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Photo Credit: Marty

Richard Loses It

Technical Description: Here Richard performs a classic "Over the Bars" crash on his GT Avalanche 20 metres before the finishline on the 1998 Redeye RedRocks Run. Note that his feet have unclipped from the pedals and he's just given up on the idea of holding onto the handlebars. His body is also in the perfect for a "Face Grating Gravel Slide" or a "Spine Crumpler." Don't worry folks - Richard laughed when I showed him this and still knows his alphabet.

Background: High winds, loose gravel, and big cliffs did not deter the punters from showing out in droves for this event. Almost every race official had been to the legendary "Mud Cycles Xmas Bash" the night before and most were incapable of cognitive thought (or keeping their food down in one case.) Good Times Were Had By All.

A Total Lack of Style

Technical Description: This sort of behaviour is known as "The Grovel" - it is not a good look. After a big crash the best tactic (if your not comatose) is often "The Hollywood" where you throw yourself around, shrieking like a banshee and everyone thinks your either really hurt or a total wuss. At the other side of the spectrum "The Grovel" involves uselessly flailing around in the dirt while everyone looks away in embarrassment, until you are run over by another rider. 

Background: I'm pretty sure this is Brent from "On Yer Bike" but he can slap me upside the head if I'm wrong. Again this is at Red Rocks, full credit to Marty for positioning himself in such a excellent "Carnage Vulture" position.

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Photo Credit: Marty

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Photo Credit: Not Sure

Orongorongo Headbutt

Technical Description: This rider is experimenting with a variation of the "Face Plant" known as the "Head Butt." Instead of letting  yourself meekly hit the ground you can add flair and style by driving your head into a bank.

Background: This was snapped at the 1999 Orongorongo Downhill - part of Carl's Wellington DH Cup. 

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Photo Credit: Tom? (Marty?)

Classic Taco

Technical Description: This illustrates a well executed "Taco'd Wheel." The front wheel is obviously stuffed, and the race is over for this guy. Note the bike is perfectly lined up to "Clobber" the rider. Those of you with sharp eyes will spot a recently abandoned bike in the top left of the photo. I think the other rider is doing "The Grovel" offscreen.

Background: I think this track is still raced under the name "The Makara Classic" by Mud Cycles once a year. It's a circuit course with this 20 metre dropoff (with a 90 degree corner at the bottom) as the centrepiece. Great track.

Terror-Fitty Bum Skid

Technical Description: Aesthetically this is a near perfect "Bum Skid." The rider is keeping his legs up in the air, toes pointed apart while using his left arm to attempt to slow down. The best part of this shot is the aerial bike to the top right. Judging from the shadow the bike is about 1 metre up and heading straight for the rider's solar plexus.

Background: The Terror-Fitty course has to be one of my personal favourites. This shot is taken in the first of it's two main features "The Bowl"  which annually fills with blood thirsty spectators, all screaming for riders to "Go Hard." The second feature is the mandatory 20 metre drop-off in view of the finishline.

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Photo Credit: ?

Click photo for Close Up and a chance to Vote
Photo Credit: Tom? (Marty?)

Failed Bail Out

Technical Description: Here the technique of "Bailing Out" is inexpertedly demonstrated. When leaving your bike is important not to ram you face and shoulder into the dirt, but rather remain upright and land on your feet.

Background: Again with the Makara Classic dropoff. Spectators have lined up at the top in true Vulture Fashion. The genius of sections like this on a circuit race is they get more and more cut up (read unrideable) as the day goes on.