ATV Florida Forum

If you were at Croom riding you MX bike yesterday 2/20, please be a little more courtious when riding. You could have injured my son yesterday.

With 7 of us trail riding along the main road fence line, there was a riding gap between us as my 10 yr old on his 110cc ATV wasn't as experienced a rider and was having trouble with the woops and tree roots.

Granted you did have to stop to let us all pass, but we were at that trail intersection before you. There were plenty of intersecting trails there you could have taken, but you chose to ride parallel to us, pass us, "jump" in front of my son. Then when you hit the sand bank curve right there in front of my son, your bike sent a rooster tail of sand back at him, a young inexperienced rider, struggling to have a good time.

I assume this was an accident and that you did not realize your bike would send a rooster tail of sand at him as you had just cut him off and you were only about 30 yrds in front of him. If you had been any closer to him at this point, and your sand had hit him in the face, you could have caused him to crash. Please think about what your bike does and be more patient.  Thank you from a concerned parent.

Teej

I'd get some good googles for him, sand can suck on the eyes. Not to mention every time he'll take a fall his eyes'll be protected. I just wish they'd come up with something to keep all the sand OUT of your mouth.

Croom can be a dangerous place for an inexperienced rider or anyone for that matter. I would never take my daughter there. I've had close calls at Croom and have been riding for many years. You put 100 + riders in a 2600 acre area things will happen.

man you are too nice.

i think it would not have turned out pretty if it
were me.

i am not that civil.

Teej, That sucks when other riders aren't careful around younger riders. Glad that your son kept it straight and didn't wreck. When im there, Im always looking for other riders to stay away from. My son always follows me and Im always looking back to check on him. Im gonna be the one to hit a tree when im not looking ;).

Yea, thinking about our dad who would prolly run over the guys bike.

He was wearing googles. I am sure that helped.


I am being nice  on the forum, plus I think it was an oversight as I do not think the rider realized that the rooster tail of sand kicked back. However; he had no buisness jumping in front of my son. He could have crashed, my son could have crashed, then things would not have been pretty I assure you.


It is just a matter of preference. I had been infront. I like being in back because I can watch him and see what he does. I don't like looking over my shoulder if I don't have too as you have a tendency to turn the bars when you crank your head back sometimes. Then I might wreck. I may look into those hand guards that have mirrors on them though.

My son did loose it and bumb a tree further down this same trail. Being behind him I was able to see exactly what happened. He was very tired at this point and he made a turn and his front tire hit soft sand. The tire twisted in the sand and my son lost his grip on the bars. He braked, but still bumped head on into a tree and busted his bottom lip from biting it. He saw his own blood and that was it. It became the "worst day of his life".

He needs to gain weight, strength, and a lot more experince riding different terrains. Where I live and he rides most is flat, open trails. Yes sand, but no woops. Today he does want to go back, and he wants a bigger bike. lol

In time. But all riders, Quad or MX need to be aware of what their actions can cause. Over all it was a good day and we made some new friends.

Teej

TeeJ,
It was a pleasure meeting and riding with you and your lovely family yesterday. We had a good time all weekend, but were definitely tuckered out by the end if the day.

I have to tell you that I think your son did great for a new rider, and was extremely brave after getting banged up.

Next time you want to come down just give me a heads up and we will be glad to have you spend the weekend. we are looking forward to riding with you guys again.

Lee and family

You ain't gonna catch an MX bike though!  ;)

They have to park it at sometime  ;)

Gonna be as respectful as possible but sh*t like this is gonna teach him..It's almost a necessary evil if you will.

Ya know whatta I mean?....if it was all flat straight even dirt we would never learn how to climb a hill...if someone never cuts you off you don;t know how to react when somehtime else extreme happens...get my drift?


I got my girl out riding her 400ex now and she has never used a clutch/brake/gas thingy before as she calls it.She was sortof "forced" to ride a hill above her skill level and I am sure she was rather scared but I was NOT around and she did on her own..I was proud of her and it hwas a HUGE stepping stone of confidence.Many people avoid this hill or roots and deep sand cause it is tricky at best.She just zips right up it no problem...that keeps the Boys from hazing her at the trailer.

Gotta take your lumps ya know.. ;)

There is a differance between a grown up (I am assuming is your girlfriend) and a kid.. If the kid feels intimadated he might give the sport up, and that gets him nowhere..You got to learn to walk before you can run.

You know, I would actually think it was a XC rider. I am sure he had NO intention to spray your son. Those bikes pack massive amounts of torque and when on the pipe, they will throw anywhere from 10-30 foot roosts.

Being a racer, I always look for the quickest and safest way to pass. When this guy came up on you guys, he was thinking, how can I get around without hurting myself or anyone else. He probly also thought you would slow down to let him pass since he was the faster rider.

If the kid gets roost in the face, he should wipe it off and keep going. Not pull over to wait for you to get a wet nap to clean it for him. He will learn soon enough.

I know your being a parent and all, but these days parents pretty much bubble wrap kids to make sure they dont get hurt.

Im sure your son is fine and still has that chance to be Bill Balance or the next Mike Alstott.

Well my son never stopped and I did not have to clean him up. Later when he crashed for different reasons explained above, I did stop to wipe the blood from his lips. I agree he needs more experience in this environment. I feel this will make my kids better drivers on the road when they are on their own. I think the biggest advantage from riding in a place like Croom, they will learn how to always be looking out for the other guy.

But as an adult rider out there, you still have to think and be responsible for what you and your actions [or the actions of you vehicle] can do. Not only to you, but to others as well.

Teej

In this thread someone mentioned not taking kids to croom to ride. I have heard that a few times but with so few places to ride where do you take kids? I have four kids and we have gone to croom with them a couple of times. The only place to ride is Ocala or croom - is there somewhere else to go that would be safer? I would not mind going some place that is better suited for kids.