Exactly! Ambulance crews/rangers can't really be expected to be "on hand" to rescue people in the middle of forests doing essentially dangerous activities which they have chosen to participate in. The fact they come to out rescue at all is jolly nice of them. In this day and age, part of the fun of MTBing in places like Swinley Forest is that you're expected to assess the risks by yourself. One of those risks is that it could take ambulance crews a fair time to confirm your location and find you.

I think we all have to accept that we're taking a few risks when we're out and however careful you are, it can always happen. That's sport - 99.9% of the time it's doing you good but sometimes you get injured. The good news is your body is fully designed to cope with traumatic injury and heal.

I do think it needs to be made easier to find where you are in the forest. I had a chat with the ranger on Saturday who said they are looking into putting waymarkers to give a point you can find and phone in if there is an accident. I told him about how it works in France with the 'milepost' idea on all the downhill courses with the emergency numbers and a marker. This is something I think we need to encourage.

Kerr - I've looked once for a first aid course in the area and didn't find one, probably because I don't really know where to look in the UK. If you find one can you let me know?

Sue

If Kerr had not been wearing a helmet I would have told him to go home and get it, in fact if Kerr had forgotten his helmet I think he would have told us to go without him.

I know that there are no rules for forum rides but with me it's - No helmet, no ride.

I know that some riders say that they're willing to accept the consequences but the fact is that I don't want to have to scrape someone elses grey matter off the trail or explain to their loved ones why I said that it was ok for someone to ride without a helmet.

Sue - The course provider that my company use is St John Ambulance. You can search for local courses on the web-page. The qualification that we use if the 'First Aid at Work' 3 day course but there are others to choose from which are shorter/cheaper.

Thanks Marc, looks good actually, I think the Emergency and Basic First Aid is the one to go for and only £35. At least to start with anyway.

Yay! back a work!

Considering how painful this was initially, Im actually very surprised how I am healing.
I can now hold my hands above my head and pain is very localized on just under the left shoulder blade and a little whiplash pain on the right of my neck.
Had a walk round the village yesterday, and did get pretty sore after a mile or so and had to go back home.
Head still feels a little numb, kinda similar to the start of a dehydration headache. But getting better every day.
Im going to wait until the numb head goes before setting near a bike.
If it doest continue to subside, I will pop to the docs in the next few days.

Prob going to rabbit on about how great you guys were on sunday for months, really MASSIVE thanks to you all again.

I have booked the Emergency and basic first aid in Theale on 2 July.

Swinley is out-of-bounds for me this weekend.

Kerr

Great to hear you're recovering so well Kerr.

Fingers crossed that it continues.

Kerr - I don't want to set any alarm bells ringing, but it was Saturday when it all happened. Wasn't it?

For the Swinley regulars - I hope that we won't be seeing any more similar escapades from anyone else and we don't want to give Kerr/Sue or anyone else who gets First Aid training any opportunities to test out their new skills.

No....let's avoid that at all costs! Suggest we only ride at 1mph with a man walking in front with a red flag.

Great to hear that you are on the mend Kerr. Thinking about it, I suspect that if you had had time to put your hands out in front of you (as is the natural reaction) then you could have ended up in a similar situation as Huw.

As for riding for me this weekend...well definately not Saturday. Sunday is a possibilty but I did in a moment of weakness (and also trying to think of a very quick and plausible excuse to avoid in-laws) promise that I would start doing the redecorating of the living room (after recent flood). May just be local when I can fit it in.....

I'd keep some bandages handy for the next year or so. The chances of the razor sharp bone poking up under the skin on my shoulder staying under the skin if I fall off are very slim indeed.



Yep, Don't break bones it really bloody hurts. 7 weeks in and still in pain, don't think I'd want to be landing on my head either. Maybe it's best to just stay upright.

On the mend though and hopefully going to get out for a quick gentle exploratory spin this weekend. WHOOP.

Huw, I have had couple of broken ribs , broken shoulder and broken tibia/fibula. none of them hurt as much as doing my back! Luckly tho, none have been compound fractures. Think thats a whole level up in pain.
Im just glad this is looks like 1 or 2 weeks of pain max. Im actually going to try painkiller free today, as they are not too great on my stomach. Must admit, struggling so far.

I very nughtly got back on the bike for wee rides after 2 weeks of my shoulder injury. Just ickle rides round the block. More one handed to start with. Apparently a small amount of movement stimulates the bones healing.
Take it easy!

Anyone have the ranger numbers? Im going to add this to the swinley map (see sig). It already has the numbered star points. Also thinking of adding the GPS grid.

Kerr

Am joining you on July 2nd - only course in the area in reasonable time! See you there.

Sue

You're not wrong, bones seem to fix quite quickly and (relatively) painlessly, it's the soft tissue damage and straining that is causing the most difficulties. I don't think our old bodies can cope with being thrown around like they used too. Maybe it's our penchant for beard growing.

The number for the lookout reception, if it helps, is 01377 354 400.

CelticSue! cool!

Huw ... the beard has gone ... maybe it was the source of my MTB skills? mmm

Kerr

It is jolly nice them and if an accident happens, we do call them and they do come out. Anything that helps them to get to the injured quickly can only be a good thing. Not sure about you but the Swinley regulars are a good lot and if anyone of them was injured i would want to get them help asap. I am not a medical person but every second counts.




That sounds good Sue, did he give his name / phone number by any chance. It would be handy to have it in the old mobile.




Well done Kerr, glad you are feeling a lot better.




Huw, did'nt realise it was that bad, speedy recovery dude.

No sorry, the ranger didn't give his number. Next time I'm in Swinley I'll try and get the emergency numbers. If I do, I'll post them here.

Sue

Im off to swinley tonight (about 4:30ish) for a gentle ride with a work buddy.

Must stay upright.
Must stay upright.
Must stay upright.

I will inquire about the range number etc if the lookout is still open.

Kerr

Take it easy mate, see you soon

maj

Good for you mate. Go nail that drop off and teach it a lesson!

or maybe leave that for another day, keep straight on and take the easy route back on to the fireroad!

I was fine.
Infact dont feel at all spooked!
Back was a little sore and I ducked out of the laberinth and waited.

Stayed on simpler stuff like tank traps, seagul, 9 yards etc.
didnt do rollercoaster.

Had a couple of rolls through the gully

Rode up the wall !!! really pleased with that, was hardly out of breath!
We should do this more often!

Went and took a look at the drop. In my mind it was 20ft high... er was only 2ft max.
someone has taken a shovel to it to smooth it out a bit... wonder if it was the ranger.

Kerr

Well done Kerr, i knew you would be ok - you're bionic man Did you manage to get the rangers details?

I will be biking with Dave over tunnel Hill on Sunday. This place is a secret gem - a cross between frimley and surrey hills. If anyone wants to joins us they would be more than welcome and Dave kindly offered to show us around. Its an 8.30 am start and should be finished by 11.30 am. Its good, you guys will love it. I am planning to arrange a ride in a few weeks time to this area depending on when its suitable for everyone.

Definately meaning to take David up on his offer to show around Tunnel Hill. Just struggling to fit things in at the moment.

Also, as per recent communication with Brian hoping to finally get an evening ride in at Swinley week after next (opportunity has arisen i.e. wife and daughter are away on hols). Not sure which day (prob Tue or Wed) but plan to get away from office (Maidstone) at about 5'ish so need to work out what traffic will be like to figure timing....

Kerr - Good to hear your ride went OK....Fair play to you I would probably have got the heebeejeebees after a similar mishap.

I'll be at swinley tomoz at 8, usual place, currently in a pub and wanting a ride to get over england

Why don't you meet us at 9am and do this with us:

http://www.mtbbritain.co.uk/forum/index.ph...mp;#entry163859

[quote name='SinfulHedgehog' post='163863' date='Jun 19 2010, 12:26 AM']Why don't you meet us at 9am and do this with us:

quote]

Need to be back home at 11 :-(

Ah, just as well then because we didn't get back to the car park until about 3:15pm.

Guys, talked to the people at the Lookout and the number they give is:

01344 354 400

The Rangers don't give out their number, the Lookout should contact them.

KR,

Sue

Thanks Sue - It's in the phone (fingers crossed we don't need to use again in a hurry)

sorry. added a bit more singletrack and got lost around blackbush

So you were beating around the blackbush?

I really enjoyed it and wasn't in any rush to get back. Was a very 'pleasant' day out.

Oh and thanks again for leading.

I fancy a bit of Swinley this weekend. Anyone else interested?

Could be tempted...

Due to the malfunction of Chris's leg, I is in.....

The three mouseketeers ride again!!!

I need to sweat at least two belt holes tommorow....

Wow I haven't been on the Swinley thread for a while, looks like I've missed a bit. Where did Kerr's acident happen? I know there is a false exit line off the trail around the corner from the double drop which has caught a few mates out when I have sent them in that direction.

NAIL -> HEAD!!!

GRRRR!!!!

Phew! That was a hot ride today...finished my camelbak off and still don't think I took on enough water as i'm feeling pretty pap now. Every section of trail felt great though with muchos dry flowiness.

Yet again bottled Marc's Nemesis - this is getting silly but I now seem to have a total mental block on it.....ridiculous!

Yeah they do need to sort that, I've sent a few begineers round that way and raced round to make sure they dont go off it.

We stopped to take a look at 'Kerr's Doom' today, in fact I think Andy nearly made the mistake of heading off it! It is the most obvious line to take as you approach. A small bit of reconfiguration to make it the less 'obvious' way to go and the safe line more intuitive would do it. That way it remains for those who want to take but for others they rattle on by.

Aye, today was good fun.

I'd not worry about stopping on your nemesis, it's actually quite hard.

What bit is this?

Kerr - East into trees from the reservoir. Top section - downhill loose rooty small drop into right turn. We rode it (well I didn't) in May when it was just me, you and Parkerman (the ride I acquired two punctures - one was just after this).

I came off on it some time ago following a back injury at work and never managed to ride it since.

Great ride last night!

Covered alot of ground.
Theres a definite shift up a gear in everyones fittness.

My back is A OK today , which is flippin exellent.
Think I was more suffering from a stitch than my back last night.
Think that is all to do with breathing badly... back to the swimming pool I think.

Maj, me being an old electronics engineer, you want me to take a look at your P7?

Kerr

Yep, enjoyed last night and all of us were very much in the zone. Kerr- good news on your back.

Maj – clearing “with some ease” that hill whilst Marc and I lost traction half way up.

Roll on the darker nights

Which hill is that?

From the end of laberyith turn right then go round to the hill up to the clubhouse.



Kerr

Quite surprised at how quick I got from the office at Maidstone to Swinley (just over an hour) - promising for any future rides (although maybe it was just a good night with the traffic.

What a ride! I was buzzing all the way home! Slightly worried when you guys took off at about 200mph at the start.

Next time I manage to make it over to Swinley in the evening and I ask whether I should bother fitting my P7 can somebody please say 'YES'. I should also remember to charge up my backup/headlight batteries!! Made for an interesting ride back to the car-park! Thanks Maj for lighting my way.

My reason for not fitting my light was how 'faffy' my bracket is..... Brian - Is this the bracket you have converted to fit your light.