| If you're considering dirt bike racing as a hobby there is | | | | that much and it definitely shouldn't stop you taking part |
| one thing that you are definitely going to have to | | | | and having fun. Everyone who sits on a dirt bike |
| prepare yourself for and that's dirt bike crashes. I don't | | | | knows the risks of crashing but that's where the |
| think there's a single dirt biker out there who hasn't | | | | adrenalin comes into it. |
| been involved in a crash of one sort or another. The | | | | It's been said that there are only two types of racer; |
| nature of the sport means they are inevitable and | | | | those that have been down and those that are going |
| when it happens there's a good chance it is going to | | | | to go down. It really is inevitable, so make sure you're |
| hurt. | | | | as protected as you can be when it happens. Many |
| Wearing the proper safety gear won't prevent you | | | | professional riders can list numerous broken bones and |
| from crashing your bike, but it may well prevent | | | | some nasty dirt rash as part of their credentials but |
| serious injury. The helmet is probably the most obvious | | | | they keep getting back on the bike for more. They |
| because it stops a glance to the head from becoming | | | | truly are adrenalin junkies. |
| a full-blown head trauma. They really do save lives on | | | | Dirt bike crashes can happen at any speed and at any |
| a regular basis and riding without one isn't just foolish, | | | | time, whether you are just setting off and hardly |
| it's suicidal. | | | | moving, in full flight and getting air or at full throttle down |
| Proper boots, jerseys and trousers will protect the | | | | the straight. You could hit a bump, clip tyres with |
| majority of the rest of your body from serious injury in | | | | another rider or simply lose control. Dirt isn't even and |
| most cases and gloves will protect your hands. Never | | | | even with the specialist tyres you aren't always |
| be tempted to ride without the full quota of protective | | | | guaranteed a safe ride. |
| gear. | | | | Enjoy dirt bike racing and be prepared for the fact that |
| Crashes will happen most often when you are still an | | | | if you haven't already then you will experience a dirt |
| inexperienced rider. Making the wrong decision, turning | | | | bike crash before your time is up. Be prepared and be |
| late or taking a jump badly will inevitably lead to ground | | | | protected, as this will mean the difference between |
| time for you and your bike but it doesn't have to hurt | | | | cuts and bruises and serious injury. |