ndthornton – Member
Hmm- I tend to find my crashes are bigger and more painful on smoother bermy runs compared to super steep, gnarly natural ones. Reason for this is the speeds you can achieve are so much greater.
I like to ride on the edge whatever Im riding so crashes are inevitable (especially since my surname isn’t Atherton) whether im doing 8mph down super techy rock garden or 20+ mph down dusty man made berms – but you’re more likely to find me wearing a full face lid on the “easier” runs than the more technical ones.
On the topic of full face helmets…..
The only time iv ever been thankful of a chin guard was doing the blue run at Alpe d’Huez. The track is smooth and bermy so I was nailing it but lost it on a dusty berm – crash happened so quick my face was in the dirt before I even realized I was off the bike. Conversely crashing on gnarly technical stuff I find I always have time to put my hands up to protect my face – so don’t bother with full face and often ride without pads at all.
Hmmm, perhaps your not riding the berms properly, also, if you have time to put your hands on your face when you fall off down steep technical terrain then I really don’t think your going fast enough, many of my clients tell me I ride too fast over technical ground but in actual fact this will help you ‘skim’ over things much easier.
I’m thinking about doing some skills coaching soon, keep an eye out for my up coming thread where I’ll give Singletrackers the chance to ride with me, thinking maybe a peaks pootle get together.