Why you have to be careful riding the dunes during mid day...

[Dammit!]

A friend of mine had a pretty bad accident at Glamis recently. I'm just posting this so people can see how quick and easy this kind of thing can happen. Even when just casually riding around. It's just a good thing it was a small dune instead of one of the big ones. He ended up with a broken wrist and foot but he'll be back out there with us next season.

And please, don't anybody start up with the "omg that would never happen to me rofl" nonsense. It can happen to anybody.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap3lWcqMkFc

[mohadib]

Did he just have a little more speed than he thought? What went wrong exactly?

[2Tim215]

Wow, happens to even the best. Hope and pray he heals quickly, Tim

[Dammit!]

Did he just have a little more speed than he thought? What went wrong exactly?

I haven't asked but looking at the vid I'd say he just lost track of where he was for a second. That's all it takes. Trust me you can run up on things like that during that time of day and have no idea it's coming until it's too late. That's why I prefer to ride in the morning and afternoon/evening. During mid day I usually hang around camp.

[mohadib]

Ah, because the sun is directly over head making it hard to gauge depth? Haven't rode dunes before.

[Thorpe]

Ooff... I love his response right after he lands! Good thing he was wearing his gear. Speedy recovery man!

[Dammit!]

Ah, because the sun is directly over head making it hard to gauge depth? Haven't rode dunes before.


Exactly. If you look at this one that was filmed in the late afternoon not long before sunset you can see how much of a difference it makes. The shadows make it way easier to gauge things. Even the color of the sand changes. Around noon it's almost like a white out.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efD49V7-It8

[Motorious]

OUCH! Brutal.

There's a sickening feeling in the pit of your stomach as you go off the edge of the precipice in a situation like that. I had a similar wreck on my snowmobile this year when I fell nose first into an unseen 6' hole in the snow (hidden creek) in poor visibility. I was lucky, I was just putting around and I sprained my thumb a little bit, but that gutwrenching helpless feeling before you hit the ground is the same.

Even though the dune was relatively small (compared to the other monster's evident in the vid), that looked to me like a pretty serious drop. About how far did he fall?

[dcreel]

I've done that before as well. It was seriously windy and the blowing sand made it hard to see where you were going. There was sand in my goggles too. It was a lot taller dune so I didn't flat bottom though. There was a new to the dunes rider following me and I didn't have enough time to slow him down. Luckily he saw me. I'm glad your friend is "on the mend"

[2Tim215]

I was impressed to see how many riders drove right up to him to make sure he was okay!

[tapper190]

I did the same thing at the invasion, riding to the Glamis. Luckly my dune wasn't as big, and nobody was around to see it, lol. I hit so hard on the 500, I thought I blew out my rear suspenion. My exhaust got hung up on my rear brakes and I had to pull it a part. I have a nice gash on the exhaust to remind me how lucky I was.
I hope all is well with your buddy and he heals quickly
Tapper

[Yamaha3wheeler]

Poor guy. I can see how easy that could happen. It is definitely something I do not think I could be immune to. I could tell he was in pain by the fact that he kept saying "Give me a minute." Hope he has a fast recovery.

[DonDelusion]

Quite a surprise, I bet. May he recover in lickety-split fashion.

[Chazz of Blades]

Freaking Ninja Dune!


Goodness, that looked like it hurt! Hope he gets to feeling better, he can ride a CVT Polaris while his foot recoups atleast.


That could have been a LOT worse though.

[Mr. Clean]

This was Easter weekend, Saturday. We were just playing on that bowl, you can see the three trikes at the top of the bowl, I am wearing the white long sleeve. We witnessed him take the plunge and could not get there fast enough. When he landed his chest slammed the bars (wearing chest protector) shattered his left wrist and now has permenant screws and a plate and fractured his foot. After he slammed the bars he went over the bars and was dragged about 10 feet or so. That razor in my estimate was about the height of a two story house. He rode back to camp and insult to injury had a flat tire 20 miles east of yuma. He has recovered quickly and is already in my ear about dune season in November.

[DonDelusion]

"Wanna lay down?" 'Yeah." hehe

PS: Where do I get a snow white jumpsuit like that? It's striking.

[AJZ_200X]

The dunes here in MI change daily and can make you question the peaks at times. Good to hear he was ok and that his quad wasnt too beat up. Dune riding can be fun but also dangerous!! I always enjoy your films

AJZ_200x

[RapidRick]

The angle of the sun is important, got to be careful with it to your back. Same thing got me two years ago at the invasion if some of you remember.

[Mr. Clean]

PS: Where do I get a snow white jumpsuit like that? It's striking.

Are you referring to me? WTF are you talking about :wondering I am wearing khaki shorts and a long sleeve white shirt, not a jumpsuit :crazy:

[DonDelusion]

Are you referring to me? WTF are you talking about :wondering I am wearing khaki shorts and a long sleeve white shirt, not a jumpsuit :crazy:

Sorry, the angle of the sun got me.

[dcreel]

Sorry, the angle of the sun got me.

He meant to say "he's new"

[bkm]

The first time I rode on anything resembling a dune was at Little Sahara. I was on one of my Bansheee's and raced down one dune and up another. It looked like it kept going atthe top, but it was the next dune on the other side. I went straight down off a 30' drop off ass over tea kettle. Broken wrist, 5 screws and a plate, and a screwed up neck. I wasn't even acting crazy, it created an optical illusion that the dune kept going but it was not the case.

[KASEY]

things happen very fast in the dunes ,,, even the best can get hurt if you brain fade for 1 second,,,, thats why i never ride with mussic ,,,,

[KASEY]

I was impressed to see how many riders drove right up to him to make sure he was okay!

we all were riding together. there was 7 of us all playing in the bowl at the time it happened,,,,

[UncleBubbles]

I've done very nearly the same thing on a snowmobile, except I was going about 90 miles an hour. Same thing, sun directly overhead, no shadows. Came off a 15 foot ledge I didn't ever see, and went nose first into the next hill, but I got lucky because there was another snowbank for me and the sled to land in, neither of us got hurt. Hope your bud has a speedy recovery.

[Motorious]

We witnessed him take the plunge and could not get there fast enough. When he landed his chest slammed the bars (wearing chest protector) shattered his left wrist and now has permenant screws and a plate and fractured his foot. After he slammed the bars he went over the bars and was dragged about 10 feet or so. That razor in my estimate was about the height of a two story house.


I went straight down off a 30' drop off ass over tea kettle. Broken wrist, 5 screws and a plate, and a screwed up neck.

Crazy sheeite. I think both riders are pretty fortunate that their injuries weren't more severe given the circumstances. Thanks to all for sharing. That's some wicked video for sure.

[Modding_out]

That there is pretty intense:crazy: Glad to here he didn't break his neck.

On another note I find it amazing that he dropped the height of a 2 story house in less than a second....He looked like he was only going 35-40 mph too. :wondering

[KASEY]

THE DUNE HE BAILED OFF OF WAS AT LEAST 30' watch the vid again,, we are parked on the top of a dune that is at least100' high when he goes by us,,,,, i should have stepped it off ,,, 30 would be the minimum it was unreal,,,,

[Billy Golightly]

I just about did the same thing a few times this past trip, I had a few close calls. The fall time in the video seems way long time to me...I told Doug when I first seen it that it seemed like it took forever for him to hit the ground. Very lucky wasn't hurt any worse.

[Jason Hall]

OMG, that brings back a Very bad memory for me!!! That was friggin ugly. Was that Hans???

[rdlsz24]

That sucks man. It's like that on a sunny day snowmobiling. Everything is just white and you can't see changes in elevation. I've gone over the handlebars before because I hit a bump I wasn't expecting. Way better to ride when it's overcast

Rob

[Mr_RPM]

that stuff even happens here at silver lake sand dunes in the right areas, even in my jeep i had a few moments. its hard to see when it all blends. dunes are hard to ride visually when sunny at mid day like mentioned.

before you know it you hit a dip and its over with.

theres very little for visual landmarks, it plays with your eyes.

id imagine flying a plane over the blue ocean with blue sky would be weird too without alt gauges.

[mrmello]

Ouch!!!

I am familiar with the problem is snow as well. Never been to the dunes. With the snow problem I bought a pair of goggles that were a blue tint. Has anyone ever tried them on the dunes? I know they worked great on snow.......

[christph]

I had the same thing happen to me in Pismo when I first started riding. Lesson learned. Take it slower during the noon-time hour. A year later I saw guy come off a high drop at a good clip. The front of his quad took a nose dive, the quad rolled over him, and he was knocked unconscious. They called in a helicopter and I've always wondered if he made it. I believe a death or two occurs every year at Pismo.

[Dammit!]

He was in freefall for almost exactly one second. That would put the distance a little under 16 feet according to the calculator doohickey I found on google (my math is horrible so it's possible I can't even use an online calculator right but the fall time is dead nuts).

Go find something 16 feet tall, look straight up at it and think about falling straight down. It's higher than you think.

[Jason Hall]

Heres a picture of the fall Rapidrick and I took In our 09 Gordon's Well trip. We were both very lucky to not get Very seriously Injured. Rick got the worst of It. I smashed my head on the front brake reservoir, and will never forget that experience!!! I think thats why I'm so afraid of leading out there, and Is why I have The Most Respect for the guys that can lead. IMO Dammit, MIke (Mr Clean), and Kasey are the best to follow at a fast pace. I get Way to nervous up front. Our fall was about 10 feet, as we rolled off the highest point you can see. The biggest problem was our landing was an uphill slope. When I landed I rolled but about 3 feet. At the top I was In 3rd gear, I hit the brake when I saw Rick slap the ground. Once I realized how far down he was all I could do was wack the throttle wide open and hope for the best. I'm just glad Kasey didn't land on us. The second pic Is my Lucky AZZ with Ricks flag taped to mine!

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff42/Jasons450r/BigdropatGlammis.jpg
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff42/Jasons450r/450rinsandSWEET1.jpg

[RapidRick]

That was a really fun ride, right until that point.

[Jason Hall]

Yes Sir, that was a blast!!! Until we took that BIG step LOL.

[Taiser]

Man It may be dangerous at some times but those dunes look like FUN!!! Best we can do here is a gravel pit...

[KASEY]

AND BOYS I WILL TELL YOU FIRST HAND ,,, that fall hans did was no less than 30 feet!!! it was unbelievablely tall.... and again we were all having a great time till that happened WOW THE COMMON DENOMINATOR IN THSES CRASHES,,,,,,,,,,,,ME... so please if you do not have your big boy pants on DO NOT FOLLOW ME,...... i am leading a couple of times in this vid.... one of the best so far to come from the imperial invasion,,,, http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.3wheelerworld.com%2Fremot e%2F15minInvasion.mp4&h=55083

[dronald]

anyone have any idea if there are any other rear break drums that will fit on a 1986 honda big red?

[Dammit!]

anyone have any idea if there are any other rear break drums that will fit on a 1986 honda big red?

Welcome to the wrong thread! :welcome:

[RapidRick]

IMHO, with all of what has been said especially with the angle or lack of angle of the sun and all, and yes I made a comment about the sun also. I think there is another factor.

He simply forgot where he was in relation to the bowl he wanted to drop into. Watch the vid again and as he descends from where the guys were watching... he constantly looks to his left where he wants to go, but then around :13 sec he turns away to make a quick loop and looks to the bowl where he wants to make his entry.

Hans appears to obviously know where he wanted to go but simply forgot about that lip he might have simply went down and into the bowl before he made that quick loop. Unfortunate brain fade and yes the sun's angle didn't help either.

Not throwing sand on anyone, just an observation of an unfortunate circumstance. And my thoughts and prayers for a quick heal and recovery.


Oh btw Kasey you didn't lead him into the crash and if you are counting my crash, you were at least third behind Jason who unfortunately was following me. Again my apologies to all for cutting the ride short.

[KASEY]

RICK , i merely ment i was at both crash sites... your right i wasn't leading anyone on those rides... as for hans,, i am not sure what he was thinking,, i know for sure it wasn't i am going to jump in the bowl.. thats just not hans... just a simple fade in the greymatter...

[KASEY]

BUT i can say... i did lead billy into his crash in the begining of that video!!!!

[Billy Golightly]

BUT i can say... i did lead billy into his crash in the begining of that video!!!!

Yes, you did :lol: That was my own fault. Darn soft stuff gets me everytime...

[Mr. Clean]

He simply forgot where he was in relation to the bowl he wanted to drop into. .

Bingo. This is why I posted that daily here at work he tells me he does not "know" why he did this. Of course the lack of shadows did not help, but the momentary lapse of orientation caused him to pay a painful price.

He had planned on getting an enclosed trailer for the next dune season....well the medical bills have taken care of that dough.

[Mosh]

Almost exactly what happened to Tammy at Imperial 2010..

Fractured her t- 7 vertabrae. I did not know that at the time..That is why she did not ride much more..She hung out all week in pain.

Hope he heals fast.

[RapidRick]

I've only seen bikes actually get away with something like that. I know how she feels, I compressed several L and T vertebra on my crash. Just the ride back to camp was almost unbearable.

[Bryan Raffa]

Almost exactly what happened to Tammy at Imperial 2010..

Fractured her t- 7 vertabrae. I did not know that at the time..That is why she did not ride much more..She hung out all week in pain.

Hope he heals fast.

really,, I did not know that ,, she ok? that could have been way worse! I saw that,, and have pic's..

[JasonB]

holy crap! That was scary to watch it happen, I mean Im not the only one here that has had that feeling of toping a hill/cresting a dune/finding a drop off and just being in free fall. That was intense, it hurts to watch that video! Damn man, glad he's ok!

[Bryan Raffa]

can we get a update on Hans? how's he doing??????????????????

[hans_450TRX]

This is the person who drove off the cliff, and shared the video. Hopefully, this will prevent some one else from doing the same thing I did and realize the dangers of riding mid day.

For some reason, I thought that the area was flat. I was thinking that I would head over to the other side of the bowl and then go up on that side. I didn't even see the edge until I was about 5 feet from it, and I was going about 15 or 20 MPH. I didn't even have time to hit the brakes or turn.

I was also slightly hung over, didn't get a good nights sleep since I slept in my car, wasn't wearing my glasses, and generally just zoned out for a second.

This is just a recommendation to everyone, the protective gear I was wearing was the only reason I could drive myself back to camp. My chest protector saved me from breaking a few ribs when I hit the handlebars. My chest was bruised, but I didn't break any ribs, only bent the handlebars. I also had on knee and shin protectors, which had some heavy gouges in them. One of the knee/shin protectors was laying in the sand about 10 feet from where I landed.

Attached is the x-ray of the damage to my wrist. Not sure if I can make it through and airport metal detector?:lol:

I will be back at Glamis this November, hopefully with the leaky fork seal on the 250R repaired by then. :naughty:

[Jason Hall]

Man Hans, I'm glad your going to be OK!!! That looked so Bad, your a tuff dude.

[RapidRick]

Wow broken ulna, kind of looks what they did when I broke the radius. Sure glad you had the safety gear on. How's your feet? Nothing broken there? Got you in my prayers.

[bugler30]

I've done the same thing on a 185s here at the Oregon Dunes, landed on the front tire and over the handle bars I went, fortunately the trike bounced on over me and all I ended up with was a couple bruised ribs. That could have been much worse, glad you're mostly ok :D

[NeverLift]

Sorry to dig this back up but I did the exact same thing.

191337

[El Camexican]

I hadn’t seen this before, he took it like a man. I hope he still rides.

[lokisbuddy]

That trailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro was crazy lol I feel bad for your buddy but what can I say its the life we chose trailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro happens but that freakin ninja dune needs its ass kicked lol. I enjoy the dunes and yeah mid day blows hard. I prefer woods riding though I like tighter technical stuff. wish him speedy recovery.
Edit: lol just realized this thread was a necro.