Wearing a helmet saved these riders from graver injuries
Jody Mattie pictured shortly after one of his mountain biking mishaps. - ContributedTRURO, N.S. — A good “brain bucket” is critical for biking – an ingrained habit greatly understood by riders of The Railyard Mountain Bike Park in Truro.
Like many mountain bikers progressing in their skills, Mike Dolter was feeling adventurous and “a bit cocky.”“Went down on my front wheel and went over the handlebars and I landed right on my head," said Dolter. “I got up and kind of dusted myself off and then realized that I had a little bit of blood on my ear and I was thinking, ‘OK, well, you know, must have cut something, but I’ll be all right.
“That was minor compared to what could have happened. The stitches in the ear could be easily fixed, but a brain injury, obviously there's no coming back from that … that's one piece of equipment you can't really scrimp on.” Dolter said every mountain biker has a crash at some point and recommends watching epic falls on the YouTube channel Friday Fails.
The bike damage costs were sorted out, but he was not able to run for a few weeks with a severely bruised foot and ankle. “I've even had motorists stop me an intersection and say, ‘oh my God, that light’s awesome. I can see you from a really long ways away,’” said Mattie. “The modern lights that are available for bikes are huge in terms of safety because it just increases visibility.”Aaron Tooker with his daughter, Bridgit Tooker, out in The Railyard Mountain Bike Park in Truro. - Contributed