Ride safe, mountain bike oppos!

"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
08/14/2017 at 15:59 • Filed to: Ouch!

Went for a 15 mile trail ride yesterday, 95% downhill. Easily one of my favorites. Unfortunately, the guy in this video aired off of a small mound on a totally straight and flat section of trail and landed just sideways enough to send him towards the brush off to to the left. He overcorrected, and went straight into a tree off the right side of the trail. In high gear at top speed. I was right behind him and saw the whole thing happen. Luckily, just a broken clavicle. But as hard as he hit I thought for sure I was going to be calling an ambulance.

This video was just fooling around a little bit. The approach to that rock makes clearing it fairly difficult. Lots of chain ring gouges on top of it.

At this point we were only a short walk to a main highway even though the trail continued on for a few more miles. He was content to sit there and wait for me to ride back to the car and come pick him up. Keep in mind we were over an hour from the nearest emergency services so it was fastest to just drive him myself, and aside from the obvious pain he was doing quite well.

He’s a skilled and experienced rider but he still took a nasty fall on the easiest stretch of this trail. It can happen to any of us. Ride safe, and enjoy a few pics from some recent rides.

DISCUSSION (37)

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/14/2017 at 16:05

I hope your friend recovers quickly and is able to head out to the trails before this summer ends!

Tristan > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/14/2017 at 16:08

Ouch. I haven’t been out on my mountain bike once since moving to Oregon. I’m so out of practice that I’m a bit afraid of breaking myself in a similar manner...

MonkeePuzzle > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/14/2017 at 16:09

preach!

I damaged my spine in lower back and neck in almost identical circumstances.

just a small hump, landed wrong and over I went. Wasn’t fast, and wasn’t big, just a hard awkward hit.

And same as you, was quickest/easiest to just have my brother ride back and grab a car to pick me up.

Life changing events can happen on the trail in a matter of moments on even the most boring pieces of track.

HammerheadFistpunch > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/14/2017 at 16:10

Im still in recovery after being snipered on a trail I’d run 100 times. My wrists still ache and my strength isn’t there. I watched my buddy break his back and neck doing it.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Tristan
08/14/2017 at 16:11

Come with us!

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > HammerheadFistpunch
08/14/2017 at 16:13

Ffffuuuuhhhh

I try not to ride very hard for this reason. Things can go very badly very quickly. I go through brake pads like crazy but I’m ok with that.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > MonkeePuzzle
08/14/2017 at 16:15

Well, glad you’re alive. Sometimes, even during the crash, there’s nothing you can do to change how you’re going to land, it all just happens too fast.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/14/2017 at 16:17

Great, I’m going out to ride Spencer Freeride trails after work. It’s climb then descend gnar gnar or jump lines.

HammerheadFistpunch > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/14/2017 at 16:18

crazy story? he rode the rest the way down.

TheRealBicycleBuck > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/14/2017 at 16:20

I learned caution when we had to help carry one of my buddies out on a backboard. He went over the bars a full speed and landed head-first in an embankment. I made the ride out with another of my buddies and we waited for the ambulance so we could guide them in.

He got away with just a few compressed cervical vertebrae and a concussion. He was lucky.

Tristan > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/14/2017 at 16:29

No guarantees I can squeeze it in (work, college, baby, broken cars...) but I’d love to!

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/14/2017 at 16:29

Looks like a ton of fun!

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > HammerheadFistpunch
08/14/2017 at 16:31

That’s insane!

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/14/2017 at 16:32

Believe me you have it pretty good in the Sierra’s. I used to ride Tahoe and Donner quite a bit and I love the big granite boulders and sandy trails. Everything around here is dirt, fast grippy dirt with roots and the ocassional rock.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > TheRealBicycleBuck
08/14/2017 at 16:32

Shit! That’s extremely lucky! Glad he ended up being mostly fine!

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Tristan
08/14/2017 at 16:33

Cool. I’ll let you know next time we plan a trip.

Tristan > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/14/2017 at 16:35

Heck yes!

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/14/2017 at 16:35

Cascades actually, but probably similar! Doesn’t matter to me what it is, as long as it’s fun!

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Tristan
08/14/2017 at 16:36

What kind of bike do you have?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/14/2017 at 16:41

I saw pointy mountain with snow and assumed it was shasta.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/14/2017 at 16:43

Ah makes sense. But it’s hood.

Tristan > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/14/2017 at 16:56

Kinja'd!!!

(photo from Google)

It’s an older Specialized Hardrock Pro in the biggest frame they make (I’m 6'7"/230).

functionoverfashion > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/14/2017 at 16:57

Yikes! My friend and I both rode cautiously the other day on our 11-ish mile ride where long sections are several tough miles from any help. But you’re right that it can happen anyway...

MonkeePuzzle > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/14/2017 at 17:06

although I did have time to release a joyous little “woo”

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Tristan
08/14/2017 at 17:55

Hardtails work, but they can be difficult/harsh on our trails. Might be worthwhile to rent something with full suspension.

Nothing > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/14/2017 at 17:56

I’m mid-40s and a wimp now. I snapped my leg pretty bad playing football 17 years ago. It hurt. I still have the plate and 8 screws in there. I ride fairly rolling single track now, which is a shame, because there are really great places in CO to ride. I’m just too chicken shit to get hurt anymore.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > MonkeePuzzle
08/14/2017 at 17:56

Awesome

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/14/2017 at 18:09

I was riding with a friend near Santa Fe, NM back in May and did something similar, but not as bad. Got through the tough stuff, then spaced out on an easy flat stretch just shy of the end of the trail, hit the only nasty root in sight for a quarter mile because I wasn’t looking, and went right over the handlebars. Smashed my face to hell and bashed up a thigh pretty bad but was fortunately able to ride out. My friend thought I was in big trouble because I was bleeding everywhere, but it was just scrapes. Stung like hell later and has reminded me to be more careful on my rides back home.

Where I fell:

Kinja'd!!!

Where we were going:

Kinja'd!!!

My dumb ass:

Kinja'd!!!

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/14/2017 at 18:15

Kinja'd!!!

Even on our flat tracks (our trail network has less than 10 metres of elevation) this sort of tomfoolery is possible. Hope he heals fine...

Kinja'd!!!

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Nothing
08/14/2017 at 18:40

Even riding like a chicken shit is better than not riding at all.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
08/14/2017 at 18:41

Ouch! Nice bikes and view though! Glad you’re ok.

Nothing > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/14/2017 at 18:42

Agreed on that. I still have fun. It’s just less extreme fun!

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/14/2017 at 19:12

Thanks! Yeah my friend is 35 with a good job and married to a woman with a good job and they have no kids so he has quite the collection of toys - bikes, ATV’s and guns. Both bikes are his, I was riding the yellow Spesh. Now I’m back here riding my old crappy bike and thinking of ways to afford a better one now that I’ve experienced it.

Tristan > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/14/2017 at 19:54

I’ll probably give it a shot, though... A retractable seat post or at the very least a shock post would be a worthwhile investment if I stick with it. I may not make it terribly far anyway!

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
08/14/2017 at 20:34

Craigslist!

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Tristan
08/14/2017 at 20:35

Lol you’re better off than when I started! Renting will just make you want something better anyways

Tristan > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/14/2017 at 21:02

Exactly! lol... I’ve got a bunch of money in bikes just sitting in the shed already- riding the hard tail will at least let me justify continued ownership of it!