Why we wear helmets....

Today's freeride group ride had surprises for each and everyone of us. Everyone surprised themselves with how far and high they jumped but some were also surprised by that thing called gravity and how quick the ground can rise up to meet you sometimes! There was definitely some helmet product testing going on.

We set out with 8 and decided given our skills levels we should do a gradual warm-up and build up before we tackled the bigger challenges ahead at Donnie Darko. So we had a go at the gap jump, Captain Underpants, and then over to Heads roll where we sessioned and sessioned the 2 gap jumps in the middle. The first one kind of throws you up a small kicker to a natural tranny into a dip but the 2nd one you really have to have speed and a good take off technique to clear a horizontal gap of around 10+ foot (maybe 3-4m).

At first everyone was landing on the flat landing on the 2nd or landing rear wheel first but you can see from the video analysis that gradually speed and technique were pieced together until we were all landing on the transition with 2 wheels together of front then back. And the smiles said it all- each rider was stoked to have nailed a gap jump!

Matt and Simon then impressed us by tackling the "stupid" 21 foot gap where there is no option but to clear it, no nice flat landing to save you mid way you MUST commit and you MUST make the transition. They both went for it and heart in my mouth they both landed it- spot on! Phew!

Next stop was Rollercoaster really just en route to Donnie Darko but Luka riding it blind got into a fast flow and flew over the last big bomb hole, taking air and landing in a rut to go over the bars or rather into the bars, winding himself badly and crumbling on the ground, gasping for air. We decided once he got his breath back that he should finish riding for the day and we called "Thunderbird 2 to the rescue" (Jackie) to chauffeur  him and his bike off to get checked out- just in case. 

Meanwhile some hairy descents down deliverance were had and the group then had to split off. 5 of us carried on to Donnie Darko. Now without Simon our chief jump demo guy with us, I took the lead and expertly described the technique (in theory) for dropping off the stone ledge and I got Matt to demo it (well I have not done it for 2 years!) Then I did a demo and clearly it was good enough for Anthony to try it too. Ed decided "maybe not", but while Gareth was videoing we all did it again and this time we did it better and it looked and felt smooth. 

Clearly it was impressive as Ed decided to go for it so I clicked record on the video and ... "oh boy" he decided not to jump it but rather to try a front flip off of it! Unfortunately that turned into a somersault landing on his head and folding in 2- all on video- watch to the end for the entertainment!  (My reaction in words says it all!)

Amazingly he was soon up and walking away, a little dazed and confused! Imagine if he did not have a helmet on! Which reminds me- I can't believe it when I see people riding the trails round here without a helmet, even if you don't ride off the technical stuff like this- you never know when a branch will catch you or a root grabs your front wheel and over you go. Protect your bonces guys!

So well done Luka and Ed for wearing helmets- anyway we would not ride with you without them. (By the way there's a special on Giro Xen's on the Nirvana online shop (best helmet ever) - especially there for people like you).

Riders: - Simon, Claire, Matt, Chris, Ed, Anthony, Luka, Gareth

Stats: - 4 jumps mastered, 5 raised egos, 2 broken helmets, 2 broken egos, 8 new friends- ahhh!