Posts
3357
Joined
8/3/2016
Location
CA
US
Edited Date/Time
11/21/2017 4:14am
I raced the Lake Elsinore Grand Prix this past weekend and I only remember bits and pieces because I landed on my head.
My buddy and I had been looking forward to it for a pretty long time. We had this great idea where we would buy discount Halloween costumes and maybe start a Lake Elsinore GP tradition by dressing up for each of our races.
Practice was fine, but in my first race I remember running off the side of the trail at some point and my only real memory from the race is when I remounted back on my bike. My fork guard and front brake line were ripped off and my visor was smashed. I remember thinking, "shit, another concussion." I don't really remember anything else from that day besides bits and pieces.
I wish I remembered more, because I obviously face planted due to the damage to my helmet, but the most interesting part was that the only other pain I had was on my spine right between my shoulder blades. The pain was pretty much right where the lower part of my leatt is in contact with my back. The brace transferred the force to a stronger part of my spine/body.
I really think it did save me from death or paralysis. I just figured I would share my story if anybody was on the fence about riding with one.
After the crash with my broken fork guard and visor.
My buddy and I had been looking forward to it for a pretty long time. We had this great idea where we would buy discount Halloween costumes and maybe start a Lake Elsinore GP tradition by dressing up for each of our races.
Practice was fine, but in my first race I remember running off the side of the trail at some point and my only real memory from the race is when I remounted back on my bike. My fork guard and front brake line were ripped off and my visor was smashed. I remember thinking, "shit, another concussion." I don't really remember anything else from that day besides bits and pieces.
I wish I remembered more, because I obviously face planted due to the damage to my helmet, but the most interesting part was that the only other pain I had was on my spine right between my shoulder blades. The pain was pretty much right where the lower part of my leatt is in contact with my back. The brace transferred the force to a stronger part of my spine/body.
I really think it did save me from death or paralysis. I just figured I would share my story if anybody was on the fence about riding with one.
After the crash with my broken fork guard and visor.
Secondly, allow for the annual off-season VitalMX neckbrace debate commence.
The Shop
Does your brace have the single support bar that is aligned with spine, or where there is one on each side?
Edit: glad you're ok. Nice costume. I've wanted to do something similar with a thrift store suit.
I think we've all pretty much been there at one time. I finished an off-road race once with a nasty concussion...or at least I was told I did...I don't remember that entire week, still!
Pit Row
I looked at my helmet again and it's kind of strange, there is no damage to the mouth piece, it is all just the visor. No scratches or anything. It was extra shitty because I also have a fox with MPS, but wore the shoei because my sister in law just painted it.
My other argument for neck braces is that in a big head hit you are going to go completely flaccid immediately if you're out cold, so you will have no muscle tone and will fold like a pretzel. The brace could help save your neck in that situation.
I prefer the design of the Atlas due to where the force is transferred to, and if you're shorter in the neck it gives more clearance between the brace and the helmet.
As for the OP's story, I think it's udderly amazing.
i have a whole explanation to why i think that they actually cause more head trauma than not wearing one. but theres no way to know. unless some type of very unethical clinical study is done on a live person... :-O
also you know my brother, so you know theres a genetic trend at work
Post a reply to: Since it's the off season. Here's my neck brace story