Yesterday I had a big "off" at Porridgepot near Deepcut. I was on a run that I've done a few times and never had a problem...but yesterday .....hit the depression after the drop in and went slightly off to the right and ended upgoing over a hump rather that the narrow route. However, enough of what I did.
I whacked mylft hip heavily into the bank. Laid there for a whileto take stock of what I'd done.Knew I was hurt but slowly managed to get upright and move a few yards along where the trail briefly flattened.
I was on my own... what an idiot, No one round and I knew I couldn't move any further.
Started feeling shaky and a bit scared tbh. But luck was on my side in a big way.I saw two riders on a ridge opposite and called out for help. With no hestation they made their way across to me. They helped me(more or less carried me) to the central open area in Porridgpot. They recovered my bike.They were then joined by another rider.
It became obvious I was going to need proper help. They called for an ambulance. They tried to make me as comfortable a possible. My wife was called and came back with blankets.One them fixed the access barrier so that the ambulance could actually get in They stayed with me for over 2 hours and wouldn't go until they knew I was being attended to by the paramedics...
Scott, Phil and Dean.... YOU ARE ABSOLUTE STARS, you've restored my faith in human nature.I really can't thank you enough...owe you a beer,no, more like a decent meal. I don't if any of you are on here but, as they will know I have texted them andwill call them.
Other riders stopped and skedif they could help as did several dog walkers.
The paramedics and the staff at Frimley Park Hospital were very good as well. And I thank them.
Bottomline is that xrays showed I haven't broken my hip/pelvis as was feared might be the case.I'm at home now, just about able to move a bit on crutches and on plenty of painkillers.
Big lesson learnt.... at 74years old I'm an idiot to ride alone on anything remotely out of the way and (for me) a bit testing. I should scale back on how ambitious a trail I try.
Another big lesson is that with all the doom and gloom about human nature there are still a lot really great people around.
Sorry for such a long post. I don't usually write this sort of thing but the whole thing has made me feel quite emotional
1. Glad you are ok and got the help you need.
2. What a top bunch of lads. I'd hope many of us would help out a fellow Mtb'er in distress, but it sounds like they were awesome.
Big up the rescue lads!
Big up the paramedics!
Big up the NHS!
Big up the 74-yr old shredders!
Big up being emotional!
I had to do an outdoor first aid course for my job last week.
I'm now looking forward to practicing on unsuspecting mountainbikers like you...
But in all seriousness was genuinely interesting and thought provoking. Hopefully I can be that helpful one day!
Glad you're not seriously damaged, hope you feel better soon.
Thanks for reassuring me that at 62 I've still got a few more years of being daft to go.
Brilliant job folks. 😊
Big up the rescue lads!
Big up the paramedics!
Big up the NHS!
Big up the 74-yr old shredders!
Definitely all of this. Take it easy and i hope you recover fast.
Thanks a lot for all your responses. I was sort of OK mentally before I got in the ambulance then I had a trembly moment..... I kept thinking...
how bad it could been if I was lying there with no one finding me for ages
How great the guys had been and how I'd screwed up their rides.
How I'd worried my family.
What a dumbass I'd been
I meant to say. I don't think you should feel remotely daft for cycling alone, yes this time got a bit runny but how much benefit do you get from being fit and active?
Just make some sensible precautions. Share your position on WhatsApp. Tell people where you are going and how long you'll be etc. And crack on.
I meant to say. I don’t think you should feel remotely daft for cycling alone, yes this time got a bit runny but how much benefit do you get from being fit and active?
Just make some sensible precautions. Share your position on WhatsApp. Tell people where you are going and how long you’ll be etc. And crack on.
Thanks @joshvegas
I do use Garmin Livetrack which notifies my wife.It works sometimes but totally fails others.
She also does a basic track on Google Maps. Yesterday, one of my rescuers used What3Words for the 999 folks. It worked but the ambulance had problems getting to the Porridgepot area because of all the closed roads due to all the house building activity surrounding it.
Additional problems were that at Porridgepot although open to the public yesterday (and the big gates open), there is a low gate to stop vehicles. Fortunately, one of my rescuers managed to remove part of that gate enough to allow an ambulance through.
All very tricky when you think about it.
maybe time to invest in one of those helmets with a GPS tracker thing (is it specialzied that do them?)
Or a flare gun!
But glad you are ok and what a result that some decent humans where close by.
As others have said, great effort by all involved.
And dont let it put you off, i hope to be sending drops at your young age!
Thanks for posting this positive story. Someone link this to the 'I hate everyone' thread. Some of the helpers probably drive SUVs too.
Good stuff, I always carry a couple of survival blankets and a survival bag now, after being first on scene to someone who had impaled themselves on their bars on the Blue at Deggers !
Thanks again. Laying there waiting for the ambulance with my rescuers doing all they could to keep me going who said no, they wouldn't leave even when my wife had arrived made me think of all the crap people we see and read about daily in the news and what a comparison to my rescuers and all the other people in helping me.
Get well soon! Well done dropping compressions when 74, I’ll be just dropping Santogen by then I fear.
Great result, glad you're on the mend.
Only concern is becoming an accident stat on an area that the DIO is increasingly trying to keep cyclists away from.... would it stop me riding there, no. There are some of the TAG guys on here from time to time but it might be worth contacting them as well to see if they have any means of responding to the incident / removing the barrier.
Well this thread is all kinds of awesome.
@masterdabber Bloody hell - glad nothings broken ! And that you are ok and on the mend.
74 and still riding like you're 24 - something I can aspire and look forward to 🙂 Having been seen by a paramedic recently, I agree - they are an incredible group of people.
No one seems to have asked, but how's the bike ?
Get well soon.
Top Story!
My old man can't even get around a gold course using one of the buggys, yet you're still dicking about on your bike!
Awesome!
Hope the bruises heal quickly and you're out riding again soon!
at 74years old
awesome indeed, and to your rescuers. This has made me happy for all the right reasons
Great that you got the help you needed from great people.
Glad you’re ok, and a big ♥️ to everyone who helped out!
74 year old mountain biker!!! Amazing!
Don't let your current fall out you off, you're an inspiration to mid forties rider like me.
Awesome you had some great people near by to help.
Heal well 👍
Just read this and as a local the first thing I thought is could this be D and lo and behold just seen your strava feed. When Tom goes out (you have probably guessed who this is now) I always make him send a Garmin live track just in case. As you say it's a bit hit and miss but it's something at least. Get well soon buddy.
Inspirational thread. Top work OP and their rescuers!
I often ride alone...I normally start the Wahoo Element App which results in a tracking email going to my wife. However, to date she had failed to check it when I'm late home, or when I'm meant to be meeting her and the car at some point along the route!!!
Hey folks. What can I say, I'm overwhelmed by the response. Thank you all.
One thing I must clarify is that I'm no 74 year old black run tiger. I like to push myself a bit and sometimes beyond my limited skills. But I do like to do more than stick to fire roads.
@pacerc100 Yes, I certainly know who you are and no surprise that you recognised me as the guy who fell off.
74years.
Much respect.
Another big lesson is that with all the doom and gloom about human nature there are still a lot really great people around.
Plus lots, been on the recieving end of a lot if kindness by strangers
Plus lots, been on the recieving end of a lot if kindness by strangers
Yes, kindness in abundance. Apart from the rescuers and folks I spoke about in my original post there is all the kindness that has been shown to me by all of you here on STW. You're a great crowd and I appreciate it so much. Many, many thanks.
Derek
That's a real feel good story (how you were helped by so many and not your crash). I also hope I have at least 20 years more mountain biking in me to catch up with your 74 years.
Big up the rescue lads!
Big up the paramedics!
Big up the NHS!
Big up the 74-yr old shredders!
Big up being emotional!
Covering all the right bases - top effort all!
This thread is fabulous, if I'm 74 and posting that I had to recused for being too gnarly, I'm going to be well chuffed. Hope you recover well enough to get into another accident @masterdabber. 🙂
Shout out to your rescuers for being top humans also!!
Great story, and very glad it all worked out. I wasn't overly surprised to hear of all the help you got, honestly I think that most people have the capacity for great kindness. It's just unfortunate that usually we hear about the dicks.
What surprised me the most was your age! After reading the first part of the post I thought you were a middle aged STW warrior 🙂 As for this:
at 74years old I’m an idiot to ride alone on anything remotely out of the way and (for me) a bit testing. I should scale back on how ambitious a trail I try.
Disagree completely!
1. You're not an idiot, sh!t happens. If you've ridden that trail many times without issue there's no reason not to ride it again.
2. Sometimes we have to ride alone, maybe just take more precautions. If I'm riding alone I make sure I have my phone with me and that it has useful numbers in favorites (eg Swinley rangers), I have what3words installed in case I can't describe where I am.
3. Scale it back if you feel the need, but not based on one accident.
Thread of the week surely.
Well done OP for still being out there.
Well done everybody else for being great human beings 😁
I was out on a ride with Dean, one of the guys who helped you. By a strange coincidence one of our group also had an off and fractured his hip in 2 places...
We dropped him off at Frimley, he's still there recovering.
Hope you heal up soon.
I was out on a ride with Dean, one of the guys who helped you. By a strange coincidence one of our group also had an off and fractured his hip in 2 places…
We dropped him off at Frimley, he’s still there recovering.
Dean never mentioned that. A&E must love us.
Actually, an update from me... had a call from the Fracture Clinic an hour ago to see how I was doing and, unfortunately, tell me they had reviewed my x-ray and found a small fracture so would I come in and get checked over by them. Hopefully nothing too serious but better to get it treated than not.
You must all be fed up with hearing about this by now
No way.
But seriously how is the bike?
No way.
But seriously how is the bike?
OK, I'll bite 🙂
I haven't personally inspected it (sacrilege I know) but my son tells me that apart from imbedded mud all seems good. thank goodness. Btw, my Garmin was imbedded in the bank that I screwed up and hit.
Just thought I owed you an update.. although you're probably bored stiff by now.
I had a call from the Fracture Clinic at the hospital a day or so back. Basically, they told me that I did have a small fracture (something A&E had missed) and made me an appointment to come in today to get it checked out. The original x-ray showed a small fracture of the pelvis. I had a further x-ray today which showed that nothing had moved and was stable.. and needed no intervention. The prognosis is that it will take around 6/8 weeks to heal.
So bad news that the original examination told me all was sound and no breaks... the good news is the break could have been a lot worse. Btw, a great doctor today, wicked sense of humour and real humanity.
So, I'm not likely to be back on the bike for a bit but as soon as is sensible I'll get the turbo out.... probably set it in ERG mode with minimal watts and just slowly spin (I know you don't usually slowly spin :)) )
that's great news man, hope you heal soon. 👍
Heal quickly from another 74yr old 'daft' solo rider. Last year on a fast Yorkshire moor descent that ended badly with a OTB crash & separated collar bone (thought I'd broken it!) but this time had a mate luckily. He rang ambulance & controller said to stay & wait for a paramedic even though we were a mile from any road. Strapped up with a bit of gas/air so walked to road. Odd cyclist & walkers all offered any assistance if required. Back out on moors 8 weeks later. Still ride 95% solo 3 or 4 times a week but am aware of consequences!!
I love this thread on every level and phew - thankfully the trusty steed was undamaged 😉
I certainly hope that I am still getting out at 74! certainly puts my whingeing and moaning into perspective. Thanks OP
Glad you are a ok as you can be. Great to hear you are still going to be getting out. I hope i am doing that when i get to 74
Did you come out with that immortal line ?. " Is my Bike OK ??? "
Glad its not too serious and you're on the mend 🙂
@pennine Good to hear I'm not alone and glad that things worked out OK for you in the end and that you're back on the road (I mean trail).
@dyna-ti Got to be honest, I don't think I did. Normally when I have an 'off' it's my first thought but last Sunday my mind was somewhere else.
And my continued thanks for all the good wishes and nice comments.
I just realised this thread is the TOTW. When I originally posted I hadn't expected that. There was a lot of emotion in me at the time which I just needed to express in writing. You folk are definitely helping me with that.
Best thread I have read in ages, kudos @masterdabber and the folks who helped you
I am 66 today and get out a couple of times a week on my Stumpjumper. A lot of solo rides since the pandemic started so taking care on the gnar, letting someone know where you are going and using a tracker if possible (I have been using Whatsapp linked to my wife's phone) is all good advice.
Hope you are out and about on your bike again by springtime.
Don't know if you ski/snowboard as well (?), but in France you get a free lift pass at 75, something to aim for, it's certainly on my bucket list 🙂
You will heal just nicely in time for the early new year. I am sure you will make it a good one! My guidance as someone who has had a few serious offs - is listen to the medical advice for good recovery!
Only just read this.
So pleased you will be back to full fitness soon.
My intention is to ride until I can no longer get my leg over (oh err missus).
A doctor once said to me, they would rather deal with injuries from physical activities than having to deal with strokes, heart attacks and long term illnesses brought on by inactivity.
Thanks yet again..I know I keep saying that but I feel I must respond with everyone beiing so kind.
@Bunnyhop I can well understand your doctor's comments. Well, I would wouldn't I.
I do feel that having been active over most of my 74 years has greatly helped me in my overall condition.
Very serious kayak racing up to my early 20's. Girlfriend (and then wife) a quality 400/800 metre runner who I then trained with after my retirement from competitive kayaking. Rugby over the winter months, cycling with the family. etc.
A period of relative inactivity due to work and extensive travelling...which I then recognised my decline and got back into exercise to correct the decline.
So... I'm hoping that this background will give me the best chance of a full and successful recovery.
Cheers All
Like many others, I hope I'll still be riding the good stuff in my 70s. Glad to hear you're on the mend and respect to all that pitched in to help.
When are you planning on going back to ride the same route and bury any lingering demons?
Like many others, I hope I’ll still be riding the good stuff in my 70s. Glad to hear you’re on the mend and respect to all that pitched in to help.
When are you planning on going back to ride the same route and bury any lingering demons?
Thanks @wordnumb
You ask a very good question and one I keep thinking about.
At the moment I'm looking at all of this in small stages (dare I say steps). My mobility is very limited and I need crutches to move about. I'm living downstairs and sleeping is not something I look forward to.
However,I am gradually improving and the first stage I want to acheive is to be able to walk with crutches, then be able to go and down the stairs. So riding a bike is definitely a little while away. My big hope is that riding even very gently will become a possibility.
As to riding the trail that "got me" again..... I don't know. It's trail that until a few months ago I had looked at, then left it for another day. Then, eventually, I decided to try it. It went well and I did it again the same day.Since then I've ridden a number of times without problem until it "got me". The particular section that I crashed on was one of the bits I'd originally been nervous about. It's steep, rutted rooty slope/drop in that is gradually getting more stepped by roots as time goes on.
My feeling at the moment is that I must change my riding. I want to continue riding trails but restrict that to ones that I feel comfortable about and not keep trying to take on more challenging ones. I'm thinking that I would like to ride more actual routes not keep looking for actual trails....sort of more XC.
I want to retain my health, mobilty and freedom. A repeat of what has just happened is not recommended. I don't want to put my wife through what I'm curently putting her through (our 49th wedding anniversary today) ....and she has been great...even promised me a new bike once I'm well enough to ride. Also my son who has been just great.
Another long ramble from me....sorry,I've got time on my hands
