Broken Ankle :(

[BONGO]

I know you probably don't want to hear this as its rubbing salt in the wound a bit now... but what did that drop gap actually acheive? You won't get sponsored for it, you can't ride, and now if you do go to get a job your going to find getting there will be difficult.

I agree with your whole post, but this part, i may or may not agree with! Yes, i agree with the consequences. f**ked foot = no job & riding =

BUT, if he just did the gap becasue he thought he could do it and made a simple mistake, fair enough, accidents happen. It can be annoying, but you expect it from such a sport. If it was on the edge of his capabilities and on that attempt it didn't work out, but he went for it becasue he really felt like trying it and was 'on it' that day, then how can he regret it?? It was for nothing, except the amazing feeling if he landed it.

I doubt the few seconds before the gap, he was thinking about sponsorship. If he was, i think it's a massive shame, and hope the injury changes his perspective on riding. I've never regretted a crash, becasue i've only ever had crashes after weighing up the odds and deciding to try it because i reallyw anted to get the feelintg you get when you know you just avoided a massive wreck. Sometimes, you don't avoid them though and end up in hospital, but how can you regret following through something you wanted to do??

I'd rather end up in hospital knowing i tried it, than end up in bed that night annoyed for fagging out.

However, i would never ever even willy my finger, to please a company that in reality, don't give a shit about me and are using me as a billboard to advertise their products, and wouldn't hesitate to stop helping me, should they run out of money to send me things. The fact that you MAY be injuring yourself, and riding every day, to get these companies to send you things, is a sad thing to find out in my opinion. I don't understand the mentality of people with these views, and don't agree with them. I do understand money problems, but think that it's the wrong way to go about it. If you had a job, then you could solve your money problems for your bike and also for the rest of your time when you're not riding, so you could go out, buy clothes, maybe save to buiy a car when you're old enough, insurance, lessons etc etc. It's shit doing it, but thinking ahead is the right thing to do, and you're the right age to do it. I've worked since i was 15, and ridden since 17. I worked to work, then when i began riding, i worked to ride. I rode to ride, and never for any other reason. Keep it that way and you'll never be unhappy, you'll never feel pressured and you'lle never regret a crash. You can shape your riding to apeal to other riders and companies more i suppose, but i would say you should never let it be an active thought in your head while out on a ride. Most people who are sponsored have had it happen almost b accident.

Sponsorship is a very nice side effect of loving to ride. Not a natural result of riding. I hope you get better, enjoy riding more than ever, and get some money!

I bet you never expected in depth, deep posts, when you said you bust your foot! Sorry if some things you never wanted to hear, nothing i've said, has been intended to have a go at you or anything, but i've been in the same position as far as injuries go, and money!

Bongo

[Krisboats]

I agree with your whole post, but this part, i may or may not agree with! Yes, i agree with the consequences. f**ked foot = no job & riding =

BUT, if he just did the gap becasue he thought he could do it and made a simple mistake, fair enough, accidents happen. It can be annoying, but you expect it from such a sport. If it was on the edge of his capabilities and on that attempt it didn't work out, but he went for it becasue he really felt like trying it and was 'on it' that day, then how can he regret it?? It was for nothing, except the amazing feeling if he landed it.

I doubt the few seconds before the gap, he was thinking about sponsorship. If he was, i think it's a massive shame, and hope the injury changes his perspective on riding. I've never regretted a crash, becasue i've only ever had crashes after weighing up the odds and deciding to try it because i reallyw anted to get the feelintg you get when you know you just avoided a massive wreck. Sometimes, you don't avoid them though and end up in hospital, but how can you regret following through something you wanted to do??

I'd rather end up in hospital knowing i tried it, than end up in bed that night annoyed for fagging out.

However, i would never ever even willy my finger, to please a company that in reality, don't give a shit about me and are using me as a billboard to advertise their products, and wouldn't hesitate to stop helping me, should they run out of money to send me things. The fact that you MAY be injuring yourself, and riding every day, to get these companies to send you things, is a sad thing to find out in my opinion. I don't understand the mentality of people with these views, and don't agree with them. I do understand money problems, but think that it's the wrong way to go about it. If you had a job, then you could solve your money problems for your bike and also for the rest of your time when you're not riding, so you could go out, buy clothes, maybe save to buiy a car when you're old enough, insurance, lessons etc etc. It's shit doing it, but thinking ahead is the right thing to do, and you're the right age to do it. I've worked since i was 15, and ridden since 17. I worked to work, then when i began riding, i worked to ride. I rode to ride, and never for any other reason. Keep it that way and you'll never be unhappy, you'll never feel pressured and you'lle never regret a crash. You can shape your riding to apeal to other riders and companies more i suppose, but i would say you should never let it be an active thought in your head while out on a ride. Most people who are sponsored have had it happen almost b accident.

Sponsorship is a very nice side effect of loving to ride. Not a natural result of riding. I hope you get better, enjoy riding more than ever, and get some money!

I bet you never expected in depth, deep posts, when you said you bust your foot! Sorry if some things you never wanted to hear, nothing i've said, has been intended to have a go at you or anything, but i've been in the same position as far as injuries go, and money!

Bongo

Yeah man, all seems sound to me.

The only reason i said it was because he'd told me on msn he was going out of his way to do big things so he could get sponsored.

[hill_393]

QUOTE(Ali C @ Aug 28 2007, 12:12 AM) *

Going smaller and being smooth with your own style is more attractive to potentiol sponsors

I think you just changed the way a lot of people ride tongue.gif It's true by the way...

You've got my vote on this one. I've had the privilege of being sponsored by a few companies before my accident, and I'm sure if you ask any sponsor, what they look for is someone who can provide something for their company and be a benefit to them. You have to remember you are a walking advert, and it's the attitude on and off the bike that counts. A rider has to make a company know and this is done more through conversations than riding. In my experience a lot of people ask about trials, how you can get started, and where to look, and through conversations you can point them towards you sponsor ;

ie) Tarty Bikes provide complete bike builds starting at £X, but can also provide the individual parts needed. The website is £x, and if you don't have access to the Internet, their phone number is £X.

Thinkbikes are pushing the barrier further with training programs, as is Waynio, and full respect to them. Sponsorship is helpful for bike parts, but believe me once you get it, the job gets 10 times harder in keeping it. I think the key in your riding is to be different. Show your ability to cross disciplines. To be able to do the big, but also small, to be able to do the tech, but huge, to be smooth and precise, but most of all be different.

Darren

[BONGO]

So from what you've said, you've clearly, amongst other things, had an ACL reconstruction, as the ACL holds 90% of the knee's stability. What kind of reconstruction have you had?? What donar was used for it, and what's your rehab plan???

I hate to sound off, but i don't believe what you're saying, as i'm going through it, and after a year of research before it, i know an awful lot about it, and i know that what you are claiming, doesn't lne up with anything int he UK or US post op rehab programs. In fact, you're about 6 months out of sync...

.......

[Danny Kearns]

Right. To Bongo and Kris. I'll explain.

You can either love me or hate me for this i don' really care.

That drop gap was so scary looking at it. To be honest, when i was up there i didn't even think i could make it but knew i could in the back of my mind. I was pussying out saying to my mates, i don't wanna do it. Then the thought of the outcome, my video, the sponsorships. Thats the influence that makes me go big in riding. I want to become one of the best street riders out there. Thats my ambition in trials. To push myself further than i am physically able to go, to try things i shouldn't. To get my name out there. Trials is my life. I don't even know what i ride trials for anymore. I can't even class it as fun anymore i don't think. I think im taking it full on serious now. All i want to do is get a sponsor.

Kris you are right. Thats the only reason i go as big as i go. Is to try and get this sponsorship and also to push myself as far as i can go. I've filmed some bigger stuff for my new video that i come out safe and sound from. I just bolloxed that one up. These things happen. Remember something. Risk = Reward. Your not going to get given a sponsorship if company's can't see your not pushing yourself to your limits and that your dedicated to your sport.

Ahhh it's hard for me to explain.

I don't even know what im going to do once im out of cast and recovered i really don't. I don't even know if Trials will still be a part of my life or i may not take it as serious or i may just go bigger than before. I haven't decided yet.

Danny.

[Tony Harrison]

This thread is so shit.

I remember TF used to get this all the time - the 'How can I get sponsored?' threads. It's just stupid. People should ride for themselves, not for others. A decent sponsor will let a rider develop and follow the path they like. Look at the guys that get support from Tartybikes, Ashton, etc - they go off and ride the street/comps they want. If you pressure yourself to do something you're not ready for, you'll f**k up. If you only 'go big' to try and impress a potential sponsor, then you're two things...

1) Misguided. Read Adam and Bongo's posts. Going big isn't enough to make you/anyone stand out anymore. Too many people go big. You could change your forum attitude for a start, that'd be a bigger achievement...

2) Stupid. I'd never put my physical well-being in jeopardy for anyone other than myself. Because if I break my ankle, neck, etc (be it bike, mountain or anything related), I need to be able to live with that. THINK about that. Your sponsor ain't going to build you new ligaments, or a new spinal cord. And a bike is f**k-all use when you're in a wheelchair or hobbling about on crutches.

Think first, because it'll be too late afterwards. I'm not saying don't go big, just that if you step waaay outside your ability, you're going to get hurt. Badly.

[Joe Papasnap Maher]

BTW...whats the big deal with getting sponsered??

So...you'll get a frame from deng. So f**king what lol. That aint a sponsership. Its just saving abit of cash.

There isnt anything i could possibly say that would make me sound like im not being a fanny? But its true..If you've REALLY got that stage..where your not enjoying it..and your riding to prove to others how good you are..then i think its time you stopped. I find i ride my best..when im having fun, not when im pushing myself.

Ali. Top Banana.

[Danny Kearns]

BTW...whats the big deal with getting sponsered??

So...you'll get a frame from deng. So f**king what lol. That aint a sponsership. Its just saving abit of cash.

There isnt anything i could possibly say that would make me sound like im not being a fanny? But its true..If you've REALLY got that stage..where your not enjoying it..and your riding to prove to others how good you are..then i think its time you stopped. I find i ride my best..when im having fun, not when im pushing myself.

Ali. Top Banana.

So what is Sponsorship then Joe ? Someone who helps you sleep at night ?

Deng doesn't just give you a frame at all. Deng supports you so you never have to pay for bike parts again.

The big deal with sponsorship is that it influences me myslef to go big in riding to do th best i can for the company im riding for. Sponsorship is alot of pressure yet at the same time it's influencing.

I don't think it's time to stop to be honest. I have to ride on my own or just go out with normal friends who don't ride trials because i nobody rides Trials in my area anymore. So wheres the fun ? I have to ride for something. I have a passion for biketrials that for some reason won't leave me.

I can't just quit. I've only just begun.

Danny.

[Joe Papasnap Maher]

So what is Sponsorship then Joe ? Someone who helps you sleep at night ?

Deng doesn't just give you a frame at all. Deng supports you so you never have to pay for bike parts again.

Ok, so he gives you a frame and some parts? lol

Call it what you what..sponsership or not..but i think your putting your body under to yourself under to much pressure ( as shown with the ankle break ) for , lets be honest, not much gain? some free parts..which you can buy lol?

im bound to be wrong in your opinion, so we'll leave it there

As i said in the other thread. Hope you heel up quick and get back out there..but dont be dissapointed if you dont get sponsered.

[Tomm]

I don't even know what i ride trials for anymore. I can't even class it as fun anymore i don't think. I think im taking it full on serious now. All i want to do is get a sponsor.

So if you actually do get a sponsor, what will you do? Will trials magically become fun again if you have to pay less for your bits? Your attitude is weird - and probably not one that will get you sponsorship. It sounds like if you get sponsored you would have nothing to ride for and you'd give up - hardly something that any sponsor is going to want.

Like everyone else has said - a normal bog standard job for two months (or less) will buy you any bike you want. There's really no need to put your body in danger for a bike.

[hill_393]

I think everyone has made good points, and each have a valued argument.

The question I have to ask is would you ride if Sponsorship was not available?

My answer is yes, as I do it for the enjoyment. My principles have remained the same since day 1, and thats to have fun on my bike. Nothing will ever change that, and when I'm back on a bike ( Like I was in London on Sunday), it felt fantastic to have that freedom after being housebound for so long.

I agree with Joe on this one. I really don't see the big fuss over sponsorship.

Darren

[Tony Harrison]

Yeah, it's so true. To me it's like the idea of doing weight training, etc, to support trials. Screw that for a laugh! Riding a bike should be fun - when there's pressure to try and prove a point, or 'get sponsored', it's only going to get boring and disappointing if you fail (or smash your ankle).

Anyway, this guy quit recently didn't he, or couldn't he even do that properly? Yeah, quit again, but put more effort in this time...

[hill_393]

Yeah, it's so true. To me it's like the idea of doing weight training, etc, to support trials. Screw that for a laugh! Riding a bike should be fun - when there's pressure to try and prove a point, or 'get sponsored', it's only going to get boring and disappointing if you fail (or smash your ankle).

Anyway, this guy quit recently didn't he, or couldn't he even do that properly? Yeah, quit again, but put more effort in this time...

Not quit, sidelined due to Injury. I was referring to being back on an XC bike. Was a great feeling. Weather I can return to trials will be decided in time and the results of all my operations.................

Darren

[Tony Harrison]

I was talking about the thread-starter, not you!

[hill_393]

I was talking about the thread-starter, not you!

Aah my mistake good sir

Crossed wires

Darren

[ilikeriding]

no point in doing all these huge moves if it looks gash

[Barbara Logan-Price]

haha this thread is comedy

[crazy_gap girl]

haha this thread is comedy

Agreed.

Big headed-ness does not get you far.

[Tomm]

Play nice everyone...

[boon racoon]

If you were going to do a huge one-off move which you thought would go a fair way towards getting you sponsored, you'd at least get someone to film it who isn't a complete muppet...

Trials can't be that big a part of / passion in your life if you "quit" because you couldn't afford a bike, yet still haven't got a job to allow you to carry on!

Edit - I'm sorry to hear you bust up your ankle either way. I wouldn't wish that upon anyone and can't imagine what it's gonna be like laid up for weeks.

But seriously, going big is over rated - like sponsorship.

Edited August 28, 2007 by the boon

[Mark W]

I can't just quit. I've only just begun.

Any more cliches to roll out?

People are always going to be bigger/better/faster/smoother than you, so stop stressing yourself out trying to out-do them. Do your own thing. That's what gets people sponsored for the most part.

One more thing - read back and look through this thread at what you've really been saying. How do you think a sponsor would feel about that? You're already pointing out the list of demands you have for whoever a potential sponsor might be, but from this thread it's also clear your attitude distances you from other people in a negative way. Sponsorship is a two way thing, so how are you giving anything back to a company? Just "going big" isn't really going to cut it.

[BONGO]

Aah my mistake good sir

Crossed wires

Darren

Darren, you keep posting in this thread, but seem to never answer my question i asked you earlier up this thread....

[munkee]

big bag of cold peas usually fixes my ankle fine

[ben_travis]

If you were going to do a huge one-off move which you thought would go a fair way towards getting you sponsored, you'd at least get someone to film it who isn't a complete muppet...

Trials can't be that big a part of / passion in your life if you "quit" because you couldn't afford a bike, yet still haven't got a job to allow you to carry on!

Edit - I'm sorry to hear you bust up your ankle either way. I wouldn't wish that upon anyone and can't imagine what it's gonna be like laid up for weeks.

But seriously, going big is over rated - like sponsorship.

go on boon.

i agree with the matt meister.

i dont go big, in fact i imagine thre are folk on here who can go bigger, but i have a deal, and like people are sayin dan, sponsorship is two way, there are things you need to do other than videos....

[Gavyn.]

lol, thats a different way of looking at it.

surly going big costs more than going smaller and smoother, everyone wants to be the next cls, tunny or damon, but they have made it hard for the rest of the tgs riders to get noticed as they go so big. Going smaller and being smooth with your own style is more attractive to potentiol sponsors, plus its kinder on the bike and will cost less in repairs.

Also, going smooth doesnt mean you'll always be doing small moves.....look at Stan, he can gap over 9ft flat and never rim out, he can go REALLY big, but I dont think I have ever seen him snap a part, in my eyes thats the way to go riding wise.

a couple of months ago I was trying to go as big as I could not really for a sponser partly because i wanted to see how far I could push it. I was watching ben's vids and trying to find new places to try big drop gaps and trying stuff which in my head i could handle but unfortunatly my bike couldn't (snapped 2 bbs and was getting a puncture every ride). also my body couldn't handle it either twisted my ankle and kept straining myself. which quite frankly was boring and shit. so i had a think about it and decided to get a stock so i could learn new things like taps and front wheel moves. But stock didn't suit me either so I took a quick break from trials while i went on holiday only for about a month or so and really used the time to think about how i wanted to ride trials and decided the best thing for me to do now would be to go smaller and start getting smoother before I start building on those moves and also to learn to be smoother and more controlled on rocks without going any bigger

perhaps danny should try some new things in trials and see if he enjoys them more. I know i'm enjoying going over the bars trying to G-turn more than when i was inch pinching at my sidehops