Are the MTBiking gods trying to tell me something?

[Dirt Girl]

Phew, what a day. There is another side of mountain biking that isn't all that pretty, and I'm compelled to share. We heard this morning about a friend who broke his neck riding yesterday. Fortunately he has movement in all limbs but still faces surgery and recovery. Actually it's the second guy in our group to do this. The other one was a couple of years ago.

On my own ride today I did a classic endo for only the second time in my 4.5-year mtb history. It didn't feel any better than the first time. If not for the helmet, the dent the bike that landed on top of me made would have been in my head. And I really need to work on that tuck and roll thing instead of slamming the knees into the ground.

ALWAYS wear a helmet and be safe out there!!

[shewhobikes]

I'm so sorry about your friend. Hope he recovers quickly.

I can't seem to get the tuck and roll either. I'm usually wildly scrambing for my feet when I'd be better off not fighting a fall. Take a long, hot bath and a couple of Advil and feel better tomorrow! No damage to the bike I hope?

[LBTC]

Aww, {{{{{{{{{{{{Dirt Girl}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

You'll be good. The trail goddess likes to tap us on the shoulder once in awhile. Sometimes the pain lasts awhile (like the broken humerus I had...), sometimes it's overwith shortly (like for you this time), sometimes it's the near miss, and sometimes, as in the case of your friend, it just lasts and lasts and lasts. I think she's vengeful, but I don't think she's completely random. She demands respect, dammit.

I do hope your friend recovers well. And that you're feeling well and confident in no time. Remember it's the trail goddess who owns the trail....she just lets us use it now and again.

hugs!
~T~

[Irulan]

I've heard that the way to learn to tuck and roll is best taught through martial arts type work, at the minimum you want to practice in a mat room with someone who knows what they are doing. ( sounds good, haven't done it yet)
I usually hit with a forearm or shoulder, not good.

DG, do you have details ... ie classic endo, high speed wreck, racing at Beacon this weekend or what?

irulan

[CorsairMac]

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend and about you. I'll keep your friend in my prayers and I'm glad to hear yours was recoverable! Take care of yourself and take it easy the next few days!

[JanT]

Every once in awhile we mountain bikers get a quick and painful reminder that it is a dangerous sport, even if we're not doing 10 foot drops. I've been biking with a couple people for several years now, usually once a week, and although we've had our share of blood and bruises, no one ever broke anything--until a few weeks ago. It was one of those slo-mo wipe-outs on a climb; he put his hand out to keep from hitting his head on a boulder, and broke his wrist. But if he hadn't put out his hand, he could have had a head injury, or even broken his neck like Dirt Girl's friend. A momentary lapse in concentration can be dangerous--and for road biking, too, where you share the road with those 4 wheeled monsters.

So, everybody be careful!!

[Grog]

I feel very bad for your friend, DirtGirl, and my thoughts are with him.

It is indeed a dangerous sport, whether on the trail or road... Not as dangerous as some other sports, I guess, but it is indeed a good reminder that we have to stay very, very alert... and assume that sometimes it may not be enough.

Let's enjoy it while we can, then! And do our best to enjoy it for the longest time.....

[Veronica]

I'm hoping for a speedy recovery for you and your friend.

V.

[Dirt Girl]

No damage to the bike I hope?

Ooooo, my bike is so mad at me. Not only did I think about checking it out AS AN AFTERTHOUGHT but later on during the ride I actually said, "You just remember I have another bike now!" I think we are both adjusting to some new parts. My new road bike had made me aware of how far back I've been sitting on the mountain bike, so I put a straight seatpost on to replace the setback one. I'm getting used to the new weight distribution. Add on a handful of new disc brakes and that equalled DG going OTB!

I apologized to my pretty blue bike this morning.

[Dirt Girl]

Remember it's the trail goddess who owns the trail....she just lets us use it now and again.

hugs!
~T~

I will think of this often!

Irulan, no specifics on the injury yet. He's not a racer. I have heard that he is in good spirits.

Thanks, ladies, for all of the support!!

Dirt "moving like an old woman today" Girl

[Irulan]

the reason I was wondering "how" is that I was out with a friend the other day and she did the standard slo-mo tip over, and cracked three ribs!!!???!!! We are both wondering how the heck that happened. Anything can happen I guess.
Glad to hear rider is in good spirits.

I.