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  • Fun July

    So….we rode Valley on the 5th of July (Saturday). We were having fun….but second trail in we did Blitz Krieg. Blitz has a drop in it which is only about a meter, maybe a meter and a half if you land deep. The run in has a little rock roll which gives you plenty of speed for the drop, run out turns to the right. Ive done this drop twice before although never really cleanly….Ive always buzzed my butt on landing as im too far back. Anyway, most people did it and did it beautifully. I attempted to, landed the same way as always….buzzed my butt on the rear tyre but then got catapulted out the front of the bike as my body was stiffer than last time….

    Everyone was laughing as they thought I would just get back up as usual and laugh it off…..but I couldnt. Couldnt control my left shoulder…I rolled over and sat on the trail but I knew when I landed I felt a pop on the shoulder. My left shoulder had discollated.

    Mikey tried to put it in on the trail but to no avail. We walked down the trail (feature was near the start of the trail) and to the car. Two guys drove my car and bike home and Keith drove me to the hospital. The worst and longest car ride I’ve ever expirienced. Not a reflection on Keith’s driving.

    At Midland St John ED, got through Triage. I kept asking for something for the pain as at this point I had cold sweats. And they had me sit on a wheel chair at triage incase I fainted. First taste of the green whistle. Boy was it sweet and took the edge right off. Pain was still there but no more cold sweat.

    They X-rayed me to see the complete situation and check for fractures before they poped the shoulder back in.

    as you can see its not where it should be. I could feel it pressing against my ribs. There is a slight fracture on the head of the bone.

    The nurse poped it back in with easy. Amazing what you can do if you know what you’re doing. She turned it slightly and it just went back in. Such a relief when it went in. (They put me on gas too while she was doing this).

    I was a happy chappy again.

    Another X-ray to confirm the situation.

    Much better…..

    Sent me home in a sling. I had the sling on for 2 and abit weeks untill my appointment with the ortho on the 22nd July.

    To be continued…

    Links to videos:

    This is the full day video minus the after…

    And this is the crash video only with bonus footage from after:

  • Welcome to Dirty Panda: Trail-Tested Reviews & Outdoor Talk

    Hey there! Welcome to Dirty Panda—your new favorite hangout for all things MTB, camping, and the great outdoors.

    Whether you’re flying down rocky trails, setting up camp in the wild, or just geeking out over the latest gear, you’ve landed in the right spot.

    Why I Started This Blog
    Like many of you, I’m totally hooked on the outdoors—the mud, the grit, the adrenaline, and all the gear that gets us out there.

    After years of hitting the trails, testing gear (the good, the bad, and the downright ugly), and pitching tents in places where the weather can change on a dime, I thought it was high time to share my experiences—the wins, the fails, and the gear that actually delivers.

    I wanted to create a space that keeps it real—no sugarcoating, no corporate nonsense, just genuine opinions from someone who truly uses this stuff.

    What You’ll Find Here
    Dirty Panda is all about real-world testing. Everything I write about has been ridden, worn, carried, or cooked on in the great outdoors.

    Here’s what you can expect:

    • Gear Reviews
      From MTB helmets and gloves to hydration packs, tents, stoves, and sleeping bags—if I’ve tested it, I’ll review it. Expect honest insights, not paid fluff.
    • Camping & Outdoor Gear
      Lightweight setups, tough-as-nails tools, and everything in between. If it works in the dirt, it’s worth discussing.
    • Trail Reviews
      Local hidden gems and popular routes—the fun, the sketchy, the ones to steer clear of, and the ones that made me smile like a kid.
    • General Blog
      Sometimes it’s about gear, sometimes it’s a wild camping story, or a glimpse into life off the trail. Either way, it’ll come straight from the heart.

    Heads Up: Affiliate Links
    Some of the links you’ll find here are affiliate links (mostly to Amazon or trusted gear shops). If you click through and make a purchase, it won’t cost you anything extra—but it’ll toss a few cents my way to help keep this blog running (and fund the next gear test!).

    I promise to always be upfront about that.