What do you do when you're crashing ?

[danny86]

When I first started riding years ago whenever I was crashing I wouldn't think... just tense up and let whatever happens... happen.

But as the years go on and the crashes get more common, the expert riders we're almost able to think calm during a crash ( in relative terms)

So my question is, if you're going off a jump and something happens and you're flying away from your bike... is it still best to tense up before the landing ? Or should you kind of mellow out and not tense up so much.

I only ask because we've all heard stories where drunk drivers get into these crazy car accidents and amazingly dont get hurt.... because they don't tense up.

Is there any truth to this ?

[Slackkinhard]

I pray

[Wild Alaskan]

i panic and flail wildly

[cwf340]

Scream Like a school girl...

[FIVEWIDE]

Tuck n roll

[AJMAG247]

if you tense up your gonna get hurt..

have fun while crashing pick a target and aim for it then tuck and roll lol

[79yamdt]

I flail pretty wildly, this technique hasn't failed me yet. The only "serious" injury I've had was my foot peg biting me once.

[ekulb14]

99.9% of my crashes are too quick to do anything. usually dont even have time to realize im going down.

There is some truth to the stories you heard though. Im most cases if you are relaxed your body had a better chance of absorbing the impact opposed to fighting it, but i would not put to much belief in it.

[jtiv19]

Ive always been one to believe that there is an art to crashing. Reminds me of my skateboarding days when you have to know "how" to fall down.

I always try to take advantage of my protective gear when and if possible. But sometimes it seems there is just nothing you can do but look at the stars.

[00yzryder]

I just try to remain calm and if time is present find out which way is goign to hurt the least but normally try and tuck and roll lol.

[BDubb106]

The only thing I think about is keeping my hands and head from landing first... cant afford two broken wrists which is pretty much guarenteed to happen. Usually if Im worrying about that the rest omy body stays limp. No really serious injuries yet. Might no be the best way, but it works for me.

[shawn1331]

Depending on the crash or what not. If I'm in the air and my hands come off the bars I try to grab the fender and straighten it out. If its a loop out I do my best not to land on my hands and anything in between I try to land on my feet and roll out

[Still Bill]

I try to jump clear of the bike.

[mikewrf18]

I only ask because we've all heard stories where drunk drivers get into these crazy car accidents and amazingly dont get hurt.... because they don't tense up.

Is there any truth to this ?

Simple answer: Make sure to drink and ride!!

Joking aside, I try to get away from the bike when falling, usually by tucking and rolling. I've seen guys get hurt worse by the bike flipping on them, broken wrists from the bars and bb's, and legs snapping from being twisted under the bike. I try to stay clear if possible. There is usually a certain amount of flailing about, screaming, and using choice words before and after though!

[Falcon991]

I have crashed so many times, it doesn't scare me anymore. I try to stay loose and ride my way out of scary situations, but if I do crash I stay loose if possible.

[Hans Schmid]

I flap!

[KJ790]

To me I don't have time to think about it. Even when I make a big mistake, I don't panic and I don't think about crashing until I actually hit the ground. It's like my brain is just thinking "No biggie, I got this" ... then BAM "What happened?"

[Jeekinz]

I think about grabbing the clutch lever as fast as I can.

[snoopjonnyjon]

"World Champion Bengt Aberg here going over the handlebars. Somehow when Aberg gets off he does it with a certain style and grace. Everyone crashes now and then, but not often with style and grace. More often, the classic Flying W."

[antleo]

i havent fallen hard in a while but i do fall on my bmx bike on cement and i learned quick to just roll dont try to stop