When riding on a trail, experiencing a crash is an unfortunate but common occurrence. The recovery process after a crash can be daunting, especially if you are dealing with injuries. In such cases, it is essential to assess yourself and your bike before carrying on. This article discusses the crash recovery process and how to overcome fear and build confidence in riding again.

Self And Bike Assessment

Firstly, after a crash, assess your body and bike to ensure that you are safe to continue riding. If you are unsure, it is best to head back to your car and ride another day. Check your extremities and make sure everything is working correctly and feels ok. Look over your equipment for cracks and broken components, paying special attention to your helmet and other safety gear.

Figure Out What Happened

Next, you should analyze what went wrong and caused the crash, such as poor line choice or over-braking. Was it something on the trail that you missed? Or perhaps you had a gear malfunction? Figuring out the cause can help prevent a similar crash from happening again.

Visualize Success

Visualizing success is a crucial step towards building confidence after a crash. Picture yourself riding the section successfully, trying different line choices, and determining the best one for you and your bike. However, it is important not to overthink the process as this can heighten your nerves, and it is better to walk than crash in the same spot.

Try Again

Once you have visualized success, it is time to grab your bike and ride the section again. Riding the section a few times will solidify the success in your head and create a positive imprint to hold onto. If things go wrong, skip it for the day and come back another day with a clear head.

Stay Positive

Positive self-talk is critical to restoring your confidence. Focus on what you can do, not what you can’t, and convince yourself that you are capable of riding the section successfully. Unlock the fear as soon as possible by telling yourself that you can do it. The old metaphor “If you fall off the horse, get back on every single time” really applies to bike crashes.

It is important to note that you should not attempt to ride beyond your current skill level. Skill improvement can come from evaluating what happened during the crash and making corrections to your riding. If you decide the trail you chose is truly above your skill level and you want to change that, consider taking a Mountain Bike Skills Clinic to teach you the techniques you need. Ultimately, the key to successful crash recovery is making good choices, having fun, and building your confidence one step at a time.