as a 41 year old that lives on his own, I just can't afford to injure myself. My employment relies on me a lot too, i look after a few employees, manage a fleet of devices at an offsite contract and i also coach a bunch of kids on the side. However I love MTB but these days I'm happy to just ride the easy fire trials and watch videos on youtube of pros. Best of luck and speedy recovery sir
I totally agree mate. We are responsible to a lot of people . People rely on us being at our best and finding the balance of getting enough out of it is crucial . I’m almost 55 and have had these conversations with myself often .
Agree with you both, Abs and Mick. I am lucky to have a public service position that does afford sick leave. After 20 years in a role, I have a buffer. But most are not this fortunate. With sick leave depleted in recent times, the risks of any feature, or day out on a bike are increased with consideration going to those that rely on you. The risks just got higher, but I don't think the stoke increases the same. In short, we ride for our own enjoyment and needs (physical and mental) beyond that, you might say is showing off.
Wishing you all the best with the recovery mate. As someone who has had a fair amount of MTB injuries in a relatively short amount of time, I can confidently say I feel your frustrations, but nowhere near your pain. It's inspiring you even got a vid out going through all that... I wish I could subscribe twice 🙏
Hey man 44 years old here had a few gnarly crashes double member of the clavicle club. My first big crash resulted in Dr's finding a 10cm tumor on my heart meaning they didn't worry about the fact I had broken my clavicle and concentrated on open heart surgery and reconstruction of the right ventricle in my ticker. I guess you could say why would you want to ride after that well I ride for my mental health it's me time away from the world phone gets turned off and it's just me mates and the trails. Healing vibes dude you will be back and maybe a bit slower but all the feels will still be there.
Thanks Corindi, and yes its the feels that matter 🤟 A similar thing happened to mate of mine. Stacked it, puncture wound right torso and in scans, found bladder cancer. We semi joke that MTB saved his life. I hope you're back enjoying riding and soaking up the feels Thank you 🤟
@@corindimtber1385 Others sharing they 'don't get it' by asking 'why' only makes me feel luckier for having Mtb centred in my life. 🤟. Keep feeling it 🤘🏽
Good luck with the recovery Carl! Found your videos only recently and have enjoyed going through the back catalogue. I really hope that the creator part of your MTB life continues!
Thank you. It will. I have ideas for the next two vids, neither of which require me to get near a bike. Thanks for the well wishes. I peaked at your channel. Amazing work you do.
64 and concerned about the issues you raise and so far apart from an AC grade 2 have bounced ok - the alternative to taking the risk is worse so we plow on. Today you are the youngest you will ever be. "Do not go gentle into that good night"
As a fellow 52 year old rider I feel your pain of the unknown after events like these. We do tend to recover a little slower these days. It is a risky sport but the rewards are great. I also understand how loved ones are impacted by these things too. Speedy recovery Carl. You'll be back but give yourself time to heal.
@@malmtb interesting question. My 16 year old daughter rides but the wife does NOT. She is aware of the dangers but, as she doesn't ride, does not feel the joy of what we do. Does your wife support your riding? Does she ride with you?
@@malmtb I rode with Jason (Juice Moose) and his wife at Ourimbah a week or so back and it their relationship was so beautiful as they rode together and made me want to change my riding goals from full progression to getting my wife involved, even if it's simple flat fire roads. Having said that I dropped into a tree on Magic Carpet on Sunday. I'm a bit bruised and battered but ok. Don't give it away mate. Your videos are so inspiring.
I tried to get my wife into the sport many years ago. There were not the trails available then as there is now and I was green enough to largely botch her introductory phase. She never crashed, but never felt comfortable at any speed or gradient. My wife stresses every time I go out, since I broke a vertebrae 20 years ago.
Snapped the end off my collar bone, cracked a rib and broke my wrist 12 months ago. 6 months with a hook plate in my shoulder. At the end of it all the thing I realised was that for me, not being on a bike was far worse than being injured and all the recovery. I can't stop riding but I do need to be more carefull. I guess eventually I'll have to give up enduro. That's why I've built a fully rigid steel MTB, so that its actually entertaining riding green trails and something I can use for a bit of bikepacking and gravel.
Thanks Lachlan. I think you said it all in your 2nd paragraph. Mtb is in our blood, and we'll spill some to keep the rest. I agree, Enduro may have had its day 🤷🏼♂️
Love the video mate. I'm sure if I had a crash like that I'd be questioning whether I continue. I've been lucky so far, but it's only a matter of time. I'm 52 as well and I'm riding for the mental health, it gives me an outlet some fun in my life. So much time I've spent looking after kids, so it's nice to now be a little selfish and do some fun for me. Love your videos, thinking of you as you recover.
Thanks Steve, recovery feels like a long road, especially when you're in the middle of it. Agree, its the mental health support that drives me to return.
Wishing you a speedy recovery. I'm the same age and have also had a few broken bones keep me off the bike for extended periods. Just ease yourself back in and when you feel ready hit those features again!
52 year old rider here also and totally understand the risks. Stay positive and I wish you a speedy recovery. Your outlook will change as you heal. All the best Carl.
Hey Carl, that was one the worst consequences for a slow fall man! So shit! healing vibes mate and if you do come back or not then you need to stick to the recovery process and be stronger out the other side. I ride to keep the black dog away after giving up my previous passion. You know u can msg or call if you just need some uplifting chat
Thanks Dave. Yeah feel ripped off for these consequences And the sense to come back stronger and fitter is obvious, Ive been too unfit for too long. Keeping emphasis on recovery and see where it leads Thanks for the support Dave, appreciated 🤘🏽
Very sorry to see this. I hope your recovery goes smoothly, do your rehab! I broke my thumb last year and it took me a long time to get back on the bike. For me it’s definitely been worth it to get back.
I ride, when there's no waves (thats how i got into mtb in the first place), to keep the black cloud out of my head, and also to hang with mates. Sorry to hear about your injuries Carl. Healing vibes!
Oh man Carl, that looked like a painful fall. I can really empathise with you at the moment, I fell myself a week ago and broke my collarbone. I wish you lots of strength and a speedy recovery, keep your chin up and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with your RUclips channel. An accident happens so quickly and the pain is great, but the passion for biking is even greater. Take care and be well🙌
So sorry to see and hear this news Carl! I really hope you you recover quick and leave this episode behind. Is horrible when we crash but we ride because we love it! The adrenaline, the challenge, the nature, the friendships and of course the fitness it makes all part of that love for riding. I'll stay tuned on your channel and check on your recovery. Stay strong!!!
Bloody Hell Carl. This was on the day I missed! We have all stacked like this and typically walk away. It’s always a risk and that’s one reason we love doing it. I hope you can mend and come back to the trails soon. us over 50s always take time to recover but we do. Stay strong and positive.
My last "big one" was at the age of 47... injured both shoulders, grade 3 separation on my left and I ripped the superspinatus tendon of my right humerus requiring surgery. 5 month recovery but I got back on the bike with a significant risk vs reward adjustment. I'm 55 now and am still loving it! Heal up and start slow. Best of luck!
Sending healing vibes Carl. Recovery might take a bit, but you’ll get there! Focus on your recovery, to ride or not, you can decide later. I guess we all ride for the same reason. We love the sport, the mental benefits it offers, and the rad people we meet on the trails, and sharing stoke in general! Keep your head high up. We are all with you in this journey of recovery! ❤️
Thanks Sachin. Yes there's time for decisions later, now is about healing and recovery. The people and the mental health, powerful reasons to ride and then there is stoke as a bonus 🤟
All the best with your recovery Carl, I did my collarbone 3 years ago at the age of 44 in Thredbo but once it started to heal I couldn’t wait to get back on the bike and ride with mates again and experience new trails.
That sucks mate. Im 58yo and have had fractured ribs etc on crashes. Crashes that i look back on with regret at them being so avoidable, but alas, we don't have a De Lorian with a Flux Capacitor. You'll be on the bike again no doubt, its the love of riding, riding with your buddies, and all it brings that enhances our lives (crashes an exception) so much. From a selfish point of view, I'm glad you'll still be posting content, because i like your vids. Ps. If you ever need a chat, reach out on here and I'll give you my number 👍
Cheers Carl, thank you. Your key sentence is 'riding with your buddies'. I dont really have a social group away from bikes. Bikes are the centre of things. I'll be back. And cheers for your support of my content, appreciated.
Hey Carl we met once at Mill Creek (b line Butler), I've moved back to the UK but still enjoy the channel. I was off my bike for over 2 years with back trouble. You will get back riding I have no doubt. Wishing you a speedy recovery and safe riding in the future,
Hi mate, this video resonated with me. I’m the same age as you and 12 months ago I had a crash with similar consequences. Came off a jump doing about 35 kms/h. Big concussion, about a dozen stitches around my eye, 4 broken ribs, collapsed lung, damaged spleen and heart complications (pericarditis) as a result of the heart swelling from being bashed around by the crash (felt like a heart attack - scary stuff). That happened in July 2023 and it was a slow, painful recovery. But you do recover. I was back on the bike about 7 weeks after and at 10 weeks I went back and rode the same course I crashed on slowly. By the end of the year I was riding regularly and pain free again and I even went down to Tassie and rode the Bay of Fires trail (43km) in January of this year. No doubt at the place you are at now you are still feeling like complete crap but I can assure you it does get better. I know how you feel about the guilt of worrying loved ones though. I was riding by myself (as I often do) when it happened and don’t do that too much anymore as it causes my wife too much anxiety. Not sure how to get past that after effect of a bad crash tbh.
How did you get help from that crash? Did someone come along by chance? Sounds horrific Brendan. Glad to hear you're recovering. I can imagine (quite easily these days) the conversation you must have had with your wife when you announced you'll be going riding tomorrow/weekend or when ever. Riding pain free in 7 weeks is astounding. Well done! Getting past the after effect as you put it. I expect it is a personal journey, individual to each of us. Is there a way I can get in contact with you? Thru Insta? Dont put a number here. My Insta is instagram.com/mal_mtb/ if you could DM me. Cheers.
I'm not sure anyone knows how to come back from what you described. Holy Hell! But it is clear you found a way. As others have said in several different ways - the risks of not riding are greater than riding. SO we find a way to meet our own needs on the bike, and carry our loved down the trail (metaphorically). Its not always an option ride with people, but minimising the stress of our wives is our responsibility. Cheers Brendan, so glad to hear you have found your way back. Thank you for sharing, it is inspiring.
Looks like you’re getting a lot of love on here. Until you get back In the saddle I will miss your quirky videos and humor. I hope you have a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing you back doing what you love. Stay strong it’s only a small hiccup.
Whilst its an easy gesture to make to my family - 'no more riding'. It already feels an impossible gesture to keep. Mtb is a love affair and you dont choose who you fall in love with. Mtb chose me. I'll be back 👊
Sending you best wishes from CBR. 66 y.o and found MTB late in life 3 years ago. totally addicted but also a bit terrified, as the progression bug has bitten hard. Thanks for sharing
Heal up well chief! Few years ago I broke my tibia. Clean fracture so it healed up nicely. Then back at the beginning of this year I blew my wrist up pretty good in an urban crash haha! Still feeling it just a wee bit, but I got back on the saddle much earlier than the doc suggested. So the extended healing period is on me. Whats crazy, however, is the broken tibia playlist on my mtb channel Better Than Not Good MTB was a huge help for a lot of poeple. The inspiration for others going through something similar was really a unique experience. Folk asked if I'd sign their names on my cast. It was a lot of fun. I hope through it all you are able use this time to remind others there's still plenty of things to learn and do despite being off the bike for a little while. Oh yeah, and I've also had fractured ribs, shoulder out of socket and multiple concussions. It comes with the territory if ya wanna ride aggressive features. Cheers!
we have the same kind of accident but luckily it didn't break any bones just had a muscle tear in my shoulder but still the recovery time was long and painful. Being able to ride with the same confidence was a challenge. It took a while to get it back but it was cool because it made me more curious in each every ride, the mindset changed too like the approach was not as that aggressive. I think it made me a better rider too esp when it comes to decision making. I know when to hit or pass even tho I knew how is it done. I always tell my self that those features are just still there no matter what coz if dont feel it its okay no shame of walking away. :) But yeah, speedy recovery mate. I enjoyed watching your videos btw!
So sorry to see that crash caused that much damage I’ve been on the lounge for 6 weeks recovering from a similar injury, 8 screws and a plated collarbone, fractured scapular, 3 fractured vertebrae and 6 ribs and a punctured lung . 62 years old and healing is painfully slow I’m going to man down now and take the B lines Thank goodness for my wife, she’s been showering and dressing me Doubt I will be able to ride before the end of this year as well Carl Best wishes for everyone’s recovery
Dang Matthew! Recover well. It wont be fast but recover well. Where would we be without our wives 🤷🏼♂️. Im with you, B Line City when I get back Power to you (and your wife). Stay strong 👊
I had a good stack on that track 2 days ago - thankfully just scratches and bruises.... this time. I've been through it before with a Navicular in 11 pieces. Not fun. For me, it was 3 months no load bearing, no driving either.... I was back on the bike (off road) in 4 months, much to my doctors and partners dismay. While I was off the bike, I started watching the mtb youtubers of the time (2018) like BKXC, Seth'sBikeHacks, SingleTrackSampler etc. They got me through the depression of not being able to ride with my mates. All the best with your recovery, it'll be long but those first few rides will be so so sweet. Oh and to answer your question about why I ride, I ride for mental clarity. Nothing helps me beat away stress and anxiety like a few hours in the bush on my bike.
Mental clarity and health is central to why I ride too. Its an easy aspect to overlook while you can access that clarity. You always miss what you don't have anymore. 11 piece break, that sounds intense. So great to hear you're back on the bike. Thank you 🤟
As in to get them to stop riding ? 🤣. My deepest apologies Noel 🤣. Noel has inspired me, his general fitness and attitude are positive influences Cheers Alli, you got two great men there 🤟
G'Day mate, Hope you are feeling OK. Ourimbah has bitten me a couple of times pretty decently. Last one in about 2019 (slow fall on some sand on the Roller Coaster section that destroyed my shoulder) had me sell my almost new Rocky Mountain after just three rides as I had at least an 18month recovery ahead of me (that took three more surgeries and about as many years) and didn't know if I'd ever ride MTB again. I was away from MTB for about four years until this past March when I finally got back on. Bought an eMTB and have been getting back into it at a leisurely pace. I've quite literally just been doing Amaroo runs and the odd XC lap plus tootling about on teh very large reserve near my place. At 55 I've finally gotten to the stage where I'll stop and look before blindly going over something. It feels like a double edged sword though. One side - I feel safer in checking. The other, I feel like a bit of a wuss and that I've lost my edge and have walked down a few drops that I previously would have not thought about. I suppose age does catch up to us all. :) And the older we are the longer it takes to heal... Hope you heal up well mate and can get back out there.
Thanks Mikey. What a journey. Amaroo must have seemed a world away for a long time. Clearly Mtb is in your blood. You dont choose your passions, they kind of force themselves upon you. So whether you walk a few features or whatever - a life without your passion is ...... empty. Im heartened to hear you found your way back. Well done. I'll remember that and put my few months in perspective. Thank you 👊
speedy recovery mate. I too know what it's like to cop a serious injury from riding, then weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of getting back on the bike. It's not easy to get back on the bike, especially when the loved ones are begging you not to. No matter what you decide to do, whether you keep riding, or hang up the helmet, no decision is the wrong decision. Again, speedy recovery mate. stay safe. Kiel.
Damn dude, get well soon! I’m 63 and still riding. I had a bad crash 20 years ago where I broke my leg. I’m more cautious these days. I know how fast things can go south.
They go south too quick to react. So its all about your consistent head space and how you 'approach' riding. This is the change Im gonna have to make, though I know not the specifics 🤷🏼♂️. Thank you Jim
Hey Carl, I’m 63 and my wife Sue is 61. It’s the easy ones that get you. I’ve fractured my neck, c6 and c7. Sue fractured her pelvis. We both have many other injuries. It’s a bugger being injured. In recovery Sue would push her bike up to the letter box, lean on it until she could get her leg to rotate on the pedal. As soon as she had one rotation she was off. I was on my mtb bike after 12 weeks even though I was meant to be off for a min of 6 months. Mtber are wired differently. I hope the recovery goes well. Ribs are hard to over come. Time and patience. I will keep following your journey.
Must be wonderful to share your mtb life with Sue. Yes, we are wired differently, but pushing too hard can be a risk, which is where my 'Sue' and the broader community comes in. Thankyou. Some great stuff to come on MalMtb
@@malmtb true Carl, at my age, I only have to worry about us. We are in a unique position and the carries a certain freedom. We are headed back to Narooma, Mogo and Eden at the end of November for two weeks. You have reminded me that getting through two weeks of riding needs to included risk management. 😁 at our age Sue and I are still pushing our limits. Sue just did the enduro line at knapsack on the mushroom farm successfully. 20 minutes later she crashed on an easy section. She went from being high to being pissed off in a split second. 😂 A broken neck made me rethink everything for about 4 weeks. At 12 weeks I was riding in Bright, Falls Creek, Beachworth, and Yackandandah. I don’t recommend it. I’ve had a fratctured c6 and 7 (high impact), concussion (no memory for 45 minutes), snapped Achilles, 4 broken ribs, right shoulder and elbow are buggered, left wrist ligament damage (permanent), double groin hernia, stomach hernia, dislocated thumb 4 times (fixed it myself last time) and over 300 stitches and 23 cuts requiring stitches and two broken fingers (snapped at right angles). Then add permanent facial paralysis from a virus 9 years ago just to complete the F me factor. I go to the gym 2-3 times a week and ride every Saturday and Sunday because Sue insists. Every annual holiday is a Mtb holiday. God, I love this sport! Get well soon and let’s go for a ride! A nice cruise, xc ride around Wylde 😁. Cheers
I'd love that, a recovery ride in a couple of months. How does it feel typing out all those injuries and associated recovery periods? I imagine at least an element of pride is in there, that you've overcome so much. Power to you. I'd love to catch up for a ride when the time comes.
Hi mate, I wish you a speedy recovery, but do not give up the riding. After a number of big crashes, I also had to make some adjustments. I find regaining confidence is my biggest issue, but I love the sport too much to let it go (yet).
Recovery, green trails and then confidence. Its gonna be a long road as you well know. With all the support flooding in, quitting feels disrespectful to all. Thankyou 👊
I’m a half decade older than you and haven’t been able to ride for 6 months due to injury…now it’ll be another 6 months for a hip replacement & full healing. Maybe it’s time to dial it back a bit? When I’m riding though, I’m not sure I know how to not SEND IT! I understand full well what you’re going through, including the feelings of loss & uncertainty. MTB is more-or-less my life too. I hope we both get well soon.
Jim - you clearly completely understand where I am at. There is the logic of 'dial it back' but once on the trail..... aggression is often what success/safety requires. 🤷🏼♂️. My stack was on my warm up run. Dial it back begins to be stay at home Healing vibes to you Jim, and lets make that ride happen in 6 months 👊
Hey Carl, I watched the video twice & let it run in the background 2 more times to get your views up whilst I read the AWESOME comments from our MTB community. Like so many have said MTB is LIFE amongst the many other reasons why we all ride. Your community is here to support you like no other sporting group. ❤
Wishing you well Mal. My mate broke his leg and a month after it healed went to Bright. We are 49. I tend to progress slowly as I know my comfort zone. I'm sure you'll be back. Just start on easier trails.
There's a certain head space that interprets 'all DH from here' as a positive metaphor. I share your perspective, its too hard to quit mtb 👊. Thank you
Damn!!! I didnt realise your injuries were that bad. When I heard you crashed, I thought nothing of it to be honest and even the other day when you said, you wished you were able to come out with me to ride. I thought you just couldnt make it. Heal up mate, When/if you wanna get back out there, im happy to go to take you around easy rides (easy rides for you = Still hard for me lol) to build your confidence back up. Personally, i dont know what I would do if this happened to me either. Heal up mate 🤘
Cheers Todd, I was deliberately cryptic the other day I'm sorry. Its been a weird head space. I see a few Wylde days in our future, there's enough there to keep both of us happy, especially as I work my way back.
Wish you a speedy recovery, Carl. You had some vertical distance in that fall, as all downhill spills are. Same crash I have done, but only stretched ligaments, nothing broke (my left shoulder permanently an inch lower than the other as a result).
I’m a little older and not stopping yet. In the last few months a hip replacement- hasn’t stopped me. Early next year I have heart surgery scheduled. I’m not planning on stopping after that too. See ya out there Mal. 🤜💥🤛
Sorry to see you cop such a severe slapdown. I did a clavicle and femur a couple of years ago at Glenrock. But strangely I seemed to find my way back on the bike a few months later. I'm now getting over a ruptured achilles tendon (not MTB related) which has kept me off the bike for 6 months. (I'll be back) Happy 72 yo.
Not strange at all to find your way back to the bike. I know I'll find my way back - trick is not to be too impatient. Sorry to hear about your Achilles. Stay strong 👊
You will get back out there. Patience is the key (yours, your work's and your family!). Most mtb riders can relate. Six months off for me after a dead sailor at high speed over a big waterbar, which resulted in a spiral fracture of the collarbone which refused to heal. All it takes is patience...... and a good mate who whips you back to riding, even if it's only one handed with your arm in a sling way before you should.
@@malmtb …. And don’t let anyone tell you that you’re too old to ride. I’m 68, and still riding trail and gravity. You may not bounce so well and lower max heart rates might well be a pain, but that’s why the mtb God’s invented eMTB’s (and hospitals) 😆
Thanks Tony. You're the first to say it quite like that and I think you're exactly right. Getting back on the bike is part of recovery, not a reward for recovery.
Mate love your videos the last one on Mogo best realistic review of the area, i just started riding again after some very major cancer surgery and radiation i find when I am out on the bike that stuff goes away for this 62yr young man 👍🤘🤘
Peace on two wheels. I dont know how to live without that. Thanks Gareth, stay strong. 62! Ive a while to go yet 🤟 Im glad you liked the Mogo vid. Have you ridden the area?
You'll get back on, it's inevitable, I'm 63 and just dusted of the Ellsworth that's been my tool for near 25 years (yes 25) went to Ourimbah and was petrified about 4 months ago, but with every ride it gets better and better and am doing what I used to do all be it slower, but the rush is exactly the same . My break was 5 years as I had a DVT and spent time in hospital. See you out there (riding to your limits) 👍
I tore ligaments in my shoulder pretty badly, 5 weeks ago. I still have limited range and strength in certain zones, but was allowed to start road riding this week. As frustrating and annoying as it has been, it was magic to get back on the bike! Just cruising around felt like a dream. The early days after injury are always rough, but time heals most wounds (getting old means accepting not all things will return), but that doesn’t dampen the enthusiasm or joy I get from being on a bike. Goals have moved slightly, but not the love of mtb. Whatever your journey, make it yours! My family always tells me to stop, saying I’m too old to be doing it, but that’s not me. It’s my escape, my freedom, my love. Do what makes you happy!!
Life is too short to be doing anything else right!?! I live on a hill, its a fast smooth left hander near the bottom. Rolling out of the driveway and hucking into that turn and rolling up hill to a doddle is what I thinking of this moment. Its the start to most local rides - the key being the start. Good luck with your healing, may it continue rapidly and fully. Thank you.
I have no doubt in my mind that we will have more adventures together Carl, and I truly hope that bikes are involved. The vulnerability you shared here was inspiring. I felt those tears you were holding back when you were speaking to the camera in hospital. Let's get together for a social soon! ❤
These things are always more manageable in hindsight At the moment getting back on the bike seems a long way away. Your encouragement is appreciated. Thanks Bill
Just shy of 48 skids around the sun and recovering from ANOTHER ACL reconstruction. Recovery isn’t necessary pleasant with pain, not being able to walk, cost of surgery lost wages, bike damage😬 etc etc But i just took the positives out of a shit situation by doing a full reset, mentally and physically “A Ctrl-Alt-Delete” moment so to speak. Changed my diet,did some grounding, went swimming in the ocean, plenty of vitamin D whilst concentrating on my recovery with ultimate goal of getting back on the horse. Why do we ride? Well for me it’s ’therapy’ . Plonk your helmet on and escape reality. Healing vibes mate and all the best in your recovery🤘🏻
I am attracted to the idea of a reset. A Ctr Alt Dlt as you put it. Yes, Mtb is mental, more than physical in terms of reward and growth. Hunt Fish and Ride well, thank you.
Holy crap, Carl! It's everyone's worst nightmare...not so much the pain and the recovery time, but the lost riding time. Keep yourself focused on recovery but don't neglect your fitness. As soon as you can painlessly take deep breathes, start working your legs...even if you need to buy an exercise bike from Kmart. Once you're back on the trails, you'll need to do a lot to regain confidence, but you don't want to need to work on fitness as well. Keep us all posted on your progress.
Currently 19 weeks in recovery from a simple slip off the pedal. I've just started to ride now but only on the footpath, still waiting to return to work 😢 All the best with the recovery and even if you're not riding like you used to, it doesn't stop you from riding with your group and being a filmer
19 weeks Damo - Dang! Its the simple things right. So when people tell you to take it easy, whats left ... not riding? Slipped off a pedal - dont pedal?? Power and strength to you Damo. Stay strong and lets do a recovery ride when the time comes. 👊 Thanks Damo, we're not alone 👊
Mate, i just had my first mtb hospital journey on Sunday. And will have my first mtb surgery tomorrow. I had same thinking why we ride. I will keep thinking and hope we all recover soon ❤
@@malmtb Hi Carl, Thanks so much for your concern. The surgery went smoothly, but it looks like I won’t be back on the trail until next year. I’ve received a lot of support from the riding group, and quite a few of them have come to visit me over the weekends. It made me realize how much MTB has become a part of both my life and my social circles. The pain is just part of the bigger picture of an exciting life🙂
I dislocated both shoulders after a crash that scared a few of my mates from continuing to ride , I have also broken my tibia and fibia and dislocated my ankle whilst racing motocross (41 yr old) 6 months after recovering I got straight back into it ready for the start of the next season of racing and I broke my other tibia and fibia 😂. Yep the older you get the longer it takes to heal but you will never fully heal if you don’t get back on , the trick is to not think you will be as good as you were and take it easy memories can scare you and make you make mistakes but the biggest mistake will be giving up and you will forever look back in disappointment. Don’t ever give up until you have achieved all that you want from this sport/lifestyle Hope you heal fast and enjoy your recovery
Some wise words of experience in there Jaimo. 'Enjoy your recovery', no one has framed it like that before - I like the attitudinal assumption it infers. I might say enjoy the journey, because you are also right about giving up being a massive source of regret. No - I'll be back! Thank you.
50 years old and I broke 8 ribs, 5 in multiple places, collarbone and perforated a lung in Thredbo. I didn't make any firm decision about riding again for some time. For me the realisation that I wasn't ready to stop took a few weeks. It's a personal decision and only you know the nuances of your situation and circumstances. All the best for the recovery.
I concur with Neil. I broke a rib off a similar size drop at kentlyn and it knocked all the confidence out of me. I was questioning all my life decisions in those six weeks 😂. jumped back on the bike and still unsure of myself for at least another 6 weeks. There's still hesitation in my riding and I'm not back at my best, but im enjoying breaking through those barriers again. I think every crash teaches us more about our limits/abilities and brings us back down to earth. I knew I couldn't give up riding, because every week I'm itching to get out there. my reasons for riding are the same for most on here. I'm sure you'll get that feeling again and embrace it Godspeed
No shortage of people who have been through the same. Its heart warming. Lesson learnt? For me it was to always warm up and to feel good on the bike before hitting features of consequence.
Yep. Definitely. Warm and find my mojo before pushing anything - with over confidence I skipped this part on the day. That was my mistake. And yes - this comment section is full of support and good vibes. Heart warming ❤️. Thanks JM
Unlucky Carl. A high price for a small mistake, unfortunately! I really hope your recovery goes well mate. Why do i ride? Fun and a bit of adrenaline, followed by the benefits of fitness (endorphins, mental and physical health). And of course, well-earned beers afterwards 😂 Keen to see what new videos you are going to put out!
I’m 57 and broke my pelvis and sacrum 2 years ago. I’m back to 100% and took a big tumble yesterday. Feeling good. Seems like a long road ahead but is one that gets shorter every day.
Shorter everyday - Im beginning to feel it. Recovery is progressing and the time remaining to get back on the bike is shorter everyday. Cheers OG 🤟. Thank you
Ruptured my acl on my 26 birthday, bmx at a skatepark. 20yrs ago now, still got the bike, roll around now and then. BMX died that day for me. There will be other thing that get you through👍👌🇦🇺
Im not finished with bikes yet, but this bro has to change. There's an inference that stack still haunts you 26yrs on, Im sure mine will do the same. Cheers Hawk 🤟
That sucks to hear Mal 😢 Rest up mate, hope the recovery treats you well. I'm currently sitting in bed recovering from a broken collarbone too. I thought I had it pretty bad but can't imagine 7 ribs on top of that! You're tough as nails mate, if you need anything I'm always here to chat 🤙
Cheers Blake. Sorry to hear you've done your collar bone too. That sucks! Currently the Oxy is masking most of the rib pain so I'm travelling OK. Hope you are too. Are you itching to get back on the bike, or looking at it sitting quietly in the garage a little different to how you used to?
@@malmtb I'm itching to get out riding again already 🤣 That will be at least another 6 weeks away tho I reckon. These are just the risks we take everytime we hop on the bike, wishing you a speedy recovery legend. Worst part at the start is sleeping aye 🤣
All the best for the recovery, I’ve had a similar list of injuries about 4 years ago now. These days my skills outweigh my confidence, it definitely used to be the other way round. I’d rather walk anything I can see myself crashing on…..
I think my problem was just not respecting the feature. I've done several times previously and just took it all a little for granted - without warming up properly. Lesson learnt. And some coaching to improve my technique wont go astray either - just to ensure my skills outweigh my confidence. Thank you.
I had 3 radius fractures in my lifetime, one was while watering the plants... But yeah the other two along with ribs, foot and some other bits were all broken skiing of biking. Sports can be real safe when you take it easy. 😂
Oh bugger mate, an injury on the bike at any age can be major not just on the body but the mind.Trail trauma is real I am a 53 year old female mountain biker and broke my ankle at Nerang it was the silliest stack and it does have an impact on me and those around me. Mountain biking keeps the body and mind young and your dam good at it don't stop. Wish you a speedy recovery
Recover first, answers will come. The question banging around my head is to what extent is MTB a reward for recovery, or a vital part of the recovery process?
At age 40, I tore my Achilles at Mill Creek. I could not walk for 3 weeks, and then another 4 week of crutches. Stay positive, the first 2 weeks is the hardest, then you will be itching to get back to riding. You ride because you love to. And now you know what is the worse that could happen and you will look back at this period as being nothing.
Please tell my wife this is the worst that could happen. Its a pay to play sport, but the mental health benefits far outweigh the physical risks in my opinion (as shaped by the support in these comments). I hope you are back riding? Cheers Larry, thank you.
Looks like you actually buzzed your arse on the tyre by misjudging your weight shift to get the front wheel up. Wishing you a good recovery and back to riding.
I delayed replying to you CJ because I dont quite know what to say. I feel a little weak with my response to my injury. I trust you're doing your thing and you've succeeded with BroCan Change. Power and love to you CJ
@malmtb, everyone responsible to injuries and recovery differently. I'm doing good got me a off road trike that I get out on the trails with. Be glad to hear your getting back out on the bike to hit the trail too, there's just something about getting out on the trails and clearing your head.
I'm 57, risk vs reward is everything to me. At my age the risk of an injury that can end the riding season in spring is just not worth it to me anymore. I ride tech and do drops but big gaps and jumps are absolutely a thing of the past for me, I even wear pads and a full face every time I'm riding anything remotely sketchy.
Mate you have to keep pushing if you love it. I didn’t even start until I was 53 & I am now 59. In between - one knee reco, one elbow reco, tore all the nerves off my left foot, blew two discs in my lower back and lost the use of my right leg for a month and still can’t feel my toes. And before that - two knee reco’s torn rotor cuff, snapped bicep. And I’m getting PRP in my right knee now to keep moving. It’s not a look at me, its you are dead a long time mate and as we get older and our mates start disappearing you just say f*ck it and live life the best you can. Speedy recovery mate. I think you’ll do an Arnold. Come on, you know the phrase. Say it haha
As an 18 year old who does not ride at all, I am wishing you a speedy recovery. That fall looked brutal, DAMN! I hope you recover to be as strong as you were before so you can continue to ride and follow your passions. Say hi to char for me. 🫶🫶🫶
Keep smiling mate..... we all ride for different reasons..... the addictions needs a reset sometimes. I'm 4 weeks post surgery from High speed/high impact ejection that broke my femur, 6 ribs, punctured and collapsed a lung and grade 2-3 ruptured liver. I'm 51 and want nothing more than to be riding again...... it may look a little different post accident, but as long as I'm able to share rides with my partner and mates, have a few laughs over a frothie or two and slowly progress back to pain free life.... I'll be happy! Not my first rodeo and have lived the risk reward of our sport for nearly 2 decades! Push on, push hard..... the body and the mind will recover! You will ride again!! Peace!
With a journey like yours, your reasons for riding are paramount. Laughs and froffies and just getting out there - these are enough. Thankyou. I hope your journey continues. Celebrate your achievements next time you wash trail dust out of your throat 🍻. Inspiring and focused. I'll remember your comments 🙏🏼
Ok, so.. 1st, I'm so very sorry this has happened to you. Absolutely SUCKS..no question about. I pray you recover fast and perfectly and that you DO ride dirt again. For me, I've reprogrammed my brain somewhat and brought everything back to riding for fun, not for progression. That's not to say there will be no progression, it's just not the goal for me. That, for me at 50 is important. I can't afford to hurt myself, too much is at stake - BUT, I don't want to stay stagnant either. It's a fine balance - i'm happy to walk a feature or take the b line, or c line lol... I've removed that pressure on myself. I've been injured and thankfully not as bad as you by a long shot. My advise is from a personal view and that's the point isn't it? Everyone's MTB journey is different and enjoyment from MTB comes from different levels of skills - it's legit to them and that's the thing, it is legit period. Why do I ride, 4 reasons.. (in no particular order) 1. I LOVE IT. SO much so that my secondary hobby of fishing is being ignored. 2. For the fitness and health 3. The mental reset - call it mental health.. whatever is it... it let's me focus on what's ahead of me on the trail, what obstacle I need to manage and all that comes from MTB - it lets me FORGET about the baggage I carry in life (we all have it, in some form or another) 4. The friendships and comradery that comes from it - this is special and probably the most important thing. Can I encourage you to reset you mind, understand the fear that you will now have - and rediscover the MTB feeling, manage the risk, don't feel like you need to do that "feature".. enjoy MTB for what it is. I'd be happy to be part of a recovery ride - being that I don't hit the features you all do - and build the confidence back. YOU GOT THIS. You are right, the story isn't over!! Sorry for long comment - maybe it'll help with more views and the algorithm thing :) Edit: Yes, I have the support of my family... it helps my youngest son rides with me as you know, and my wife is amazing - but she ALWAYS worries about us - but that'll never change, no matter what activity you do.
Awesome response to Carl’s video. I ride for the same reasons as you have listed except I don’t fish. 😂 The MTB community is like no other sport I’ve ever been involved with and is why I also love MTB. MTB is LIFE.
Thanks Rotorman. I think you hit a few nails on the head. If your listing the benefits in order I might do 1, 3, 4, 2 but all are vital reason reasons why we juggle the MTB scales of risk Vs reward. And yes, no matter what I do, my wife will worry. It may as well be something with the benefits of MTB. A recovery ride - sounds great! We'll make that happen.
Hey chief I'm late 50's and have smashed myself to shiteland times I can't count, if you decide to keep riding, try this, back the hey' off and redo the basics ,ride pump track, bmx, do some skatepark, learn wheelies, manuals, cutties, jump park, learn to do Kovarik,Hill style one foot drifties through corners, also try a good mtb coach , recover soon , Peace out brother 🙏
57 here - more fractures than I can count. Knee, 2 surgeries for collarbone, wrist, hand etc etc - I’m well past peak riding skill and progression so just try and avoid doing dumb things - XC can be fun you know
Brutally honest Carl .thanks,and yep,the mtb community will help you to get back on the bike so you can enjoy what we all love about it,finally nailing that double/drop/huck/road gap/berm,creek gap,wheelies/nosesys/,mud in your eyes/ears bike mechanics organise ing rides vlogging,3 months and then,LETS GO FOR A RIDE 👍🚴🏿🚴🏿🚴🏿🚴🏿🚴🏿🚴🏿🚴🏿👌🤙🕺💃🕺get well soon
You can still ride etc just have to make an assessment of risk vs reward. Maybe do less technical trails. Get into something different for fun but still bike related. Maybe gravel racing events or more XC stuff?, whatever etc. I'm 51 and 6yrs ago I did similar on a road bike touch of wheels ahead of me meant I pile-drived into the ground head first at 52kph. 5 months off the bike. 6months of work. 18months to get my old pre-crash fitness back. Got back into racing but then got crashed out again by a guy who hit a pot hole and lost control - so neck injury and broken collarbone. Did a few races again last season(NZ) but know that often crashes happen on the straight bit of road with good visibility. So now I'm tossing up if I continue racing as know the sensible thing is not too. Its tough though! Good luck with the recovery etc!
Moving on from what we're good at and enjoy is very difficult, doesn't matter how many injuries you suffer, moving on from what you love is tough. Do we always have to do the sensible thing?
Chin up mate, it's not all that bad, I'm 55 been mountain biking since 1993, suffered a broken neck C1 C2 in February, I went to the same place as you, but 3 months later the neck brace came off, on the bike I went, I was hanging for it......😂 My crash made me stronger, as it should you ! This shit happens, get back on the bike, get fit, n get into it 👊 Ps I started taking Calcium and vit D, turns out most peeps are lacking in D, and this is what gives you healthy bones, prostate, and testosterone. Do not go near Calcium it's not needed, but I swear by D,zinc,magnesium. Heal up my bloke.
To start, I chuckle at the irony - this topic suggests our riding aint free Thanks for the tangible advice I'll look into each of those. And yes, I'll be back 🤟 I broke my neck 20 years ago, C5 C6. Obviously a complete recovery achieved but the ghost of that accident haunts my wife now and tightens the impact of this off. Nothing is in isolation Thankyou. I hope your recovery is complete 🤟
hi Mal, hope you get better soon, if its any help, maybe a good investment will be finding a good mtb coach near you. so you can get back your confidence + extra. heal fast :)
You know you're being selfish yet you continue to do it. I had a similar crash chasing a KOM, it was on a MTB but I was on road, full power sprint, chain skipped and I went down, about 50kmph into the ground up a hill. Shattered my collarbone into pieces and broke 4 ribs. On my honeymoon. My 6 month pregnant wife had to drive us home while I was doped up on drugs. Yeah. Anyway, I ride a lot more carefully now, and I don't do big jumps or drops. I mainly stick to XC single track. We have a new MTB park nearby but I only hit the small ramps, the big drops and jumps I just B line. It's literally not worth it. Accidents can still happen even with the riding I do now, but at least I can honestly say I wasn't being risky if it does end up in hospital. Get a smart trainer to keep your fitness up and your sanity in check, I think a big part of the appeal is the endorphins/whatever it is that you get from exercise.
Cheers AM, thats a story from hell. Thank you for pointing out that even your story is not the end of things, just the beginning of a new chapter. Thank you.
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
as a 41 year old that lives on his own, I just can't afford to injure myself. My employment relies on me a lot too, i look after a few employees, manage a fleet of devices at an offsite contract and i also coach a bunch of kids on the side. However I love MTB but these days I'm happy to just ride the easy fire trials and watch videos on youtube of pros. Best of luck and speedy recovery sir
I totally agree mate. We are responsible to a lot of people . People rely on us being at our best and finding the balance of getting enough out of it is crucial . I’m almost 55 and have had these conversations with myself often .
Agree with you both, Abs and Mick. I am lucky to have a public service position that does afford sick leave. After 20 years in a role, I have a buffer. But most are not this fortunate. With sick leave depleted in recent times, the risks of any feature, or day out on a bike are increased with consideration going to those that rely on you. The risks just got higher, but I don't think the stoke increases the same.
In short, we ride for our own enjoyment and needs (physical and mental) beyond that, you might say is showing off.
Wishing you all the best with the recovery mate. As someone who has had a fair amount of MTB injuries in a relatively short amount of time, I can confidently say I feel your frustrations, but nowhere near your pain. It's inspiring you even got a vid out going through all that... I wish I could subscribe twice 🙏
Sub twice, wouldn't that be good 🤟. Similarly Shane, hitting the dance floor in crutches reminded me how much can be done with so little. Thank you 🤟
Hey man 44 years old here had a few gnarly crashes double member of the clavicle club. My first big crash resulted in Dr's finding a 10cm tumor on my heart meaning they didn't worry about the fact I had broken my clavicle and concentrated on open heart surgery and reconstruction of the right ventricle in my ticker. I guess you could say why would you want to ride after that well I ride for my mental health it's me time away from the world phone gets turned off and it's just me mates and the trails.
Healing vibes dude you will be back and maybe a bit slower but all the feels will still be there.
Thanks Corindi, and yes its the feels that matter 🤟
A similar thing happened to mate of mine. Stacked it, puncture wound right torso and in scans, found bladder cancer. We semi joke that MTB saved his life.
I hope you're back enjoying riding and soaking up the feels
Thank you 🤟
@@malmtb most definitely back on bike mate, and still getting asked that same age old question on why 😆...
@@corindimtber1385 Others sharing they 'don't get it' by asking 'why' only makes me feel luckier for having Mtb centred in my life. 🤟. Keep feeling it 🤘🏽
Good luck with the recovery Carl! Found your videos only recently and have enjoyed going through the back catalogue. I really hope that the creator part of your MTB life continues!
Thank you. It will. I have ideas for the next two vids, neither of which require me to get near a bike. Thanks for the well wishes.
I peaked at your channel. Amazing work you do.
64 and concerned about the issues you raise and so far apart from an AC grade 2 have bounced ok - the alternative to taking the risk is worse so we plow on. Today you are the youngest you will ever be. "Do not go gentle into that good night"
Peter, the gentle road is one I am yet to find. We so what we love or we get done. You are right. Thankyou 🤟
As a fellow 52 year old rider I feel your pain of the unknown after events like these. We do tend to recover a little slower these days. It is a risky sport but the rewards are great. I also understand how loved ones are impacted by these things too. Speedy recovery Carl. You'll be back but give yourself time to heal.
Nothing but time at the moment 😵💫. Do you ride within or without partner's blessings?
@@malmtb interesting question. My 16 year old daughter rides but the wife does NOT. She is aware of the dangers but, as she doesn't ride, does not feel the joy of what we do. Does your wife support your riding? Does she ride with you?
@@malmtb I rode with Jason (Juice Moose) and his wife at Ourimbah a week or so back and it their relationship was so beautiful as they rode together and made me want to change my riding goals from full progression to getting my wife involved, even if it's simple flat fire roads. Having said that I dropped into a tree on Magic Carpet on Sunday. I'm a bit bruised and battered but ok.
Don't give it away mate. Your videos are so inspiring.
@@bodo_mtb Yep, it came through in the video as well. So awesome right!
I tried to get my wife into the sport many years ago. There were not the trails available then as there is now and I was green enough to largely botch her introductory phase. She never crashed, but never felt comfortable at any speed or gradient. My wife stresses every time I go out, since I broke a vertebrae 20 years ago.
Snapped the end off my collar bone, cracked a rib and broke my wrist 12 months ago. 6 months with a hook plate in my shoulder.
At the end of it all the thing I realised was that for me, not being on a bike was far worse than being injured and all the recovery.
I can't stop riding but I do need to be more carefull.
I guess eventually I'll have to give up enduro. That's why I've built a fully rigid steel MTB, so that its actually entertaining riding green trails and something I can use for a bit of bikepacking and gravel.
Thanks Lachlan. I think you said it all in your 2nd paragraph. Mtb is in our blood, and we'll spill some to keep the rest. I agree, Enduro may have had its day 🤷🏼♂️
Love the video mate. I'm sure if I had a crash like that I'd be questioning whether I continue. I've been lucky so far, but it's only a matter of time. I'm 52 as well and I'm riding for the mental health, it gives me an outlet some fun in my life. So much time I've spent looking after kids, so it's nice to now be a little selfish and do some fun for me. Love your videos, thinking of you as you recover.
Thanks Steve, recovery feels like a long road, especially when you're in the middle of it. Agree, its the mental health support that drives me to return.
Wishing you a speedy recovery. I'm the same age and have also had a few broken bones keep me off the bike for extended periods. Just ease yourself back in and when you feel ready hit those features again!
Cheers Lachlan, I have little interest in rushing anything at this point 🤟
52 year old rider here also and totally understand the risks. Stay positive and I wish you a speedy recovery. Your outlook will change as you heal. All the best Carl.
Cheers Ricky. Yes I expect I'll get more positive as mobility returns and pain subsides. No need for decisions now, I need to recover first.
Hey Carl, that was one the worst consequences for a slow fall man! So shit! healing vibes mate and if you do come back or not then you need to stick to the recovery process and be stronger out the other side.
I ride to keep the black dog away after giving up my previous passion. You know u can msg or call if you just need some uplifting chat
Thanks Dave. Yeah feel ripped off for these consequences
And the sense to come back stronger and fitter is obvious, Ive been too unfit for too long. Keeping emphasis on recovery and see where it leads
Thanks for the support Dave, appreciated 🤘🏽
Very sorry to see this. I hope your recovery goes smoothly, do your rehab!
I broke my thumb last year and it took me a long time to get back on the bike. For me it’s definitely been worth it to get back.
Not going to have much choice about physio, but I hear you. No corner cutting 🤘🏽. Cheers Rupert
I ride, when there's no waves (thats how i got into mtb in the first place), to keep the black cloud out of my head, and also to hang with mates. Sorry to hear about your injuries Carl. Healing vibes!
All healing vibes gratefully accepted. Thanks Nelson.
Oh man Carl, that looked like a painful fall. I can really empathise with you at the moment, I fell myself a week ago and broke my collarbone. I wish you lots of strength and a speedy recovery, keep your chin up and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with your RUclips channel. An accident happens so quickly and the pain is great, but the passion for biking is even greater. Take care and be well🙌
Thankyou CK. If you were closer I'd pencil in a recovery ride with you for a month or two. Recover well CK, the passion is strong 🤟
@@malmtb That would definitely be a good idea, but unfortunately it's a bit far away😅. Get well soon Carl🙌 and thanks a lot🙏
So sorry to see and hear this news Carl! I really hope you you recover quick and leave this episode behind. Is horrible when we crash but we ride because we love it! The adrenaline, the challenge, the nature, the friendships and of course the fitness it makes all part of that love for riding. I'll stay tuned on your channel and check on your recovery. Stay strong!!!
Thanks Miguel. And yes the community is the sports greatest asset
Bloody Hell Carl. This was on the day I missed! We have all stacked like this and typically walk away. It’s always a risk and that’s one reason we love doing it. I hope you can mend and come back to the trails soon.
us over 50s always take time to recover but we do.
Stay strong and positive.
Cheers Matt, thank you. I'll be back, I don't know in what exact framing though. Recover first, such decisions later.
My last "big one" was at the age of 47... injured both shoulders, grade 3 separation on my left and I ripped the superspinatus tendon of my right humerus requiring surgery. 5 month recovery but I got back on the bike with a significant risk vs reward adjustment. I'm 55 now and am still loving it! Heal up and start slow. Best of luck!
Yeah, starting slow might be more reality than option, but starting is the point. From there we'll see how it goes. I know this BroCan Change.
Sending healing vibes Carl. Recovery might take a bit, but you’ll get there! Focus on your recovery, to ride or not, you can decide later.
I guess we all ride for the same reason. We love the sport, the mental benefits it offers, and the rad people we meet on the trails, and sharing stoke in general!
Keep your head high up. We are all with you in this journey of recovery! ❤️
Thanks Sachin. Yes there's time for decisions later, now is about healing and recovery.
The people and the mental health, powerful reasons to ride and then there is stoke as a bonus 🤟
All the best with your recovery Carl, I did my collarbone 3 years ago at the age of 44 in Thredbo but once it started to heal I couldn’t wait to get back on the bike and ride with mates again and experience new trails.
Yep, I miss it already. Cant live without stoke right? Thanks Heath
Speedy recovery! Been great seeing your progress on your bike, looking forward to seeing your progress in recovery.
Cheers mate. Support from the community has been awesome 🤟
That sucks mate. Im 58yo and have had fractured ribs etc on crashes. Crashes that i look back on with regret at them being so avoidable, but alas, we don't have a De Lorian with a Flux Capacitor. You'll be on the bike again no doubt, its the love of riding, riding with your buddies, and all it brings that enhances our lives (crashes an exception) so much. From a selfish point of view, I'm glad you'll still be posting content, because i like your vids.
Ps. If you ever need a chat, reach out on here and I'll give you my number 👍
Cheers Carl, thank you. Your key sentence is 'riding with your buddies'. I dont really have a social group away from bikes. Bikes are the centre of things. I'll be back.
And cheers for your support of my content, appreciated.
Hey Carl we met once at Mill Creek (b line Butler), I've moved back to the UK but still enjoy the channel. I was off my bike for over 2 years with back trouble. You will get back riding I have no doubt. Wishing you a speedy recovery and safe riding in the future,
Yeah we met at the big rock I think. I hope the UK is treating you well. Thanks for the well wishes, cheers Dave.
Hi mate, this video resonated with me. I’m the same age as you and 12 months ago I had a crash with similar consequences. Came off a jump doing about 35 kms/h. Big concussion, about a dozen stitches around my eye, 4 broken ribs, collapsed lung, damaged spleen and heart complications (pericarditis) as a result of the heart swelling from being bashed around by the crash (felt like a heart attack - scary stuff). That happened in July 2023 and it was a slow, painful recovery. But you do recover. I was back on the bike about 7 weeks after and at 10 weeks I went back and rode the same course I crashed on slowly. By the end of the year I was riding regularly and pain free again and I even went down to Tassie and rode the Bay of Fires trail (43km) in January of this year. No doubt at the place you are at now you are still feeling like complete crap but I can assure you it does get better.
I know how you feel about the guilt of worrying loved ones though. I was riding by myself (as I often do) when it happened and don’t do that too much anymore as it causes my wife too much anxiety. Not sure how to get past that after effect of a bad crash tbh.
How did you get help from that crash? Did someone come along by chance? Sounds horrific Brendan. Glad to hear you're recovering. I can imagine (quite easily these days) the conversation you must have had with your wife when you announced you'll be going riding tomorrow/weekend or when ever.
Riding pain free in 7 weeks is astounding. Well done!
Getting past the after effect as you put it. I expect it is a personal journey, individual to each of us.
Is there a way I can get in contact with you? Thru Insta? Dont put a number here. My Insta is instagram.com/mal_mtb/ if you could DM me. Cheers.
I'm not sure anyone knows how to come back from what you described. Holy Hell! But it is clear you found a way. As others have said in several different ways - the risks of not riding are greater than riding. SO we find a way to meet our own needs on the bike, and carry our loved down the trail (metaphorically).
Its not always an option ride with people, but minimising the stress of our wives is our responsibility.
Cheers Brendan, so glad to hear you have found your way back. Thank you for sharing, it is inspiring.
Looks like you’re getting a lot of love on here. Until you get back In the saddle I will miss your quirky videos and humor. I hope you have a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing you back doing what you love. Stay strong it’s only a small hiccup.
Thanks Lowey, but the content will continue. Just gonna pivot for a bit 🤟. Ive too much quirk to keep in 🤣
@@malmtb just rewatched ur boomers video which is one of my favorite videos. That crash looked heaps bigger.
Bigger but way less impactful. I did another two runs after that. I thought so little of this Ourimbah feature I din't turn the Go Pro on. Argh.
Good luck, Carl. I wish you a fast recovery and look forward to your future videos.
Thanks Adrian. Your reasoning for sticking with XC seems pretty sound at the moment 🤣
Good luck with the recovery and hope you don't lose the desire to get back on the trails
Whilst its an easy gesture to make to my family - 'no more riding'. It already feels an impossible gesture to keep. Mtb is a love affair and you dont choose who you fall in love with. Mtb chose me. I'll be back 👊
Sending you best wishes from CBR. 66 y.o and found MTB late in life 3 years ago. totally addicted but also a bit terrified, as the progression bug has bitten hard. Thanks for sharing
Cheers David. Never too late to find the bug. Do it smart and with patience 👊
Heal up well chief! Few years ago I broke my tibia. Clean fracture so it healed up nicely. Then back at the beginning of this year I blew my wrist up pretty good in an urban crash haha! Still feeling it just a wee bit, but I got back on the saddle much earlier than the doc suggested. So the extended healing period is on me. Whats crazy, however, is the broken tibia playlist on my mtb channel Better Than Not Good MTB was a huge help for a lot of poeple. The inspiration for others going through something similar was really a unique experience. Folk asked if I'd sign their names on my cast. It was a lot of fun. I hope through it all you are able use this time to remind others there's still plenty of things to learn and do despite being off the bike for a little while. Oh yeah, and I've also had fractured ribs, shoulder out of socket and multiple concussions. It comes with the territory if ya wanna ride aggressive features. Cheers!
Cheers Josh. Always good to hear from someone that has walked the same block as yourself. Better than not good - great title, I'll check it out 🤟
we have the same kind of accident but luckily it didn't break any bones just had a muscle tear in my shoulder but still the recovery time was long and painful. Being able to ride with the same confidence was a challenge. It took a while to get it back but it was cool because it made me more curious in each every ride, the mindset changed too like the approach was not as that aggressive. I think it made me a better rider too esp when it comes to decision making. I know when to hit or pass even tho I knew how is it done. I always tell my self that those features are just still there no matter what coz if dont feel it its okay no shame of walking away. :) But yeah, speedy recovery mate. I enjoyed watching your videos btw!
Thanks Adi. I'll have to settle for full recovery, this one wont be quick
@@malmtb yeah it wont be quick obviously but this will make you a better rider for sure.. :)
It will. I know I have to improve my technique.
So sorry to see that crash caused that much damage
I’ve been on the lounge for 6 weeks recovering from a similar injury, 8 screws and a plated collarbone, fractured scapular, 3 fractured vertebrae and 6 ribs and a punctured lung .
62 years old and healing is painfully slow
I’m going to man down now and take the B lines
Thank goodness for my wife, she’s been showering and dressing me
Doubt I will be able to ride before the end of this year as well Carl
Best wishes for everyone’s recovery
Dang Matthew! Recover well. It wont be fast but recover well. Where would we be without our wives 🤷🏼♂️. Im with you, B Line City when I get back
Power to you (and your wife). Stay strong 👊
I had a good stack on that track 2 days ago - thankfully just scratches and bruises.... this time. I've been through it before with a Navicular in 11 pieces. Not fun. For me, it was 3 months no load bearing, no driving either.... I was back on the bike (off road) in 4 months, much to my doctors and partners dismay. While I was off the bike, I started watching the mtb youtubers of the time (2018) like BKXC, Seth'sBikeHacks, SingleTrackSampler etc. They got me through the depression of not being able to ride with my mates. All the best with your recovery, it'll be long but those first few rides will be so so sweet. Oh and to answer your question about why I ride, I ride for mental clarity. Nothing helps me beat away stress and anxiety like a few hours in the bush on my bike.
Mental clarity and health is central to why I ride too. Its an easy aspect to overlook while you can access that clarity. You always miss what you don't have anymore.
11 piece break, that sounds intense. So great to hear you're back on the bike. Thank you 🤟
Good on ya Mal!! Perfect inspiration for my dad and my son!! Hope you recover well...##Noel's Daughter
As in to get them to stop riding ? 🤣. My deepest apologies Noel 🤣.
Noel has inspired me, his general fitness and attitude are positive influences Cheers Alli, you got two great men there 🤟
Damn that sucks! Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Thank you. Its gonna take a while but recover I will.
G'Day mate,
Hope you are feeling OK.
Ourimbah has bitten me a couple of times pretty decently. Last one in about 2019 (slow fall on some sand on the Roller Coaster section that destroyed my shoulder) had me sell my almost new Rocky Mountain after just three rides as I had at least an 18month recovery ahead of me (that took three more surgeries and about as many years) and didn't know if I'd ever ride MTB again. I was away from MTB for about four years until this past March when I finally got back on. Bought an eMTB and have been getting back into it at a leisurely pace. I've quite literally just been doing Amaroo runs and the odd XC lap plus tootling about on teh very large reserve near my place.
At 55 I've finally gotten to the stage where I'll stop and look before blindly going over something. It feels like a double edged sword though. One side - I feel safer in checking. The other, I feel like a bit of a wuss and that I've lost my edge and have walked down a few drops that I previously would have not thought about.
I suppose age does catch up to us all. :) And the older we are the longer it takes to heal...
Hope you heal up well mate and can get back out there.
Thanks Mikey. What a journey. Amaroo must have seemed a world away for a long time. Clearly Mtb is in your blood. You dont choose your passions, they kind of force themselves upon you. So whether you walk a few features or whatever - a life without your passion is ...... empty.
Im heartened to hear you found your way back. Well done. I'll remember that and put my few months in perspective. Thank you 👊
All the best for recovery Carl!
Cheers Adam, thank you.
speedy recovery mate. I too know what it's like to cop a serious injury from riding, then weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of getting back on the bike. It's not easy to get back on the bike, especially when the loved ones are begging you not to. No matter what you decide to do, whether you keep riding, or hang up the helmet, no decision is the wrong decision. Again, speedy recovery mate. stay safe. Kiel.
Cheers Kiel, i know you've been around this block and understand that the biggest challenges are actually away from the bike 🤟
Good luck with recovery, and don't give up.
Cheers, thanks Peter 🤟
Damn dude, get well soon! I’m 63 and still riding. I had a bad crash 20 years ago where I broke my leg. I’m more cautious these days. I know how fast things can go south.
They go south too quick to react. So its all about your consistent head space and how you 'approach' riding. This is the change Im gonna have to make, though I know not the specifics 🤷🏼♂️. Thank you Jim
Hey Carl, I’m 63 and my wife Sue is 61. It’s the easy ones that get you. I’ve fractured my neck, c6 and c7. Sue fractured her pelvis. We both have many other injuries. It’s a bugger being injured. In recovery Sue would push her bike up to the letter box, lean on it until she could get her leg to rotate on the pedal. As soon as she had one rotation she was off. I was on my mtb bike after 12 weeks even though I was meant to be off for a min of 6 months. Mtber are wired differently. I hope the recovery goes well. Ribs are hard to over come. Time and patience. I will keep following your journey.
Must be wonderful to share your mtb life with Sue. Yes, we are wired differently, but pushing too hard can be a risk, which is where my 'Sue' and the broader community comes in. Thankyou. Some great stuff to come on MalMtb
@@malmtb true Carl, at my age, I only have to worry about us. We are in a unique position and the carries a certain freedom. We are headed back to Narooma, Mogo and Eden at the end of November for two weeks. You have reminded me that getting through two weeks of riding needs to included risk management. 😁 at our age Sue and I are still pushing our limits. Sue just did the enduro line at knapsack on the mushroom farm successfully. 20 minutes later she crashed on an easy section. She went from being high to being pissed off in a split second. 😂 A broken neck made me rethink everything for about 4 weeks. At 12 weeks I was riding in Bright, Falls Creek, Beachworth, and Yackandandah. I don’t recommend it. I’ve had a fratctured c6 and 7 (high impact), concussion (no memory for 45 minutes), snapped Achilles, 4 broken ribs, right shoulder and elbow are buggered, left wrist ligament damage (permanent), double groin hernia, stomach hernia, dislocated thumb 4 times (fixed it myself last time) and over 300 stitches and 23 cuts requiring stitches and two broken fingers (snapped at right angles). Then add permanent facial paralysis from a virus 9 years ago just to complete the F me factor. I go to the gym 2-3 times a week and ride every Saturday and Sunday because Sue insists. Every annual holiday is a Mtb holiday. God, I love this sport! Get well soon and let’s go for a ride! A nice cruise, xc ride around Wylde 😁. Cheers
I'd love that, a recovery ride in a couple of months.
How does it feel typing out all those injuries and associated recovery periods? I imagine at least an element of pride is in there, that you've overcome so much. Power to you.
I'd love to catch up for a ride when the time comes.
Hi mate, I wish you a speedy recovery, but do not give up the riding. After a number of big crashes, I also had to make some adjustments. I find regaining confidence is my biggest issue, but I love the sport too much to let it go (yet).
Recovery, green trails and then confidence. Its gonna be a long road as you well know. With all the support flooding in, quitting feels disrespectful to all. Thankyou 👊
Don’t give up mate. Get back at it and look forward to the mental clarity the riding gives us.
Its becoming clearer that my mental health needs riding. Cheers Josiah. I'll be back.
I’m a half decade older than you and haven’t been able to ride for 6 months due to injury…now it’ll be another 6 months for a hip replacement & full healing. Maybe it’s time to dial it back a bit? When I’m riding though, I’m not sure I know how to not SEND IT!
I understand full well what you’re going through, including the feelings of loss & uncertainty. MTB is more-or-less my life too.
I hope we both get well soon.
Jim - you clearly completely understand where I am at. There is the logic of 'dial it back' but once on the trail..... aggression is often what success/safety requires. 🤷🏼♂️. My stack was on my warm up run. Dial it back begins to be stay at home
Healing vibes to you Jim, and lets make that ride happen in 6 months 👊
Hey Carl, I watched the video twice & let it run in the background 2 more times to get your views up whilst I read the AWESOME comments from our MTB community. Like so many have said MTB is LIFE amongst the many other reasons why we all ride. Your community is here to support you like no other sporting group. ❤
True dat. The response from the community tonight has been overwhelming. No better support than that found within MTB. So many legends 👊
Wishing you well Mal. My mate broke his leg and a month after it healed went to Bright. We are 49. I tend to progress slowly as I know my comfort zone. I'm sure you'll be back. Just start on easier trails.
A month to get back from a broken leg. Thats phenomenal!
Certainly starting with easier trails, getting back to Ourimbah will take a while 🤟
You will be back mate. You are a freaking inspiration and I hope your recover goes well.
There's a certain head space that interprets 'all DH from here' as a positive metaphor. I share your perspective, its too hard to quit mtb 👊. Thank you
Damn!!! I didnt realise your injuries were that bad. When I heard you crashed, I thought nothing of it to be honest and even the other day when you said, you wished you were able to come out with me to ride. I thought you just couldnt make it. Heal up mate, When/if you wanna get back out there, im happy to go to take you around easy rides (easy rides for you = Still hard for me lol) to build your confidence back up. Personally, i dont know what I would do if this happened to me either. Heal up mate 🤘
Cheers Todd, I was deliberately cryptic the other day I'm sorry. Its been a weird head space.
I see a few Wylde days in our future, there's enough there to keep both of us happy, especially as I work my way back.
Awesome reflections Carl. Of course you can ride in the future, just differently.
Yep. This BroCan Change. Recovery first
Oh mannnnn heavy scenes! Stay strong and heal up quick!
Cheers Luke, recovery has begun👍🏼
Wish you a speedy recovery, Carl. You had some vertical distance in that fall, as all downhill spills are. Same crash I have done, but only stretched ligaments, nothing broke (my left shoulder permanently an inch lower than the other as a result).
I'm hoping my surgery eliviates any permanent issues like that. Fingers crossed. I hope you are back riding? Thanks Gary.
I’m a little older and not stopping yet. In the last few months a hip replacement- hasn’t stopped me.
Early next year I have heart surgery scheduled. I’m not planning on stopping after that too.
See ya out there Mal.
🤜💥🤛
Thats the way Ken 🤘🏽. I sincerely hope to share a trail with you one day soon - when the time comes
Sorry to see you cop such a severe slapdown. I did a clavicle and femur a couple of years ago at Glenrock. But strangely I seemed to find my way back on the bike a few months later. I'm now getting over a ruptured achilles tendon (not MTB related) which has kept me off the bike for 6 months. (I'll be back) Happy 72 yo.
Not strange at all to find your way back to the bike. I know I'll find my way back - trick is not to be too impatient. Sorry to hear about your Achilles. Stay strong 👊
😬😬 dammmnnn speedy recovery mate! You'll be watching other YT vid's on your time off and keen to get back on 🙃
Yes I will be, but they're a tough watch at the moment 😕
All the best mate!
Thanks Joe 🤟
This too shall pass. Good luck with the recovery. I know you will be back.
I like your confidence. Thanks Rod
Full and fast recovery legend. Take it easy. Will take time but you will be riding bike again.
Thank you, and yes it will take time. Not riding is not sustainable for me, so I must get back. I must.
You will get back out there. Patience is the key (yours, your work's and your family!). Most mtb riders can relate. Six months off for me after a dead sailor at high speed over a big waterbar, which resulted in a spiral fracture of the collarbone which refused to heal. All it takes is patience...... and a good mate who whips you back to riding, even if it's only one handed with your arm in a sling way before you should.
Ha, my wife would break my other arm if I rode in a sling 🤣. But us mtbers are wired differently. Thank you 🤟
@@malmtb …. And don’t let anyone tell you that you’re too old to ride. I’m 68, and still riding trail and gravity. You may not bounce so well and lower max heart rates might well be a pain, but that’s why the mtb God’s invented eMTB’s (and hospitals) 😆
I see an eMtb in my near future. I see the argument as to how they are safer.
Carl, speedy recovery. Just focus on healing. Eventually part of that healing will be getting back on the bike in some way.
Thanks Tony. You're the first to say it quite like that and I think you're exactly right. Getting back on the bike is part of recovery, not a reward for recovery.
Mate love your videos the last one on Mogo best realistic review of the area, i just started riding again after some very major cancer surgery and radiation i find when I am out on the bike that stuff goes away for this 62yr young man 👍🤘🤘
Peace on two wheels. I dont know how to live without that. Thanks Gareth, stay strong. 62! Ive a while to go yet 🤟
Im glad you liked the Mogo vid. Have you ridden the area?
@@malmtb it's all head stuff sometimes I have to walk stuff but I don't care still happy to be out there 👍🤘🤘
@@garethwilliams4995 as long as you're enjoying it then that's all that maters Gareth
Agree - Mtb is mental.
You'll get back on, it's inevitable, I'm 63 and just dusted of the Ellsworth that's been my tool for near 25 years (yes 25) went to Ourimbah and was petrified about 4 months ago, but with every ride it gets better and better and am doing what I used to do all be it slower, but the rush is exactly the same . My break was 5 years as I had a DVT and spent time in hospital. See you out there (riding to your limits) 👍
Glad to hear you're back on the trails. To our limits... not beyond. Cheers Jordan.
I tore ligaments in my shoulder pretty badly, 5 weeks ago. I still have limited range and strength in certain zones, but was allowed to start road riding this week. As frustrating and annoying as it has been, it was magic to get back on the bike! Just cruising around felt like a dream. The early days after injury are always rough, but time heals most wounds (getting old means accepting not all things will return), but that doesn’t dampen the enthusiasm or joy I get from being on a bike. Goals have moved slightly, but not the love of mtb. Whatever your journey, make it yours! My family always tells me to stop, saying I’m too old to be doing it, but that’s not me. It’s my escape, my freedom, my love. Do what makes you happy!!
Life is too short to be doing anything else right!?!
I live on a hill, its a fast smooth left hander near the bottom. Rolling out of the driveway and hucking into that turn and rolling up hill to a doddle is what I thinking of this moment. Its the start to most local rides - the key being the start.
Good luck with your healing, may it continue rapidly and fully. Thank you.
I have no doubt in my mind that we will have more adventures together Carl, and I truly hope that bikes are involved. The vulnerability you shared here was inspiring. I felt those tears you were holding back when you were speaking to the camera in hospital. Let's get together for a social soon! ❤
Definitely Shan. I'd like that. And thank you.
Won’t be long mate, you’ll be back on the bike before you now it. I’m glad to hear the bike is ok.
These things are always more manageable in hindsight At the moment getting back on the bike seems a long way away. Your encouragement is appreciated. Thanks Bill
Just shy of 48 skids around the sun and recovering from ANOTHER ACL reconstruction. Recovery isn’t necessary pleasant with pain, not being able to walk, cost of surgery lost wages, bike damage😬 etc etc
But i just took the positives out of a shit situation by doing a full reset, mentally and physically
“A Ctrl-Alt-Delete” moment so to speak. Changed my diet,did some grounding, went swimming in the ocean, plenty of vitamin D whilst concentrating on my recovery with ultimate goal of getting back on the horse. Why do we ride? Well for me it’s ’therapy’ . Plonk your helmet on and escape reality. Healing vibes mate and all the best in your recovery🤘🏻
I am attracted to the idea of a reset. A Ctr Alt Dlt as you put it. Yes, Mtb is mental, more than physical in terms of reward and growth.
Hunt Fish and Ride well, thank you.
Holy crap, Carl! It's everyone's worst nightmare...not so much the pain and the recovery time, but the lost riding time. Keep yourself focused on recovery but don't neglect your fitness. As soon as you can painlessly take deep breathes, start working your legs...even if you need to buy an exercise bike from Kmart. Once you're back on the trails, you'll need to do a lot to regain confidence, but you don't want to need to work on fitness as well.
Keep us all posted on your progress.
Cheers Jason. Fitness goes with strength which protects against injury. Gonna have to find a way 👊
Currently 19 weeks in recovery from a simple slip off the pedal. I've just started to ride now but only on the footpath, still waiting to return to work 😢
All the best with the recovery and even if you're not riding like you used to, it doesn't stop you from riding with your group and being a filmer
19 weeks Damo - Dang! Its the simple things right. So when people tell you to take it easy, whats left ... not riding? Slipped off a pedal - dont pedal??
Power and strength to you Damo. Stay strong and lets do a recovery ride when the time comes. 👊
Thanks Damo, we're not alone 👊
Mate, i just had my first mtb hospital journey on Sunday. And will have my first mtb surgery tomorrow. I had same thinking why we ride. I will keep thinking and hope we all recover soon ❤
Im glad this connects with you, Im sorry it does but I hope what I have to follow helps us all along. Stay strong Wen. Good luck with the surgery 🤞🏼
Yes, you will. See you soon on the trail.
All good Wen? I hope you are on the mend now and starting your journey back.
@@malmtb Hi Carl, Thanks so much for your concern. The surgery went smoothly, but it looks like I won’t be back on the trail until next year. I’ve received a lot of support from the riding group, and quite a few of them have come to visit me over the weekends. It made me realize how much MTB has become a part of both my life and my social circles. The pain is just part of the bigger picture of an exciting life🙂
I dislocated both shoulders after a crash that scared a few of my mates from continuing to ride , I have also broken my tibia and fibia and dislocated my ankle whilst racing motocross (41 yr old) 6 months after recovering I got straight back into it ready for the start of the next season of racing and I broke my other tibia and fibia 😂. Yep the older you get the longer it takes to heal but you will never fully heal if you don’t get back on , the trick is to not think you will be as good as you were and take it easy memories can scare you and make you make mistakes but the biggest mistake will be giving up and you will forever look back in disappointment.
Don’t ever give up until you have achieved all that you want from this sport/lifestyle
Hope you heal fast and enjoy your recovery
Some wise words of experience in there Jaimo. 'Enjoy your recovery', no one has framed it like that before - I like the attitudinal assumption it infers. I might say enjoy the journey, because you are also right about giving up being a massive source of regret. No - I'll be back! Thank you.
50 years old and I broke 8 ribs, 5 in multiple places, collarbone and perforated a lung in Thredbo.
I didn't make any firm decision about riding again for some time. For me the realisation that I wasn't ready to stop took a few weeks.
It's a personal decision and only you know the nuances of your situation and circumstances.
All the best for the recovery.
Spoken like someone that has been there themselves. Thank you. And you're right, no need to lock anything in for weeks. Thanks Neil 🤟
I concur with Neil. I broke a rib off a similar size drop at kentlyn and it knocked all the confidence out of me. I was questioning all my life decisions in those six weeks 😂. jumped back on the bike and still unsure of myself for at least another 6 weeks. There's still hesitation in my riding and I'm not back at my best, but im enjoying breaking through those barriers again.
I think every crash teaches us more about our limits/abilities and brings us back down to earth.
I knew I couldn't give up riding, because every week I'm itching to get out there.
my reasons for riding are the same for most on here.
I'm sure you'll get that feeling again and embrace it
Godspeed
Cheers Marty, yeah I'll be back. Adjustments to be made and an honest assessment of my mental health needs = I'll be back.
Full recovery then smooth and flowing only.
And then small jumps? Just kidding. Recovery first, time enough for everything else Thanks Tania 🤟
No shortage of people who have been through the same. Its heart warming.
Lesson learnt? For me it was to always warm up and to feel good on the bike before hitting features of consequence.
Yep. Definitely. Warm and find my mojo before pushing anything - with over confidence I skipped this part on the day. That was my mistake. And yes - this comment section is full of support and good vibes. Heart warming ❤️. Thanks JM
Unlucky Carl. A high price for a small mistake, unfortunately! I really hope your recovery goes well mate.
Why do i ride? Fun and a bit of adrenaline, followed by the benefits of fitness (endorphins, mental and physical health). And of course, well-earned beers afterwards 😂
Keen to see what new videos you are going to put out!
Stay tuned, new vid now in production
Hope your thumb is healing well
See you on the trails soon (ish). Cheers Ryan 🍻
I’m 57 and broke my pelvis and sacrum 2 years ago. I’m back to 100% and took a big tumble yesterday. Feeling good. Seems like a long road ahead but is one that gets shorter every day.
Shorter everyday - Im beginning to feel it. Recovery is progressing and the time remaining to get back on the bike is shorter everyday. Cheers OG 🤟. Thank you
Bloody hell mate , I hope you recover fast. 💯
Fast I don't know, I'll be happy with 'full'. Aiming for a full recovery and come back stronger. Thanks Mick 🤟
wishing you a speedy recovery bud
Thanks Ray. Recovery has begun.
Ruptured my acl on my 26 birthday, bmx at a skatepark. 20yrs ago now, still got the bike, roll around now and then. BMX died that day for me. There will be other thing that get you through👍👌🇦🇺
Im not finished with bikes yet, but this bro has to change.
There's an inference that stack still haunts you 26yrs on, Im sure mine will do the same. Cheers Hawk 🤟
One pedal after the other. It’ll take time, but it’s all a part of the progression 🤘
Interesting framing. The more I think about that the more powerful it might land. Thanks Andrew 🤟
That sucks to hear Mal 😢 Rest up mate, hope the recovery treats you well. I'm currently sitting in bed recovering from a broken collarbone too. I thought I had it pretty bad but can't imagine 7 ribs on top of that! You're tough as nails mate, if you need anything I'm always here to chat 🤙
Cheers Blake. Sorry to hear you've done your collar bone too. That sucks! Currently the Oxy is masking most of the rib pain so I'm travelling OK. Hope you are too. Are you itching to get back on the bike, or looking at it sitting quietly in the garage a little different to how you used to?
@@malmtb I'm itching to get out riding again already 🤣 That will be at least another 6 weeks away tho I reckon. These are just the risks we take everytime we hop on the bike, wishing you a speedy recovery legend. Worst part at the start is sleeping aye 🤣
Too right Blake - I'm hearing your voice of experience. I put off going to bed because it really isn't that satisfying or restful.
All the best for the recovery, I’ve had a similar list of injuries about 4 years ago now. These days my skills outweigh my confidence, it definitely used to be the other way round. I’d rather walk anything I can see myself crashing on…..
I think my problem was just not respecting the feature. I've done several times previously and just took it all a little for granted - without warming up properly. Lesson learnt. And some coaching to improve my technique wont go astray either - just to ensure my skills outweigh my confidence. Thank you.
I had 3 radius fractures in my lifetime, one was while watering the plants... But yeah the other two along with ribs, foot and some other bits were all broken skiing of biking. Sports can be real safe when you take it easy. 😂
This feature was me taking it easy 🤣. The fact that you got injured gardening is every reason for me to keep riding. Thanks Lauren 🤟
Oh bugger mate, an injury on the bike at any age can be major not just on the body but the mind.Trail trauma is real I am a 53 year old female mountain biker and broke my ankle at Nerang it was the silliest stack and it does have an impact on me and those around me. Mountain biking keeps the body and mind young and your dam good at it don't stop. Wish you a speedy recovery
Cheers Kylie, thank you. My mental health is why I'll be back.
In hospital myself recovering from a stack. I’m asking the same questions and I’m 54
Recover first, answers will come. The question banging around my head is to what extent is MTB a reward for recovery, or a vital part of the recovery process?
It’s always the smaller basic crashes that give the worst injuries!
Hope you come back mate
Cheers John, yep the small stuff!?!?? What a f%cking head f&ck this sport is. Its mental. And my mental needs me to come back. The journey has begun.
@@malmtb hell yes dude!!!
At age 40, I tore my Achilles at Mill Creek. I could not walk for 3 weeks, and then another 4 week of crutches. Stay positive, the first 2 weeks is the hardest, then you will be itching to get back to riding. You ride because you love to. And now you know what is the worse that could happen and you will look back at this period as being nothing.
Please tell my wife this is the worst that could happen. Its a pay to play sport, but the mental health benefits far outweigh the physical risks in my opinion (as shaped by the support in these comments). I hope you are back riding? Cheers Larry, thank you.
Looks like you actually buzzed your arse on the tyre by misjudging your weight shift to get the front wheel up. Wishing you a good recovery and back to riding.
Yep, I think you're right Tek. You're not the first to correct me and I think you're right. A bit slow and tentative early in the day 🤷🏼♂️. Costly
So as a 42 yr old incomplete quadriplegic due to an mtb crash, 5 years ago what can I say once it's in your blood it's in your blood... 😅
I delayed replying to you CJ because I dont quite know what to say. I feel a little weak with my response to my injury.
I trust you're doing your thing and you've succeeded with BroCan Change. Power and love to you CJ
@malmtb, everyone responsible to injuries and recovery differently. I'm doing good got me a off road trike that I get out on the trails with.
Be glad to hear your getting back out on the bike to hit the trail too, there's just something about getting out on the trails and clearing your head.
Too right CJ. My mental health needs demand I get back out there. The risks of not riding may just be greater than riding.
Take care Carl, get well we need your riding stoke back on YT
Thanks Centrum. Give me time. Stoke is addictive 🤟
I'm 57, risk vs reward is everything to me. At my age the risk of an injury that can end the riding season in spring is just not worth it to me anymore. I ride tech and do drops but big gaps and jumps are absolutely a thing of the past for me, I even wear pads and a full face every time I'm riding anything remotely sketchy.
Your chain may be rusty, I think your advice is valid 🤟
Mate you have to keep pushing if you love it. I didn’t even start until I was 53 & I am now 59. In between - one knee reco, one elbow reco, tore all the nerves off my left foot, blew two discs in my lower back and lost the use of my right leg for a month and still can’t feel my toes. And before that - two knee reco’s torn rotor cuff, snapped bicep. And I’m getting PRP in my right knee now to keep moving. It’s not a look at me, its you are dead a long time mate and as we get older and our mates start disappearing you just say f*ck it and live life the best you can. Speedy recovery mate. I think you’ll do an Arnold. Come on, you know the phrase. Say it haha
Cheers Tinman - I'll Be Back!
As an 18 year old who does not ride at all, I am wishing you a speedy recovery. That fall looked brutal, DAMN! I hope you recover to be as strong as you were before so you can continue to ride and follow your passions.
Say hi to char for me. 🫶🫶🫶
Thankyou Udval. We all have our trials and challenges. Protecting our passions is a common one to so many of us. Thankyou 🤘🏽
Keep smiling mate..... we all ride for different reasons..... the addictions needs a reset sometimes.
I'm 4 weeks post surgery from
High speed/high impact ejection that broke my femur, 6 ribs, punctured and collapsed a lung and grade 2-3 ruptured liver.
I'm 51 and want nothing more than to be riding again...... it may look a little different post accident, but as long as I'm able to share rides with my partner and mates, have a few laughs over a frothie or two and slowly progress back to pain free life.... I'll be happy!
Not my first rodeo and have lived the risk reward of our sport for nearly 2 decades!
Push on, push hard..... the body and the mind will recover! You will ride again!!
Peace!
With a journey like yours, your reasons for riding are paramount. Laughs and froffies and just getting out there - these are enough. Thankyou. I hope your journey continues. Celebrate your achievements next time you wash trail dust out of your throat 🍻. Inspiring and focused. I'll remember your comments 🙏🏼
Ok, so.. 1st, I'm so very sorry this has happened to you. Absolutely SUCKS..no question about. I pray you recover fast and perfectly and that you DO ride dirt again. For me, I've reprogrammed my brain somewhat and brought everything back to riding for fun, not for progression. That's not to say there will be no progression, it's just not the goal for me. That, for me at 50 is important. I can't afford to hurt myself, too much is at stake - BUT, I don't want to stay stagnant either. It's a fine balance - i'm happy to walk a feature or take the b line, or c line lol... I've removed that pressure on myself. I've been injured and thankfully not as bad as you by a long shot. My advise is from a personal view and that's the point isn't it? Everyone's MTB journey is different and enjoyment from MTB comes from different levels of skills - it's legit to them and that's the thing, it is legit period. Why do I ride, 4 reasons.. (in no particular order)
1. I LOVE IT. SO much so that my secondary hobby of fishing is being ignored.
2. For the fitness and health
3. The mental reset - call it mental health.. whatever is it... it let's me focus on what's ahead of me on the trail, what obstacle I need to manage and all that comes from MTB - it lets me FORGET about the baggage I carry in life (we all have it, in some form or another)
4. The friendships and comradery that comes from it - this is special and probably the most important thing.
Can I encourage you to reset you mind, understand the fear that you will now have - and rediscover the MTB feeling, manage the risk, don't feel like you need to do that "feature".. enjoy MTB for what it is. I'd be happy to be part of a recovery ride - being that I don't hit the features you all do - and build the confidence back. YOU GOT THIS. You are right, the story isn't over!!
Sorry for long comment - maybe it'll help with more views and the algorithm thing :)
Edit: Yes, I have the support of my family... it helps my youngest son rides with me as you know, and my wife is amazing - but she ALWAYS worries about us - but that'll never change, no matter what activity you do.
Awesome response to Carl’s video. I ride for the same reasons as you have listed except I don’t fish. 😂 The MTB community is like no other sport I’ve ever been involved with and is why I also love MTB. MTB is LIFE.
Thanks Rotorman. I think you hit a few nails on the head. If your listing the benefits in order I might do 1, 3, 4, 2 but all are vital reason reasons why we juggle the MTB scales of risk Vs reward.
And yes, no matter what I do, my wife will worry. It may as well be something with the benefits of MTB.
A recovery ride - sounds great! We'll make that happen.
Hey chief I'm late 50's and have smashed myself to shiteland times I can't count, if you decide to keep riding, try this, back the hey' off and redo the basics ,ride pump track, bmx, do some skatepark, learn wheelies, manuals, cutties, jump park, learn to do Kovarik,Hill style one foot drifties through corners, also try a good mtb coach , recover soon ,
Peace out brother 🙏
Getting some coaching is a smart idea. I now understand poor technique led to this crash. I have to come back smarter and stronger 🤟
57 here - more fractures than I can count. Knee, 2 surgeries for collarbone, wrist, hand etc etc - I’m well past peak riding skill and progression so just try and avoid doing dumb things - XC can be fun you know
I certainly see more XC in my future than recent past. Avoid dumb things? I'll need help with that. Thanks Graeme, brother of Jason?
Oh my goodness are you ok
Well, not really. Gonna be a long road but I know the mtb community will help me get there
Brutally honest Carl .thanks,and yep,the mtb community will help you to get back on the bike so you can enjoy what we all love about it,finally nailing that double/drop/huck/road gap/berm,creek gap,wheelies/nosesys/,mud in your eyes/ears bike mechanics organise ing rides vlogging,3 months and then,LETS GO FOR A RIDE 👍🚴🏿🚴🏿🚴🏿🚴🏿🚴🏿🚴🏿🚴🏿👌🤙🕺💃🕺get well soon
Cheers Noel, I definately see us sharing more trails together.
You can still ride etc just have to make an assessment of risk vs reward. Maybe do less technical trails. Get into something different for fun but still bike related. Maybe gravel racing events or more XC stuff?, whatever etc. I'm 51 and 6yrs ago I did similar on a road bike touch of wheels ahead of me meant I pile-drived into the ground head first at 52kph. 5 months off the bike. 6months of work. 18months to get my old pre-crash fitness back. Got back into racing but then got crashed out again by a guy who hit a pot hole and lost control - so neck injury and broken collarbone. Did a few races again last season(NZ) but know that often crashes happen on the straight bit of road with good visibility. So now I'm tossing up if I continue racing as know the sensible thing is not too. Its tough though! Good luck with the recovery etc!
Moving on from what we're good at and enjoy is very difficult, doesn't matter how many injuries you suffer, moving on from what you love is tough. Do we always have to do the sensible thing?
@@malmtb Good point! Yes I think we have to live as well. And just being alive is risky to some degree :)
May as well do what we love then right!?!
Chin up mate, it's not all that bad, I'm 55 been mountain biking since 1993, suffered a broken neck C1 C2 in February, I went to the same place as you, but 3 months later the neck brace came off, on the bike I went, I was hanging for it......😂
My crash made me stronger, as it should you ! This shit happens, get back on the bike, get fit, n get into it 👊
Ps I started taking Calcium and vit D, turns out most peeps are lacking in D, and this is what gives you healthy bones, prostate, and testosterone. Do not go near Calcium it's not needed, but I swear by D,zinc,magnesium. Heal up my bloke.
To start, I chuckle at the irony - this topic suggests our riding aint free
Thanks for the tangible advice I'll look into each of those. And yes, I'll be back 🤟
I broke my neck 20 years ago, C5 C6. Obviously a complete recovery achieved but the ghost of that accident haunts my wife now and tightens the impact of this off. Nothing is in isolation
Thankyou. I hope your recovery is complete 🤟
There's riding and enjoying and then there is stupid risk taking...
True Richard, but are you saying my stack came from a stupid risk?
oh S!!!! we will get you back out there no you need to get back out your improvement since l have know you you will be back
Cheers Scott. Appreciated 👊
hi Mal, hope you get better soon, if its any help, maybe a good investment will be finding a good mtb coach near you. so you can get back your confidence + extra. heal fast :)
Great idea actually. Great idea! Thanks Ron. Do you know one?
You know you're being selfish yet you continue to do it. I had a similar crash chasing a KOM, it was on a MTB but I was on road, full power sprint, chain skipped and I went down, about 50kmph into the ground up a hill. Shattered my collarbone into pieces and broke 4 ribs. On my honeymoon. My 6 month pregnant wife had to drive us home while I was doped up on drugs. Yeah. Anyway, I ride a lot more carefully now, and I don't do big jumps or drops. I mainly stick to XC single track. We have a new MTB park nearby but I only hit the small ramps, the big drops and jumps I just B line. It's literally not worth it. Accidents can still happen even with the riding I do now, but at least I can honestly say I wasn't being risky if it does end up in hospital. Get a smart trainer to keep your fitness up and your sanity in check, I think a big part of the appeal is the endorphins/whatever it is that you get from exercise.
Cheers AM, thats a story from hell. Thank you for pointing out that even your story is not the end of things, just the beginning of a new chapter. Thank you.