The unknown injury that changed Brendan Fairclough's career

[@olivernewell6902]

One of my fondest cycling memories is of meeting Brendan at alpe d'huez 2013, then getting shouted at by him to "pedal pedal pedal" during the mega. So yeah, keep pedalling and enjoy yourself!!!

[@bikingfix4366]

Props to you Brendog for carrying on riding at that level. I snapped my ACL when I was 8 years old in 1977 & have lived without it since. Once you wear out the remaining cartilage & after loads of operations it’s then bone on bone & agony so it’s a shit scenario. It’s never stopped me from doing any extreme sports, mtb, windsurfing, snowboarding, surfing but has for sure held me back reaching my full potential. But the way I see it you get one life so live it & at 54 I’m hitting bigger stuff (not your league big 😅) now than I ever have. Many people don’t get it but the drive to keep on shredding never goes away. I’ve now also got massive tears in both shoulder tendons but f#@k it keep on rolling 👊🏻

[@lukestevenson7927]

How the fuck did you snap your ACL at years old? That sucks so bad lol.

[@dadventuretv2538]

Such a great interview and kudos to Brendog for talking about it- I’m sure it is a tough subject to be introspective about and then open up to others. I never reached Brendan’s level in any sport, but I played many, and played Rugby at the highest amateur level in the US (we didn’t have pro back in my day) for a decade, then another 13 or so years at a recreational level. One thing I always told youngsters is this- you will get injured, it is part of the sport. You feel indestructible and like the man now when you are young and starting out and all is going well. But if you want to stay in the sport long term, it’s not about how great you are or how amazing you are when healthy, it’s about how you respond when you get injured. I can only imagine in a sport like DH mitbing, where there is so little separation among the top ten, back to back ACL tears like that can knock you just off your game enough to put real contention on the regular out reach. And the psychological effect of how to deal with that must be devastating. I’m glad he was able to go on and find another niche in the sport. He is such an amazing rider to watch.

[@MarquetteMTB]

I can’t imagine the pressures elite riders face on a daily basis to perform. Nice clip. 🤟🏼

[@lukestevenson7927]

It’s a weird thing confidence, know where near as bad but I broke my wrist last summer, literally thought nothing of it, wasn’t a bad break didn’t need an op but it’s taken me till present day to feel anywhere near as capable as I was last year. As Brendon said it’s little bits of confidence just chipping off you don’t realise how much it affects the ride. Great pod cast this.

[@magellan1818]

Brendan is so genuine and cool. Sick rider! Great video!

[@yorkiebar4801]

ACL’s are something else, it’s so hard to push with a snapped one, you can’t feel where the limit is until it just goes 😬

[@czechgirlandtheyorkshireman]

Great episode again! 👌Thanks!

[@TheRideCompanion]

No, THANK YOU!!

[@stevenconnor4221]

No.1 son! Superb interview guys

[@TheRideCompanion]

Thanks!!

[@duncanh6045]

Awesome conversation!

[@sangyenamdrol9392]

I know and feel exactly how that is, it sucks.

[@stephenspring4308]

Brendog is Awesome !!!!! Such a down to earth guy you rock !!!!

[@TheRealFogger]

Greets from trail crew bike park Schladming, there is still the “Brandon gap”. It’s from the best track ever Schladming video.. the oh my god you fucking nutter moment 👍🔥

[@24MPZ]

Schladming is the best segment of Death Grip. I haven't been there but I watch a lot of world cups / mtb, it is visually the coolest looking track ever no doubt. Reminded me of a bobsled course but dirt.

[@jakeb383]

Tore my acl last spring and couldn’t ride for a year. Went from riding crabapple to nothing. Luckily I’m back now riding hard and better than before

[@TheRideCompanion]

Good to hear it bud!!

[@Mcfc2Rich]

Such a brutal sport. One fraction of a second can put you in a real bad place

[@Charliesaysz]

Fair play Brendan 💪

[@TheRideCompanion]

Let’s go….

[@turbotastic]

Would love for you guys to have a chat with Greg Minnaar!

[@TheRideCompanion]

Hopefully one day!

[@BigOlSkip]

“Snapped mah ACL” he’s so proud of that injury

[@Danilad89]

What is an acl

[@TheRideCompanion]

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the ligaments inside your knee - it joins your thigh bone (femur) to the front of your shin bone (tibia). You might injure your ACL by playing sports which involve quick direction changes or sudden stopping, such as football, netball, or MASSIVE gaps at Red Bull Rampage

[@Danilad89]

@@TheRideCompanion thanks mate sounds painful as hell

[@daviderizzi6110]

@@Danilad89 naaa only a very long road to recovery....

[@esm7708]

It reminds me of when Gracia looked at racing objectively and decided to do freeride videos instead.

[@stephenbrown5672]

The speed the dh bikers ride is terrifying to me but when they crash a dont no how they get back on their bikes 😳😳😳😳🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️👍👍

[@MovingTargetOne]

Such a mentally tough sport

[@brian6speed]

If I didn't get injured in highschool I'd have made it to the pro's.