Amazing weekend at Putnam. So much fun. I am really learning a lot. Also pushing quite hard. I got my first ever knee down on Saturday. By the end of Sunday, I had got both knees down maybe 15 total times combined. Super cool. Also part of the pushing hard thing is a my low side on Saturday afternoon, and running into the grass and being ejected despite efforts to tap the rear brake on my last lap of the weekend on Sunday. Yes, I crashed in turn 9 right before I meant to pit out on my very last lap of the weekend. The damn pit is at turn 10. I was one turn away from not breaking my bike and my head. I got rolled pretty decently in that crash. Little shook up but I'll be alright. My head bounced off the ground a few times. That, and my official concussion from a high side at Blackhawk earlier in the year and I wonder- does anyone wear a mouthguard while riding? My line of thinking is from high school football days. Not only does the mouthguard protects your teeth, but when you bounce your head on the ground, your jaws slams shut and this can contribute to concussion. I wonder if its not recommended though, if you get bounced around and knocked out, it could get dislodged, and you could choke on it before the ambulance makes it to you.. Trying to minimize post-crash symptoms. I've crashed 3 times now in 4 track days this season. Novice all star!
I wear one because I think it is more likely to protect my brain than choke me to death (but I don't have an objective basis for that view).
Could it be secured to the helmet in any way like you might do to a football facemask? Safety wire for your mouth!
Not a bad idea.... My dentist is always on me to wear my bite guard to avoid gum recession caused by clenching. Probably clenching while on the track and not even realizing it. 3 crashes in 4 sessions? Might want to ratchet down a tad....lol. Rome wasn't built in a day!
The highside at Blackhawk earlier in the year happened because I am an idiot. I think. I don't remember anything except waking up in the ambulance and throwing up everywhere. The low side this past Saturday happened on the treacherous turn 7. I hate that turn. For the rest of the weekend I couldn't get the crash out of my head and I rode that turn like a bike wuss. I couldn't figure out what happened. Then Sunday morning I had Dave Moss go over the bike officially. The pre load in the front was way off for me and my size. It was super tight and I was only getting about 50% compression, so he said. He said if I was driving that turn hard, the front wheel most likely slipped out because the suspension couldn't compress all the way. So that wasn't my fault. The crash on Sunday happened because I was exhausted and should have got off the track one lap earlier. I put my hand up to pit out and missed a turn because I was only using one hand and crashed in the grass. I crashed because I put my hand up. I am an idiot. I am learning. A session before I rode into the grass halfway through, so I gave up on that session, which I've never done before. Gave myself extra time to clear my head. I should have know better than to push too hard the very last session. If I was so mentally exhausted, putting my hand up made me crash, I think its fair to say I shouldn't even have rode that session. I will not make this mistake again. Also, I am going to try the mouthguard. I am also going to try to stop landing on my head.
I started wearing one when riding hard because I had a habit of clenching my teeth also. If you get a properly, professional fitted and made mouth guard it won't come out in a crash. Mine takes some effort to take out as it fits so snug. It's also more natural feeling and easier to talk with one in than the classic football style (boil and bite) mouth guards. Call your dentist and get their pricing. Typically, they aren't cheap but worth it. You can usually get different colors, designs etc.
I have not seen anyone wear one (not saying they don't, just not as common). I've crashed twice and hit my head on the ground both times. I found that having a good quality helmet, that also fits you properly is the most important thing that you can do in regards to head safety. I've never heard of pro racers who crash all the time have any issues with their jaws or their teeth in crashes...but then again, freak accidents happen. I'd be more concerned about your crash rate. Perhaps slow it down a notch and practice the basics more so you stop crashing....that's what I would do And when I say "slow it down", I don't mean slow your lap times down, as I'm sure you're not riding on the pointy end of advanced group yet, so you're already going slow enough. What I mean is be smoother and relax more. Clearly you're doing something weird, or panicking in some way when you miss your turn-in or braking point by a bit. Practice on staying calm. Be consistent, predictable, and smooth.
I'm a fan of these: https://www.shockdoctor.com/gravity2-lower-mouthguard It's a lower (instead of an upper) guard, designed for helmeted sports. I wish there was an easy way to secure it to the helmet with a tether. -T
Sounds like a good idea, or at least it sure couldn't hurt. On the crash's, I have to assume your young. Yes finding the line is real important, your finding it one way and I'm creeping up to it in my own way. I am positive you will make advanced long before me or should I say ever do. As long as you understand WHY you crashed, what you should have done and how to prevent it in the future it was a learning experience. The first time is a experience (free bee) well expect for the parts. Second time is a mistake. OH, try and learn from others learning experiences and especially mistakes. (they can pay for the parts and hospital bills.) Heading to Putnam this weekend, doing both days (first for me) so I will keep in mind your last run of the day lesson.
I started using a mouth guard a few years ago after doing some research on concussions and head injuries. Was using it when I crashed hard enough to knock me out for about 15 minutes and break several ribs. The doc said I had a concussion but although everything in my body hurt, my head never did. I continue using a mouth guard for that extra measure of protection. And I've never had an issue with feeling it could be dislodged and cause a problem. As others have said, just make sure it is fitted properly and it will be held in place with no problem.
Heh. I'm 36 in a month... I have a curious history of high impact, high risk sports and injuries, and I got hooked on track days last September, Its not even been a year for me, and it appears I've been concussed twice. I was not officially immediately diagnosed with concussion yesterday, but I'll tell you what, I've been walking around in a fog all day today and certainly feeling funny, tired, hazy, etc. I am going to add the mouth guard to my list, and I am going to stop making stupid mistakes and be much more mindful of not allowing the bike to throw me from it..
Are you not responsible for your bike setup? Just giving you some grief but I'd definitely take a look at what's happening if you're crashing so much. Remember there are others out there too and if you're on the ragged edge you might take someone else with you. Work on being smooth and controlled. Smooth = fast. It'll just happen.
Have been researching these. Good to see a recommendation. In my crashes I (thankfully, and knock on wood!) haven't ever had a hard hit to the head but mouthguards make a lot of sense.
Yep your young, My oldest daughter is just about your age. First time is a learning experience, second time is a mistake. Learn from others.
I wear one all the time. My last crash in April I bounced me head off the pavement but did not sustain a concussion (as determined by EMT) and I attribute that to, not only a good helmet but, my mouth guard. I also clench my teeth such that the mouth guard helps that too.
I wear the Shock Doctor 3D nano mouth guard. Can pick up $40 to self mold. I used to have a custom mouth piece for boxing and this mouth piece isn't far off from the high end ones. Super comfortable and they made this one pretty small which makes it feel good in the helmet
I've been considering a mouth guard simply because I find myself sticking my tongue out when I concentrate during races. Does anybody else have that problem or a way to break myself of that habit?
I tend to clench my teeth when I ride. Chipped a tooth doing so earlier this season. I wear a mouthguard now and it's not going anywhere unless I make a pretty concerted effort to pull it out.
I did purchase the above suggested mouthguard. Has a nice little carrying case. Fits well on your bottom jaw, allows you to speak clearer. Quite comfortable. I did boil it just a tiny bit improperly so I have to re-do that, otherwise it was a well worth it purchase. Also, I avoided crashing at all the last 8 or so days I did this season since I originally posted this message. Finally got comfortable on the bike and got locked into the zone a few times and could just feel that I was in control and wasn't going to crash. That said I understand it can happen at any moment. I will continue to wear the mouthguard though, especially as I'll be pushing hard for an I bump as soon as next season gets going.