brianbeech

Two weeks ago I was riding at Ft. Duffield, KY and although I was on an Anthem, I was doing some medium sized jumps that appeared to be safe (double style with no harsh landings). Since I was on an XC bike, I was clipped in - this turned out to be a tragic decision. Doing the section 3-4 times and not getting over the last double as I desired, it was time for one last run before we moved on to our regular XC riding. This last run proved to almost be fatal. As I came over the second jump, my rear tire was kicked up and I was on my way over the bars. This wouldn't have been particularly bad except that I apparently landed on the front wheel for a second and rolled off the trail while going over. With my feet being locked in, I was unable to step out of it and ended up driving head first into a downed tree that was off of the trail.

I was going quite fast and the tree met my head with such force that I suffered a broken spine and 7 broken ribs (1-5 on the right and 2-3 on left). But by the grace of God, I wouldn't and shouldn't have missed death or complete paralyzation. I compressed two of my vertebrates and also broke the front of the column too - making for an unstable spinal fracture in the thoracic region. 2 rods, 12 screws, emergency surgery, and a week in the hospital later and I'm not at home and able to walk again.

One bad decision - being locked in while jumping those larger jumps - led to me almost being a quadriplegic or dead. One good decision - wearing a helmet and not a $20 walmart special - probably saved my life. After coming home and taking all the straps out of my helmet, I counted at least 6-7 places that the helmet was broken all the way through. I've taken pictures of it - I painted the breaks with white nail polish to make them easy to see - and I'll post these later.

I'm not sure if the cheaper helmet would have done the same, it might have, but let me encourage everyone to wear helmets. This part of the trail seemed very safe - the downed tree seemed to be safely tucked off the trail and the jumps didn't seem dangerous - even a wreck seemed like the worst would have been a collarbone.

Just have some extra time and wanted to share! I'm alive!

cryptid01

If you don't know how to objectively assess your ability to ride or crash well, a helmet is definitely a good idea.

Pamestique 

Good gosh what a story!!! I hope and pray you mend and heal soon and well!

I think most of us have how helmet saved our lives stories. I always question why people ride without (and people don't argue it with me - this is just my opinion). Just glad yours did its job and its not a serious brain injury and worse you are dealing with.

Pamestique 

Yes a cheaper helmet will do the same... not as stylish, not as breezy as an expensive helmet but it will still save one's noggin!!!

victim

I'm with you, I like flat pedals for jumping and skinnies but I don't see how they caused the crash. Sounds like you cased the double so your feet should have released, right? Was the tension too set too high? I'm curious because i'd like to avoid a similar fate. Heal up quick bro.

Daspydyr 

A helmet is the first thing someone should buy, even before getting a bike. Glad you are alive and able to report! Yeah, post them pics, we like details. BUT AGAIN, sure wish this never happened to you. Heal Fast.

brianbeech

no, I actually over jumped and landed front tire with the rear wheel coming over on me - kicker on the jump that pushed the wheel up (must've hit the wrong spot). As I was going over I pulled my feet 'up' as to step out, but we all know I should've 'twisted'. The speed of the accident only left time for one movement and my reaction was incorrect. Tension was as loose as possible and I did come unclipped as the front wheel went under; by that time it was too late to step and I was mostly inverted. Not likely this would happen again; everything had to be just 'right' or 'wrong' for this one - but it happened. I wouldn't jump those larger jumps being clipped again though.

Johnny Law

WOW, im glad your ok!

are you in the hospital right now?

brianbeech

no, I'm at home now and recovering pretty quickly - considering. I can walk about a half a mile and I can shower alone now. I still can't lift any weight and I'm unable to play very much with my daughter, but things are going really really well.

Bruzer

That is great that you lived to tell about this. I would also like to see the picture of the helmet.

With helmets being so common these days I am still surprised when I still see people riding without helmets.

I know a few people who bike everywhere and do not own a car or truck. They live in the city and ride without a helmet. With as much riding as they have to do, they must have had some close calls with cars or curbs. I don't understand how a helmet is so uncool or inconvenient that they don't use one.

This weekend I was mountain biking on tight single track and saw someone without a helmet. I don't know if he was trying to be a "tough guy" or maybe this was his first time on the trail and didn't realize how dangerous it could be. Even being a newbie is not a good excuse, helmets are generally available everywhere.

If you buy a bike, it should come with a helmet.



Hooray for smart people wearing helmets.

ed 

Don't worry...you'll be able to shower with someone soon enough.

electrik

+1 for helmet
-10 for dirt jumps in clipless!

Leave the clipless at home, less you look like a geek or a dead sailor(a style-less and stiff mannequin) at the bmx park. Plus, imho, it is way easier to jettison a bicycle and start running with flats...

Good luck with your rehab, this kinda accident really sucks and you are so lucky to have not ended up quad, it sounds like you were very close. Know why you ride and what you want out of it.

brianbeech

For sure! Has thus far been the worst decision of my life.

electrik

Hah, well not trying to rag on you personally, but it isn't all the clipless pedals fault. It is my experience and observation that one has to be careful not to get in over their head too quickly(easier on a bike than you think!) and to know the limits of ones skill and gear... accidents always happen though when one is pushing those boundaries, so wear your safety equipment. I'm glad you came out of this with a positive message and hopefully your injuries heal nicely!

common man

any chance you will recover 100% within 2 years as if this never happened?

i myself psychologically avoid helmets from companies i have not heard of...i like trek brand helmets and bell helmets. but any helmet, as long as it has CSPC approval is safe. the expensive helmets just have better ventilation etc.

usually your insurance company will give you a rebate for a helmet purchase. makes sense given how much money you potentially save them by protecting your head and avoiding expensive ct scans, surgery etc. so that should make buying a helmet cheaper.

samburger

You've never heard of the helmets you just mentioned? How does that work?

Daspydyr 

Maybe clipless should be nicknamed "death cages" in the MTB thread. I've only had em for 6 weeks and have new scars to prove it.

roccobike

I'm glad you survived a bad crash. +1 to wearing helmets.
I use clipless and I like them, but I have SPDs set at the loosest setting possible, just one cam bump from a totally loose adjusting screw. Most of the time, if I wreck, the clipless let go, but I did have one bad one wear the clipless held and just when I thought the worst was over, the bike came down on my legs. I still use them because I've had too many close calls not using them where I hit a hole, or log and my feet came off the pedals. I think using them depends on the type of riding you do and the problems you've encountered with both types of pedals.

Dannihilator

Trek helmets....

common man

i was referring to two different things.

i don't get the joke.

samburger

Ah, I misread. Didn't see the "i", leading me to believe that Trek & Bell helmets were examples of helmets you've never heard of.

common man

brianbeech

Doc said I will be totally back to normal and able to push exactly the same within 1 year! Where I broke my back, in the thoracic region, they fused 7 vertebrates together. The doc said this is the least flexing area of the spine and I most likely wouldn't notice any difference in flexibility.

I really liked the clipless pedals; SPD on the loosest also, but riding them doing those jumps is the mistake I made; I knew better. Coming from Motocross, these jumps seem really really small and had I not been clipped in, I could have stepped out of the OTB pretty easily (i believe). So, I may have been going over my head, but I truly believe (or want to) that this was just an accident due to a bad decision by me.

I was wearing a Giro Athlon - I know a lot of guys that ride with Giro, but it was my first one - I've been a Bell guy. I think Giro has earned my business. I'll get pics of the helmet up today.

chevy2man

I am amazed that that you are able to walk. I wish you a speedy recovery. Where about is the trail. Not that I want to try that one.

brianbeech

I too am amazed - wait till I post the pictures of the helmet and the Xray. eek! This trail is just north of Ft. Knox, KY at an old Civil War fort. Trail isn't that dangerous and is actually really fun (I should've skipped the jumps ).