How to crash properly?

[PolishPete]

I know nobody wants to crash...but since it does happen...anyway to stay safer??  Special position, etc??

[Team-G]

The better physical condition you're in, the less likely you are to get hurt, no matter what position you crash in.  I think if you train like a football player; neck, arms, legs, back, cardiovascular and stretching before racing, you can sustain impacts more....take it from an old body that knows...and should know better...and don't skimp on the gear ;)

[dicatirider944]

DON'T!!! ;D

[Jeff]

Go along for the ride.  Do not try to stop yourself, or avoid things.  You just can't do it.

Wait until you are COMPLETELY DONE SLIDING/TUMBLING/ETC and perform the following check.

1.  On track?  If so, gotta get through the rest of this checklist QUICK.  If not, take your time.
2.  Arms/legs/hands/feet/neck.  All move okay? Proceed.
3.  Stand up
4.  Get the hell out of the crash zone

The biggest things to remember are that you can't stop the slide, etc.  And that you need to STOP before you try to get up.  There's nothing funnier as a spectator than seeing someone sliding and they dig their boots in or try to stand up, only to realize they're still moving at 30-40mph and it LAUNCHES them through the air.  Completely avoidable.

If you have enough time to think while you're sliding, keep your arms IN.  If they're out, they're easier to snap once you start tumbling.

[Suzy]

Most of the crashes I have seen consisted of broken collar bones.  Why can't you guys wear what football players wear around their collars to prevent this?  Would it be too hard to wear or what? Surely it can be modified to fit a rider.  ;)

[kmf600]

When it happened to me, it seemed like it was moving in slow motion.  I felt like I had time to think about things while I was sliding on my arse.  I tried to stay calm, I was really pissed because I was watching my bike tumble on the plastics I had just installed, and I was thinking and looking back on the track to see if I was going to get hit by anyone behind me.  It was pretty funny how slow things seemed they were moving.  Once I slide off the pavement and hit the grass is when I started tumbling.  Stay on the ground and stay low when you stop sliding, and make sure you aren't going to get hit by anyone,  if you are on the ground and low, I understand you will get run over.  If you stand up and get hit it will send you flying, and hurts more.  When everything is clear and all bodyparts are still attached you should get up and get to safety.

[TommyG]

Most of the crashes I have seen consisted of broken collar bones.  Why can't you guys wear what football players wear around their collars to prevent this?  Would it be too hard to wear or what? Surely it can be modified to fit a rider.  ;)

Football players wear that primarily to avoid neck injury but I do sometimes wonder why we don`t have better protection. I think that topic has already been beat to death on this forum though!

[Jeff]

To beat that dead horse, the problem is clearance and mobility.

Collar bone snaps come largely from the helmet contacting the collar bone, pressing it and snapping it.  A piece of padding might help prevent it, but would restrict movement of the neck/helmet which would decrease visibility significantly...

[TommyG]

The better physical condition you're in, the less likely you are to get hurt, no matter what position you crash in.  I think if you train like a football player; neck, arms, legs, back, cardiovascular and stretching before racing, you can sustain impacts more....take it from an old body that knows...and should know better...and don't skimp on the gear ;)

Ya....RRRIIIGGHHTTTT! Dave should know this because...
a. He`s in the worst shape of his life
b. He never trains......ever!
c. He`s needed leathers and a helmet for 2 yrs
I still love him like a much older,much slower brother though! ;D

[H-man]

PP,

I'd agree with most of what's been noted but add the following.

1.  The collar bones are very fragile.  They can breeak from either direct impact (in which case it really won't take a lot of force) or indirect energy such as jamming your arm.  There are chest protectors sold (Hayden and Edwards endorse one of 'em) that both protect the collar bones and provide some padding for when your chest hits against the tank due to bumps as your in a tuck.

2.  Just as Jef4y wrote, try not to let your arms flail away from your body.  But here's the tricky part (though not difficult).  Stay limp!  Don't tense your muscles.  Just like the old saying about rigid trees breaking while the limber ones bend.  It's true.  Think of martial arts break falls, if you've any experience in those.  This is also why being in good physical condition ahead of time is beneficial.

[Jeff]

Practicing crashing helps too...  I dedicated most of 2001 and 2003 to crashing, which has made me a far better crasher...

[H-man]

Practicing crashing helps too...  I dedicated most of 2001 and 2003 to crashing, which has made me a far better crasher...

AND I'm here to testify that ole brother Jeff does it with STYLE. 8)

I gave that turn 9 incident at G-man a 9.5  ;D