I came....I saw.....I hate gravity!

[sundial]

I rode my new girl Carmine on the trails and just about every ride I do something stupid--like fall. And it happens as I've come to a stop on uneven terrain, a slope, or something else. I'm unclipped on one side but I inevitably fall on the other side. And one time as I'm mounting my bike, the spandex catches the nose of the seat and I lose my balance. Dumb, dumb! At least it doesn't hurt to fall on the trails like it would on the road. I had good intentions of capturing Carmine's best side with a respectable amount of dirt on her when the camera battery died. So bear with me, I'll get a photo of my Specialized Rockhopper comp on the trail hopefully tomorrow.

[Tri Girl]

I don't consider it a successful mtn bike ride if I DON'T fall and injure myself.
Let's see that bike all caked in dirt and glory.

[uforgot]

It's the LAW!

[7rider]

I don't consider it a successful mtn bike ride if I DON'T fall and injure myself.
Let's see that bike all caked in dirt and glory.

It's like skiing...it's not a real day if you don't taste the ground at least once! It's part of that whole "communing with nature" thing.

[DirtDiva]

Someone (who shall remain nameless ) endoed twice on her last ride... It's all part of the fun.

[sundial]

You gals are serious mtb'ers and you fall in a most noble fashion. I'm just a lowly tomboy that wants to fly through the sticks, vines, small stumps and the like without falling when I've come to a complete stop. Or because my tights is duking it out with the saddle.

Gotta wait this afternoon before I can go out to play. Got the camera charged up this time.

[sundial]

Pics as promised.

I had a bad accident today. I came off the trail onto the pavement and I was going downhill around a curve while glancing over to another trailhead. I braked with both hands but I grabbed the front brake too hard and before I knew it, I flew over it, landed on my chest and felt my front teeth grind against the pavement. My chin did too. How I didn't end up with road rash is beyond me. My teeth are ok. My elbow hurts really bad. It happened so quick I don't remember if or how I braced with my arm. I think the nerve running from the pinky to my elbow is what's hurting right now. I feel like crying. I'm really sad about my crash. I wonder if I shouldn't ride my mtb now.

[elk]

Gosh darn it, Girl...I'm sorry you had a nasty crash....poor teeth and elbow

[crazycanuck]

sorry to hear you had a bad endo

don't give up on mtn biking because of it. go out again! do it for the gipper


i can't wait til the day i get to go mtn biking again

c

[sundial]

Thank you Elk and CC for your words of comfort. I'm pretty weepy right now. I just wanted to ride and have fun. I'm going to take a pain pill now and go to bed. Maybe it will be better in the morning.

[emily_in_nc]

So sorry for your fall, sundial, and hope you feel better soon! If it's any comfort, I fell about 5-6 times last year on my mtb, and have not fallen ONCE this year! I do ride on pretty wimpy trails compared to a lot of the gals here, and only once a week most of the time, but still, there is hope for you, so please don't give up!

I do relate to what you are saying -- unlike a lot of mtbers I know, I don't view falling as a badge to be worn proudly, I view it as evidence that I made a mistake, and I take care to avoid doing whatever it is that caused me to fall the next time. So, I am much more cautious than a lot of mtbers, go slower, will get off and walk if I get nervous, and won't ride certain trails at all, but I really value not being in pain or abject terror!

Heal up fast....

Emily

[blueskies]

Man, there have been just too many crashes lately! So sorry you're hurting, Sundial... especially out on your brand new (and very photogenic might I add) bike.

[mudgirl]

Ooooooh, me likey the new bikey!!!

Sorry to hear about your crash! Don't give up. Just start out slowly again. I had a really bad crash back in July. I had to go back to the easiest trails I had first started out on and work my way back up to the harder stuff in order to get my confidence back. Luckily it only took a couple months instead of a year! Just take it easy for a few rides and get "reaquainted" with your bike.

[Tuckervill]

Ow, I'm sorry. I'm cringing about teeth on pavement! oy.

I had the hardest time getting used to the suspension on the fork when I stopped. If you hit the brakes too hard, then the suspension gives, it's easy to do an endo. Once I realized what would happen, I learned to compensate...but maybe that contributed to your accident?

Don't stop! Maybe take it a little more easy and anticipate a little better? The only real wreck I've had mtb-ing is when I didn't anticipate what could happen and take steps to avoid it. Going through a little creek on a big flat rock, on a curve--bike went right out from under me and I landed on my knee. You can betcha I won't be forgetting that next time I see a big flat wet rock!

That's making me want to get back out there. :::must survive fitness boot camp:::must not ride:::must not waste money spent on fitness boot camp:::must not ride:::

Karen

[Tuckervill]

Hey, Sundial, what trail were you on? I don't know anything about trails on that side of the world, but I'd like to. That leaf covered trail looks nice!

Karen