RR: Jake's Almost B-Day Ride

[maxwell]

Well, Lacey, Jake, and I met up with CPATCRASH, Big Guy, and Bret to ride the Los Flores ridge trails.
Jake's 14th birthday is Monday, so on the way to the ride, Lacey and I decided to call this his B-Day ride.
It was also going to be his first ride on his new hardtail.

Everything started out great. Nice weather, good friends, and another ride with two of my kid's.

The first climb is steep, but short, and everybody did pretty good. Once at the top, the trail opens up to some fast rolling hills.
I shot on ahead to get a couple of pics, with Serge and Bret close behind, and passing before I could get the camera out.

CPATCRASH. Big wheels a rollin'....


Jake.
Can you tell he was really hammering away on the hardtail?


Lacey.
She hasn't been riding much, but when she does it's like she never missed a beat.


Here's where things kinda took a bad turn.........

After Lacey passed on by, I hopped back on the bike and played catch-up, with Serge, and Bret way up front, Pat just ahead of Jake, and me not too far behind Lacey.
On this section of trail there is a slightly long DH with a good sized jump at the bottom just before the next turn off to more single track.
Since I was in the back, I don't know excactly what happened. Maybe Serge and Pat will chime in on this.
As Lacey and I rolled up, Pat was waving with his hands to slow down. And when I rolled up, I saw Jake Laying on the ground holding his stomach, and bleeding from his nose.

It was the worst feeling I've ever felt.

As I looked him over, Serge was giving me the lowdown on what had happened.
Jake had come into the jump FULL SPEED, not remembering that it was there, and just launched it. I guess he landed on both wheels, then wadded up pure Maxwell style.


pic by CPATCRASH

I had him stay still, and answer some questions for me. I wasn't too worried about the nosebleed because he had already had two that morning before our ride. (Sleeping with his fan on again)

About that time Troy (Thinkfast) had rolled up.
I think he said something along the lines of;
"Hey guy's....oh, crap! What came I do to help?"

We talked for a few minutes, and other than his stomach hurting a bit, he seemed ok. His memory was a little off, and he asked me a couple of the same questions more than once, so I started thinking that he might have a concusion.

So, the plan was to have Serge and Bret ride back to Serge's place and get the cars, with Lacey and Pat following them back, while Troy (BIG thanks) helped me get Jake and his bike back down to the road.

By the time we made the short hike down, Jake was getting things back to normal.
I figured we'd go home, get cleaned up, and if he was still feeling better, it'd all be good. If not, we'd head on to the Dr.'s and get him checked out.

Well, he dosn't far too far from the tree. After showering, and getting some lunch, he was just fine.
Aside from a couple of pretty good scracthes on his nose, he's doing great!

Thanks go out to my friend's for helping out, and Lacey for helping me stay a calm Dad.

Oh, and the toll the bike paid?
Bent SDG I-Beam seatpost, and broken break lever plunger.
Way to "break-in" the new bike!

Happy (early) Birthday Jake!!

[foofighter]

I'm glad everyone kept their cool and I'm very happy to see that Jake is fairing much better. reading your story mad my stomach knot up as i would freak out if something like that happened to my kids.

i took my buddy out there today (2PM) on his maiden ride on his new 29'er and riding clipless!

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by maxwell

It was the worst feeling I've ever felt.


pic by CPATCRASH

Well, he dosn't far too far from the tree. After showering, and getting some lunch, he was just fine.
Aside from a couple of pretty good scracthes on his nose, he's doing great!

Man Darin, I guess it looks worse than it was since he seems ok. I'm glad it wasn't bad. Healing vibes and Happy birthday to big Jake.

[Wrecker]

Happy Bday, Jake! Glad that you're not banged up too bad, in family tradition. See, the apple really doesn't fall far from the tree.....or, in this case, from the bike

[sdyeti]

Awww...when I saw Jake's pic there, I felt so bad! I'm glad he is okay though and feeling better. Sounds like he is a real trooper!

Happy Birthday Jake!!

[guero]

holy crap darin, seeing that picture of jake like that made my heart drop. im glad he was able to shake it off and is back to almost normal!!!

[1FG rider]

That last picture is scary. Hope Jake is feeling better.

[allison]

Yikes, Happy Birthday, Jake!! Don't take after your dad anymore, though

[ThinkFast]

Glad Jake is OK Darin. After hearing Jake ask the same questions a couple times and say something to the effect of "it's just nice to be able to see again" I knew he must have hit VERY hard. I was thinking about you guys most of the day. Thanks for the update and it's good hear he's doing better. I think he probably had a concussion so make sure he takes it easy. He's one tough boy!

[Big Guy]

Well, I fell so bad, this is my local trail, Brett and I were waiting ahead. There is this lump of dirt on the trail about 4 feet high, very steep on both sides that you can't really jump because you are landing on the flat trail. When we rode it a few months ago with the Maxwells , I stayed on the dirt mount to warn everyone, but this time, I thought people remembered, so I was talking with Brett a few feet passed the jump. I turned around and saw Jake coming real fast, and before I could warn him or anything, he was flying about 6-8 feet in the air, he even did a cool tail-whip, the jump was perfect.

Then came the landing... Jake landed both wheels straight on the trail but he was sitting on seat, it would have been a perfect landing if the landing was downhill or if the jump was less vertical and more horizontal. So the hard tail did not give, it was as if the bike was welded to the trail and Jake bounced off the bike forward and there was a cloud of dust...

Jake was on his side grunting, he tried to get up , but we told him to stay down. It wasn't long until Papa bear came and took over.

Jake never complained about any pain or anything. The only way we knew he was hurt was because we asked him. Jake is tougher than a lot of grown man I have ridden with.he stayed polite at all time, thanked everyone for helping. Not only is he tough, but he is also well raised.

I am almost tempted to go there with a shovel and fix that lump of dirt.

[foofighter]

Originally Posted by Big Guy

I am almost tempted to go there with a shovel and fix that lump of dirt.

to be honest that mound of dirt is pretty useless other than there to catch someone off guard; case in point today.

[Big Guy]

I have heard of another guy who broke his arm on it. maybe we could make something fun ( a good jump) and safer without "sanitizing" the trail

[maxwell]

Originally Posted by Big Guy

I am almost tempted to go there with a shovel and fix that lump of dirt.

I'd say leave the jump. It's mountain biking, and stuff happens. No need to do any "removal's".

I want to thank you guys for all the kind words.

Here's Jake; I think i will now remember the jump for a veary long time thanks again for the help

[Mudman]

glad he is okay! I myself have a lot of crashes as most people who know me can easily back me up. It's never fun, and the following day is usually the most discomforting.

[CPATCRASH]

I didn't know Jake was behind me. I thought he stopped with you and Lacey. Right after I got my sick air (rolled over the mound without even leaving the ground) off the jump I stopped and was starting to turn around and heard a crash. I didn't even see it happen. Maybe you should sell the new bike and just pony up and get him a Stinky!!! I'm just glad he's OK!

[JoeTruth]

Wow, that's a scary scene, rolling-up and seeing your son laying there with blood coming out of his nose. Good to hear birthday boy is okay. Heal-up and feel better, "earthquake" Jake. One thing is for sure, he'll never forget this particular birthday.

Happy birthday, young man!