CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 2 JOSEPH A. GALBRAITH
A Company, 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion,
211th Aviation Regiment
Utah Army National Guard
West Jordan, Utah

My brother and I grew up biking all over the mountains of Utah and considered ourselves fairly experienced riders. So when our town celebrated the grand opening of a state-of-the-art mountain bike park, we couldn’t wait to hit the trails.

After a few runs down the mountain, we decided to try the jump course. This portion of the course was a mixture of dirt and rocks and consisted of a series of four jumps that were about five feet tall. I hadn’t attempted a course like this before, but I was game.

During my first run, I negotiated the first three jumps easily. By the time I approached the final jump, however, I’d picked up a lot of speed. As I crested the top of the ramp, I took flight, but my bike stayed on the ground. I was able to come back down on the bike, but all control was lost and I crashed into the dirt, landing on my side.

Even though my day ended with a trip to the emergency room, I consider myself lucky. While I received seven stitches to my right elbow, my helmet protected me from being seriously injured. In retrospect, I could’ve prevented my accident had I not been overconfident in my abilities.

There are many different types of recreational bicycling, including downhill, cross-country and BMX. Mountain bikes are different from other varieties in that they are usually full-suspension, meaning the front and rear forks are suspended to provide comfort and stability. As the design has evolved, so has the use of the mountain bike. Today, a mountain bike is similar to a motocross motorcycle without the engine. These newer designs have proven safer; however, they also allow the rider to push the limits. Riders go faster through rougher terrain than ever before. Because of these situations, a crash can be devastating. Fortunately, personal protective equipment has also evolved, and riders are wearing full-face helmets and full-body padding to soften the impact of a potential crash.

No matter what type of riding you do, it is important to assess the situation and determine what type of equipment is appropriate. If this sounds familiar, it should be because it is part of the risk management process. In my case, I was attempting to soar through the air on a bike designed for cross-country-type terrain, not high-speed jumps. I was also wearing PPE that would be appropriate for cross-country trails instead of the full-face helmet and pads needed for those types of jumps.

I only have a small scar from my accident. It serves as a reminder that I should always assess the situation and ride within my abilities. Thinking before we ride can help ensure we are able to hit the trails another day.