Gone back to road

[26er]

I am also "falling" into this category

I have fallen 5 times in the last month

Don't quite understand what's going on..

Not ready to throw in the towel yet.. but was planning to buy a carbon MTB but not so sure about that anymore

[BigDL]

Ha. I consider myself lucky if I only fall five times in one ride. Must be doing something wrong.

[HeadDown]

As we age our eyesight deteriorates. So instead of seeing that root crossing the track, you're suddenly lying in a heap wondering what happened. MTB is a young guys game, ironic that so many of the older guys starting to ride go the MTB route.

[DominionZA]

Only falls I have had are while adjusting to cleats. And that was on freaking tar.

Thankfully it is just a sideways stationary drop to the ground

 

Last two rides have been without incident though.

[CAAD4]

I have seen quite a few great road riders cross over to the dark side. They mostly make the mistake of trying to ride at the same sub 2:40 pace off road without the skill, natural ability or experience. They then end up wondering why they are in the ER so regularly... Ease into it, accept that a lot of people are more skillful than you, even the fat ones. Don't be to windgat to attend a skills course, as it will save your collarbone and ribs and you won't end up wasting a Sani entry, due to another over estimation of talent off road.

 

Be patient, enjoy it and the confidence and skills will come.

[Maniax]

To be fair and jokes aside, as long as you are riding your bike, in whatever format you are able to no matter how fast or slow. You are hundred times better off than any lazy ass coach potato.

 

Respect to all cyclists on dik, moerse dik en dun tekkies.

[SAGecko]

For me, it's the opposite. I fall off my MTB fairly regularly. About once a month. It's usually no biggie, a couple of scrapes here and there and the little bones in my hands are feeling a bit fragile at the mo'.

 

But high speed road accidents scare the bejeebers out of me. The thought of skidding on my stomach across the tarmac at 70 k's with about 1 micron of Lycra between my pink bits and the rough stuff... 

[Chris NewbyFraser]

What about gravel grinders.

Oddly enough, despite countless mtb races at all levels, an Epic and a number of extreme road rides, my only severe fall was on a quiet country gravel road. Spinning along at about 40, minding my own business, two pooches burst out of the long grass and I went over the bars, landing on my back - on rocks. Only my Camelbak saved me from a broken back. 14 years later, that fall and the vertebrae that took the impact, have come home to roost, being the key reason for my back failing.

SO, WHAT'S YOUR CAMELBAK DONE FOR YOU LATELY

[Thor Buttox]

I've had the hideous crash on road at 60kph and a whole whack load of crashes on the dirt, over the bars, into the bush, into a tree... And the one Road crash was much more unpleasant. (I even use my Camelback in road races now.... Shhhhhhhhh!)

[Eddy Gordo]

I've had the hideous crash on road at 60kph and a whole whack load of crashes on the dirt, over the bars, into the bush, into a tree... And the one Road crash was much more unpleasant. (I even use my Camelback in road races now.... Shhhhhhhhh!)

I have to agree i was gonna share mine but u summed it up nicely.

The road rash was worst than all my crashes

[droenn]

Rather fall of my own accord onto the gravel, than be knocked flying by some arrogant or reckless driver

[Fruity]

Only falls I have had are while adjusting to cleats. And that was on freaking tar.

Thankfully it is just a sideways stationary drop to the ground

 

Last two rides have been without incident though.

Same here. Although I had quite a nasty fall in 2009 when riding the 40km Sardine Classic in Port Edward - was too confident going around this one corner, went over the bars and smacked the side of my face on a rock. Luckily the rock had quite a round and flat surface.

Don't think I'll be giving up MTB for a while, even though a small part of me prefers road.

[gummibear]

Rd and mtb both have a place.

 

I enjoy taking the mtb out once a week or so.....just to behave like a kid and put a smile on  

[gummibear]

What about gravel grinders.

Yes Yes Yes.

 

 

This one is on my wish list  

 

[Pikey]

Whether it be road or mtb how may of us have the know how or skills to avoid the situation and not panic ?

 

Was falling every mtb ride just about went for lessons and started At the basics . My riding & confidence has improved exponentially and stuff I used to walk can now ride with ease.

 

But more importantly i can avoid some crashes by having the know how and not panicking hence crashing a lot less.

 

We all know how to ride a bike,but how many of us have been for lessons?

A small percentage I'm sure.

Just my 0.1c worth

[Onlybikes]

If you have no skills and keep falling please stay on the road . That being said all my worst crashes have been on the tarmac , the dirt and I have a mutual respect for each other