I guess I wasn't as prepared as I thought. I picked a trail that I thought was not too difficult. I was able to ride the bike most of the way to the top. I had to get off of the bike and walk with it about 3 times. On the way back down, managed to make it over several roots and tree limbs with out any problems. I came to a branch that was a lot smaller than some of the other things I had successfully traversed. I lift the front wheel over just fine, when the back tire hit the branch the bike flipped throwing me off head first. For the most part I was ok. Unfortunately I fractured my ankle and a bone in my foot. I will have to wear a cast for 6 weeks minimum. That really sucks. It's my own fault though, I should have been more careful. I am real thankful that I was not hurt worse considering that I was completely air borne and out of control.
I really enjoyed the riding and this seems to be more challenging than anticipated, which is good all accept for the injury. I'm going to do some more research to find some flatter trails, so I can get more use to trail ridding before I attempt anything that is hilly.
The other downside is I was only two weeks from completeing the BOM intermediate stage. I will still complete the upper body portions but will be unable to finish the lower body portion.
Sorry to hear about your accident. I'm glad you aren't swearing off the sport.
Yeah a typical beginner mistake is to feel like everything will be fine as long as I get the front tire over. Unfortunatly when the back hits it tends to bounce and can do one of two things if the rider is not prepared. (1) Exactly what happened to you or (2) the seat comes up to smack you hard in an area not exactly designed for that kind of contact.
The best way to avoid either of these painful results is to learn the "bunny hop". The trick is to get the front tire over the obstical while getting the weight off the rear tire so it doesn't hit the obstical with enough force to bounce too much. Riders who have perfected it (not me) can clear the entire obstical with both tires. You should be able to find a book at the library that can help you with the technique once you can get back on the bike. The best way to practice is to use first a two by four then a four by four on some flat ground working up your speed until you're comfortable enjoying some sweet air on a bomber downhill.
I wish you a quick recovery!
Joe
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Today's mighty oak was once just some nut who held his ground!
I had read about the bunny hop but had not attempted yet. Had I known that particular trail had those obsticales I would have picked a different trail, but once I seen those I should have just gotten off the bike and walk it over them or went around them.
I will defiantly be more careful and defiantly have more respect for rideing on trails.
That air time will be good as long as I stay on the bike and make the landing.
Originally posted by FishrCutB8: So sorry to hear about your pain. Get well soon...
The thing that I am most surprised about is that I feel no pain in my foot. The doctor even seemed surprised. It hurt like hell right after the accident happened. I took some pain medicine that day and the pain went away. I haven't taken any pain medicine since. I also haven't put any weight on that foot since. The pain has been just getting around on one leg. Opening doors while using crutches are difficult.
A bit of advice about the bunny hop method.... Keep in mind that you have to be carrying enough speed to get over the obstacle, it's not just how high you get.
Get well soon and get back on the horse. I've been mtn biking for about 12 years and I can't tell you how many times I have fallen off. The worst was a dislocated shoulder about 7 years ago. That was not fun.........
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Just read this thread. Best of luck in your recovery.
Yeah, injuries are part and parcel of mountain biking....mostly when people endo, they end up with a broken collarbone which hurts like a bastard and they can't cast, so consider the ankle lucky (although I can't picture how you broke your ankle with an endo unless you didn't unclip and the bike took your leg over when you landed?).
Anyway, best of luck and when you get back on that horse - and you will - take it easy when you start off.
Originally posted by Kaiser: Just read this thread. Best of luck in your recovery.
Yeah, injuries are part and parcel of mountain biking....mostly when people endo, they end up with a broken collarbone which hurts like a bastard and they can't cast, so consider the ankle lucky (although I can't picture how you broke your ankle with an endo unless you didn't unclip and the bike took your leg over when you landed?).
Anyway, best of luck and when you get back on that horse - and you will - take it easy when you start off.
Actually I am not sure how my ankle and foot were broke in this accident. I don't have clips on my pedles. You are correct, I consider myself lucky that I didn't break anything esle. I have to wear a cast for 8 weeks, if it is not healed by then, than I will have to have another cast put on for 6 months
Two years ago I broke my heel bone (calcaneous), which is the most weight bearing bone in the body and apparently very hard to break. But it broke enough to see it clearly on an x-ray. So I feel for you buddy!
Ahh that is horrible on your first ride!
I know about injuries.. I had to give up horse back riding after a bad fall off my horse, madly I decided to take up mountain biking after that!
I hope you can heal quickly so you can head out to the trails again and have a successful ride- then you'll be hooked for life.
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