how dangerous is mountain biking?
Discussion
TKF said:
Digga said:
P-Jay said:
schuey said:
However it's miles safer than riding on the road,and road bikes are rubbish!
Amen Brother. 
t.The general consensus for MTB is that you WILL come off and you WILL hurt yourself. This thread alone reads like an A&E checklist of injuries.
You a far, far more likely to have an off and get injured mountain biking than road cycling. To suggest otherwise is ludicrous in the extreme. Too many bumps on the head perhaps?
You a far, far more likely to have an off and get injured mountain biking than road cycling. To suggest otherwise is ludicrous in the extreme. Too many bumps on the head perhaps?
TKF said:
The general consensus for MTB is that you WILL come off and you WILL hurt yourself. This thread alone reads like an A&E checklist of injuries.
You a far, far more likely to have an off and get injured mountain biking than road cycling. To suggest otherwise is ludicrous in the extreme. Too many bumps on the head perhaps?
A mate - a very experienced cyclist in both road and mtb - came off on a lycra-lads holiday in the Alps. He was descending the tarmac at about 35mph and suffered the equivalent of 3rd degree burns to large parts of his thighs.You a far, far more likely to have an off and get injured mountain biking than road cycling. To suggest otherwise is ludicrous in the extreme. Too many bumps on the head perhaps?
Of my mates in the Tri club, about three of them have been punted off road bikes by other vehicles in the last couple of years and suffered serious injury.
I MTB for the fitness not the adrenaline.
As a result I go uphill slowly (very) and downhill slightly less slowly because it is very muddy/chalky/flinty singletrack with barbed wire on one side.
I have fallen off about four times over a couple of thousand miles.
Twice was ice/snow on the road - any roadie can tell you about that. Out of nowhere and WHAM you are on your arse. A nice dose of minor road rash - no real harm done.
The other two times I broke a rib and had a dead leg for about a week. Nothing major.
As a result I go uphill slowly (very) and downhill slightly less slowly because it is very muddy/chalky/flinty singletrack with barbed wire on one side.
I have fallen off about four times over a couple of thousand miles.
Twice was ice/snow on the road - any roadie can tell you about that. Out of nowhere and WHAM you are on your arse. A nice dose of minor road rash - no real harm done.
The other two times I broke a rib and had a dead leg for about a week. Nothing major.
I've fallen off loads more doing offroad cycling. But you tend to land in bushes or on soft mud which doesn't hurt too bad. On the rare occasions I've fallen off on road, I've really hurt myself- due to higher speeds and hardness of stuff you're likely to hit- I managed to crush the back of a cycle helmet against a kerb stone.
Yes - you are more likely to get hurt riding MTB as is the nature of the beast.
But when road riders fall off they are usually going faster, they are falling into concrete/Tarmac, have helmets that offer little protection, wear no other armour and are very likely to be falling down in front of a car, truck or bus.
Plus there is all the associated kerbs and street furniture that is massively unforgiving in the event of a impact.
Death and critical injury in MTB is actually very rare - not so for road riding
But when road riders fall off they are usually going faster, they are falling into concrete/Tarmac, have helmets that offer little protection, wear no other armour and are very likely to be falling down in front of a car, truck or bus.
Plus there is all the associated kerbs and street furniture that is massively unforgiving in the event of a impact.
Death and critical injury in MTB is actually very rare - not so for road riding
Mr Gearchange said:
TKF said:
Digga said:
P-Jay said:
schuey said:
However it's miles safer than riding on the road,and road bikes are rubbish!
Amen Brother. t.Mountain biking is generally as dangerous as YOU want it to be, riding around on flat canal paths hardly poses as threat but throwing yourself down a black rated downhill course on a rigid Halfords MTB with a polystyrene helmet is asking for trouble.
I've been very lucky and in nearly 20 years of mountain biking I've only smashed my teeth out a couple of times (before full face helmets were more readily available) but beyond that lots of cuts/bruises.
That's not to say I haven't witness all sorts from broken legs, broken collar bones, broken fingers, dislocated shoulders, torn ligaments...
One of the perversities of mountain biking is that - up to a point - riding faster actually means you're less likely to fall off. However, when you do it tends to hurt more.
When I was doing mountain rescue the biggest cause of injury was the jump park - collar bones, wrists, etc. We seldom got called out for trail accidents.
When I was doing mountain rescue the biggest cause of injury was the jump park - collar bones, wrists, etc. We seldom got called out for trail accidents.
Digga said:
A mate - a very experienced cyclist in both road and mtb - came off on a lycra-lads holiday in the Alps. He was descending the tarmac at about 35mph and suffered the equivalent of 3rd degree burns to large parts of his thighs.
Of my mates in the Tri club, about three of them have been punted off road bikes by other vehicles in the last couple of years and suffered serious injury.
To counter... I know dozens of people who've spent a fair amount of time riding on the road. Most of them have spent most of their lives with no head protection whatsoever.Of my mates in the Tri club, about three of them have been punted off road bikes by other vehicles in the last couple of years and suffered serious injury.
I know two people who mountain bike. Both wear a helmet.
I've seen two people suffer permanent brain damage. Guess who?*
This is why anecdotal evidence is completely f
king useless - you can prove anything you want with it. And why I have a fair amount of disdain for people who seem to think they're the only thing that matters. They shift the odds in your favour. They don't fking cure cancer.*One of the mountain bikers, one of the road bikers. I'm the other mountain biker. The other road biker was in New Zealand... where helmets are compulsory.
paranoid airbag said:
Digga said:
A mate - a very experienced cyclist in both road and mtb - came off on a lycra-lads holiday in the Alps. He was descending the tarmac at about 35mph and suffered the equivalent of 3rd degree burns to large parts of his thighs.
Of my mates in the Tri club, about three of them have been punted off road bikes by other vehicles in the last couple of years and suffered serious injury.
To counter... I know dozens of people who've spent a fair amount of time riding on the road. Most of them have spent most of their lives with no head protection whatsoever.Of my mates in the Tri club, about three of them have been punted off road bikes by other vehicles in the last couple of years and suffered serious injury.
I know two people who mountain bike. Both wear a helmet.
I've seen two people suffer permanent brain damage. Guess who?*
This is why anecdotal evidence is completely f
king useless - you can prove anything you want with it. And why I have a fair amount of disdain for people who seem to think they're the only thing that matters. They shift the odds in your favour. They don't fking cure cancer.*One of the mountain bikers, one of the road bikers. I'm the other mountain biker. The other road biker was in New Zealand... where helmets are compulsory.
In terms of fatality, road cycling is worse. In terms of injury it is worse. Granted, on a per rider or mile travelled it may be 'safer', but I'd chose coming up sort on the biggest baddest gap on any DH course every time over being driver over on a road bike by an eight-wheel tipper.
Mr Gearchange said:
Indeed. I honestly don't see the attraction of road riding - but it seems enormously popular for reasons I cannot fathom.
You have to dress up in frankly strange clothes which suit nobody - then grind out mile after monotonous mile in the same position without excitement or technical challenge - in the traffic which is increasingly made up of idiots.
None of my mates ride MTB but a few ride road bikes. One of them does relatively regular 60 mile sportives and coast to coat type stuff.
I took him out on the MTB a few weeks ago - he was totally and utterly finished by mile 5 and couldn't believe how much of a different type of fitness it takes to ride technical trails.
It's about speed and rhythm. Maintaining a cadence that smashes out the miles, mile after mile. It's about being at peace with yourself in your own head, and watching the countryside roll by. It's about hills and headwinds, drafting and banter, and the prefect rotating paceline. It's about watching your oppo's wheel slowly inch away, and killing yourself to keep locked in before you get dropped like a stone. If you don't get it, you don't get it.You have to dress up in frankly strange clothes which suit nobody - then grind out mile after monotonous mile in the same position without excitement or technical challenge - in the traffic which is increasingly made up of idiots.
None of my mates ride MTB but a few ride road bikes. One of them does relatively regular 60 mile sportives and coast to coat type stuff.
I took him out on the MTB a few weeks ago - he was totally and utterly finished by mile 5 and couldn't believe how much of a different type of fitness it takes to ride technical trails.
And your mate sounds pathetic.
Joey Ramone said:
Mr Gearchange said:
Indeed. I honestly don't see the attraction of road riding - but it seems enormously popular for reasons I cannot fathom.
You have to dress up in frankly strange clothes which suit nobody - then grind out mile after monotonous mile in the same position without excitement or technical challenge - in the traffic which is increasingly made up of idiots.
None of my mates ride MTB but a few ride road bikes. One of them does relatively regular 60 mile sportives and coast to coat type stuff.
I took him out on the MTB a few weeks ago - he was totally and utterly finished by mile 5 and couldn't believe how much of a different type of fitness it takes to ride technical trails.
It's about speed and rhythm. Maintaining a cadence that smashes out the miles, mile after mile. It's about being at peace with yourself in your own head, and watching the countryside roll by. It's about hills and headwinds, drafting and banter, and the prefect rotating paceline. It's about watching your oppo's wheel slowly inch away, and killing yourself to keep locked in before you get dropped like a stone. If you don't get it, you don't get it.You have to dress up in frankly strange clothes which suit nobody - then grind out mile after monotonous mile in the same position without excitement or technical challenge - in the traffic which is increasingly made up of idiots.
None of my mates ride MTB but a few ride road bikes. One of them does relatively regular 60 mile sportives and coast to coat type stuff.
I took him out on the MTB a few weeks ago - he was totally and utterly finished by mile 5 and couldn't believe how much of a different type of fitness it takes to ride technical trails.
And your mate sounds pathetic.
Personnally I like both and don't really get why a lot of people seem to hate one or the other.
Mr Gearchange said:
P-Jay said:
schuey said:
road bikes are rubbish!
Amen Brother. You have to dress up in frankly strange clothes which suit nobody - then grind out mile after monotonous mile in the same position without excitement or technical challenge - in the traffic which is increasingly made up of idiots.
None of my mates ride MTB but a few ride road bikes. One of them does relatively regular 60 mile sportives and coast to coat type stuff.
I took him out on the MTB a few weeks ago - he was totally and utterly finished by mile 5 and couldn't believe how much of a different type of fitness it takes to ride technical trails.
Road Riding - just say no kids.
Edited by P-Jay on Tuesday 11th February 13:07
Digga said:
aka_kerrly said:
riding around on flat canal paths hardly poses as threat
Unless you're my mate who rode off the into the cut in the middle of Stoke on Trent.This despite being a fully qualified cycling instructor.
It was quite late and dark so within seconds there were lights on in the boat and a angry sounding bloke shouting. Funny stuff really but could have been far worse.
A neighbour of mine used to be a keen cyclist, he rode miles and miles never wearing a helmet but after an accident he changed from mild extremely polite and helpful neighbour into a short tempered angry man - very sad and one of the reasons I ALWAYS wear a helmet, even down a canal to a pub.
Edited by aka_kerrly on Tuesday 11th February 14:02
The worst mountain biking injury I've seen is our uni mountain biking club president getting t-boned by an escort at 40mph. He was down-hiller and thought it would be a good idea to jump off the road embankment without checking it was clear first. Bike 1 Car 0 rider 0 (the bike was pretty much fine despite a slightly bent swingarm.)
So it's only as dangerous as you make it. X-country is probably the 'safest' of the lot but you never know. If safety really is a concern get yourself some body armour and a good helmet. You might look like a 'noob but at least it gives you a chance to build your confidence which in my experience is crucial alongside admitting when enough is enough and riding with a mate. But don't fall for peer pressure.
So it's only as dangerous as you make it. X-country is probably the 'safest' of the lot but you never know. If safety really is a concern get yourself some body armour and a good helmet. You might look like a 'noob but at least it gives you a chance to build your confidence which in my experience is crucial alongside admitting when enough is enough and riding with a mate. But don't fall for peer pressure.
Mr Gearchange said:
Yes - you are more likely to get hurt riding MTB as is the nature of the beast.
But when road riders fall off they are usually going faster, they are falling into concrete/Tarmac, have helmets that offer little protection, wear no other armour and are very likely to be falling down in front of a car, truck or bus.
Plus there is all the associated kerbs and street furniture that is massively unforgiving in the event of a impact.
Death and critical injury in MTB is actually very rare - not so for road riding
Amazing why roadies ride! If they're not being bored to death by their activity they're falling under trucks. jokes.But when road riders fall off they are usually going faster, they are falling into concrete/Tarmac, have helmets that offer little protection, wear no other armour and are very likely to be falling down in front of a car, truck or bus.
Plus there is all the associated kerbs and street furniture that is massively unforgiving in the event of a impact.
Death and critical injury in MTB is actually very rare - not so for road riding
I know of very few deaths in MTB. I dont know where if those statistics exist.
Road you're more likely to slide, so injuries such as cuts and bruises will be common. OTB's will be bad but infrequent plus risk of traffic accident.
Injuries on MTB's are likely to be slower, but effects are usually from direct impact.
Id much rather crash at high speed and roll to disapate energy than come to a sudden stop.
It comes down to experience and riding in or out of the comfort zone. Whether thats experienced racers pushing those boundaries or novices who don't have the experience it doesn't matter, injuries can happen to pretty much anyone.
It is dangerous but youre not risking death. I've broken a lot through my years racing and riding. I push myself when I ride to ride faster, mistakes do and can happen to us all..
ps. should have done a poll for this forum.
During my time in hospital I got to speak to a lot of Medics and other patients about coming off and whatnot.
Anything with two wheels in inherently dangerous, it's not a 'natural' skill humans possess and has to be learnt. Motorbikes, Mountain Bikes, Road Bikes, BMXs & Scooters all of them dangerous, the position you have to assume to control them opens you up to all sorts of injuries because it limits out ability to save ourselves.
The severity of injury is 99% external and 1% speed, yeah a BMX might top out at 30, a Mountain Bike at 40 and a Road Bike at 50 or whatever, but it's not really a major factor, what you hit is - obviously if a car hits you it's going to make a mess of you and I think that factor alone is what puts off Mountain Bikers, we're a self reliant bunch by nature - the sport attracts the self-sufficient and makes the those who aren't that way so the idea of getting hurt because of someone else's actions just goes against the grain, likewise a lot of off-road riders fool themselves they're in total control when they're still at the whim of nature.
I wouldn't choose MTB over Road Riding or vice versa because you think one is safer than the other, personally I HATE riding on the road, no mirrors and too many drivers are either completely asleep, or think your safety or indeed life is worth gambling with for the sake of 10 seconds waiting - but I don't think MTBing is any safer. I tell myself if I ride within my limits I'll be okay, and I probably will be - but equally I know anything could happen - equally I could ride the road, tell myself I'll stick to quiet routes at the weekend and use all the skills I learnt on my motorbike test to minimise my chances, but it's only that - anything could happen.
Either way - trust me, Medics think we're a bunch of pussies compared to Horse Riders and Motorbikers ha ha.
Anything with two wheels in inherently dangerous, it's not a 'natural' skill humans possess and has to be learnt. Motorbikes, Mountain Bikes, Road Bikes, BMXs & Scooters all of them dangerous, the position you have to assume to control them opens you up to all sorts of injuries because it limits out ability to save ourselves.
The severity of injury is 99% external and 1% speed, yeah a BMX might top out at 30, a Mountain Bike at 40 and a Road Bike at 50 or whatever, but it's not really a major factor, what you hit is - obviously if a car hits you it's going to make a mess of you and I think that factor alone is what puts off Mountain Bikers, we're a self reliant bunch by nature - the sport attracts the self-sufficient and makes the those who aren't that way so the idea of getting hurt because of someone else's actions just goes against the grain, likewise a lot of off-road riders fool themselves they're in total control when they're still at the whim of nature.
I wouldn't choose MTB over Road Riding or vice versa because you think one is safer than the other, personally I HATE riding on the road, no mirrors and too many drivers are either completely asleep, or think your safety or indeed life is worth gambling with for the sake of 10 seconds waiting - but I don't think MTBing is any safer. I tell myself if I ride within my limits I'll be okay, and I probably will be - but equally I know anything could happen - equally I could ride the road, tell myself I'll stick to quiet routes at the weekend and use all the skills I learnt on my motorbike test to minimise my chances, but it's only that - anything could happen.
Either way - trust me, Medics think we're a bunch of pussies compared to Horse Riders and Motorbikers ha ha.
Anyway OP - hope you haven't been put off.
It really is an enormous amount of fun. - hell even falling off is funny in 90% of cases.
Here is one of my very favourite crash clip compilations - the commentary is excellent if a little sweary at times,
http://www.pinkbike.com/video/347548/
It really is an enormous amount of fun. - hell even falling off is funny in 90% of cases.
Here is one of my very favourite crash clip compilations - the commentary is excellent if a little sweary at times,
http://www.pinkbike.com/video/347548/
P-Jay said:
I wouldn't choose MTB over Road Riding or vice versa because you think one is safer than the other, personally I HATE riding on the road, no mirrors and too many drivers are either completely asleep, or think your safety or indeed life is worth gambling with for the sake of 10 seconds waiting
^This.P-Jay said:
Either way - trust me, Medics think we're a bunch of pussies compared to Horse Riders...
And most definitely this.A few friends ride horses, one of them jumps pretty well too. Your fall from a horse starts at the sort of height most mtb riders would be very unlikely to be able to achieve in a jump.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff