how dangerous is mountain biking?

[P-Jay]

Cannock is the only centre I've regularly seen riders helmet-less, they seemed to favour the oh-so-fashionable, but not terribly crash resistant micro wooly beany instead - even though it was in the mid 20's that day.

Make of that what you will.

Wear a helmet, if not for you, for your family and friends.

[mcdjl]

P-Jay said:

Cannock is the only centre I've regularly seen riders helmet-less, they seemed to favour the oh-so-fashionable, but not terribly crash resistant micro wooly beany instead - even though it was in the mid 20's that day.

Make of that what you will.

Wear a helmet, if not for you, for your family and friends.

Probably also the highest average rider weight and most 'that bike still moves/stops' centre I've been to as well.

[Mr Gearchange]

I wouldn't ride Cannock without a helmet - especially on the black sections on Monkey where the risk of injury is very high if you come off.
Although to be honest I wouldn't ride anywhere without a helmet - I just don't see the reason for not wearing one.

[Freakuk]

I had a stag do a couple of weeks ago up at Llandegla, about 15 of us some including myself go there quite a bit and know the routes well, others... some ride albeit on the road and some haven't done any form of cycling for years.

As you can imagine we did all of the black runs, most got round injury free but slowly, some fell but didn't hurt themselves, a few others were generally unfit and struggled, one or two fell and got the odd cut and bruise.

BUT everyone enjoyed it and want to do more to the point where one or two who could barely cycle round let alone stay upright are now looking at 3-4K bikes.

I just made sure they all rode at their own pace, I advised them of the major obstacles and what to expect, if the OP takes the same approach you'll be fine.

Enjoy

[d8mok]

Just purchased a helmet from local indy. If yur at cannock tomorrow give me a wave, im on a orange Orange 5 with pike forks