Last weekend I broke my anterior metacarpal in a dh race. It's likely that I won't be able to ride again before the mountains around here fill with snow. Right now I'm wishing I hadn't raced. I really didn't have much fun, and it was'nt like I did some gnarly jump or something to cause it. I simply tried too hard to win and went out of control. This never happens when I'm freeriding. Which leads me to believe that DH racing is more dangerous than extreme freeriding. I've survived a lot of big drops/jumps and silly north shore stunts this year, only to be taken out by a stupid DH course. With big jumps/drops, you have a lot more preparation time, and you're not in such a damn hurry. In racing, you wait around all day for two runs if you're lucky. I'd rather ride all day. Anyway, I'm pretty bummed out, and I've had some vicodin and tequila, so i thought I;d rant.
I'm never racing again...
- Thread starter kail
- Start date
on any given sunday....
you can do something stupid and brake yourself. Whether you do it in XC or DH, it can happy anywhere...maybe you have been lucky so far, but I'm pretty sure NS style riding is just as high-risk as DH is
you can do something stupid and brake yourself. Whether you do it in XC or DH, it can happy anywhere...maybe you have been lucky so far, but I'm pretty sure NS style riding is just as high-risk as DH is
that sucks ass, get well soon...ride to mountains!
boo racing trying to prove something
yay bike riding and pedaling when you want to
yay bike riding and pedaling when you want to
This guy I know has always been 'free-riding', doing drops, urban ****e, rides DH...never hurts himself.
A few years ago, when he used to work at the shop I use to work at, he was test riding a kid's bike, the chain skipped, he hit the ground and dislocated his elbow...all on a sidewalk!
A few years ago, when he used to work at the shop I use to work at, he was test riding a kid's bike, the chain skipped, he hit the ground and dislocated his elbow...all on a sidewalk!
It is very true that you can get hurt anyday riding but to be honest the odds of getting hurt go up when racing, especially DH or MTx racing. DH racing courses get tougher each year, drops are now commonplace and many are man made which in NE creates a slick disaster as every race this year has been in mud and that doesn't bode well with a nice smooth wooden ladder drop or bridge. Beat up my ribs pretty bad last weekend racing on a wooden bridge that was caked with slick mud and required a 90 degree turn to get onto it. My wife also got hurt on a small drop that landed in mud and was taken away in an Ambulance from this race. She never would have attempted that drop in those conditions had she just been riding but when you race you think differently.
Give it up, maybe. My wife says she has. I'm close but have decided for now that I simply won't DH race in the mud anymore, too many little injuries this year for me including a broken finger and lost confidence.
Give it up, maybe. My wife says she has. I'm close but have decided for now that I simply won't DH race in the mud anymore, too many little injuries this year for me including a broken finger and lost confidence.
B
bigkonarider
Guest
I agree totally..
Risk goes WAY up when you are DH racing !
Since i lost interest in being one of the "known riders" or trying to be a pro--NO injuries..
FREERIDING rules :evil:
Risk goes WAY up when you are DH racing !
Since i lost interest in being one of the "known riders" or trying to be a pro--NO injuries..
FREERIDING rules :evil:
i totally agree, racing is just too dangerous because you push way to hard outside of your and my ability because no matter how you are you always want to win! that is why i like freeriding if you don't feel up to doing something then don't do it then but you can always come back another day and stomp the stunt because you where truthfully ready to hit if. also if you do mess up you normally have more time to save yourself because you no longer are in fear of the obstical. which equals to more time to thinking how to get out of your mess.
I too used to crash a lot during races, I'd "ride" fast enough, but in a race I'd go too over the top and crash out. But this year I have spent a lot of time learning how to race fast and that doesn't always mean going as fast as you can. I've seen way too many people beat me in a race even though I know I am faster. But you'll always loose when you are on the ground and they stay up. Slow down a little and you might suprize yourself how much faster you'll go not blowing corners and washing out.
I like having my limits pushed, no matter how it happens. Dh racing is fun, but it is kindov a big anxiety attack! I will always race when the opertunity arises, just try not to take it to seriously.
^^^
Exactly...Like a DH buddy of mine told me: "Most people try to ride fast & out of control and not crash...The key is to ride fast & in control and not crash"
I'm by no means a Steve Peat in the making, but I've done pretty well in the events I've entered (admittedly, it's at the 'Sport' level for now) mainly because I *try* to ride within my limits and stay upright. Plus, I'm in decent enough shape to actually sprint on the flatter, less technical sections where I see a bunch of riders trying to blow through the hardest stuff at mach 3 and basically coast the easy stuff...I also avoid some crazy jumps if I don't like the way they set up or land...I can play on them during practice or after the race instead...Now of course this mind set won't ever land you a pro sponsorship, but like the Fro said, you'll be surprised who you can beat by just riding smooth as possible and within your limits (nothing makes me more satisfied than to smoke some guy on a new Foes or Demo9 with my old beat up SC Bullit & sh!tbag BoXXer race up front...)
But, I will agree with DH Dad about racing in the mud (prolly because we're close to the same age)...I don't mind some mud here and there (I mean it rains all the freakin time in the mountains, so mud is almost always going to be around), but I've sworn off racing in deluges and the subsequent mud slides...
And for the record, I blew up my shoulder doing a relatively easy 12 foot gap jump during a freeriding session - but that prolly has more to do with me being a sh!tbag dirtjumper than anything...But I do have a cool knot on top of my shoulder now which is a good conversation piece after a few biers...
Exactly...Like a DH buddy of mine told me: "Most people try to ride fast & out of control and not crash...The key is to ride fast & in control and not crash"
I'm by no means a Steve Peat in the making, but I've done pretty well in the events I've entered (admittedly, it's at the 'Sport' level for now) mainly because I *try* to ride within my limits and stay upright. Plus, I'm in decent enough shape to actually sprint on the flatter, less technical sections where I see a bunch of riders trying to blow through the hardest stuff at mach 3 and basically coast the easy stuff...I also avoid some crazy jumps if I don't like the way they set up or land...I can play on them during practice or after the race instead...Now of course this mind set won't ever land you a pro sponsorship, but like the Fro said, you'll be surprised who you can beat by just riding smooth as possible and within your limits (nothing makes me more satisfied than to smoke some guy on a new Foes or Demo9 with my old beat up SC Bullit & sh!tbag BoXXer race up front...)
But, I will agree with DH Dad about racing in the mud (prolly because we're close to the same age)...I don't mind some mud here and there (I mean it rains all the freakin time in the mountains, so mud is almost always going to be around), but I've sworn off racing in deluges and the subsequent mud slides...
And for the record, I blew up my shoulder doing a relatively easy 12 foot gap jump during a freeriding session - but that prolly has more to do with me being a sh!tbag dirtjumper than anything...But I do have a cool knot on top of my shoulder now which is a good conversation piece after a few biers...
I agree to an extent. I've basically "retired" from DH entirely - racing and riding. I sold my DH bike and now just have one FS bike that I use for XC, FR, DH, whatever... It did fine at Whistler this year.
Why did I quit? Injuries have played a part for sure. My broken hand from Feb 2002 still bothers me. My friends keep getting hurt (one recently broke ribs & punctured a lung at Plattekill and another broke his collarbone at Mtn Creek). I feel I've avoided a major injury over the past 5 years of doing this and my time is coming... I'll quit while I'm ahead.
I simply don't feel the need to push my limits any more. Even as a mediocre Expert racer, I will still comfortably ride stuff my XC friends think is insane.
And in all honesty, I've been a roadie since I was 14 (20 years ago) and now I find myself enjoying the road much more than DH riding.
Why did I quit? Injuries have played a part for sure. My broken hand from Feb 2002 still bothers me. My friends keep getting hurt (one recently broke ribs & punctured a lung at Plattekill and another broke his collarbone at Mtn Creek). I feel I've avoided a major injury over the past 5 years of doing this and my time is coming... I'll quit while I'm ahead.
I simply don't feel the need to push my limits any more. Even as a mediocre Expert racer, I will still comfortably ride stuff my XC friends think is insane.
And in all honesty, I've been a roadie since I was 14 (20 years ago) and now I find myself enjoying the road much more than DH riding.
Man, this thread is filled with racers, just look at all the excuses. : )
First off, I love riding. I rode so much I started racing, and I love racing.
Both are great.
But too many people race based on ego.
And that is not what is all about.
And those are the ones that get worked as well.
Racing is a controlled rage against the clock.
You have to ride at the very edge without going over it,
and this is something that takes time to learn how to do.
But some racers want to prove that they are fast.
These are the ones that you do not want to follow.
They are always jumping in front of you, and as you are riding,
you know you are about to see azz over tea kettle before you get to the bottom. These racers stay injured alot and only finish a couple races a year.
Racing can be a ton of fun, and I think it gets more fun the more that you do it. But I think the hardest thing for people to control is not their bike, its their ego.
First off, I love riding. I rode so much I started racing, and I love racing.
Both are great.
But too many people race based on ego.
And that is not what is all about.
And those are the ones that get worked as well.
Racing is a controlled rage against the clock.
You have to ride at the very edge without going over it,
and this is something that takes time to learn how to do.
But some racers want to prove that they are fast.
These are the ones that you do not want to follow.
They are always jumping in front of you, and as you are riding,
you know you are about to see azz over tea kettle before you get to the bottom. These racers stay injured alot and only finish a couple races a year.
Racing can be a ton of fun, and I think it gets more fun the more that you do it. But I think the hardest thing for people to control is not their bike, its their ego.
Am I this type?Jeremy R said:
No.profro said:Am I this type?
When I did get hurt though, it was because of what I talking about above.
I had it totally pinned and crashed out. The point I was trying to make is you have to keep racing to learn all the ins and outs of it.
I think experience makes it even more fun.
EXACTLY!Jeremy R said:
I have used you as my model so many times. Every race you are right there in the mix and I credit it this to you really knowing how to race extremely well. Plus your attitude is top notch.
Jermey R,
Well said. Riding at 99% and staying upright is often faster than riding 105% and crashing. It is an art of walking your own personal line of control/out of control. I often find the harder I push the slower I go on DH runs. It sounds weird but when I am relaxed enjoying myself and flowing I am going much faster than when I am tense and pushing hard making small mistakes.
Racing isn't for everyone....that is their decision. But blaming racing is kind of misdirected if you ask me. Who is racing? We are. Who is ultimately responsible if we go big and go home with a trophy or in a cast? We are.
I take pride in a good clean run....I am not fast, but I do OK, because I generally run clean. It is what I have chosen to do.
Stunt riding to me is a much higher degree of danger associated with it. Same with DJ's. They take out a lot of riders in their own right. There probably isn't a clear cut "one is worst than another" case here.
If I push myself past my comfort zone as a Racer and then hurt myself it is no different than riding NS stunts that are beyond my capability and getting hurt. It is the amount we let ourselves go past our abilities that gets us hurt..........
And there is the chain skipping and landing on the side walk dislocating your elbow crashes too....wich by the way, made my stomach turn reading about it above.
Well said. Riding at 99% and staying upright is often faster than riding 105% and crashing. It is an art of walking your own personal line of control/out of control. I often find the harder I push the slower I go on DH runs. It sounds weird but when I am relaxed enjoying myself and flowing I am going much faster than when I am tense and pushing hard making small mistakes.
Racing isn't for everyone....that is their decision. But blaming racing is kind of misdirected if you ask me. Who is racing? We are. Who is ultimately responsible if we go big and go home with a trophy or in a cast? We are.
I take pride in a good clean run....I am not fast, but I do OK, because I generally run clean. It is what I have chosen to do.
Stunt riding to me is a much higher degree of danger associated with it. Same with DJ's. They take out a lot of riders in their own right. There probably isn't a clear cut "one is worst than another" case here.
If I push myself past my comfort zone as a Racer and then hurt myself it is no different than riding NS stunts that are beyond my capability and getting hurt. It is the amount we let ourselves go past our abilities that gets us hurt..........
And there is the chain skipping and landing on the side walk dislocating your elbow crashes too....wich by the way, made my stomach turn reading about it above.
Thx. Racing has humbled me so many times over the years, I can't count.profro said:EXACTLY!
I have used you as my model so many times. Every race you are right there in the mix and I credit it this to you really knowing how to race extremely well. Plus your attitude is top notch.
Now I just try to have as much fun as possible.
I do love racing though. I have as much fun racing at Charlotte on barely a one minute course as I do anywhere else. I think I just like the variety of courses, or maybe I am just a weirdo.
Jeremy R said:maybe I am just a weirdo.
Reading this thread is interesting to me because I'm going to enter my first ever DH race this weekend. I thought about reasons why I want to do it, and reasons not to. I have to admit, I go back and forth as well. I thought about being accused of "trying to prove myself" through racing, and I guess, yeah, I kinda am trying to prove myself. but isn't everyone in some way? don't a lot of people want a pic of them going off a big drop cause they think it's an accomplishment? you don't have to have a big ego and crave fame and fortune to want the skills the guys in bike porn have. yeah, Ryan Leech loves riding but to be as good as he is, he has to work his ass off for it, trials guys don't always just "feel" like going outside and practicing bunny hops for 3 hours straight. fock, who does! do you think cedric gracia hates biking now caused he raced and lost the fun in it?Jeremy R said:
Okay, just went off, but basically, what Jeremy R said sums up the whole reason why I want to race. who knows where racing will take me, maybe i'll decide that i don't necessarily need to go faster. but doing it will teach me how to get better at something i like to do, whether it's gaining confidence on the bike or learning how to learn the right way, without blowing up.
So, more posts encouraging racing, please, especially for girls
Megan,Megan Black said:So, more posts encouraging racing, please, especially for girls
I admit, at this point, I try to prove too much and go big to impress, but that's kinda why I want to race. I want to be able to improve my skills
Have fun this weekend. It is a new experience....take it all in. No one gets rich off this sport, se we petter enjoy it.
You didn't improve your skills following my slow arse down Rat Pac?
Girls racing is a somewhat rare adn wonderfull thing.....
Have fun and tear it up! Rhino
oops! that last paragraph was not finished/repeated (cut and paste accident)
but thanks for your words of wisdom, Rhino
and BTW, RatPac certainly did help me! Do you know how hard it was to keep up with that 8-year-old on the full rigid???
but thanks for your words of wisdom, Rhino
and BTW, RatPac certainly did help me! Do you know how hard it was to keep up with that 8-year-old on the full rigid???
damn...that hurt my feelings dude. next time just entitle your note - Stupid Butch and all his negatives!!!! :mumble: :mumble: :love:Jeremy R said:
These are all good points that simply become frivolous when you find yourself sprinting up a race course as EMTs strap your wife to a stretcher while your 3 year old waits and wants to know why mommy never rode by. Thank god everything's turned out for the best but I never want to go through that again.
Prior to last weekend I could have agreed with everyone of these points. There truly are some who can ride/race within their capabilities and then there are others that are overcome with an adrenaline rush to the point where they're not making rational decisions. I no longer no where I fall between these two categories but know many racer's on both extremes. It isn't racing that's to blame but simply the fact that some need to give it up for their own safety.
Prior to last weekend I could have agreed with everyone of these points. There truly are some who can ride/race within their capabilities and then there are others that are overcome with an adrenaline rush to the point where they're not making rational decisions. I no longer no where I fall between these two categories but know many racer's on both extremes. It isn't racing that's to blame but simply the fact that some need to give it up for their own safety.
Not to knock any personal tragedy you've had DH Dad, but why not give up driving? I had an aunt die in a car wreck, but it didn't make me question if I should drive or not.
I recently fractured my arm in a DH race about 6 weeks ago. What could freak me out is that it was a relatively simple wreck. I didn't feel busted up and shook up like so many other wrecks I've had. But to find out that with such a simple crash I broke my arm!!!! I could have questioned myself to the point of giving up DH racing. I didn't, I rehabed and now I am riding again after 6 weeks.
I think people get out of DH racing because its not for them, not because its too dangerous.
I recently fractured my arm in a DH race about 6 weeks ago. What could freak me out is that it was a relatively simple wreck. I didn't feel busted up and shook up like so many other wrecks I've had. But to find out that with such a simple crash I broke my arm!!!!
I could have questioned myself to the point of giving up DH racing. I didn't, I rehabed and now I am riding again after 6 weeks.I think people get out of DH racing because its not for them, not because its too dangerous.
Good points, profro (nice name btw )
But when it comes to a loved one, like a wife, to be there when something tragic happens, affects you more than you can comprehend.
As a young and single twenty-something, I have no qualms risking injury for what I love to do, but when you've got people that depend on you, kids, spouses, sometimes you have to choose to eliminate certain risks from your life. When you're married/parent, you have more than just one person to think about.
I can totally understand your decision dh dad, glad to hear no irreparable harm was done.
)But when it comes to a loved one, like a wife, to be there when something tragic happens, affects you more than you can comprehend.
As a young and single twenty-something, I have no qualms risking injury for what I love to do, but when you've got people that depend on you, kids, spouses, sometimes you have to choose to eliminate certain risks from your life. When you're married/parent, you have more than just one person to think about.
I can totally understand your decision dh dad, glad to hear no irreparable harm was done.
I know everyone must think I have a professional fro, but its after a Yeti Profro frame I started racing DH on back in the day.Megan Black said:Good points, profro (nice name btw
think about getting one, you can't be walking around talking the talk and not walking the walkprofro said:I know everyone must think I have a professional fro, but its after a Yeti Profro frame I started racing DH on back in the day.
Megan Black said:think about getting one, you can't be walking around talking the talk and not walking the walk
Just for the record; just because you enjoy racing doesn't mean you are out to prove something or that you ride outside of your limits in an attempt to win.
I'm probably one of the more cautious racers/riders you'll meet. I like to be confident in my riding rather than going over my head and hoping for the best. Plus I feel great about a middle of the pack or better standing knowing that I raced with an acceptable degree of risk . Especially when it seems like 1/2 the field is going balls out and crossing their fingers. And you know what? I may not be the best; but I don't suck. Yay for slow & steady improvement. I also really enjoy riding and don't enjoy getting hurt and having to sit at home. Some might say that if you're not crashing you're not trying hard enough; and I would agree to a point. But crashign does not have to include getting injured. Not frequently, anyways. [/antijinx]
And it seems to me that the bigger crashes come when you're not expecting it anyways. Mine have always been in practice/just riding.
I'm probably one of the more cautious racers/riders you'll meet. I like to be confident in my riding rather than going over my head and hoping for the best. Plus I feel great about a middle of the pack or better standing knowing that I raced with an acceptable degree of risk . Especially when it seems like 1/2 the field is going balls out and crossing their fingers. And you know what? I may not be the best; but I don't suck. Yay for slow & steady improvement. I also really enjoy riding and don't enjoy getting hurt and having to sit at home. Some might say that if you're not crashing you're not trying hard enough; and I would agree to a point. But crashign does not have to include getting injured. Not frequently, anyways. [/antijinx]
And it seems to me that the bigger crashes come when you're not expecting it anyways. Mine have always been in practice/just riding.
some call that complacency, my frienddromond said:
another reason i want to race, i want to get into the habit of always being aware of myself on the bike, not pushing 110%, not letting my mind go completely, just being aware...
Dangit Butch,
I was not talking about you either. I have followed you and Doug on a gazillion runs before.
I was just generalizing anyway.
And DH Dad, I would be scared to death if my wife raced DH.
And I can't imagine how you felt seeing that.
I am scared to ride in the car with my wife, much less watch her DH.
But luckily she supports me doing it, so it all works out fine.
I tend to worry less about myself and more about other people.
Racing should be fun and if it is not, don't do it.
I was not talking about you either. I have followed you and Doug on a gazillion runs before.
I was just generalizing anyway.
And DH Dad, I would be scared to death if my wife raced DH.
And I can't imagine how you felt seeing that.
I am scared to ride in the car with my wife, much less watch her DH.
But luckily she supports me doing it, so it all works out fine.
I tend to worry less about myself and more about other people.
Racing should be fun and if it is not, don't do it.
I race almost everytime I ride - usually against myself or the guys I'm with, as for DH or Mountain X - it sucks sitting around all day waiting with a knot in your stomach. Cyclocross is fun racing - You can literally give it everything you've got without worrying about wrapping yourself around a tree, and it's great fun to stop the roadies on an off camber descent that's covered with ice, all while riding a roadbike (sic) with knobbies
Some of you have missed my point and it's probably due to my lack of clarity. I have not given up DH racing and am actually trying to swing the next race in Sept. I simply have wholeheartedly supported my wife's choice to give up DH racing and I believe that there are many who have and should give it up for the very same reasons. Not everyone is skilled at riding the type of terrain we have these days and doing it within their abilities and fact is she doesn't hurt herself when she rides DH but when she races she does.
As far as not getting in a car anymore ProFro, that analogy is one of the most absurd ones out there and everybody uses it. You basically need a car to make a living and support your family, you don't need to race downhill and with the number of injuries I've heard on these sites this year I'd have to guess that the odds of hurting yourself on a bike riding the things we ride is far greater than the % of drivers who suffer similar injuries. Guessing you don't have a wife racing this sport with you.
As far as not getting in a car anymore ProFro, that analogy is one of the most absurd ones out there and everybody uses it. You basically need a car to make a living and support your family, you don't need to race downhill and with the number of injuries I've heard on these sites this year I'd have to guess that the odds of hurting yourself on a bike riding the things we ride is far greater than the % of drivers who suffer similar injuries. Guessing you don't have a wife racing this sport with you.
hey DH Dad, sorry to hear of your wife's misfortune. my wife did her first race since baby #2 and was sketched out by a steep section towards the bottom of the course. of course, being ireland, it poured at the tail end of practice up until the race started (2 hrs). so, she was very nervous about that particular section, having cleaned it once, and stacked hard twice. for her race run, she ended up sliding down on her ass w/ her bike, rather than riding it. she knew she wasn't gonna win anyway, so she decided for that strategy, and i can't say i blame her (someone else really wrecked himself good on that section a bit later, and the race was held up for 40 min or so).
not saying that your wife made the wrong decision, as i don't know the course details or your wife's riding style, just offering another view. i'm glad to hear she's not really hurt bad.
i'm firmly in the dromond camp. i don't take foolish chances during racing, and figure that if i finish mid-pack, then that's fine w/ me. i'm not much of a racer anyway (have only raced once in the US), but was kinda forced into it w/ no other alternatives for DH in ireland. that said, i always had fun at the races.
not saying that your wife made the wrong decision, as i don't know the course details or your wife's riding style, just offering another view. i'm glad to hear she's not really hurt bad.
i'm firmly in the dromond camp. i don't take foolish chances during racing, and figure that if i finish mid-pack, then that's fine w/ me. i'm not much of a racer anyway (have only raced once in the US), but was kinda forced into it w/ no other alternatives for DH in ireland. that said, i always had fun at the races.
dude you can ride with broken metacarpuls, I've done it in the past, as long as you keep very conservative in your riding it can be done. I wouldnt do any hard dh or anything but you can still do some trail riding. That does suck that it ahppened though. Dont neecessarily give up racing either. If you thought it was fun other than that than try it again if not then maybe its just not for you and thats cool too.
(sorry if i repeated a lot, I was lazy and didnt read the rest of the thread)
(sorry if i repeated a lot, I was lazy and didnt read the rest of the thread)
Now that it's a few days later, I have a better attitude (thanks in part to everyone's posts). As soon as I get over this pneumonia, I think I'll at least start XC riding again until this cast comes off. There have been a lot of interesting points made in this thread. The bottom line for me is that I need to change the way I race, if I'm going to do it again. I'm the type of guy that rides WAY over the edge when I race, and hope for the best. When I ride with people just for fun, I'm usually the faster rider, so I feel like there's an expectation for me to do well at racing. At local races, I know that I'm as fast as the best racers, I just can't put it together when the clock is ticking. I wish I could have timed my practice runs last weekend - I bet they were good enough to podium. Come to think of it, the only expert DH race I've ever won was one that I took it easy on. I only had one practice run and decided to just race at a comfortable speed - and I won by a full minute. It's just frustrating when I know I have the skills to win races, and time after time I fail due to crashing. Anyway, I was due for an injury. I haven't been seriously injured in 10 years, and looking back on the stuff I've been doing in the last 3 years, that's very lucky. Anyway thanks for the discussion and advice. Keep the rubber side down, y'all!!!!
RhinofromWA said:
words of wisdom