How I hate this situation - how I love this situation! I'm standing at the top of the drop and I'm about to jump. I've decided it. After a lot of chin rubbing. After much consultation with the bike buddy. After extensive inspection. I can do it - I know that. And yet the drop can still go wrong. I also know what that means: hospital, season over. And yet I want to risk it. Why?
Before the stunt: victory or coffin?
"Because the feeling afterwards is awesome. That's why it's worth overcoming your fear again and again!" says bike pro Johannes Fischbach. The World Cup downhiller recently flew off a ski jump in a record jump. Prof Dr Dr Wildor Hollmann from the German Sport University Cologne, who has since passed away, explained to us in an interview: "Everyday life is mostly determined by others. It no longer offers any opportunities for experience, no physical tests of strength. But humans have a basic need for physical risk!" In short: the predator in humans wants to prove itself - and it is rewarded for this characteristic - with a feeling of happiness, triggered by the body's own drugs that the brain flushes into the blood: so-called opioids.
Because it's awesome! The feeling afterwards is so awesome because I've overcome my fear. If I know that a jump is possible, then I'll do it. Fear or no fear. Because I have the skills, so there are no excuses. Exception: If the jump isn't technically feasible - like my jump from the big ski jump. And I tried it there too - ha ha! - Johannes Fischbach, racer and stuntman
"When I overcome my own fears, I feel great," confirms freeride legend Darren Berrecloth and emphasises that the feeling is particularly intense for him because it can be traced back to his own abilities - instead of pure luck (urban train surfing) or blind faith in the technique (bungee jumping). The "Yes, I can" feeling is therefore particularly satisfying, because you have mastered the situation with your own strength. "Many people want the thrill, but are not prepared to train consistently and sacrificially for it," says emergency doctor and extreme sportsman Ulrich Schwarz from Oberstdorf, "the action must be adapted to your ability and must not overtax you - this is what distinguishes the bike stunt from mindless tests of courage, such as climbing a church tower while drunk." Nevertheless, conscious risk-taking is also depressing, triggers fear and a recurring conflict: do it and feel intoxicated if you succeed, or don't do it and feel bad?
The greater the fear, the sweeter the satisfaction of having achieved it. If a goal doesn't challenge you, the feeling is lame. The hobby freerider struggles with the two-metre drop, makes 20 attempts without feeling confident, almost loses his mind, but still doesn't want to go home without having tried the drop - and then he jumps it! The enthusiasm afterwards is almost boundless. That goes for all of us. You're scared of this, I'm scared of that - but basically we experience the same feelings. - Darren Berrecloth, slopestyle pioneer
"Worse than the fear is the miserable feeling of not having dared to do something," confirms Darren Berrecloth, describing a mood that every hobby biker has probably experienced - and which is particularly ego-scratching. Namely, when the stunt could have been done with your own skills, but you still chose the chickenway on the outside.
Sensation-seeker - or just a brief escape from everyday life?
People who are particularly susceptible to playing with risk are known in psychology as sensation seekers. There are probably a lot of them among bikers and especially among those who regularly go stunt-hunting in the bike park. According to the news magazine SPIEGEL, only five per cent of the population ever get close to the thrill. A pleasant side effect of our desire to be scared: we melt into the now, the brain inhibits all other thoughts - inevitably, because the situation is so demanding that it binds the senses. The world consists only of the drop, the jump or the steep descent - the often oppressive everyday problems fizzle out and make way for a refreshing feeling of liveliness.
I have no problem calling the feeling before a big jump anxiety. Other people put their foot down and say it's tension or concentration. I deliberately call it fear, because that's the only way I'm determined enough to perform at my best. For this stunt at the Rampage 2019, I weighed it up for a long time and finally dared to do it. But no matter how focussed and how well prepared you are, there is always a residual risk. - Brendan Fairclough, Worldcupper and Rampage finalist
"Extreme sport is a modern form of onanism," says Hamburg psychologist Michaela Simon provocatively in the SPIEGEL interview "Great lust life without obligations and dependencies." Despite all the rush of happiness, the experience of competence and the feeling of being alive, we must not lose sight of the dark side: the risk. This remains, despite skill and the best preparation. "The front flip drop was my big goal," recalls Berrecloth, "maybe it appealed to me so much because I was so scared of it. The attraction was to overcome the fear. I managed that, but not the flip drop - and I almost ended up in a wheelchair."
Dr Josef Obrist, a surgeon at the Salzburg Trauma Clinic, explains just how high the risk is for us amateur freeriders: "Serious mountain bike accidents have doubled in recent years. The injured mainly come from the bike parks - often with serious vertebral injuries."
There's hardly a more uplifting feeling than when you've tried a new stunt for the first time and managed to pull it off! But one thing is clear: everyone gets scared. Anyone who denies it is lying. Being brave doesn't mean not being afraid, it means being able to deal with it. The aim is to recognise what scares you so much - and then tackle it. Don't leave the fear unresolved, because then it will consume you. So: analyse, accept the risk and let go of the fear. - Cam Zink, Rampage winner 2010
Fear and the consequences
Anxiety not only blocks the mind, but also the body. "But you can learn to control it," says our expert Mila Hanke. The anxiety expert, qualified psychologist and sports psychologist knows all about anxiety. She helps athletes to deal with it.
BIKE: I want to try a drop, but I'm scared of it. This conflict is demoralising - why am I doing this to myself?
MILA HANKE: Because the feeling is fulfilling. You are also probably a sensation seeker: these are people who feel comfortable in a high state of excitement. They generate this in situations with a good dose of thrills, for example. Sensation-seeking is an innate personality trait and is common among high-risk athletes. For the majority of the population, on the other hand, an evening watching a crime scene is exciting enough.
What exactly is fear?
The feeling of loss of control and being overwhelmed. In other words: you are afraid of drops and jumps when you are not sure of your abilities.
Also afraid of the consequences?
Thinking about the consequences is the real trigger for the fear cycle that builds up: What if I fall and injure myself? What if others think I'm a loser - or I think I'm a loser myself? Such thoughts release stress hormones and increase the blockages in my head and body.
Do I have to take the fear seriously?
Definitely. Fear is a basic feeling that is essential for survival. Anyone who is completely fearless has a neurological disorder and probably a short life. The goal is never to completely eliminate fear. Fear protects you from danger. This is why you also feel physical reactions - somatic fear: e.g. palpitations, rapid breathing and tense muscles.
Do they have an evolutionary-biological purpose?
Yes, the body releases adrenaline and the stress hormone cortisol, activating energy reserves in the brain and muscles. This is the preparation for fight or flight. The pulse also increases to pump more oxygen through the body, the pupils dilate and sharpen the sense of sight. You sweat so that your body doesn't overheat.
Extreme athletes speak of concentration rather than fear.
Because concentration is their way of keeping fear at bay. Many people think extreme athletes are fearless - that's rubbish. Whether base jumper, free solo climber or rampage athlete: firstly, they have practised risky situations extremely often and have very good skills. And secondly, they have learnt to optimally control their fearful thoughts and physical reactions.
Man in alarm
What does that mean exactly?
Most athletes perform at their best when their body and mind are moderately active. This has been proven by studies. You can think of this activation as a flame: If it is too high, panic sets in and you feel paralysed. On the other hand, at a low level, you are not focussed enough. With mental training, you can learn to bring both to the ideal medium level. But: always provided you are confident in your riding technique! You won't land a five-metre drop just because you reduce your fear and simply jump.
I feel comfortable with a small drop, but the big drop still scares me. Why?
Fear is never unfounded. In this case, it is the unknown. You have not yet had any positive learning experiences with this height. So you first have to feel your way up: repeat your riding technique on the small drop until you can practically call it up in your sleep. Ideally, you should then try a medium-sized drop first. You can also visualise the optimal movement sequence at home, i.e. go through it in your head for 5-10 minutes every day with your eyes closed.
Assuming I have practised the technique extensively. But the uneasy feeling before the drop remains. How do I get into the ideal activation state now?
Get your physical reactions under control first. Above all: breathe deeply and calmly. This supplies your brain and muscles with oxygen. As a result, you will think more clearly and tense muscles will relax. Then mental tricks can help: It's usually your inner self-talk that fuels your anxiety. You have to switch them off, e.g. with a code word. You can then say this on the approach to keep the "Shit, I'm going to mess up the landing" thoughts at bay.
What else can I do?
In addition, you can visualise the optimal sequence of movements from the many smaller drops you have mastered before you set off. With step-by-step training - technical and mental - you will then be perfectly prepared for the big drop. But: If you still feel the fear coming on, listen to it! Because sometimes you're not in the right shape for the day, you haven't slept well or you have work stress on your mind. Then it's pretty brave and smart to just leave it alone today. That's also a cool way of dealing with anxiety.
What are the body's reactions to a threat?
The sensory organs recognise a dangerous situation and report this to the brain. The cerebral cortex interprets the stimuli on the basis of experience and signals: Danger to life! The hypothalamus is activated. It is responsible for the body's reactions. The hypothalamus releases adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol and cortisone. The nervous system is activated and the body is prepared for fight, flight or stay.
How the body reacts to anxiety
- The heartbeat increases.
- Blood pressure rises.
- The blood vessels (skin, internal organs) constrict.
- The skeletal muscles tense up ready for battle.
- The blood thickens (prophylaxis for injuries).
- The breath accelerates (more oxygen supply).
- The metabolism increases for more energy.
- The liver flushes sugar and fats into the blood.
- Appetite and digestion are stopped.
- The flow of saliva is reduced.
- The desire for sex is inhibited.
- The pupils dilate (larger field of vision).
- The body temperature rises.
- Sweat secretion (cold sweat)
- The body hair stands up.
- Bowel and bladder want to empty.
- Nervous, restless, agitated mood
- Wide awake senses (danger detection)
Fear: dealing with risk
5 pro tips from freeride legend Darren Berrecloth on dealing with the fear of jumping.
1 Fear is good
Fear tells you that you are in a dangerous situation. It alerts you and sharpens your senses. When I feel fear, I know that I'm only firing on eight cylinders.
2 Sound out your limits
Leave your comfort zone every now and then and test your limits. This increases your room for manoeuvre. But don't move outside your comfort zone too often.
3 Be ready
Prepare yourself if you are planning a stunt outside your comfort zone. This means warming up your body and mind. Don't do the stunt right at the beginning, but don't do it too late if you're already tired.
4 Talk to yourself
Before a stunt, I say to myself: "You know what you're doing and you know how to do it!" I also think about all the similar stunts I've already mastered. And I swear to myself: "You can do it!"
5 Hone your skills
Practice gives you confidence and improves your skills. My rule of thumb: jump a similar jump that you know 10-15 times. Only then do you dare to try the bigger jump or drop.
More interesting articles on this topic:
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
