osco53

My 1st real NOob Mistake that I will NOT make again !!

I was bookin In the flats, real twisty thru the palmetto's, 'Sasquatch',,,, I was standin on the pedals hangin turns and spinning on the straights. Ready to enter a switch back, started with a left, left pedal was at the 5pm pos... BAM ! a palmetto stump right in the crank arm....

The crank arm, the bike frame, the seat post was all a baseball bat aimed right at my left 'Sit Bone',, ok my ass cheek. Full suspension would have done nothing for me.
The pain shot right up my spine as the bike jumped up and shot sideways... I did not crash, just skidded into the scrubs sideways.
I was ok and riding on in a few minutes.

I need more saddle time....

roccobike

Welcome to mountain biking!
When I first started, my friend, a very experienced MTBer said "If you don't draw some blood, it wasn't a good ride". Don't know if I agree with that, but tis true the harder you push, the easier it is to make a minor mistake that sends you into the bush. As long as you and the bike are OK, that's part of the fun of the sport.
Unlike road biking, there's no time to think about your problems from work or from home when you're MTBing. Let your mind wander and BANG, that tree or rock jumps out and grabs you.

dexmax

Very well said sir.. as a Roadie for most of my cycling days, I agree with you..
Although you need to be alert on the roadbike, especially in a peloton and anticipating movement of the riders around you; for the most part a roadbike rider mostly pays much attention to hydration, fatigue levels, distance, how many climbs more, etc., we do not put much attention into the terrain and road condition, because it is paved and almost at the same condition from start to end.
Because of this, my mind tends to stray and I think about other things...

In MTBing, absolutely no time to do that, unless you're riding through a road..

Daspydyr 

Great balancing act Osco! Not every ride turns out that well. Glad you are excited. It is a kick, ain't it?