Corey warns other mountainbikers | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

As the warmer weather brings more mountainbikers into the Whakarewarewa forest, Corey Deane has a message for them all - be careful.

He wants riders to enjoy themselves but not become complacent.

The 28-year-old Kawerau man said he felt lucky to be alive after breaking his neck on a Rotorua forest track he had ridden hundreds of times before. He felt even luckier after hearing about Rotorua Pastor Timothy Lee's crash on the same trail, which left the Baptist Church pastor paralysed.

Corey, an adventure guide, was riding with his brother James on June 16. He had 15 years of mountainbiking experience and considered himself fairly competent, especially given he had guided others in the forest.

"We'd been out for a couple of hours, just cruising," Corey said. "On our way back we hit the Exit Trail. I got to an obstacle, I was riding across a log - something I've done hundreds of times - but I got a bit off-balance. I went to jump off the side, thinking nothing of it, but I went over the handlebars and slammed on my head."

Corey said his brother told him to lie down. His neck felt sore and he tilted it from side to side to try to make it feel better. They decided to walk out. James was to fetch the car from the visitor centre carpark.

"By the time he came back I felt weird so we called for an ambulance," Corey said.

He was kept in overnight at Rotorua Hospital and had a CT scan the next day which confirmed three breaks on the C1 vertabrae at the top of the spine. "It took a while to sink in. I'd walked out of the forest with a broken neck. I felt really, really lucky."

Corey was in Rotorua Hospital for six days and was fitted with a halo brace, putting his neck into traction. After 13 weeks he was fitted with a hard neck brace and is now weaning himself off a soft collar.

His neck muscles are building up in strength but it will be some months before he can return to light duties. "I hope to get back on my bike. I love it but I have to take it a bit easier.

"I won't be able to go back to being a rafting guide. Going over that 7 metre waterfall is a bit too hard. I was told another knock could be fatal and that was quite sobering. I'm happy to make that sacrifice to be here."

He said James hadn't been back on his bike since the crash and his other riding friends had not ridden the Exit Trail.

What niggles Corey is that he had ridden harder and faster trails before and returned home unscathed.

"Just the weekend before I went out with my dad and we rode the National Downhill track, all the crazy stuff.

"I hurt myself on the easy stuff. I think I got a bit complacent and I'd tell others not to get like that.

"I don't want to put people off - I can't wait to get back out there."

He said the experience had been hard on his wife Jade but the couple had decided to be positive throughout the experience.

Kaitiaki Adventures, his rafting employer, held a fundraiser for the couple to help with his recovery, raising $2000 by organising an accommodation and adventures package through the Millennium Hotel, Agroventures, Tamaki Tours and Hells Gate.

Mountainbiking skills instructor Gabby Molloy said it was important for all riders to start out slowly in the new season.

"Build it up slowly and practise your skills," she said.

"You should always have a game plan for every situation. Riders should also ride within their means and stay alert."