Scoping out the tree that slamed Mark Weir to the ground.

Update: Feb 20 - A Letter from Mark Weir

Here is best news I have heard all week - no surgery required.

The Doc said the most worrisome thing is that I don't fall again for at least 6 weeks. I have a fracture that goes into the spinal canal posteriorly and falling again would be really bad to say the least. He said I can anticipate 8-12 weeks of gradually decreasing pain, but no outside activity for 6-8 weeks to lessen the chance of me hitting the dirt.

I'm lucky to have such good friends that did not drop me while hiking me off the mountain, if they did, this story might not have such a happy ending.

The way we moved the tree might have been poorly thought out, thinking that manpower overcomes safety came at a price. I'm glad the price was not too heavy and I was the only one that physically felt the pain. I felt that because I have been moving and cutting trees off trails for years and years that I was smart enough to anticipate the future. I was wrong and I apologize to my friends for putting us all at risk. I ride bikes for a living, and just because I am in the trees all day does not mean I'm a professional tree removal specialist. Lesson learned never to be repeated.

Thanks you to everyone that has sent me kind words of encouragement. At times it has brought me to tears, but sometimes it's made me laugh and that was real painful but worth it. My wife reads me the comments from people and it's hard to hear, feeling that whatever I have done during my time with this sport could not deserve this much love and support. You all have made me want to make sure I strive to be a better person - talking about off the bike mostly.

Thanks to my good buddies that pulled my body off the hill and all the medical staff.

--Mark--



On Saturday, Feb 15, Mark Weir was out on the trail clearing some debris from a rare Norcal storm that brought more than 10 inches of rain to the local hills. Mark and four buddies tried to move a half-fallen tree out of the trail. As they tried to push it out of the way, a supporting branch crumbled and the tree came crashing down from twenty feet high. Mark tried to scramble out of the way but the tree smashed him and broke his pelvis and sacrum.



In our conversation with Weir, it was obvious he went through a near-death experience. He talked about how it could have gone much worse as that tree could have ended his life. He is in a whole lot of hurt right now but he is thankful to be here for his family and he is very much touched by the outpouring of support from the bike community.

Mark needs surgery and that needs to happen as soon as possible so he can start his recovery. He is looking at 6-8 weeks of bed rest and a long rehabilitation process after that. For someone as active and hyper as Mark, this is going to be a very difficult time. But he is hopeful for the future and thankful for all the support.



In His Own Words:

Thanks for everything. The people that send support make me smile and cry. Feels weird to be treated so well by friends and strangers alike. Bad luck and some pain seem to bring people together. Even if it hurts physically mentally I feel great because of people like you.

I'm the guy that hits trees but sometimes they hit me. So far trees have a healthy lead. The things I love so much sometimes can make you feel so small and weak. While moving a big branch with 4 buddies, we where doing are typical flop the branch off the trail by walking it up and pushing it over off the steep trail. The tree stalled-out then snapped a supporting branch and crumbled down from 20 feet or so high. Like the Wily Coyote I ran in the trees shadow till it smashed me to the ground. Breaking my pelvis in 3 spots and braking my sacrum rather badly. Still waiting for news about surgery because of the holiday. Till then all I know is 6-8 weeks bed rest and no weight bearing. My pelvis is super unstable but not displaced for now.



This X-Ray shows one of the three total breaks to Weir's pelvis - you can see a serious crack, all the way through, in the upper center left.

Thanks for all my good buddies that got me off the hill on that random piece of plywood. Also all the family and friends for the support. Makes me feel like i'm in a good place with this much support. I feel lucky to have good friends and not in worse place then I am now.

Have a beer for me cause I don't think drinking beer with dilaudid is a good for recovery.

This lay down life style is not that sweet. Starting to feel like a tree, I'm growing roots over here.

-- Mark --

In this candid and revealing interview with Bike Magazine, Mark reveals what makes him tick and what is important in his life.

One of the greatest things to see is Mark playing with his son Gus. Before Gus could walk, he was already on a bike. Mark created bikes for Gus and taught him to zoom around the house and the track. Gus is a tornado of energy, just like Mark and his only fear seems to be that of standing still. As Mark motivated Gus to be active, we believe that Gus will reciprocate the same during this time of recovery.



One of the keys to Mark's recovery is his young son Gus. Gus will keep dad entertained and Mark will have the greatest motivation to get back on his feet.

Mark and Gus are at play here with a new toy tractor. This cheap contraption was modified by Mark to be powered by a brushless motor and a bank of lithium polymer batteries. The result is a drifting machine and a driver that knows how to handle it.