|   Faced my greatest MTB fear... | pedalinbob
Aug 8, 2002 5:34 AM | | yesterday i was riding the Poto trail in Michigan. (the poto is a very fun trail, but is also quite gnarly in spots) i have ridden this trail probably 100 times.
there i was, enjoying myself on the NRS, when i hit a very steep downhill. it was in an area called the "Hills of Hell", because the hill climbs are short/steep/loose/rooty. i think there are 5 of these climbs in a row.
of course, there is usually a downhill to blast after the climb.
this one is dry/loose/gravelly/washed out/eroded/rooty with DEEP sand at the bottom. oh...and there are lots 0' trees to run into..
i poured on the speed as i crested the hill and began the descent.
about 2/3 of the way down i heard a very loud "PING" and a rapid "PSSSSST".
uh, oh. before i knew what had happened, my front end was uncontrollable. down i went--hard!
Damage report, Scotty!
big scrape on right knee--with 2 embedded rocks, scraped right shoulder and upper thigh...and a sore jaw (musta hit it on something).
flat front tire.
whatthehellhappened?
well, i repaired the flat, inspected everything...there was a big tear directly in the center of the tube. the tire casing was ok. the rimstrip had splinters in it.
i walked back up the hill a bit, where i found a firmly embedded root which resembled a 4" shark tooth--pointy end up.
i ran my hand over it, and it was literally sharp. then i tried to kick it off the trail...nearly broke my Sidi. not only was it firmly embedded, but it was hard as a rock!
well, i finished my ride knowing that i had unintentionally faced my greatest fear in mountainbiking: a high speed downhill front tire blowout.
today i will go back, find a big rock, and pound the shark tooth flat...
later,
Bob
Ps anyone else have a fear to face? |
| My biggest fear!! | MongooseMan
Aug 8, 2002 6:48 AM | | Very technical, steep downhills. I mean the type that are only maybe 30 feet long and you can barley walk up. I'm always afraid I'm going to go over the bars and bust myself up bad. I tense up real tight and just stand there looking at the downhill with a lump in my through. Scares the Sh1t out of me. I've conquered them a couple of times, but I always to chicken out on most of them.
Any suggestions on how to beat this phobia? |
| stay back / wear armor | cm
Aug 8, 2002 7:16 AM | | A couple of things that have helped me conquer tough descents (the ones where I've previously looked and walked...):
1. body armor. If you're pushing yourself to try things that scare you, I think it's inevitable that you're going to fall at some point. Make it as painless as possible :)
2. weight back. Get comfortable getting WAY back on your bike. I mean - arms extended, butt in danger of hitting the tire. Lower your seatpost as far as you can. I think of it as my 'safe' position. If you're that far back and you fall you can jump off the back of the bike (it works with clipless pedals too). I've managed to do this and land on my feet, but worst case you're sliding out or landing on your butt, not going head first.
3. Don't look at it too long. This is important for me. Try to do it without stopping at all. If you have to stop then stop, pick a line and GO. The adrenaline you feel from the fear about a tough section will help you, but if you stand around letting anxiety filter in about the consequences, debating lines, etc.. it only gets worse. There are certainly some drops and such that you should scout out first, but I don't think it does anyone any good to stand at the top worrying.
And my biggest fear? exposure. I'm always working on that balance between ignoring the cliff on the side of the trail completely and deciding that the little obstacle that I wouldn't think twice about on a normal trail is too scary to risk. |
| Thanks for the tips cm, I'll give them a try. nm. | MongooseMan
Aug 8, 2002 10:18 AM | | |
| My biggest fear!! | Vertical
Aug 8, 2002 9:31 AM | | I hate those steep downhills myself as my slide happened when my right foot didn't engage the pedal and slipped off at the bottom ( changed to clippless platforms ). I went over and slid about fifteen feet. Both elbows were strawberried, my right knee had two holes in it just like my stem had bolts ( changed to a Kore stem after that ) had chainring teeth cuts in my calf ( added a Salsa Bash Guard ) and sprained my right wrist and shoulder. Now that took some therapy to get over.
My 2 cents |
| you know what's weird? | cm
Aug 8, 2002 10:08 AM | | I can think of all sorts of things that scare me when I ride, but come to think of it, my most painful wrecks have come from falls I wasn't expecting. Last time I rode Porcupine rim, I had made it through all the drops and rock gardens I attempted and then managed to slide out on probably the only buffed out piece of singletrack in the whole ride. Landed with my tailbone on a rock at full speed. I literally looked like someone had repeatedly kicked me in the butt with some steel toed boots and I could barely walk or sit for days... |
| re: Faced my greatest MTB fear... | mischievous
Aug 8, 2002 6:53 AM | | The trails I ride in Texas are much like the Michigan trails with tight trees that all but make you stop in the tight corners, roots of all sizes and shapes, jagged rocks, loose rocks. I love all these things and am victorious over them most of the time.
My fear though deals with the hardpack here, with a little rain you have solid, slippery mud that feels like ice on the back tire. The trails run along cliffs that drop 30-80 feet into the creeks. the problem is that the trails always tilt slightly towards the cliff and when the mud sets in you have a constant feeling that either your front end will push in the corner or your back end is going to slide over the edge. I make myself ride these parts but the fear is always in the back of my mind... |
| Similar thing on road... | Nigey
Aug 8, 2002 7:02 AM | | 35 mph on a downhill on road and my front tyre deflates really rapidly. Very fortunate to stop it without coming off worse (did take a spill on the verge, but was at a very low speed by then).
Ever since then when I've been going at a good rate I don't mind admitting I say to myself I hope I don't get a flat in the front!!! |
| Similar thing on road... me too! | Mr. Waffle
Aug 8, 2002 7:12 AM | | Had a flat on the front while going into a downhill curve a few years back. The tire (and bike) went down before I knew what was happening. Luckily I wasn't going that fast (15 mph or so). I basically face-planted into the pavement. Ended up with 4 stiches in the upper lip, two busted front teeth, and assorted road rash.
This wasn't my worst fear before it happened, but I hope it doesn't happen again... |
| re: Faced my greatest MTB fear... | HappyStinkyMan
Aug 8, 2002 7:31 AM | | Can anyone here say full-face helmet and flat pedals to bail if need be..... |
| I just got one | cm
Aug 8, 2002 7:37 AM | | I bought a full face helmet last weekend. Still debating the flat pedals though - I might get a set and switch back and forth depending on the trail. If there's any climbing involved I don't think I could deal without clipless. |
| I just got one | ka0die
Aug 8, 2002 8:09 AM | | I do have knee and elbow protector but I didn't bother using it because I haven't got any fall for quite sometime. But here it is!!! I already ordered a Shimano 324 pedal so coming off to a unfamiliar scary descent, I can immediately switch to the other side of it. This way, I can just probably push the bike off me easily.
...With the full faced helmet... hmmm! I'll wave it off for now and wait 'til I get a scratch or stiches anywhere in my face. 'Kidding aside, I'm saving some dollars for one.
...With the full body armor protection, i already got my front right at left rib caged area bruised and sprained. Also thinking of it. |
| so did i... | ka0die
Aug 8, 2002 7:50 AM | | Same happened to me last thursday, the very 1st of August, at "The Chute" in Santiago Oaks, Orange, Ca. 'Was on my down at freewheel speed and all of a sudden, the front end sunk and threw me off my bike, landing at this rocky area partially scraping the trail with my right arm and leg. I wasn't quite familiar with the area and... what the heck I was thinking???
The Trail I went down with:
From the top where the power towers/lines are, right down where some descent weren't a pleasant sight. A single track where at times rutty, rocky, loose rocky sand, sharp turn, etc.
The Culprit:
A 45 degree left turn with big sharp rocks on each side, and as soon as you hit the turn, a very loose earth that put my front end to a sudden halt.
Damages:
1) Glad to see the bike okay with bent right brake lever, (has been replaced), and minor scratches in the left lower arm chainstay.
2) Scraped right side calp, scraped right arm to shoulder area, and a rock surgically exposing part of my right-knee bone.
3) Bedridden for 4 days, (the hardest part).
4) Still limping to date.
Corrective Actions:
1) Let everything heal by itself.
2) Planning to go back to that trail and make sure no scratch whatsoever will be sustain.
Thank God I'm still 100 percent complete with the numerous abuse I'm doing to my wimpy ass.
Thanks for your encouragement. |
| Sliding into the road... | GirchyGirchy
Aug 8, 2002 8:24 AM | | I took a spill last year while trying to turn onto the bike lane of Rose St. in Lexington, KY. I saw a big wet spot, figured it was water, and took the turn...immediately falling to the inside and sliding about 10 feet into the road. Wasn't hurt, so I got up (which was difficult) and examined the spot...it was oil, and as slick as ice. Nice 'n safe, huh? |
| I hate it when the launch area for a jump/drop..... | man w/ one hand
Aug 8, 2002 8:25 AM | | causes you to get squirrelly & you hit the jump/drop with that uneasy
feelin', thinkin' "this is not gonna be pretty." The following weeks
after a ground smackin' crash are horrible for me. It takes a little
while for the memories to go away, like having kids for a woman I
guess. But it takes a while to feel confident again, but then I get
"cocky" & hit that jump/drop/section "1 more time" & we all know what
happens..."Hey guys, Watch this".....oh my.
Lets All Continue to Stroke the Kid in All of US!!!!!
Ride On,
Ride Hard. |
| Well, MY biggest fear is... | VW Geek
Aug 8, 2002 8:49 AM | | wiping out and tearing the front of my bike shorts open. Normally I wouldn't have a problem with this except that when I ride, my frank and beans shrivel up some, just like swimming in a cold pool. I would be embarrassed beyonds words if my frank was out on display in that sorry, shriveled, wrinkly state! |
| I was riding commando when.. | Locoman
Aug 8, 2002 10:22 AM | | I was on a ride a few weeks ago when my pants/shorts (they were somewhere in between) got caught on my seat as I shifted my weight behind the seat and riiiiip -pants ripped off me.
Nobody was around. I panicked in the woods with me prick in the wind, then I just stepped into my shirt and sort of tied the shirt on.
Continued with the rest of the ride. |
| I had a front tire blow out once... | third day
Aug 8, 2002 9:13 AM | | I was about 16, riding a BMX, and was going down a fairly steep asphalt road. I got up to probably 30-35 mph when my front tire suddenly blew out. I have never had such a sudden, uncontrollable crash. There was absolutely no time to bail out gracefully. I just slammed into the ground and slid. I wasn't too badly hurt - just some road rash. I still have scars on my hand. I had just put a new tire and tube on it, so maybe I pinched the tube or something. To this day, whenever I replace the front tube or tire, I am scared to death to get up to speed for the first time. |
| re: Faced my greatest MTB fear... | woodyak
Aug 8, 2002 10:24 AM | | When I was a kid I rode a wheelie and my front tire popped off my BMX bike. I was in mid wheelie and instead of pulling back I leaned forward and landed right on my fork. I didn't break anything put everything hurt. The forks survived though. I always crank down my front tire real hard now. |
| my greatest fear is.. | mtbinmich
Aug 8, 2002 12:21 PM | | a downhill endo on some tight single track like this (highland rec area) |
| Fellow Michigander? | pedalinbob
Aug 8, 2002 2:11 PM | | Highland is a blast! not a fast trail, but quite technical--lots of places to stack.
i must have been doing close to 30mph when the tire blew...but i was able to scrub some speed before completely losing it.
also, im getting a kick out of hearing these stories.
we are typically brave--or even crazy with the stuff we (mountainbikers) ride.
but every now and then, something happens to humble us.
it usually involves fear and pain!!!
Bob |
| Fellow Michigander? | wingzz
Aug 9, 2002 4:11 AM | | highland is a blast I will be there on sunday morn.
have you tried holdridge in holly yet?
some good scary stuff there |
| Haven't been to Holdridge yet... | pedalinbob
Aug 9, 2002 5:27 AM | | i have ridden the short loop--around 5 miles i think? it had the climb called "the wall", which was a good climb, but quite rideable.
it was a very fun and scenic trail.
are you referring to gruber's grinder--the long trail? i have heard it is interesting. i will try it later this year.
later,
bob |
| Monday (nm) | EricTheRed
Aug 8, 2002 1:25 PM | | |
| re: Faced my greatest MTB fear... | Polaris
Aug 8, 2002 6:38 PM | | I was riding a technical downhill and going way to fast so I slowed down and accidently locked out my back tire, the momentum kept me going but I basically endoed down a root-ridden hill. I managed to bail before I slamed into a tree and off a cliff! |
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