I took a pretty big spill yesterday. Second day out on my new bike (well, new for me, I bought it lightly used from a co-worker). Was moving pretty quick down some singletrack and got into some rough, tight, rocky stuff. There were some low-hanging branches, sight lines weren’t great and I braked at the wrong moment (and I think put too much pressure onto the front brake). Wheel plowed into a wedge and I went flying over the handlebars. Complete somersault. Luckily I flew almost directly into some saplings which somewhat broke my fall, but I smacked my head on a rock in the air. I ended up pretty much upside down on the ground, resting on my upper back with my legs above me against the trunk of the tree.
Managed to crack my helmet where it hit the rock AND I somehow got a pretty bad laceration on the top-back-left of my head. I’m still not really sure how this happened because none of my head actually hit the rock; my helmet took the full force (and saved my life, no doubt). I ended up going to the ER and got six staples to close up the gash in my head. The fall caused a minor migraine but no concussion. Doctor says I should not do anything that might cause me to hit my head again until the staples come out and I’m cleared by a doctor or via a concussion clinic.
I’m bummed I can’t ride for a couple weeks but I’m also kind of nervous and scared to go back out there. I’m still a new to the sport and I know I have a lot of “learning” to do...I don’t want to sound completely stupid here but…what’s the key to getting better? Mileage? Should I take a mountain bike clinic? (Can’t really afford one…). Ride with friends who are better than me? (Not many of my friends ride…). Hell…watch YouTube videos??
I got a mild concussion about a month and a half ago snowboarding (which I’ve been doing for almost 15+ years). I absolutely do not want to turn into another Kevin Pierce (former pro rider who almost died from a major head injury riding halfpipe). I guess what I’m asking for is inspiration and any advice so I don’t end up giving up on this sport. Any of you had any bad crashes that made you think twice?
Managed to crack my helmet where it hit the rock AND I somehow got a pretty bad laceration on the top-back-left of my head. I’m still not really sure how this happened because none of my head actually hit the rock; my helmet took the full force (and saved my life, no doubt). I ended up going to the ER and got six staples to close up the gash in my head. The fall caused a minor migraine but no concussion. Doctor says I should not do anything that might cause me to hit my head again until the staples come out and I’m cleared by a doctor or via a concussion clinic.
I’m bummed I can’t ride for a couple weeks but I’m also kind of nervous and scared to go back out there. I’m still a new to the sport and I know I have a lot of “learning” to do...I don’t want to sound completely stupid here but…what’s the key to getting better? Mileage? Should I take a mountain bike clinic? (Can’t really afford one…). Ride with friends who are better than me? (Not many of my friends ride…). Hell…watch YouTube videos??
I got a mild concussion about a month and a half ago snowboarding (which I’ve been doing for almost 15+ years). I absolutely do not want to turn into another Kevin Pierce (former pro rider who almost died from a major head injury riding halfpipe). I guess what I’m asking for is inspiration and any advice so I don’t end up giving up on this sport. Any of you had any bad crashes that made you think twice?