How I Broke My Neck.

This accident happened in 2016. I was riding on Mount Seymour with other riders and I crashed into a rock with my head first. It caused my neck bone to break and I was out from riding for 4 months.
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#MTB #gril #brokenneck

[@patrickbarrett5790]

Holy crap. The simplest of crashes can still be dangerous. So glad you're okay!

[@VanGirlYuka]

I know! My other crashes were much worse but I was totally fine 😂

[@josiahhorning2813]

I broke my neck on a small jump too!

[@Biking_with_Akiva]

Saw the title and was devastated I was like “ she never hurts herself “ then you told an entertaining / funny story how you almost was paralyzed 😬which made me laugh… AWESOME video guys 💯

[@supermom2337]

Oh Yuka! I've always wondered about how you broke your neck. Ugh it gave me chills hearing about it! Glad you healed and went on to make videos for all of us!! I love your channel!

[@slider190]

You are very fortunate that you didn't have any nerve damage. I can completely relate to having major mountain bike injuries. I shattered my spleen in 2019 and I fractured my neck last year. My doctor and family and friends all want me to quit riding, but I refuse. Love it too much. Stay safe. Love you videos

[@JerreMuesli]

Keep flying high, skilled lady! You're an inspiration to everyone

[@magnusv5269]

OMG Yuka that was intense mate! So happy you got back on the bike. I'm so impressed that you do not back down and any scary rides.

[@grantcarter5951]

My admiration for your bravery has just gone through the roof! I started watching yours and Eric's videos after this happened, unaware of your injury. I have a whole new level of respect for your willingness to send it every ride you do.

[@jamesnewby7079]

Hi I broke my collarbone a few months ago I just got out of my sling. Keep up the good work

[@notmaddax]

man i love the world, out of all the dirt and softer material, the world still decides that you should hit that rock

[@davebrown9725]

You really had me worried until I saw "1 year ago". I broke my C1 on 25-June-23, slow speed tip over the bars & pile-drove my new helmet straight into the trail. Crazy immediate pain and limited neck movement, with a 5 mile ride back to the barn. ER, CAT scan, neck brace followed with enforced inactivity for 5 months. Was So Happy when I could join a gym and when I started getting PT to rebuild my body & try to get range of neck motion back. Getting back on the bike was easier than when I broke my wrist (75 mm plate and 7 screws), but still can't shoulder check to look behind me, and I am not riding isolated or techy trails alone. I've been riding MTB for 30 years, and seem to break one bone every decade, collar bone break while riding full susp MTB in a skate park was my second MTB related broken bone. Always glad to see you and Eric riding the flow and jumps, wish I was half my age again so I could try those trails. At 67, I am afraid to fly like that, well the flight would be incredible, but landing wrong is just too scary.

[@EsmeeAnnamarie]

I actually have a similar story from when I fell off my horse into a thick wooden fence. I broke one of the posterior tubercles on my C3 vertebra, also, luckily, didn't need a neck brace. Also, I did get back up on my horse after a couple of months and still ride to this day.

[@rcranes2227]

way to get back up on that horse both figuratively AND literally!

[@RidgeRiderMTB]

The whole reenactment is hilarious! Thanks for telling the story!

[@nofrontbrakes]

This is better than any reenactment on the Discovery channel!

[@jimmy8x541]

Glad you were ok in the end dude. I'm just now finishing up my first MTB trip and unfortunately injured my shoulder. But I got some amazing rides done in California and Maui and I wouldn't change a thing about it. More trips this year!

[@KerryHussey]

I broke my collarbone and C-7 transverse process April 2021. Getting back on the bike was the best!

[@martinschwartz7342]

I am so glad you were able to recover well. I am so glad it wasn't any worse. Shock setup is so important. A poorly setup shock bucked me over the handlebar and I cracked the Iliac Crest on my Pelvis. For two months I looked half caucasian and half black and blue. My left side turned black and blue from mid-thigh up to my underarm.

[@VanGirlYuka]

I know suspension set up is super important more than which bike we’re riding. However, it’s hard to set up properly for me, I always use ShockWiz but the settings change over the time. I guess that’s why we have to maintenance every a few months…

[@jg_ultra]

I hate to say it, but I’ve long been wondering when Yuka would hurt herself in a bad crash. All the times she loses trail speed or her bike bucks her off completely. All the commentary about wheel flop. And so on. Her bike is clearly neither properly fitted or properly tuned for her, and she has been brute-forcing her riding and in need of coaching for ages, particularly regarding balance and weight transfer. Hire someone to properly set everything up. Hire someone to provide training. We all love Yuka and her videos, and just want the best for her riding and health, so I hope anyone reading this can take that to heart.

[@jayreyla]

How come no one is talking about the skit, I know it was not a funny experience I can't help but smile. Stay safe Yuka. :)

[@rlh347]

Glad you're doing ok....ride on Yuka 💪🏽

[@robgoffroad]

For me, the year was 2001. It was October. I was on a ride with a local bike group. I was mid-pack and we were riding down a mild downhill, fairly wide trail. I was probably going 15-20 mph. To this day I'm not sure what happened, but I got tossed, sorta like you did. I remember flying through the air with the bike still attached (I was clipped in) and came down on my left shoulder. I heard and felt the POP of my left collarbone snapping. It's I think the only time in my life I yelled out in pain. After impact, I was disconnected from my bike. I was able to reach over with my right arm and pull it out of the middle of the trail, as I knew others were behind me and I didn't want them to crash. I also started ringing my trail bell like mad. They stopped to check on me, and one of them rode down the hill to get cell service to call the paramedics. Long story short, I got air lifted back to the parking area (freakin' cool helicopter ride!!) and went to the hospital to be told I had broken my collarbone (no shit), and sent home with a brace and lots of drugs. It took three years to fully recover and I quit riding for twenty years; got into something safer -- powersports! Now I'm back into mtb... hoping to not repeat that.

[@ElliotsMTB]

I broke my back just 7 months ago and have just gotten back to riding. It definitely is a mental barrier to get back on the bike

[@mikemullen6028]

Yuka, pretty trippy but I broke my neck in 2019 on the same day. 9/18 in Big Bear on Fall Line I washed out and hit a tree and I also could move everything so I rode out and back to my cabin. Didn’t know my neck was broken for three weeks and then I was asked to wear a neck brace night and day for another three weeks. Been riding since the eighties and so far broken hand, wrists, numerous ribs-six at one time and punctured lung, broken neck and the latest, separated shoulder. 68 and not going to Squamish but maybe Sedona on blue trails……😂😂😂😂

[@VanGirlYuka]

OMG…I’m glad you didn’t damage any nerves!

[@Jett125]

Oh you're a legend! You inspire us everyday!

[@d-nicebikes]

Well that was probably the best outcome given the circumstances. Very unfortunate, but glad it was not a worse crash, Yuka. Thank you for the history lesson in 'A day in the life of VGY!'.

[@lonewolf30531]

I was worried thinking it was recent . Stay safe .🙏🙏

[@antoinettegeyer8832]

Damn girl! Almost gave me a heart attack when I saw the title.

[@drumerboy456sx]

I knoooow

[@BruhMoment-fr4zr]

This is why I wear my neck brace on all my rides that involve downhill action, call me paranoid but it's always nice to have it there just in case.

[@SharetheShred]

I'm so sorry that this has happened but glad you are still riding. Thank you for sharing. I am recovering from breaking my tibia and fibula back in March and had to have two surgeries. I still can't walk on my leg. Got air lifted off South mountain. Glad you were able to recover from this. Not being able to ride sucks.

[@andrewnorris5415]

I'm sure it was not fun back then but thanks for that funny recreation. You must have been laughing when you put that together. A warning for us all but also fun too. Check your bikes people, they can be a factor!

[@ArgalsG]

Dr. Eric cracked me up! Great re-enactment scene, I loved it

[@unknownentity524]

That's a insane story 😮, after that to still be sending it like you do is incredible 🤘, go yuka 🙌

[@viperdemonz-jenkins]

have had a few major crashes myself but nothing that serious, my worst was dislocated AC joint in left shoulder and sliding down a gravel road on my face. glad you are ok.

[@JimCockerham]

Wow! Glad you are ok. I hope I never have to see Dr. Eric! I love the reenactment!

[@deathmetaldownhiller7874]

Broke mine as a teenager, by being a stupid teenager. Doctor told me I should have been dead, and I'd never hold a hockey stick or ride a bike again. Very blessed to have doctors be wrong every once in a while.

[@Marlboro-lights1]

Yuka is a beast! Hope you heal up and get back out there to inspire everyone with your crazy riding.

[@IMurderdTheDevil]

You were very lucky that you weren't paralyzed.. I crashed twice but the second time I came off the ground about 15ft and landed on my side and I called it quits now I just ride for health.... Take care.

[@SteveArnoldus]

Thank you for telling this story! So important to keep up on bike maintenance and I'm SUPER glad you are okay!

[@valeriesorrells]

whoa... you were super lucky! Glad you were able to continue biking, and inspire the rest of us!

[@joysassoon9003]

I blamed a bad fork for my recently torn rotator cuff and labral tear. I was off for 3 months. I now have a super duper front end on my bike and it's so good to be back. MTB is dangerous for sure, but keeping the bike in great shape helps us keep in great shape too.

[@bennysh]

Thanks for the reminder and the story

[@whitneysmith2]

Fantastic creativity in the video. Glad it wasn’t a new injury.

[@akinoshimo]

yup, my front forks leaked oil while riding my Cannondale to the point where there was no damping on the recoil (like having springs on the front end). While doing a high speed down hill I was bucked off (end-over) and broke my wrist. From there, I had to ride another five miles of trails with one arm to get back. so, yea, it happens. Sad thing was, I knew the front fork shocks had a problem before riding coz there was oily dust on the bottom, but I wanted one more ride, just one more ride before replacing (or reworking) the front fork. Now-a-days, safety before ride. Not Safe, No ride. thanks for sharing .... check your equipment before riding.

[@richr7604]

Wow!! Ya gotta keep your bike in good condition Yuka!! Good crash simulation you did, especially the landing portion. Thanks for the great videos and looking forward to more!!

[@wsx2000]

Glad you are ok. Excellent acting in the re-enactment!!🤣

[@the22000kyle]

Hey Yuka, I just dislocated a shoulder a few days ago and I'm already sick of being injured. I have no idea how you survived 4 months no riding.

[@VanGirlYuka]

I really hope you heal up soon! It was better because we both were broken so we could do something else together as a broken couple.

[@kimweincek9019]

I broke my collarbone a few years back skiing and I couldn’t ski for about 4 months. I poured myself into painting (art student back then) and it actually really helped me process my grief of not being able to ski. I hope you have a fast recovery process.

[@disregard7073]

Make sure you deal with that man! I dislocated it once then 7 more times after then in 2 years.

[@georgiyonevski3894]

@@disregard7073 Hey, I also dislocated my shoulder. Almost 20 days since injury and I started doing light trail riding. Feeling OK, just still a bit weird feeling in the shoulder. How you dislocated 7 more times, fallen or while riding because shoulder wasn’t recovered fully?

[@MOAB-UT]

Ouch. Look into Turmeric and Black Pepper (together only.) It is known to be a very powerful anti-inflammatory. I hurt my shoulder 6 months ago too. PT was very helpful. I used YTube and was making mistakes- like stretching. He told me to basically stop that- less is more. Also, he told me to stop hanging for now, and to use a big, soft ice-pack (flexible) several times a day. It helped. My shoulder is now about 95% and no more pain! See a professional so you don't make it worse. I eat well- and I avoid ALL sugar. I am very well versed on nutrition and used it to heal. I eat quality protein and low inflammatory foods- NO Sugar. NO processed foods. Whole Foods. Limit or avoid all fruit sans some in season berries and a daily Avocado. No Whole Grains ever and No Dairy. It works. My check up was excellent. My weight is perfect as is my bloodwork. Feel better. I know- shoulders are a nagging, very annoying injury. I hope yours heals. They can be stubborn because that are does not get a lot of blood flow. I hope you heal like I did. If you do, protect it!

[@altf4216]

Just dislocated my kneecap riding last week. This video had given me a few good laughs, thanks! >_

[@peter572]

This may haven't happened if you were wearing a neck brace that limits neck overextension. I hope you are wearing a MIPS helmet now. Ride safely!

[@shiheeb7333]

Crazy! I broke the same part of the vertebrae just below yours (T1) because my shock lost air. Since the sag was lower than I was used to, I clipped a pedal at speed and stuffed my head into the ground. I hit so hard I also broke my sternum and had a brain bleed too. Now I always do a quick suspension/bike check before dropping in!

[@nzack7888]

Holy moly. Glad you're okay

[@newenglandagingrider1738]

Good story and it was great that you took the doctor's recommendation to heal. The best part is that you got back to riding again. It would have been easy to hang up your bike. Chumbawamba must be your inspiration.

[@wordreet]

OMG! Glad you were so lucky in that unlucky moment!.

[@PepperandCaseysRV]

That’s kinda how I brok my ribs. Just popped off the bike and landed on my chest. “Did I hear a snap? I think I did. Let’s ride down and check. Ooohhh riding down hurts really bad. I hear bones clicking and popping. I think I broke my ribs!. oh well. Let’s do one more shuttle lap.”

[@csgodenver]

Wow, so sorry hope you heal up quickly!

[@csgodenver]

OK I'm a dummy and didn't watch the video first. Glad you are OK though

[@VanGirlYuka]

I’m okay now! Thanks😁❤️

[@denniskane9651]

Glad you are okay!!

[@mtb_alan]

This is for that reenactment! 😆

[@VanGirlYuka]

Thanks Alan! This was a fun video to make! We had to think a lot for the crashing scene😂

[@MCK75]

So good that you still Alive , our Sports is very Dangerous , Most of the Times Crashes Cases good , Sometimes eveeything is fucked

[@Reciovex20]

thanks you for sharing your story! Sharing is caring

[@VanGirlYuka]

I hope you don’t make the same mistake👍

[@josiahhorning2813]

NOOO YUKAAAA!!! I broke my neck last August and had my first MTB race back yesterday!

[@da12641]

glad to see you're Ok. So far in our 10 riders crew, 9 of us had some serious MTB related injuries. It's a very dangerous high risk sport. Oh and I remember that Poke'mon. In Los Angeles and OC county you can see large wave of people moving here and there. It's the first time in history where that many people move in sync. Surprising there was very few reports of violent, shooting, stabbing, robbing, mugging etc..the usual stuffs in LA.

[@beattykristopher]

I broke my C7 too! I went off a big cliff while snowboarding, and used my head for landing gear.

[@tonyd1660]

Thanks for the video. I always wondered how you did that. Glad you're OK!

[@rjmg601]

Stay safe yuka

[@ozbornozy2712]

この動画を見てこれからシーズンインなのでバイクのメンテナンスをきっちりして遊ぼうと思いました 大事なことに改めて気づかせてくれてありがとうございます！！

[@VanGirlYuka]

私もウィスラーが開園する前にサスペンションの整備はしようと思います💪✨

[@lonelymtbrider3369]

Moral of the story - Take good care of your bike and there is nothing to blame but your own skill or lack thereof.

[@sbbeowulf8296]

I like the editing in your Videos injuries don’t even suck because it hurts it sucks because you can’t ride

[@razmtb5028]

omg, hope u didnt stop mountainbiking,. Awesome story Yuka, take care always!

[@himark1049]

*tumbles down* Yuka: eeh😢

[@ianschriefer1042]

Awesome Vid Yuka, i did the same thing but didn't see DR. Eric lol

[@danielmerritt6840]

I ride with spinal fusion of c3-c6. 8 screws 2 rods. I just can't ride like I used to. I had pressure on my spinal cord. it could have been worse but I still ride

[@pimbeweegt]

Get well soon!

[@BH-cy9tb]

Sorry you got hurt back then but this is good that your telling the story. I hear so many people say I never crash. Also I see a lot of people where I ride not wearing helmets. I always ware full helmet knee guards and elbow guards. You never know what’s going to happen. I went for a casual ride after work with a friend couple of days go first 2 minutes into the ride a stray sticker bush limb I did not see it got caught on my nose and ripped a nice cut. It was bleeding pretty bad . Luckily I always have folded up paper towels in my pocket so I was able to stop bleeding till I got back to my van where I have a lot of different bandages. I stopped bleeding and covered the cut and was able to finish the ride. Always be prepared. Dress for the crash not the ride. 👍

[@ninjazzrhythm400]

That's probably why I have my rebound set slow. I'm always scared to be bucked out of the bike.

[@justridelah6032]

Thanks for this, you gave me an idea to do a video on how i broke my collarbone last year! :)

[@jorgechavira7729]

Glad you are doing ok at the present time and still mtb. Thumbs up!

[@lindsayweirdwild]

I brioke C1 in neck and T6 and T7 and more and nearly bleed out. Gopro filmed it too. It's scary stuff riding but alot of fun too

[@gerhardw.933]

Thanks for your video, hope you recover soon. I neither want to be smart nor a try to talk you out of mountain biking but I do only road riding. I was tempted to buy a gravel bike but I'm rather on my road bike. Wish you well🚴

[@knordberg]

You are truly fearless! I've had some bad crashes and it takes me a while to mentally get over the trauma. I eventually do though.

[@VanGirlYuka]

Normally it takes a while to get back to a good mental state if it was my fault or just mysterious crash. It’s good to investigate why I had a crash👍

[@stuartmeaney]

Glad you can still ride! Your sound effects are Brilliant! 😆😆😆

[@VanGirlYuka]

I never stopped riding after the crash 🤣

[@stuartmeaney]

@@VanGirlYuka crazy! 🧐🤣🤣🤣 keep up the good work with your videos 🤙🏻

[@shawnsee2688]

I "moved" 4 vertebrae in my neck as a kid bike riding. Had to wear one of those neck things for nearly a year.

[@harryls1283]

I am happy that you are ok. Hopefully you can ride again even if it is on beginner kind of trails, it still fun…🤙

[@dougieranger]

I’m glad you’re okay now Yuka.

[@VanGirlYuka]

I’m better than ever ❤️ thanks

[@rmohr6764]

⭐Yuka❤mtb girl⭐adore your choice of words. . ...description . ..👍

[@cameronrutten6483]

anyone else notice the berm peak jumper eric was wearing

[@rmacgregor9]

oh my, i was riding poley on canada day and went down a relativly basic rock shoot didnt look up till half way down noticed it was a sharp turn and blew over the berm, into a second one then upside down in the alders. ended up with a broken c6, also walked away from it didnt get a CT till monday AM when they braced me immediatly. lucky i had no chord damage. i cant stress enough if you hit your neck and think something might be wrong just get scanned had i have kept riding when the muslces stopped being sore i could of ended up with a much worse story i will take 6 weeks in a brace + a bit of PT over the alternative any day. (my rebound is also blown but i dont think that had much to do with it just me being dumb not scoping a feature out, but i will fix that well i am laid up :D )

[@FoxInAFoz]

Yesterday I went otb on the landing of a 13 foot drop and dove head-first into the ground. My neck is sore and you’ve got me concerned now.

[@VanGirlYuka]

That’s a huge drop to crash on! If you can move your arms or shoulders up without weird sharp pain, you are probably fine but it’s worth checking 👍

[@jimm244]

I broke my collar bone last season. I wasn’t scared to get back on my bike….but something kept holding me back from sending it, almost to the point of being dangerous.

[@TeamCykelhold]

Wow nice re-enactment. Now I want to re-enact my broken bones too.

[@sapinva]

No thanks. Lol

[@ononewheel7]

Ouch 😬 I actually had two pretty bad crashes this past week One was doing downhill and I bruised my leg pretty bad and bruised my ribs the second was trail riding and I fell off a skinny that was pretty high and landed right on my face my face got all bruised up and scraped up pretty good. I think for some of these knarlier trails its time for a smaller full face helmet. Have you started using a neck brace now?

[@forestghost4400]

prayers wherever you going

[@VanGirlYuka]

You too 👍✨

[@igorgoga7985]

My favourite trail

[@thebrewgeek]

Rode trails like a madman in N Georgia for two days without incident, only to somehow pop my ribs the next day on a white water raft. Go figure! Glad you had no pain and recovered well! 👍👍

[@mtbboy1993]

I was afraid of something like this, so I bought a neck brace. So if I don't just go to the grocery store or something gentle like that, or jus tried easy trials I know well, I wear a neckbrace. Riding trails I don't know, gnarly trails =neck brace. But I still ride with a fullface no matter what.

[@ritaweygint4038]

This is a random comment, but I named my baby Alaskan Klee Kai Yuka! 💕 He is 5 months old. Nice name!

[@VanGirlYuka]

Wow that’s a cute name❤️

[@YnseSchaap]

You scared me there for a minute 😁

[@TheHojirt]

I have been riding bikes for about 60 years and I cringe when I think about the reckless riding until I reached the age of 24 or so. I have stopped riding trails which require great skill. I avoid roads with heavy traffic. Too easy to be disabled for the rest of your life. Take care !!

[@billcotton945]

This accident can happen even if your rear shock is in perfect condition. In my case, I must have accidentally turned the dial on the rear shock to full fast rebound, perhaps while washing the bike. The adjustment dial on this shock does not have an adequate detent spring to keep it set securely (Cheap $99 DNM shock from amazon). My front shock was set at slow rebound as expected. All it took was a hidden

[@Skracken]

With this sport, it's not a question if you get injured, but rather when. Ive had some gnarly crashes, but got to walk away with only bruises and scratches. Some of the hardest were due to faults of the bike... rear shock set wrong so I got bucked ... or brakes that were unreliable and inconsistent, both would send me OTB.

[@rcranes2227]

glad you're OK Yuka. but if the doctor told you you could have been paralyzed, that seems unlikely from a spinous process fracture. good story with a happy ending though!

[@suntzuwarsword1964]

Thank you for sharing

[@mauricioromanmunoz1828]

Hey Yuka, I hope you get well soon…

[@mariazamudio7423]

I remember that MTB Alan he crash and broke his wrist at snow summit bike park double black diamond trail 10 ply

[@mariazamudio7423]

Check out his mtb Alan channel a crash at 10 ply

[@onerider808]

Maybe I WILL get one of those Leatt neck protectors...I’d feel like a fool if I had all the other downhill gear except a neck protector and then broke my neck. Glad you are not paralyzed.