Wear your helmet!

[Guest]

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[Coach]

Heck!  I have to wear a helmet out to ride, i know I am going to slam my head into that low lying branch on Rollercoaster EVERYTIME!  You know, coming up the backside of the harder route drop, right before the planks.  Every stinkin' time!

[Anthem1]

I know that branch

[CrazyWhiteGuy]

All I've got to say is that it sucks waking up in a hospital. I know, I've done it...twice(both times I had a helmet on). So needless to say, I almost always wear a helmet.

[Jimbo]

I always wear a helmet.  It saved me once out at Carter.  Back when I first started to ride, I smacked my head on a low branch.  I was stupidly looking down that second and not paying attention to what was ahead.  Didn't notice at the time, but that branch cracked my helmet.  After I hit it, I was kinda stunned and just laid off the side of the trail for a minute.  My helmet is like the seatbelt in my truck, I always wear it.  Would feel funny if I didn't.

[noble]

They make these things called hand saws that you can cut unwanted branches down with

[Tbalestrini]

Heck!  I have to wear a helmet out to ride, i know I am going to slam my head into that low lying branch on Rollercoaster EVERYTIME!  You know, coming up the backside of the harder route drop, right before the planks.  Every stinkin' time!

HAHA that is so funny because last time I rode it I hit my head there for the first time, I never noticed it before so it really surprised me. I hit it pretty hard, it gave me a head ache

[Coach]

They make these things called hand saws that you can cut unwanted branches down with

I would never consider altering ANY trail w/out permission.  I'm sure that sounds weak, but I figure if I cut one branch, and the next guy cuts one thing out he doesn't like, then everyone does, what then.  I'll wait until I do another trail maintenance day and suggest it to Art.

[SandPine]

...I'll wait until I do another trail maintenance day and suggest it to Art.

I wouldn't even do that.  He will tell you that is a black dimond trail and that branch makes the trail what it is.  We all read about how he was really pissed when someone moved that rock on rollercoaster a few inches.  You know which rock I am talking about if you ride rollercoaster.  The one next to a root that gives you about 6-8 inches of clearance next to a brush with a low laying branch.  Yes, that one!  I think he came on here once and said that if anyone removes anything off that trail again, he will replace it with two more hard/technical obstacles.  He was partially kidding but you can understand those technical/obstacles on the trail make that trail.  Leave them and let's learn how to ride safely on them. 

[Ken]

Very well put Sandpine!!! That is what makes our trails what they are. Leave the trail maintinence to the ones who design them and know how. I wouldn't think about altering a trail, let alone someone elses efforts after taking hours in learning how to build them correctly! If you can't miss that branch or rock, take the time to learn how and practice. Don't cheat and move it out of the way or cut it back! 

[noble]

Face slappers/head crackers don't need to be there to make a trail challenging--not in my book anyway.[It's a short book and I have lost a lot of my pages but I don't ever remember ducking as being a challenge-even on a bike ]

[JasonD]

At 6'5" I have gotten wedged under that branch with a full camel back! Does that make it a triple black diamond for taller riders? 

[Garry]

At 6'5" I have gotten wedged under that branch with a full camel back! Does that make it a triple black diamond for taller riders? 

No, it makes it aggravating and less of a fun trail experience for taller riders.  Nothing like ramping along and jamming down your neck from a tree branch. 

[Garry]

but that branch cracked my helmet.  After I hit it, I was kinda stunned and just laid off the side of the trail for a minute.  My helmet is like the seatbelt in my truck, I always wear it.  Would feel funny if I didn't.

This exactly why I don't believe in precarious low hanging branches on even Double Black Diamond trails. The trail features below your tires are what make it a difficult trail. not a sport ending injury from a low branch.  Neck muscles are some of the weakest in the body and spinal nerves are really delicate.

[slowfatguy]

hmm, well I don't believe in low branches either. I don't believe in dumbing down a trail either, and that is exactly why that rock on Rollercoaster got moved. But I wouldn't cut either of those big trees on Rollercoaster at Alafia either, how hard is to duck under them?

[Garry]

I'm not into dumbing down trails either.  Bikes are meant to roll over stuff.  The whole branch thing is a different matter in my view and things I have learned and read about in trail building.  You can have a very difficult trail without taking your head off.  Might sound a bit harsh there, but it's just a safe way to make a trail with so many users on it.