So some background. I was at the enertion Raptor 2 event last night in San Francisco. Everything was good, we had raced already, reached our destination. And now we were heading back to where we started. Shorty after the turn around point, we were on a road that was not in good shape. I thought it had cleared up enough so that it wouldn’t be an issue, but I hit a large crack at exactly the same time I tried to slow down quickly (to let the group catch up and help light up the road). There wasn’t a street light where I fell, so viability was poor. So We I hit the crack, it made me squeeze the tirggers brakes slighter harder than I was expecting. The result, is I got throw forwards. I tried to run it off, but it was a bad move. I took the first step with my right foot, and the second with my left, which is when my ankle completely dislocated, followed by another with my right foot (which is un injured) and then straight to the ground. This is not how I would normally fall. Normally, I would take one full step with my right foot, one half step with my left, tuck my right shoulder down towards the road, and roll/slide out of it. But there was one catch. I had an extra lipo pack for the long ride in my backpack, to make sure I don’t run out of juice, and keep power output high. I was afraid to land on it and cause a fiery explosion. So I decided at the beginning of the night to try to run off if anything happened. Bad idea. I was going around 25 mph at the time, and simply couldn’t run at those speeds.
The result, my ankle pop out like a twig, tearing my ligament in the process. So now 6-8 weeks to recover, and an impending surgery in the near future, and likely a year or so before I am back to normal (actually better, since my ligaments suck. The cadavers are way better, and I know, cause this was my last natural ligament in this ankle, haha).
Moral of the story, is be careful out there, especially at night, on roads you don’t know the condition of, and don’t try to run it off if your going above the top speed you can run at on a treadmill. You will put extra force onto your ankles, and this can happen.
Thank you to everyone who helped! You guys are best!
Funny part is I’m covered 100% above my waste in leather, with a tgs pass helmet. When I go to the skate park, I wear two ankle braces on each ankle, but not when I ride my eboard. Had I had these braces on, things might have ended differently also. There’s at least 8 factors I’ve identified so far that where all in alignment for it to happen.
Late night (getting tired)
Dark
Unknown road quality
Too much speed for being unknown quality
Too relaxed/comfortable (let my guard down)
Not wearing ankle braces
Extra battery that I didn’t want to land on
Still riding 83mm wheels instead of some plusher 90mm or 97mm wheels (@hummie :D)
Had just one of those factors changed, I might be better off right now.
Hope you get better man, I just fell on my board for the first time today. Got too confident lost my balance fell off the back and hit my head with no helmet. Luckily I should be okay tho
This one terrifies me. Sometimes if I feel like my guard is down, I will pull over to the side of the road and hop off and think “this could be a crash, but it’s not - pay attention dummie” then pump myself up and hop back on and ride away
Sorry about your injury. Wish you fast recovery. I recently went down also at 25+mph but had to do a couple steps before going down. Was just wearing shorts and t-shirt and without those steps my hands, arm, and torso would have been skinned a lot more. But, yeah speed at night is def not a good idea.
The road was terrible with big cracks. It was on the last leg of a fun night. The shit happened right in front of me.
Everyone who rides at night need very powerful flashlights at least 450 lumens. Shredlights are not enough at high speeds. I hope you heal fast.
Im bumned to hear about your injury, best wishes on a speedy recovery.
I was wondering what you were talking about yesterday regarding a surgery that would cause you to miss performance day, now I understand
On a lighter note, awesome video. The raw power your board is putting down is clearly visible in that video, that board is beastly! 120A battery and 520A motor at 12S with a 200lb rider right?
I’ve done that before not going to lie , when I went from 10s to 12a was blinded by the speed and joy and well I was going 23 mph a when it happened and well I hit a small crack lost balance launched forward and well I ran off the board quite well , no injuries , I think it’s because am a track runner and well a good one lol (6 years In track ) , my form and balance on point , definitely scary and I no longer go more than like 15 mph on night time
