how dangerous is mountain biking?
Discussion
frag68 said:
I recently was at glentress a few months ago and did most of the black routes without incident and went at my own pace rather than keep up with the group. I have a hardtail and the rest had full suspension so I was never going to keep up.
I did come off later that day when on a log skinny at a very slow speed and tore my medial deltoid muscle in my right arm which goes to show speed doesn't necessarily cause accidents.
Just go out and enjoy and ride to your ability.
In mountain biking speed does cause accidents but it is too slow or too high, too slow and you have no momentum and limited stability as pedaling wobbles the bike, too fast and things catch you out on corners.I did come off later that day when on a log skinny at a very slow speed and tore my medial deltoid muscle in my right arm which goes to show speed doesn't necessarily cause accidents.
Just go out and enjoy and ride to your ability.
I've been mountain biking for 15 years, 99% XC, never broken anything although I've got some impressive scars and had a few near misses that would have resulted in lots of broken things or death. I've been lucky though. Just start slow and build up your skill and confidence, look after the bike and don't do proper mountain biking on a cheap BSO, most of the nasty accidents I've seen have been due to a cheap/old frame or component failure.
Wear a helmet.
Don't do downhill until you're competent, you will die. If BRAKE covered downhill mountain biking their slogan would be TREES KILL.
Wear a helmet.
Don't do downhill until you're competent, you will die. If BRAKE covered downhill mountain biking their slogan would be TREES KILL.
MiseryStreak said:
Don't do downhill until you're competent, you will die. If BRAKE covered downhill mountain biking their slogan would be TREES , ROOTS, ROCKS AND SHORTING GAPS, KILL.
EFA.I think you can injure yourself on any mtb ride, but the energy, speed, steepness, air, ruggedness of the on-track technical bits (i.e. hazards) as well as the very close off track scenery, make downhill significantly more dangerous.
I keep thinking "Enough! Just ride what you enjoy" and then finding myself immersed in yet another wave of adrenaline as I launch something that, if I'm brutally honest, I do not have certain knowledge I can land. Increasingly, as I perfect my approach - the art of total commitment - to new challenges, I find there is nothing like the intensity of those moments. It is also very stupid.
Digga said:
FA.
I think you can injure yourself on any mtb ride, but the energy, speed, steepness, air, ruggedness of the on-track technical bits (i.e. hazards) as well as the very close off track scenery, make downhill significantly more dangerous.
I keep thinking "Enough! Just ride what you enjoy" and then finding myself immersed in yet another wave of adrenaline as I launch something that, if I'm brutally honest, I do not have certain knowledge I can land. Increasingly, as I perfect my approach - the art of total commitment - to new challenges, I find there is nothing like the intensity of those moments. It is also very stupid.
That survival buzz you only get from doing something properly dangerous is annoyingly addictive, and almost unjustifiable when you have a young family, but what do you replace it with? Two dunks of the Chocolate Digestive? A danger wI think you can injure yourself on any mtb ride, but the energy, speed, steepness, air, ruggedness of the on-track technical bits (i.e. hazards) as well as the very close off track scenery, make downhill significantly more dangerous.
I keep thinking "Enough! Just ride what you enjoy" and then finding myself immersed in yet another wave of adrenaline as I launch something that, if I'm brutally honest, I do not have certain knowledge I can land. Increasingly, as I perfect my approach - the art of total commitment - to new challenges, I find there is nothing like the intensity of those moments. It is also very stupid.
k at work leaving the toilet door unlocked? If you're not living on the edge you're taking up too much room.Digga said:
MiseryStreak said:
Don't do downhill until you're competent, you will die. If BRAKE covered downhill mountain biking their slogan would be TREES , ROOTS, ROCKS AND SHORTING GAPS, KILL.
EFA.I think you can injure yourself on any mtb ride, but the energy, speed, steepness, air, ruggedness of the on-track technical bits (i.e. hazards) as well as the very close off track scenery, make downhill significantly more dangerous.
I keep thinking "Enough! Just ride what you enjoy" and then finding myself immersed in yet another wave of adrenaline as I launch something that, if I'm brutally honest, I do not have certain knowledge I can land. Increasingly, as I perfect my approach - the art of total commitment - to new challenges, I find there is nothing like the intensity of those moments. It is also very stupid.
MiseryStreak said:
That survival buzz you only get from doing something properly dangerous is annoyingly addictive, and almost unjustifiable when you have a young family, but what do you replace it with? Two dunks of the Chocolate Digestive? A danger wk at work leaving the toilet door unlocked? If you're not living on the edge you're taking up too much room.
I liken mtbing in general, and DH especially - the mud, sweat, bruises and scars - to Fight Club. If you're not in it, you cannot comprehend.k at work leaving the toilet door unlocked? If you're not living on the edge you're taking up too much room.rhinochopig said:
Indeed, you can see how after incremental improvements at some point some riders can sit at the top of the Rampage course and be confident that it is within their capability.
Yes, I can see that, but still cannot get my puny little mind around it nonetheless. 
rhinochopig said:
I think the key is to have the ability to have the crash and not be put off, which I for one can't.
I've taken a different approach. I've decided to keep speed within the bounds of talent/technique, because I have no doubt that going too fast for your own scanning/reactions on an unfamiliar track is as near perfectly linked to a crash as to be certain. I've decided to try to be sensible with what I bite off and to religiously pre-walk all tech bits and then pre-session each element of a track, before trying to string the lot together, because I know this is the only way my brain can digest it. Thus far I've avoided major 'offs' for some time - certainly since I adopted the approach - but I am sure a subsequent fall and injury might convince me my time with DH is up.Digga said:
I was actually saying road biking was likely IMHO to be SAFER per mile travelled than mtbing. You assume I was trying to convince you otherwise is based on hysteria (paranioa perhaps?) and a lack of comprehension.
What is beyond doubt - to all of us on here, except you - is that in terms of DEATHS per annum, road biking trumps mtbing, hands down, no stats required.
Calling someone a moron, from that standpoint, is pathetic.
I'm calling you a moron because you STILL haven't provided any figure that would convince a reasonable person of that statement, yet you expect me to be convinced.What is beyond doubt - to all of us on here, except you - is that in terms of DEATHS per annum, road biking trumps mtbing, hands down, no stats required.
Calling someone a moron, from that standpoint, is pathetic.
Or because you think newspaper stories are in any way indicative of a trend, when the entire business model is based on novelty. Pick either.
joema said:
Maybe he means less injuries per mile but more deaths over mile?
No figures around I know of.
Not sure why you need to use insults though? Jeez
No, you're right.No figures around I know of.
Not sure why you need to use insults though? Jeez
it's a curious debating stance to take; demand some form of proof you know does not exist, whilst also ignoring the specific point being made which is beyond debate - that there are far more road cycling deaths than mtbing ones and it is more dangerous.
Then to resurrect it is, frankly, stupid. It is a very unwise thing to insult someone you have never seen and do know know.
paranoid airbag said:
I'm calling you a moron because you STILL haven't provided any figure that would convince a reasonable person of that statement, yet you expect me to be convinced.
Or because you think newspaper stories are in any way indicative of a trend, when the entire business model is based on novelty. Pick either.
You're being ridiculous. Around a hundred people die on UK roads every year. The number of mountain biking deaths is often zero in a year. Even when you factor in the exposure rate, the risk of DEATH is significantly higher on the road. Most off-road deaths are heart attacks, so could happen just as easily on the road.Or because you think newspaper stories are in any way indicative of a trend, when the entire business model is based on novelty. Pick either.
Cycling Accidents
Around 75% of fatal or serious cyclist accidents occur in urban areas
Around half of cyclist fatalities occur on rural roads
75% happen at, or near, a road junction
80% occur in daylight
80% of cyclist casualties are male
Almost one quarter of the cyclists killed or injured are children
Around three quarters of cyclists killed have major head injuries
From here:
http://www.rospa.com/roadsafety/adviceandinformati...
Stats aside, I've ridden tens of thousands of miles on and off road, and been injured more often and more severely on the road. Tree roots are nasty but they're predictable and you can see them coming, stupid bloody Korean nurses who drive Daewoos and can't see over the steering wheel, less so.
Her: "I nurse, I nurse!"
Me (kneeling over a lake of blood): "You're going to be nursing yourself if you don't get away from me".
I look at a couple of aspects, some already mentioned
1) Its safer than riding on the roads, i've done both for over 30 years and trail centres, forestry commission sites are well maintained and graded
2) The benefits to your long term health and fitness outweigh any risk
3) Benefits to your mental health, being out there, getting the adrenaline going, fresh air, woods trees, comradery, all outweigh the risks
4) As others have said, start slowly and work your way up, dont try a green trail on Monday and Black on Friday, so much resource on the web, there is no excuse for going OTT out the box
5) Lastly and most importantly, it is fun, don't worry about being left behind on the trails,don't worry what anyone else is doing or how fast they are going or what kit they have - do your own thing and enjoy, its the best sport/hobby there is
1) Its safer than riding on the roads, i've done both for over 30 years and trail centres, forestry commission sites are well maintained and graded
2) The benefits to your long term health and fitness outweigh any risk
3) Benefits to your mental health, being out there, getting the adrenaline going, fresh air, woods trees, comradery, all outweigh the risks
4) As others have said, start slowly and work your way up, dont try a green trail on Monday and Black on Friday, so much resource on the web, there is no excuse for going OTT out the box
5) Lastly and most importantly, it is fun, don't worry about being left behind on the trails,don't worry what anyone else is doing or how fast they are going or what kit they have - do your own thing and enjoy, its the best sport/hobby there is
TedMaul said:
I look at a couple of aspects, some already mentioned
1) Its safer than riding on the roads, i've done both for over 30 years and trail centres, forestry commission sites are well maintained and graded
2) The benefits to your long term health and fitness outweigh any risk
3) Benefits to your mental health, being out there, getting the adrenaline going, fresh air, woods trees, comradery, all outweigh the risks
4) As others have said, start slowly and work your way up, dont try a green trail on Monday and Black on Friday, so much resource on the web, there is no excuse for going OTT out the box
5) Lastly and most importantly, it is fun, don't worry about being left behind on the trails,don't worry what anyone else is doing or how fast they are going or what kit they have - do your own thing and enjoy, its the best sport/hobby there is
100% agree1) Its safer than riding on the roads, i've done both for over 30 years and trail centres, forestry commission sites are well maintained and graded
2) The benefits to your long term health and fitness outweigh any risk
3) Benefits to your mental health, being out there, getting the adrenaline going, fresh air, woods trees, comradery, all outweigh the risks
4) As others have said, start slowly and work your way up, dont try a green trail on Monday and Black on Friday, so much resource on the web, there is no excuse for going OTT out the box
5) Lastly and most importantly, it is fun, don't worry about being left behind on the trails,don't worry what anyone else is doing or how fast they are going or what kit they have - do your own thing and enjoy, its the best sport/hobby there is
i didnt get out in the woods last week, made me grumpy. the release of endorphin's is underated.
I had a bad accident last year, 100% my fault 
I dislocated my shoulder, badly sprained my wrist, tore my distal bicep tendon and lost a lot of skin off the forearm.
I basically tried a jump which was way to much for my skills at the time, and paid the price
Funnily enough the bike was absolutely fine!
As everyone has pointed out, its only as dangerous as you make it to be. Wear some armour if it makes you feel better, absolutly nothing wrong with it. Start slowly and build yourself and your skills up.
PS, I've nearly made a full recovery, operation for tendon re-attachment went great, and I've been given the all clear to ride properly again.
I dislocated my shoulder, badly sprained my wrist, tore my distal bicep tendon and lost a lot of skin off the forearm.I basically tried a jump which was way to much for my skills at the time, and paid the price
Funnily enough the bike was absolutely fine!As everyone has pointed out, its only as dangerous as you make it to be. Wear some armour if it makes you feel better, absolutly nothing wrong with it. Start slowly and build yourself and your skills up.
PS, I've nearly made a full recovery, operation for tendon re-attachment went great, and I've been given the all clear to ride properly again.
Engineer1 said:
Well I'm sat with my knee in a brace( no idea exactly what ive done but i ended up getting an ambulance ride to stafford hospital having come off awkwardly at low speed trying to dab my way through an obstacle.
Queue next debate; is Stafford hospital more dangerous than mountain biking? Joking aside:
- Stafford Hosptial is getting it's act together, although not having 24hr A&E in a town that size is a fking disgrace
- Heal well chap
Im supposed to be going cannock tomorrow for first time and ive never had a helmet in my 20 years of riding. Everyone seems shocked by this, and im told i need one for cannock. Surely people ride there without them? I plan to buy one but i wont get chance before tomorrow as i plan to leave early.
d8mok said:
Im supposed to be going cannock tomorrow for first time and ive never had a helmet in my 20 years of riding. Everyone seems shocked by this, and im told i need one for cannock. Surely people ride there without them? I plan to buy one but i wont get chance before tomorrow as i plan to leave early.
I saw someone riding there without one at the weekend. I've also seen what people have done to their crash hemets coming off. Theres a shop on site, your call but i know where i'd be going before starting the ride.thanks for info matey. Is the shop a decent size with lots of choice? As im hoping to arrive by 9am so i would leave home at 7am so i couldnt visit my local one.
Having never purchased a mtb helmet whats a decent amount to spend? My motorbike helmets usually cost about £400 which gets a very decent helmet. Yes there are more expensive ones but theres no point as the gains are minimal. I see mtb helmets from £30 upto £150 ish. Is there a sweetspot to spend assuming budget isnt a issue?
Having never purchased a mtb helmet whats a decent amount to spend? My motorbike helmets usually cost about £400 which gets a very decent helmet. Yes there are more expensive ones but theres no point as the gains are minimal. I see mtb helmets from £30 upto £150 ish. Is there a sweetspot to spend assuming budget isnt a issue?
d8mok said:
thanks for info matey. Is the shop a decent size with lots of choice? As im hoping to arrive by 9am so i would leave home at 7am so i couldnt visit my local one.
Having never purchased a mtb helmet whats a decent amount to spend? My motorbike helmets usually cost about £400 which gets a very decent helmet. Yes there are more expensive ones but theres no point as the gains are minimal. I see mtb helmets from £30 upto £150 ish. Is there a sweetspot to spend assuming budget isnt a issue?
I've actually been in it (one of the few trail centres that hasn't seen an emergency purchase) so can't help you there. We nearly went as one of the guy i was with forgot his helmet at the weekend, but we were still close enough to home to go back. No idea on the price sweet spot either, if you were thinking of riding helmet free a cheaper one will seem like over kill (to you), but then a full on downhill full face job definitely will be. I picked mine on the basis that it looked 'alright' and if fitted my head without costing too much (about £40 i think). That said i wear the same gear for road or MTB rides so i wouldn't go by my opinion too much..its not lycra.Having never purchased a mtb helmet whats a decent amount to spend? My motorbike helmets usually cost about £400 which gets a very decent helmet. Yes there are more expensive ones but theres no point as the gains are minimal. I see mtb helmets from £30 upto £150 ish. Is there a sweetspot to spend assuming budget isnt a issue?
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff