Have you thought about some coaching? If you are falling off frequently perhaps there is something that a coach can help you with and sort out
If you are not far from Aston Hill then I can throughly recommend Ian at Firecrest
Pennine
With a collarbone injury why did you not walk out rather than making the paramedic walk in?
Seems a bit OTT to me too.
I walked/rolled one handed a couple of miles then got my mate to load my bike onto the car for me and turn it round then I drove home.
not to often now apart from the comedy ones trying to ride up tricky stuff and falling over. had a proper one on saturday on an uplift day at innerliethen and landed heavy on my shoulder, was ok ish for the rest of the day but ruined the following day at the golfie, only rode 2 trails slowly and gave up.
annoying thing was the crash was on a fairly simple bit i've ridden loads before in races. had even managed to do my biggest ever drop no problem following someone down , i think, matador.
probably almost a year since i last properly hurt myself when i rammed a tree.( never broken anything yet, just lots of pain, bruising and time of the bike)
always seems to be my right shoulder.
Didn't fall off for a couple years then fell off three times in a week which rather rattled me. Two of those were from a new bike so I supposed it was just about getting used to something new but the other was from a bike I have had for a while.
Anyway it has made me very careful, for awhile at least.
A lot less than i used to on 26" wheels!
An inspection of the hedge or grass maybe 5-10 a year (more if it's a wet winter). A proper ouch it moment maybe once or twice a year.
I'm in my 40s, I have kids to feed, bills to pay, I don't want months off riding in recovery and so I understand and accept my limits. I'm still pushing against those limits but gently and in baby steps.
I don't think about crashing I think about riding. I do the same when I sail. I wasn't always like that and I used to focus a lot on whether I would capsize or fall off and all the things that could cause it.
Now older, wiser and more understanding of myself I don't think "how do I avoid crashing here" but "I am going to ride/sail this by ...." It's definitely brought my crash and burn rate down.
Uhmmm, I'm in good company it seems! The thing that gets me most is my worst crashes are on simple terrain, adjusting something, not noticing the damn rut, general enjoying it too much amd lacking concentration.
There must be something worng with my riding style though as I hit the floor before I even know its going pear shaped!
Coaching will be sorted...
Very rarely fall off.ride within my limits.only bad crash I've ever had in 20 yrs was 10 yrs ago when I got blown over in a gust of wind whilst in the air. Needed a plate to my shoulder.dont jump in wind anymore.ive had a few knocks mind.
I used to crash a lot, I then went to UKBIKESKILLS for a couple of sessions, one on general skills and drops and one on jumps, now its quite rare to crash tbh.
Less than i expect to. Crashes are rare, even though now riding harder, techier stuff.. I'm often amazed when me and the G160 end up at the bottom of a trail together.
I reckon modern geometry and longer drop posts are really helping me stay upright generally.
This is spot on, when I look at pics of some of my older bikes, it's a wonder I wasn't out the front door more often, too short for me (you need a bike that's 'chuckable'!) and steep head angles, combined with tyres that were barely 2", and about 40psi! 🙂
Crashes are rare, even though now riding harder, techier stuff
Most of my crashes are on mellower stuff, generally when I'm tired or not concentrating, tech sharpens the awareness.
Most of my crashes are on mellower stuff, generally when I’m tired or not concentrating, tech sharpens the awareness.
Agreed
Most of the big stacks I've seen while on Alpine holidays have been on fireroads in between trails.
My last two crashes have been on very easy trails while not giving full attention.
I'd say very rarely. I was never into tech or potentially dangerous riding, helped by a healthy phobia of heights and exposure.
12 or so years ago I went down hard commuting on sheet ice, bit of shock and minor concussion, knocked my hip our of whack a bit
Couple of years after that front wheel wash out on a night ride had me headbutting the ground, but nothing serious.
Last year I discovered a farmer had put up a rope across a trail to help him move cattle. At the bottom of a hill. Even coasting I somersaulted over the rope at 20mph, damaged my face, broke a finger and pulled my shoulder into a strange nerve pinching position - solicitors still sorting that one for me.
In May, a pedestrian stepped out on me and sent me sliding along the tarmac. Wrote off my frame - thank you Aviva! - and I left a lot of skin behind.
I can't be bothered with the physical pain, and I can't be bothered with the mental anguish of not being able to ride. Safe and steady bimbling is where it's at. I'm selling my track bike before my luck runs out there 🤣
Was going to say not very often, but there are probably still a few moments per ride (if somewhere new) when I stall or slip out or generally lose control for a period. Don't really fall off as such though. Last ones were probably 3 and 7 years ago when I gave myself concussion and earlier snapped my achilles tendon in two. Neither very nice.
Back in t' day, if me or my mate didn't crash at least once a ride, we were'nt riding hard enough. In those days however, (25 years ago) it was predominantly local woods or open moors in Yorkshire with the occasional big stack.
Never needed hospital, apart from when my mate got pushed off his bike by the wind, ribs first onto a rock. A broken rib and a few bruised - and we were stood still chatting.
Nowadays bike and trail centres/parks lull people into false sense of security and they get out of their depth very quickly with some nasty injuries imho.
This is why I try to stay wheels on or near the ground, as I don't repair so easily nowadays.
A big one where I lie on the trail side groaning for 5-10 minutes before checking if anything is broken - on me, then the bike - about once a year. Small crashes/ tripping when bailing etc every few months.
As I get better I crash just as much but it hurts more as I am going faster, I think the crashes occur when I am pushing myself so I’m always going to get into a situation I can’t deal with.
About once a year, getting old(er) and now self employed so now quite reserved in my riding.
Ive fallen off twice this week but I'm very aware of my limited ability, so I'm slow...like very slow,so consequences are usual low. My wheels do not leave the ground but I can ride most steep things.
Pretty much every clip on Friday fails is some numpty getting air, not for me..no sir.
Twice last night on a new to me track on Clent, much to the amusement of my riding buddies.
Knee is a bit swollen this morning.
Recent falls have been mostly CX related silliness e.g. very muddy corners that have had several people charging round them all day (I still race 'senior' which is always the last race of the day...). These are great as they are inevitably onto soft muddy grass.
I'm also in the 'too old'/'value my riding time too much' camp nowadays, even on relatively tame gravel rides I'm stepping off for most ditch crossings or anything silly steep or techy that I might have happily rolled into/hopped or wheelied through on the MTB.
My mantra has become 'ride anything that I can pedal through or steer around'. I get my jollies from endorphins not adrenaline now!
Frequently. Left knee currently weeping from a crash 2 and a half weeks ago.
My commute has been the most crashy for me. Live in Hillsborough in Sheffield. I've had two or three reasonably hard crashes due to the tram tracks. All due to me not giving them the respect they deserve. I've successfully negotiated them hundreds of times, but when they get you, it can sting! I had a weird off at a roundabout reasonably recently. Pootled across it, went to put the power (if you can call it that!) down to exit and either struck the floor with a pedal, or my chain came off, and I got shot OTB.
Off-road falls have become more infrequent as I've tried to improve my technique. Three coaching days with Aline here in Sheffield have been awesome. My most recent, and fun crash wash this:
I have had a few tumbles at Blackamoor (my toes have nearly recovered from my most recent near crash a few weeks back) Parkwood, Greno and Wharncliffe. Happily nothing more than soreness and grazes. I try very hard to ride within my limits, especially when riding alone. If you've watched the video, you'll see that my limits aren't very high!
Not often but more often than I would like! Only properly broke one bone and cracked a few ribs so far.
Oh and I nearly ripped my foot off, wedged between the pedal and an embankment at speed. Didn't think it could bend that far, god damn it hurt for a long time afterwards!
Not that often, it's mostly comedy trips into the hedge or undergrowth rather than a full-on crash. I did hurt my knee and ankle pretty badly at an enduro at Kielder a few years ago which took me a few months to get over (mentally and physically.)
Not that much these days, self employed and the wrong end of my 30's so tend to ride within myself. Last 'proper' off was a washout/OTB in some local woods afew months back.
My last two crashes have been on very easy trails while not giving full attention.
I hear that. Sat here with a broken toe thanks to a silly "how did *that* happen" crash on Sunday.
I probably come off once or twice a year. Off-the-bike consequences 50% of the time, at a guess.
Today..... full speed OTB complete with a nice dent in Bluegrass golden eye helmet. 🤕
What new helmet?
bruneep - them helmets is cursed! I had the same, I now have a Met Roam and will wait and see if that is a bit less crashy...
As I get older, crashes seem a lot worse than when I was a carefree teenager. Perhaps my attitude to risk has changed and I'm less carefree?
I also seem to have developed a propensity to faceplant. My last two offs have seen me break my nose twice, knock a tooth out and both times split my philtrum clean through, requiring maxilofacial surgery.
Some skills coaching or courses are definitely in order. And I've also wondered whether the 2011 geometry of my bike is partly to blame.
My last two crashes have been on very easy trails while not giving full attention.
This. Normally when I have an audience of walkers as well. Negotiated a rocky section on Sunday to loud cheers and applause (not really), then slipped the front wheel into a rut while pedalling away in triumph and went OTB.
Now and again, usually when i'm tired or not paying attention, mostly a bit of bruising or the odd graze, my last 'big one' was a couple of cracked/broken ribs at christmas. Nothing lately up until a week a go when I slid off onto a pointy rock which felt like i'd been Forest Gumped.
Wow I haven’t had a bad off for over twenty years and no fall at all for maybe ten years. I live in the Yorkshire Dales Rather than Lakes these days so it is smoother riding but I still ride from my parents at Keswick. Must try harder I guess
I would say that it does not point to you being a crap rider (as you put it) but more riding outside of your current ability to often.
The problem with riding outside of your ability is that you actually ride worse than your ability allows. As you will go into a sort of survival mode where you are riding in a "just about hanging on mode" and loose the ability to learn how to ride better.
If you can ride slower and nicely within your current ability you will have more time to think about what you are doing and will learn far quicker. As you learn more your will be able to ride a little faster and if you keep within your limits your skill will slowly improve. You will no doubt reach a final plateau of skill that you may not be able to get beyond but thats not a problem.
Riding in control and within your limits can be very rewarding and feel pretty good.
This year i bought a season ticket for the local(ish) uplift, have also had a few offs this year. I swear some of the trees in the woods are evil ents
It depends on what i'm doing, if i'm doing something benign and at a speed that's not pushing me, then not that often, but if i add speed, or complex types of obstacles then i can fall of more than once a ride.
Falls just happen, again it depends what you're doing to the level of risk/reward, pushing your limit on tabletops has a different risk to doing the same with gaps, doing step ups a different risk to step downs and so on, you have to think through the consequences of failing to make it and mitigate appropriately, that means just putting protection on and checking the route/landing prior.
Have to admit, it does hurt when it goes wrong though, broken several bones in the last year or so, strains, hematomas and so on, i do wonder if i need to go back to playing golf more than riding bikes!
On a local rooty climb when I’m on my own in the woods, never.
Last night on the same climb with three girls watching, twice.
For me, not often. Except right now I’m sitting at home after a hospital trip following running out of talent on a drop off. Knackered ankle and bruises and scrapes down my whole left side. Feeling sorry for myself - it’s been many years since my bike sent me to A & E!
And I was riding well, had the flow and was enjoying myself. Then said ‘I’ll just go back up and do that drop I’ve not yet done as I’m in the groove. Oops! That was the mistake!
@mcnultycop always seems to be the way 😉
I seem to be on a good streak of no crashing (touch wood) even with some technical rides in the Surrey Hills and Swinley Forest. Might just be because I am starting to realise my limits and making better descisions.
The only real crash I've ever had was when I tried to jump into a bowl where there was no real landing - trying to impress some friends ofcourse. Ended up with my elbow in a cast for 4 weeks. still think about how silly that was to this day :/.
Lets hope the good streak continues!
My last two crashes have been on very easy trails while not giving full attention.
Definitely agree. These days I generally have a significant forced dismount about twice a year, but I’m more risk averse than I used to be. I seem to have a knack of landing without doing too much damage, possibly as a consequence of years of messing about when I was younger.
Wow I haven’t had a bad off for over twenty years
Tempting fate! 😬
Well just 9 days after my latest off my whole left side is one big black and yellow mess (I'll spare you all the gory pics). I really should get x rayed but I'm able to walk around so doubt the hip is broken? Not entirely sure what can be done anyway should I have cracked or chipped a bone in that area?
In addition to the pain, it has cost me: -
My dignity
£90 new lid
£120 lost oakleys (Goyt area if anybody found a pair!)
£18 Exposure helmet mount
Just riding along...
Lots in the winter but that's due to riding mostly in the dark on wet and icy trails.
In the summer it's generally just the odd daft fall on an easy trail when my brain just turns off as it thinks it doesn't need to concentrate on the easy stuff.
I've not been to a decent trail centre with big drops and table tops for a while so would expect a few close calls when I do.
If you fall and lose a little confidence, this can lead you to slow down and tense up on the bike which can result in you crashing again. Try to relax and concentrate on enjoying the trail. Maybe ride an easy blue type of trail that isn't too steep that rewards 'flowy' type of riding.
Flats do make you a better rider, you can always put the SPD's back on for longer rides and just keep the flats for local and short rides.
As I've gotten older I have backed off on the speed a little but I kind of enjoy riding like this more as it allows me to savour the riding and concentrate on flow rather than out and out speed.
Good luck OP 👍
Wow I haven’t had a bad off for over twenty years
Tempting fate! 😬
I know I am worried now 😊
When I was a lad most of the 80's was one crash after another but everyday was focused on jumping just a little bit further than that last line scratched in the dirt.
I am a far more sensible rider now. I haven't used spd's since the mid 90's so that probably helps. I don't ride trail centres, only natural trails and nearly all in my local places in the north dales and North lakes. When I jump I probably only get a couple of feet of air and the 29er stops me from table topping etc.
I suspect I have had a lot of luck but if I was breaking bones then I think I would stick to fell running, I would definitely back off a bit.
The move to 29er wheels has reduced my momentary cocks ups. Been lucky no broken bones that I am aware of - normally minor comedy moments a few times a year - then there is commuting when its icy - this is my downfall.....
I read this thread earlier in the week and it got me thinking that I hadn’t had a bad “off” in a while.
That evening I went out, got off-line and stuck my foot out for balance. My foot got caught in some long grass and folded like a receipt...torn ligaments and an ankle like a pineapple.
I then looked at Strava and it showed me a ride a did one year ago where I clipped my bars in a tree which threw me shoulder first into another tree. Couldn’t lift my arm for four weeks.
So to answer the OP, once a year, in mid-August.
Since swinging the leg over the bike for the first time in a few years and being older (though not wiser) I have managed to stay on whilst trying to up the anti on the trails.
In the past I have had a few and a couple of shockers with the shins taking a clattering.
We all do it, provided nothing is broken and badly damaged mark it down as "it happens"