An unfortunate truth about mountain biking is that you will fall, no matter how good you are. Most of my falls have nothing to do with skill, nor with taking chances.
Most of my falls happen on the easy parts of a trail when I just lose focus for a second. A simple brain fart and BAM, I’m on the ground wondering what the heck just happened.
Have you had falls like that? You weren’t riding above your pay grade, you weren’t even close to riding at your limit and suddenly you’re on the ground?
My most spectacular crash from losing focus stunned about 40 onlookers! In 2001 I was guiding a group of 10 riders on a Horse Thief Bench ride during the Fruita Fat Tire Fest and they wanted to see me ride the entrance to the bench.
They took their places to watch and I rode and hucked my way to the bottom. As I cleaned that rock-strewn avalanche of a trail, I hit the smooth, relatively flat piece of trail at the bottom of the entrance I heard applause. I looked to my right and there were probably 30 riders waiting to push their bikes back up the entrance and watching my descent.
Feeling proud of myself and mentally patting myself on the back, I smiled at them and promptly endoed! They were in shock! Their mouths agape, looking to the gnarly trail I had had just ridden and back to me on the ground on a beginner trail with a very confused look on their faces.
Luckily I wasn’t injured and I popped up and said, “I am a professional, don’t try this at home”, in a desperate attempt to save face!
One thing that saved me was my knee pads, I simply don’t ride without knee pads. I’m always amazed at the riders who never wear pads. Knees are expensive! The $1,000 or so I have spent on knee pads over the years have saved me probably a hundred times that in medical bills.
Pads give me confidence, which allows me to ride at my best. Confidence is the most important mental aspect of riding I don’t mean false confidence or overconfidence, those will get you hurt!
Simply the confidence to ride at my best, so I can ride on the offense. Riding on the offense is key to staying upright and not taking a dirt nap. Never ride on the defense, get off and walk instead when you aren’t confident. Please read my article on Why You Should Always Ride On The Offence for more on this topic.
Learn to tuck and roll! Sometimes just simply tucking will do the trick. Don’t extend your arms to try and break a fall. Our limbs are weak, trying to stop your fall with your hands and arms usually ends poorly.
I have always known that I should tuck and roll when falling but my two separated shoulders prove that my instinct is to extend my arms out to protect myself. As with every skill in every sport, knowing what to do isn’t enough, the skill must become your dominant habit.
Learning to tuck and roll will also increase your confidence, so you ride your best. Confidence allows you to focus on a positive goal: “I want to ride through this rock garden as smoothly as possible.”
Lack of confidence leads to negative goals: “I hope I make this corner!”, “This trail looks gnarly, don’t fall!”
The best way to fall is to prevent falls by riding in control, in balance, and confidently. So do your drills, get your vision skills dialed, get your body position dialed, and know when to walk away (when all you can focus on is not falling).
Wear your pads, make tucking and rolling instinctive (by practicing it), and stay focused. Use positive goals, positive self-talk, and have fun out there!
If you know anyone who could benefit from this article feel free to share it.
Cheers,
Gene
I relaxed, saw the line I wanted to take, found my balance and went through the section very controlled – it was great!
I remember your story from about 9 years ago. I always wear pads for the reasons you mentioned.
I broke a rib at Downieville when I glanced over to friends and snagged a small bush on a flat easy section. That’s not the only crash like that, just the most memorable. Older, and presumably wiser, now I pay attention. Falls happen fast; getting up, not so fast.
Hi John,
What a great saying, “falls happen fast, getting up, not so fast”, ain’t that the truth!
Hi Gene,
Thanks for a great article. I haven’t fallen/crashed in a number of years (must be doing something right) but I learned an important lesson/technique on my last fall.
When I saw the crash coming, I tripped my mind into slow motion with the thought, “Prepare to Crash”.
It was then that I instinctively started my tuck & roll which impressed no one as I was alone. I hit nothing but was left hoping not to encounter another rider as I was covered with snow from head to toe. Soft Landing !
The transfer of focus from riding to rolling was what made the fall worth it.
Be Safe & Stay Healthy,
Ray
Great job Ray! That impressed me (years after the fact!). 🙂
Hi Gene,
Like you said being in control is so, so important.
Most all of my serious “get offs” have been when I have been fatigued. When I am fatigued, I am not in control as I need to be. Mountain biking is a very physical activity. I have learned how to read my body and make good decisions. “Walk it today, so you can ride it tomorrow “
Take care,
Scotty