Wear a helmet, padded bike gloves and sturdy boots or bike shoes.
Step2
Keep your eyes peeled for rocks, trees and other objects on the trail.
Step3
Stay focused on your landing area as you come off your bike.
Step4
Protect your head and face with your hands and arms. Get into a 'tuck' position ' your chin tucked down against your chest and your arms bent at the elbows and ready to help absorb the shock when you land.
Step5
Try to land on your side instead of your chest or back. As you hit the ground, try to stay as loose as possible. If you're tense or stiff, it's easier to get hurt.
Step6
If there are riders behind you, get off the trail to avoid being hit.
Tips & Warnings
The truth is, when you crash on a bike there's no telling how you're going to land. Just try to protect yourself the best you can and instinct should do the rest.
Often, you'll land on your feet. When you do, try to hit the ground running so you don't tumble over.
Ride responsibly and within your limits. If you feel yourself getting out of control, slow down or stop.
Don't "practice" falling. Just keep the above advice in mind when you do happen to crash.
on 11/14/2007
Give with the fall. If you can't run. Tuck and roll to absorb the impact. If you do this you can usually roll right back to your feet with nothing but a scratch or two.
on 8/8/2006
All levels of protective clothing are available, but many feel like fashion or the look of protective clothing is less important than whether they get hurt. I feel that way when riding in groups or with particular friends, but when I am practicing with my wife, I wear shin guards and padded pants which really really help when I fall. Lack of confidence is also a cause of falls, so wearing gear reduces falls too!
on 11/22/2005
If you are in a dangerous part of the trail, get ready to jump off of your bike before you have the chance to fall. This will help you to land in a more controlled position 9 out of 10 times, and you are less likely to get seriously hurt.
on 11/22/2005
You shouldn't use your hands when you fall, but often it's instinct. The best thing to do is to make a fist. If you do this, when you land instead of breaking you wrist, you'll break your fingers. That sounds bad, too, but a broken finger is nothing compared to a broken wrist!
Comments
rippedup said
on 11/14/2007 Give with the fall. If you can't run. Tuck and roll to absorb the impact. If you do this you can usually roll right back to your feet with nothing but a scratch or two.
Anonymous said
on 8/8/2006 All levels of protective clothing are available, but many feel like fashion or the look of protective clothing is less important than whether they get hurt. I feel that way when riding in groups or with particular friends, but when I am practicing with my wife, I wear shin guards and padded pants which really really help when I fall. Lack of confidence is also a cause of falls, so wearing gear reduces falls too!
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 If you are in a dangerous part of the trail, get ready to jump off of your bike before you have the chance to fall. This will help you to land in a more controlled position 9 out of 10 times, and you are less likely to get seriously hurt.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 You shouldn't use your hands when you fall, but often it's instinct. The best thing to do is to make a fist. If you do this, when you land instead of breaking you wrist, you'll break your fingers. That sounds bad, too, but a broken finger is nothing compared to a broken wrist!
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Stretch out before your ride and at home. Make your body ready to be twisted in ways it is not used to.