RR: Battered & broken by the Fully Loop 4/25/07!

[26'er Zen Master]

I rode there last wed. and had who was probabally your buddies ask me if i was just starting out or what as they had a friend who was just injured. I am sorry about your injuries that sucks. Good luck and a speedy recovery.

[Waldo]

So, not having ridden the Fully Loop myself, what's the problem that leads to so many injuries? Is it just that it's ridden so much and the odds add up? Is it so basic that people take it for granted and get sloppy? Does it have some unusual dangers that bite the unprepared?

All/none of the above?
What's the deal?

Oh yeah: About handlebars. I wish Thomson made bars...and skewers, and seatpost clamps, etc. It'd be great to be able to spec a new bike that way, or order a bundled package of Thomson everything. Their stuff just seems so solid and confidence-inspiring.

[L8 APEKS]

Originally Posted by Waldo

So, not having ridden the Fully Loop myself, what's the problem that leads to so many injuries? Is it just that it's ridden so much and the odds add up? Is it so basic that people take it for granted and get sloppy? Does it have some unusual dangers that bite the unprepared?

All/none of the above?
What's the deal?

I've only ridden it once before and I can't say I noticed anything peculiar. Maybe it's like one of those bermuda triangle things?

[Burdman]

Originally Posted by L8 APEKS

I've only ridden it once before and I can't say I noticed anything peculiar. Maybe it's like one of those bermuda triangle things?

Yup, it's cursed I tell you, cursed!!

Either that or it's like the red headed step child looking for attention, because it's jealous of all the other trails in OC that get more recognition.

Well, I'll tell you this...when I'm ready to ride again in about 6-8 weeks, I can't wait to revist this cursed trail!!

I'm going to bunny hop, wheelie, take all the jumps and just completely own this trail, so I show it who is boss....of course, I'm going to do all this with Aluminum or Steel bars!

Cheers guys...off to MRI.

[SAR_boats]

Dood!
First off, I am really sorry to hear that the loop claimed another STR member. I hope that all goes well and you heal up really soon. If there is anything I can do to help you out don't hesitate to call. My cell # is 562-413-6042.

Welcome to the STR Broken Members Club. Kid A and myself are long term members, with guest appearances by Pakhia, Gurp13, and Waldo to name a few.

Lastly, I believe that the Loop claims so many victims because so many people ride it and because those that do underestimate it. I am still recovering from my wreck there that I had 6months ago.

Heal up soon.

[Waldo]

Originally Posted by SAR_boats

Dood!
Welcome to the STR Broken Members Club...and Waldo to name a few.

Ummm....just for the record, I've broken a few things over the years, but never my member.

[guero]

it is a trip to hear how broken off people do get there. i doubt that it is a lack of focus or people taking it for granted. there is quite a variety of terrain and "trail features" that could contribute to the incidents, but i dunno.

i actually ate sh!t pretty hard there myself, luckily i was able to continue the ride with only a bloody forearm and a bruised leg. i crashed on the entry to hiltcher park, after crossing that little residential street, and you dip down the cement/asphalt drain to the left, then make a quick right over the roots...my front tire slid along one of the roots and i slammed pretty hard on my right side. after laying there for a minute or two i got up, dusted myself off and continued on.

[dstepper]

First off, sorry to hear about your injuries, right now it seems like I may be off the bike for a few more days. The abrasions on my knee make it hard to bend my leg.

My last two bike injuries have been due to front tire tubes blowing out. On Sunset Fireroad going fast downhill, hit a square edged embedded rock and split the tube. The other day somehow the value stem was ripped halfway around. Both resulted in instant flats and front tire washouts. The only thing in common is that Mr. Freak was with me both times. As hard as I try I still can not blame him for my mishaps.

Point is, it can have nothing to do with lack of focus or taking a trail for granted. I have been wondering if either of those tube failures had happened on a narrow exposed section in the San Gabs...I would be toast.

Dean

[SAR_boats]

Originally Posted by Burdman

Yup, it's cursed I tell you, cursed!!

That explains the sign that read:

This section of trail has been adopted by: Witch Doctors local 413, "We voodoo because we care"

[scorns]

Originally Posted by SAR_boats

That explains the sign that read:

This section of trail has been adopted by: Witch Doctors local 413, Practicing voodoo for your health

Man where can I go to donate some money or something??? I am going to ride there on Sat morning for my second time but my first time with these:

[IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/fb345c/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg[/IMG]

[ka0t1c07]

Thanks for you injury report. How you get back on the bike asap with little pain. Now I need to go check over the whole bike. I sorta forgot about the annual bike inspection. Funny thing is that we used to laugh at a friend that crashed at the loop. Now I know the loop claimed many riders so I guess we cant make fun of him anymore.

[Burdman]

Originally Posted by Waldo

Ummm....just for the record, I've broken a few things over the years, but never my member.

Ditto. I broke a few things, but the member is just fine. Thank you Lord.

OK, update. See attached pics.

Broken bar = Broken Scott!

This is my new summer attire, which I get to wear for the next 4 months! Sweet!!

After seeing the doctor yesterday, it appears I have 4 broken vertebrae (T4, T7, T12 & L1), with various fractures at either the Spinous or Tranverse process of the vertebrae. The plan at this point is for me to wear this brace for the next 4 months, with routine check ups every few weeks to evaluate progress. The doctor believes this should take care of it with no complications and I will heal well, so there's no talk of surgery at this point. Cool!!
This brace will also help keep my 2 broken ribs tight and in place for better healing.

I'm also wearing a clavicle harness, which is actually the doctors biggest concern. My clavicle has aleady made it through the muscle in my shoulder, and is now working on puncturing through the skin.
They put me in this harness to help pull the shoulders back and hope it will help re-align the clavicle with the other end of bone and fuse together properly.
If progress is made in the next 2 weeks, then I will wear the harness for approx. 2 months. If no progress is made within the next 2 weeks, then they most likely will send in me in for sugery, so they can reset the bone and add a plate & screws. Nice!
Of course, should my clavicle pop through the skin in the mean time, then I'd be in for surgery immediately for the plate & screws.

So it looks like it will be a little longer then anticipated, before I can throw a leg over a bike again, but oh well, I'm not worried about it.
Obviously, it's not the most optimal situation, but it could be so much worse. I can still walk just fine and have full use & feeling of all appendages, which I'm grateful and thank the Lord!

Plus, I'm a full time student working towards my degree in the medical field, so this will just give me more time to devote & focus on completing that goal.
It's all good....


OK, I wanna give a huge shout out to all you STR peeps. I wrote my ride report just for the heck of it, and never anticipated all the very cool replies and healing vibes I would get from all of you.
Mountain Bikers rule!!!


Plus I huge shout to my friends. I have a great network of friends, which have all been awesome & really supportive.....very cool.

See you on the trails sometime in August!

Cheers-
Scott

[2wheel_lee]

Scott, last night, someone pointed out the the hill where you crashed. Back in 1997, I came sprinting over the top of the hill after not having ridden there in a long time. There were also a few rain storms shortly before, as well. There were several very deep (9") and wide ruts going down the hill. I came into those ruts way to fast, and my brakes didn't help.

I manualed and hopped over a couple of the ruts, but I ended up dropping the front wheel into one, causing me to bust a Superman into the old railraod-tie fence. Initiially, I thought my shoulder was only dislocated, but a week later after I had it x-rayed, I realized that I broke it. The doctor thought I was nuts to wait so long to have it x-rayed, but then he thought I was downright crazy when I told him that I went wave jumping on the jet ski (big thanks to having some vicodin) the day before I saw him.

I saw on mtbr where you said that you'd still run carbon bars. I guess you really did hit your head. When you recover, I'm sure you'll look for some good aluminum bars.

Hope you get better soon!

[Kid A]

Originally Posted by Burdman

After seeing the doctor yesterday, it appears I have 4 broken vertebrae (T4, T7, T12 & L1), with various fractures at either the Spinous or Tranverse process of the vertebrae.

doooood - that's alot of damage. again - wish you the best for speedy and full recovery

[Burdman]

Originally Posted by Kid A

doooood - that's alot of damage. again - wish you the best for speedy and full recovery

Yeah, I did a pretty good job. Thanks Kid A.

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

Scott, last night, someone pointed out the the hill where you crashed. Back in 1997, I came sprinting over the top of the hill after not having ridden there in a long time. There were also a few rain storms shortly before, as well. There were several very deep (9") and wide ruts going down the hill. I came into those ruts way to fast, and my brakes didn't help.

I manualed and hopped over a couple of the ruts, but I ended up dropping the front wheel into one, causing me to bust a Superman into the old railraod-tie fence. Initiially, I thought my shoulder was only dislocated, but a week later after I had it x-rayed, I realized that I broke it. The doctor thought I was nuts to wait so long to have it x-rayed, but then he thought I was downright crazy when I told him that I went wave jumping on the jet ski (big thanks to having some vicodin) the day before I saw him.

I saw on mtbr where you said that you'd still run carbon bars. I guess you really did hit your head. When you recover, I'm sure you'll look for some good aluminum bars.

Hope you get better soon!

Hey Lee- yeah, they told me they cursed and kicked the dirt on the downhill when you guys got to it last night....I was happy about that.

I'm crazy....you waited a week to have yours checked! I think you may be the one that's a little off....

I know I said I may run carbon bars again, but I have 4 months to think about it, so I may change my mind.

Good job last night... I heard some props on your riding skills...so you're back to normal...nice.

Cheers-

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by Burdman

Ditto. I broke a few things, but the member is just fine. Thank you Lord.

OK, update. See attached pics.

Broken bar = Broken Scott!

This is my new summer attire, which I get to wear for the next 4 months! Sweet!!

After seeing the doctor yesterday, it appears I have 4 broken vertebrae (T4, T7, T12 & L1), with various fractures at either the Spinous or Tranverse process of the vertebrae. The plan at this point is for me to wear this brace for the next 4 months, with routine check ups every few weeks to evaluate progress. The doctor believes this should take care of it with no complications and I will heal well, so there's no talk of surgery at this point. Cool!!
This brace will also help keep my 2 broken ribs tight and in place for better healing.

I'm also wearing a clavicle harness, which is actually the doctors biggest concern. My clavicle has aleady made it through the muscle in my shoulder, and is now working on puncturing through the skin.
They put me in this harness to help pull the shoulders back and hope it will help re-align the clavicle with the other end of bone and fuse together properly.
If progress is made in the next 2 weeks, then I will wear the harness for approx. 2 months. If no progress is made within the next 2 weeks, then they most likely will send in me in for sugery, so they can reset the bone and add a plate & screws. Nice!
Of course, should my clavicle pop through the skin in the mean time, then I'd be in for surgery immediately for the plate & screws.

So it looks like it will be a little longer then anticipated, before I can throw a leg over a bike again, but oh well, I'm not worried about it.
Obviously, it's not the most optimal situation, but it could be so much worse. I can still walk just fine and have full use & feeling of all appendages, which I'm grateful and thank the Lord!

Plus, I'm a full time student working towards my degree in the medical field, so this will just give me more time to devote & focus on completing that goal.
It's all good....


OK, I wanna give a huge shout out to all you STR peeps. I wrote my ride report just for the heck of it, and never anticipated all the very cool replies and healing vibes I would get from all of you.
Mountain Bikers rule!!!


Plus I huge shout to my friends. I have a great network of friends, which have all been awesome & really supportive.....very cool.

See you on the trails sometime in August!

Cheers-
Scott

That is why I don't run a carbon bar on the SS......too much torque on the bar...especially the XC bar......might try the carbon DH bar....maybe.

[SAR_boats]

Originally Posted by Waldo

Ummm....just for the record, I've broken a few things over the years, but never my member.

No wonder I get wierd looks from all the guys in Long Beach when I wear the t-shirt

[Pain Freak]

I'm in the plastics industry and work a lot with carbon fiber. The problem is not all parts are created equal. Some parts are going to get past quality control and will have weak spots.The strength to weight ratio of aluminum to carbon fiber is over 5 times in tensile strength so even with a substandard part it should still be stronger then aluminum, in fact at that thickness it will be stronger then 4130 cromoly steel, and that's some tough stuff. I personally like the race face carbon bars that have a shiny surface and you'll be able to tell right away if a crash has compromised your bars by a crack or a spider web effect in the clear coat. I've found the carbon bars to have a tremendous effect on dampening and I personally wouldn't be able to ride near as much with metal bars. This is the first case I've heard of this happening, but I've seen over a dozen bent/cracked/ or just plain failed steel and aluminum bars over the years.