[mtbgreg1 offline]

"Every cyclist breaks their collarbone at some point in their career I think."

When you combine mud, rain, rocks, mountain bikes and nearly 2000 people trying to stay awake for 24 hours, there's always going to be injuries.

Which makes the handful of broken bones suffered in the Australian 24-hour mountain bike championships at Stromlo Forest Park on the weekend a "good result".

Canberra Off-Road Cyclists president Sarah O'Callaghan said she only knew of four broken bones – two collarbones, one leg and a shoulder.

O'Callaghan said these kinds of injury were just part of the sport.

"To a degree that's racing and they were all in different spots [on the course], but the other 1900 riders managed to not break themselves," she said.

Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/a ... z29eeoygur

So what do you think? Are broken bones just a part of the sport if you ride for long enough?

Having been an avid skier for 14 years, having mountain biked seriously for 7, mountain boarded for 4 or 5, and rock climbed for a few years in there, I still have yet to break a bone. Sprains, scrapes, bruises, stitches, a concussion... yes, but no broken bones yet. Is it just a matter of time?

[maddslacker offline]

I did that exact break on my collarbone about 6 years ago. It actually changed the way I ride, I'm quite a bit more cautious now.

[jtorlando25 offline]

I hope I never do anything worse than separate my shoulder but I do feel like breaking bones is just something that comes along with the sport. Yet some people go their entire lives with never breaking a bone and they do some of the wildest stuff.

[CraigCreekRider offline]

Greg, you must have drank a lot of milk as a kid and have strong bones.

I have broken one rib riding, a couple more skiing (at least). I think most of us try to be as careful as we can but there are not many soft landings out there when we do go down. Cuts and broken bones are always a possibility.

[mtbgreg1 offline]

Greg, you must have drank a lot of milk as a kid and have strong bones.

I have broken one rib riding, a couple more skiing (at least). I think most of us try to be as careful as we can but there are not many soft landings out there when we do go down. Cuts and broken bones are always a possibility.

Actually, I did drink a ton of milk, haha! Still do to an extent. Not sure if that has anything to do with it

Almost thought I broke my leg in a crash a couple weeks back but turned out to just be some nasty bumps and bruises.

[mtbgreg1 offline]

I did that exact break on my collarbone about 6 years ago. It actually changed the way I ride, I'm quite a bit more cautious now.

That looks painful!!

[dgaddis offline]

Broke my arm three times as a kid. None of them on the bike, just stupid kid stuff.

I have so far avoided breaking any bones on the bike (**KNOCKS ON WOOD**) but know there is always a chance for it to happen. Ride smart!

[Jared13 offline]

"Every cyclist breaks their collarbone at some point in their career I think."

It looks like I'm ahead of the curve then! I broke mine in the first year of riding. I wasn't able to tuck and roll due to the tree directly in front of me. I'm glad I walked away with just a broken collarbone. My helmet took most of the impact.

Is it just a matter of time?

The more you ride and the "bigger" you ride, the more likely it will happen. You can lessen your chances by knowing how to fall, knowing your equipment (this one got me), and working out. Well, knowing how to ride and knowing/staying within your limits will help immensely also

[skibum offline]

I've never thought broken bones were part of the sport.

Now stitches on the other hand . . . .

[lovemountainbiking12 offline]

the best way to fall is going limp and falling like a rock..don't put your hands out to catch yourself although it is probably 90 percent of our natural reaction. if you train your mind to not brace yourself youll most likely comeout with only a few scrapes...i've crashed in a few rocky sections that would look like it would hurt but i was fine.

[brianW offline]

Cracked rib at the end of the summer. The doc said I re-cracked it. Don't remember cracking it before. After 20+ years of mt biking, 30+ years of skiing, throw in trail running and some rock climbing and of course a very active childhood before bike helmets, seat belts, had lawn darts, climbing trees, sledding over jumps, hockey, etc and this was a first.

[stumpyfsr offline]

By statistics 65% of injuries happened after words "look how cool I can do it". And 35% happened after "I know waaay cooler way to do it"
If one try harder and faster by pushing limits it's just a matter of time. But that's why we're riding - to get another portion of adrenalin and hope not to crash.

[CraigCreekRider offline]

By statistics 65% of injuries happened after words "look how cool I can do it". And 35% happened after "I know waaay cooler way to do it"
If one try harder and faster by pushing limits it's just a matter of time. But that's why we're riding - to get another portion of adrenalin and hope not to crash.

"Watch This!" The two most popular words used prior to an emergency room visit.

[Bubblehead10MM offline]

"Watch This!" The two most popular words used prior to an emergency room visit.

You beat me to it. lol
God I hope it's not inevitable. 1st of Aug I bounced off my rib cage/armpit/hip and knee. Pretty sure I cracked a rib or 2 but never bothered with xrays.
My MTB bible "Mastering Mountain Bike Skills" holds that the key is to well, master mtb skills. Working on it

[dgaddis offline]

NEVER, under any circumstance, say you want to do it "one more time".

That's when the crashes happen.

I've learned that when I'm going to crash, it's best to just ride the bike to the ground, seems to work well for me.