How often do you fall?

[Gen]

Flip lately it's a question of how often don't I fall.

[Guest Smimby]

Flip lately it's a question of how often don't I fall.

 

Same here, so far it has been 98% of the rides I do.....

[ACM]

much less since I broke my leg during a fall.... more conservative now

[ValeYellow]

1. The question should be how often do you NOT fall.

2. If you aren't falling, you aren't trying hard enough.

3. Chicks dig scars.

if you are not bleeding, you have not tried hard enough

[boristheblade]

im also a newbie.

 

fell my ass of 2 weekends ago at jonkershoek on a massive rock on a single track.

had blood steaming down my leg.

 

so i took spd pedals off, and went with flat pedals (and my asics running tekkies) this weekend to meerendal, and i had such an awesome ride!

 

so i can also confirm - put flat pedals on, and also (for now) choose the trails you ride to match your current skill level.

 

i will also need to start attempting more technical trails later on, but for now im happy working on my fitness first and enjoying the ride.

 

i have found that when fatigue kicks in, my balance is not 100% anymore and i loose focus - cause im just to tired.

 

so i think fitness first. then technical stuff.

 

but im only a noob, so what do i know - im still part of the tekkie wearing crowd.

 

[Sepia]

Should I ever fall at any time again I will be a paraplegic.

I am not allowed to fall, at all. Very *** to be like this.

[Uni]

as a noob riding with flat pedals, have to say it's so counter intuitive regarding the momentum thing but it's science and it makes sense. In the beginning every time i hit something on the trails my reaction was to brake or slow down - resulting in a win for gravity - it takes some switching off the brain and not braking, in fact often pedaling harder to get over whatever threw you in the first place and to keep going.

 

My nemesis is still loose sand, but I'm getting better.

When your boss starts asking if everything is okay since you're constantly covered in bruises from cycling ... there's your answer to how often i fall or connect with things i shouldn't be connecting with.

Thank goodness all superficial injuries...

[Ceres]

Look there of lots of things that can make you fall less but unfortunately there are some things that cannot be taught.

 

1. Some people have better balance.

2. Some people have bigger balls (I am not in this category after breaking my collar bone twice)

3. Some people have lots more experience.

4. And lastly some crazies just don't mind falling. (they like the scares)

[vdLRSA]

First learn proper MTB technique on flats. When you are comfortable only then switch to clipless. I started on clipless and fell often, mainly because my balance etc. wasn't good enough. Since riding flats my control of the bike through using my legs better and proper weight distribution have resulted in less fall of late. Also you are more willing to take on obstacles because you know you can bail.

 

Bought some 661 DH style protective gear for elbows and knees. Keeps me nice and save!

[Vetseun]

Most eina fall last year

[Hackster]

You're a noob.

 

You're falling off.

 

You're doing the right thing.

 

Just try not to have the same accident more than once - learn from your mistakes.

 

Some great advice here, but nothing beats figuring it out for yourself.

[Brendan2013]

I would suggest going for a bike fit as well....

[Paul Ruinaard]

Some things to remember as well is the target fixation thing. Look at it and you will go there. Alwyas look through a cornet at the exit and where you wnat to be, rather than the rock you are heading straight towrds. Worry about your front wheel and your back will follow.

 

Other things which we all assume that noobs to MTB know but are often skills we got as lighteys riding bmx/dirt bikes etc are some of the obvious ones:

 

Brake in straight lines - tires are not good at doing two things at once like braking and turning

brake early and accelerate through corners - try to carry speed on the exit rather than arriving hot and heavy.

 

If i could send you photos of my shins after spouting all the above wisdom you will realize that even if you know all this theory you still regularly cock it up.

 

Its unusual for me to come home from a lekker ride without leaking a,little more blood from somewhere.

[eelvio]

Used to be every ride but am getting better

 

Check you shock pressure is correct

Go tubeless and run lower tire pressure

Ride as fast as possible within your limits

Read as much as you can, have picked up a lot of good advice from magazines and books

Practice

 

Thanks

Need to set up shocks on new bike, never did it on HT

Already tubeless and now running about 200 rear/180 front

Riding faster now

Reading faster more now

And try practice in the areas I am lacking.

[Gen]

 

 

Same here, so far it has been 98% of the rides I do.....

 

I went through a month of bad luck. . I hope it's over now

[blondeonabike]

I went through a month of bad luck. . I hope it's over now

Its probably safe for your OH to buy some new shirts now...