Be careful on the jumps on the 6 hour track
Hi Guys,
I was out on the 6 hour track yesterday for the 2nd time. While riding on the track we had one guy from our group walking back to his car because he had stacked it on one of the jumps on the downhill.
When I arrived home I got a call and was told that one of my friends had a more serious stack the day before. He went over the handle bars and landed on his head. He was flown to hospital and had a 5 hour operation on his neck. Things are looking good, but he warned us all to be careful, so there won't be any more accidents like this.
I've been told that the organisers are looking into improving/removing the jumps as there have been more accidents. But for the people that will go out there for some more training laps before that time: Avoid the jumps unless you're very sure you can do them safely.
Despite the danger of the jumps, which can easily be avoided, I have to say it's a great track! My compliments to the people that created it!!!
__________________________
This is the series of 3 or 4
This is the series of 3 or 4 Jumps on the yellow lap?
I went out for my fist lap on Saturday and had no intention of taking any of the jumps but on the last one had a controlled off in trying to take to easy line around the jump as I felt that i had gained allot more speed than I thought
(if you know what I mean)
As I round past these jumps on the laps after, I thought while they are not that big, the landing and exits on some of it are a bit iffy
especially the last where the left hand corner is not that far away.
While I don't think these will be the worst (dangerous) bits of the track on the day, IMO the old Drop off(rocks) near the end of the track will be the one thats going to claim the most, espically with pressure from the crowd that will no doubt congregate there.
The set of 4 pallet jumps
The set of 4 pallet jumps will be either bunted off or completey redone to make them safer.
I rode the track for the first time yesterday and thought it was a great track. Well done to Steph and Chris for putting together such a great track. I don't think I have ever seen so many people at Jarrahdale for a non race day.
Looks like being a great event next week.
It's a series of 4 jumps,
It's a series of 4 jumps, but I think it's actually on the first (blue) lap. The jumps are made out of pallets. I never even attempted them myself as they looked way too scary to me.
I only did the bottom one, but this is actually just a rollover. It gives you a better line into the bend I found. If you jump it you might indeed end up in the trees straight ahead though.
I agree with you on the rocky drop offs near the end. I can remember that I was afraid of them when I just started MTB'ing. Over time they have eroded and have become harder, so I can imagine how newbies will feel when they come up top them. There is always the option of walking down.
Yea, its on the blue Sorry
Yea, its on the blue Sorry its a bit confusing hopefully after 6hrs It will have sunken in
Forecast from this far out is RAIN RAIN and more RAIN
could be late or early but a front is coming in Saturday Night, will know better around Wednesday
Distress Over Jump Accidents
I have been very distressed to hear of the accidents occurring on the downhill jump line.
There was a warning about jumps and obstacles in the 6 Hour information sheet, but sometimes we all need to be reminded to ride within our ability, unfortunately we've now been reminded due to a bad accident of a fellow mountainbiker, my thoughts are with you.
No one should feel like they have to attempt lines which they are not comfortable with and everyone please please please know that GOING AROUND things DOES NOT in any way MAKE YOU A LESSER RIDER or a LESSER PERSON. I go around obstacles all the time, I do not jump and if anyone thinks that means I am not that into mountain biking, riding and bikes then they are mistaken.
There is absolutely no shame in walking your bike through technical rocky section or down a drop in because everyone out enjoying trails and riding at whatever pace or so called technical ability is a part of the mountain biking community and it is a great group of individuals.
What has been most admirable is the support fellow mountain bikers have given to the people whom have had these recent accidents.
I will be removing the culprit jumps for the 6 Hour, most people I hope will be just as happy to weave their way downwards keeping wheels on the ground. I also hope this has not turned anyone off this weekend's event, I've put months of organising into getting this 6 Hour going for you all to have a fantastic day in the dirt. I'm sure the injured rider would not want me to cancel the event on his behalf, he'd want everyone to ride safely and smoothly for him.
I can not organise the weather, and it is definietly undetermined at this stage.
Jarrahdale is as great in the wet as it is in the sun. I am optimistic the Sun will Shine through this Sunday but if there is a bit of rain all you need if it is a tent or a tarp and a wet weather jacket because the atmosphere of the day is going to be great regardless.
Stephanie Russell
well said, Bring it on!!!!!!
well said, Bring it on!!!!!!
The Track
as one who helped one of our crew back to the car park - and who is not a "hucker" - (sorry :( ), that down hill section is tricky - even when going around the jumps.
But if you ride within your ability . . . . . .
My biggest fear, as i was weaving my way down the hill AROUND the jumps, is that one of our more skilled/Daredevill/Suicidal friends was going to come flying down the jumps and take me out . . . . .
Like a fare bit of this years track - a lot of it hasn't been ridden in, (So there more new track to lean and enjoy), it will get faster.
BTW Step / Jonesy - I love this years track, its got a bit of everything, and few bits that havent been ridden in . . . the new down hill . . ., but toward the middle of the yellow loop there is an area where slow pokes like me will find it a bit hard to pull over (Being one of our slower riders - and wishing to be considerate - I think about these things in my practice laps :) )
Rock on Sunday - Opps - I had better register . . . . . . . . . . .
The Yarg
----------------------------------------------------
"I may be slow but I an't Dumb"
hi everyone,I was one of
hi everyone,
I was one of the guys who stacked it on one of the jumps on sunday, smashed my shoulder and head pretty hard. Luckily nothing broken (cept my helmet), but i wont be racing now as i cant use my arm.
Anyways, i dont think the jumps are badly built or in a bad position, and the chicki runs arnt out of the way.
I simply stuffed up. Ive done this jump many times and I guess i wasnt paying enough attention on sunday.
I really dont want to see the jumps removed, I quite like having the odd jump/huck on a track.
Its easy enough to ride around them, and no one is forced to take the jump.
Big thanks to the guy who stopped and helped me out, and Yargs for walking me back to the car.
Steve
also, big thanks to the
also, big thanks to the people for building up the track and organsing the event. I really hope thing dont turn bad cause a few people wernt in the "Zone" on the day. I wish i could the race sunday, but shit happens.
good luck to all racers!
steve
These things happen...
All things considered, I think mountain biking is much safer than other sports like footy or netball. Just look at how ugly old footy player's faces are from years of their sport compared to the veteran men riders in the Perth mtb club. We don't need to mention netballers knees.
I think the health benefits people get out of riding and competing far outweigh the damages from the odd stack. So don't stress Steph, you're actually helping people stay fit, healthy and goodlooking.
as one who helped one of our crew back to the car park - and who is not a "hucker" -
Yarg, don't you have a number plate cover that says "drive less, huck more"?
MTB made me the fit sexy man you see before you today . . .
I think the health benefits people get out of riding and competing far outweigh the damages from the odd stack. So don't stress Steph, you're actually helping people stay fit, healthy and goodlooking.
as one who helped one of our crew back to the car park - and who is not a "hucker" -
Yarg, don't you have a number plate cover that says "drive less, huck more"?
The Gregster makes two very good points - the "Cost/Benefit" of cycling is well worth the occasional stack . . . . . . .
As for me having a number plate cover that says "Drive Less, Huck more", it is rather ironic that you were the one that spotted that it wouldn't fit my number plate . . . . . .
I know where I stand in the Hucking Hierarchy . . . . . . . :P
----------------------------------------------------
"I may be slow but I an't Dumb"
Single Track Slow Spots
Yarg, Yarg, Yarg...
You are a great addition to any MTB event!
As I keep trying to say, everyone has equal right to be riding on the trails, I do not care how fast or slow anyone is as long as you are out there on a bike enjoying it, and anyone who has a problem with riders who are not super fast has a major problem. As a Top Australian MTB Rider said when asked whom he most admired; "I admire anyone who steps up to the line of an MTB event and gives it a go".
As for overtaking, yes there are a couple of tight technical sections on the course. It is the responsibilty of the passing rider to pass you at a time that is SAFE for both riders, all you have to do is try to move out of the way a bit and the rider will be able to get around and even if the rider has been slowed for a short while it will all even out around the track!
Don't take out the jumps!
Don't take out the jumps! Mark them, sure - but that's the fast (and fun) line! That first ski jump should be enough of a filter to deter those who don't feel up to it.
Yarg, I wouldn't worry about being taken out by someone choosing that line. Anyone hitting that has no more desire to be in a collision than you do!
I need the odd feature like that to keep the eagerness up for those 6 long hours.
I'd be happy to help out with constructing a new "b line", if that would help.
It's my thighs isn't it :P
Yarg, Yarg, Yarg...
You are a great addition to any MTB event!
Or mayby the way I fill out my lycra.
you can tell me . . . . . . . . . .. .. .
----------------------------------------------------
"I may be slow but I an't Dumb"
Love your work!!
Hey Steph...!!
Great work on the track for the 6hr.
I rode it on the weekend, and like JC said - it was like a "race day", there were so many people there getting in some sneaky training. The track flows well and is nearly as flat as I would like it!
BTW - you did a pretty good job on the track bike last Friday night. See, riding in circles can be fun!!
Good luck with Sunday's Event Management. Cheers.