[Minn]

This is the reason I almost exclusively mountain bike now.

I've had way more near death experiences with tree roots and rocks than with cars. Mountain biking can be downright terrifying sometimes.

[Red in Blue PA]

True.....but I have no qualms about getting off the bike if I get a bad feel about something which may be too big or too steep.

[Steve Van Doorn]

I would rather hit a 5 ton bolder then a fast moving 5 ton bolder hit me.

[Melas]

I can attest to that. I’ve toasted 5, count’em 5 Giro Xen’s in 18 months. That’s a new helmet every few months. That’s not even counting a front Crossmax SLR wheel that looked like a potato chip. That’s $500 wheel that was gone in the blink of an eye. It’s a rough sport, but mostly on my wallet.