I am not as "on the scene" as some of you probably are ...

I am trying to guage the risks for both of these types of racing...

The reason I am posting is b/c on a different website...the mx community lost 4 people since about October....that is pretty alarming to be honest..!!!

Comments and observations are very welcome and appreciated !!

Thanks,
Chad

Personal data:

Hare Scramble / Cross Country racing...15 broken bones, 2+ concussions, punctured / collapsed lung, and one care-flite. 11 years of having a blast with family and friends...

MX...2 championships, 1 series 2nd place, 1 broken hip, 2+ concussions. 7 years having a blast wth family and friends....

Most off roaders tell you MX is more dangerous. Most MX'ers fear trees. Do both, be careful what you do, and watch out for the other guy.

Welcome aboard.

Chad:

I raced nothing but motocross from 1968 through 1982. I have been racing harescrammbles from 2000 through today.

I'm sure there are alot of extenuating circumstances surrounding my history; however racing motocross and practicing motocross I have had:

1. Broken back casing 150 ft triples------------------motocross
2. 8 different knee surgeries-------------------------motocross
3. 2 colar bones------------------------------------motocross
4. Broken ankle-------------------------------------motocross
5. assorted fingers----------------------------------motocross
6. broken right arm near shoulder socket-------------motocross
7. cracked sternum---------------------------------motocross

and harescrammbles:

8. Cracked and bruised ribs--------------------------harescrammble
9. Broken and jammed right big toe------------------harescrammble


I only race harescrammbles at about 65%, and then only if I feel 100%, otherwise I enjoy a fast trail ride! For instance Rathmans had some really slippery stuff and some really deep ruts; well I can only bend my knees about half of what they should bend, so I go slow or careful enough not to injure them more.

It's a whole lot more fun to make all the races versus watching from the sidelines. Just ride a safe pace where you can go to work on Monday!

Brian Darnell
#412 (Over 40 "A")

Wow, I should consider myself lucky. I've been riding and racing enduros and hare scrambles for 30 years now. 1 concussion when I was 15 from hitting a tree in an enduro and two broken bones in my foot from hitting a tree joy riding in the woods when I was 37. But tons of bruises and sore body parts through the years. I have only practiced on a motocross track and hit the ground seeing stars a few times within a years times. That made me decide to take it easy on motocross tracks to avoid more serious injury as I could see my time quickly approaching.

Robert

Motorcross is way more dangerous I belive

MX- 6 compressed vertebra's
-4 concusions
- fracured wrist
- Two torn rotator cuffs
- Numorous handlebars
- Three helmets
- Much Much more

Hair Scrambles
- 2 concusions
- Numorous Handlebars
- One Helmet
- Numorous cuts and bruses

So I help this helps but not too bad of odds for 16 years of riding.

They each have their dangers. How you go at it makes the biggest difference. I have raced/ridden MX for many years, but I'm new to HS. They are both a blast and very addictive.

If you are green as grass you should just go out and ride to understand the controls and get comfortable just riding. MX track, trails, doesn't matter where, just get familiar with your bike and riding.

MX can lead to jumping, which is a really fun thing. But, it requires lot's of practice to do safely and consistantly. Don't feel you have to jump to have fun on the track. Jumping is where you will most likely have serious injuries. Being a hero for a few seconds in the air isn't worth weeks in plaster(although I highsided out of a turn and seriously dislocated my hip once )

I highly recommend trying a HS race as a first time at racing. HS is a lot more relaxed than MX and it last much longer. Take your time and don't rush it. There will always be races.

One last thought. Any type of racing can/will lead to a lapse in concentration occasionally, usually because you get tired and stop thinking (your muscles take the oxygen your brain needs), it is at these moments that you run into problems, thats when being familiar with the bike pays off in saving it.

You can still have "moments" even when you thought everything was just fine (but that is another subject)

Good Luck!

Be sure to put a scratch on your helmet before riding with it. You never want the first one to be applied while your wearing it.........good Mojo.

Neo- everyone has pretty much layed it out for you, it should be clear to you that both are dangerous.

They both have their respective dangers; MX has jumping, wide tracks, banging bars, jumping, and can't forget jumping.......all of that jumping is risky the odds of getting hurt are high.

In harescrambles you have trees, creek crossings, little jumps, single track and more trees; the biggest danger are the high speeds, but these dangers are managable if you adrenline is not pumping, well OK going slow is not an option.

Leave the bike at home and bring your little girl out tomorrow, you both will have fun.

There are typically concessions are the races. It is about a three hour drive for you so leave around 5:30 or 6:00 in the morning. You have my number.......

IMO they both have different (and some common dangers), but overall I'd say MX is more dangerous. A lot of the risks can be controlled, though, by riding @ tracks that seem to be designed w/ a greater focus on safety and by taking your time in builiding up to big jumps, blitzing the whoops, etc.

The biggest danger w/ hare scrambles seems to be that trees don't move. I crash more in the woods than on the MX track due to "outriding the terrain", but usually I'm going relatively slow when it happens.

I wouldn't let concerns about the dangers steer me away from either one, as both are way too fun, and the risks can be controlled w/ good gear and controlled riding. Take a class or two as well, and you may learn some techniques that'll make you not only faster but safer as well.

If you push the limits of anything in this world trying to reach the next level, you increase your chances of failure.

I agree with Highflier in that it really depends on how you ride. Take your time learning everything you can and buy every piece of safety gear before you push your limits.