Here is what could be a stupid question or thought

[EndoMaster]

After a conversation last night with someone in which falling off bikes and going over the bars was mentioned, it got me to thinking a bit about my personal experiences.

My screenname is not something I just thought of but rather I chose it because when I first started riding it fit me pretty well. I've had a few good OTB moments, a couple that left me a little dazed. In all those instances I never received anything more than scratches and bruises. In last nights conversation the other person mentioned that an acquaintance had gone OTB and suffered major physical trauma. This is a farfetched theory but could my "natural body padding" have helped helped me out in the past. Could my fat have helped absorb some of the impact and saved me a broken bone or two?



Agustin

[JamR]

Interesting theory


Maybe that could explain some of my mishaps.............9% body fat = 2 major OTB's = 1 broken neck and 1 punctured lung, and a rather expensive helo ride to the e.r.

I like your theory better because my theory for myself was basically stupidity

[dstepper]

In my experience the geometry of the bike has allot to do with it. My first bike a GT I-Drive was throwing me OTB on a regular basis. It felt like I was sitting on top of the bike rather than in the bike. The best bike I have riden in the area of anti-OTB is my One-9. Maybe it is the larger wheels, maybe the frame design or both. But I have riden out some front wheel only scares that would have sent me OTB on my other bikes.

About your theory, I am overweight and have seperated my shoulder and servely bruised ribs (bar end in the chest) on OTB. It is more what you land on, rather than your body type that will decide the severety of the damage.

[dirttorpeedo]

in my past racing expeiriences,ie; racing bmx,d/h,even cross country ive learned how to tuck my chin down to my chest and kinda roll out.dont know how to practice that,(didnt help when i broke my collar bone tho)hahaha.and to that i say the only stupid qwestchun is he one you didnt ask...

[EndoMaster]

Why did you guys have to respond? Just when I was at least beginning to find a reason to not hate my fat so much you go ahead and disprove my theory.

On a serious not I suppose I have been very fortunate to not have sustained any serious injury so far. Knock on wood.

[Leo14]

Originally Posted by nunya

Maybe, maybe not. Eventually that extra weight could factor in the other direction, causing a more serious injury than you should sustain. Solid muscle will protect bones much more readily than fat will.

How one lands is the biggest factor. Uncle Sam shoved me out of an airplane in 1982 and before doing so, taught me how to land. That particular training was so repetetive (to get through some pretty thick skulls), it became something that has been instinctive to me ever since. It translated well to mountain biking. People who have practiced Judo normally do well with landing correctly too.

So how do you land correctly? I remember someone mentioned to me that best way to hit the ground was flat on your back.

I thought I've heard or read somewhere that if you can make a fist when you are about to make contact with the ground that could prevent a broken wrist...not sure how much truth there is to that though.

[ShinKen]

Originally Posted by DINO

I thought I've heard or read somewhere that if you can make a fist when you are about to make contact with the ground that could prevent a broken wrist...not sure how much truth there is to that though.

lol if u try it I'll take the pic!!

[dirttorpeedo]

Originally Posted by ShinKen

lol if u try it I'll take the pic!!

let me no when i wanna see it too..

Originally Posted by ShinKen

lol if u try it I'll take the pic!!

first you have to ride the trails we ride bubb.

[gurp13]

Oh, snap!