What protective gear do you wear on most rides?

[BaltazarMarques]

After a silly but painful fall this weekend and a couple since I've started properly getting back into riding - I'm keen to hear what protection you all wear when going out for a days riding.

 

I know the learning curve in the beginning can be tough and that is also a reason for more falls and as one gets more experienced, technically proficient and confident, padding is less of a must have, although I'm sure no matter how good one is, **** happens...

 

I normally only wear pads for what I would consider more challenging/technical trails/rides as I don't want to look like I'm about to do the Megavalanche when I'm just out for a day on the trails - But after this weekend I think I'll be wearing knee and elbow pads on every ride as I hate that I'm buggered for a week or two recovering and not able to ride or do any decent exercise due to an injury that could have been avoided or lessened the damage by wearing protection.

 

I suppose I also think there's a bit of judgment from other riders that may think it's overkill or that I must be a serious rider only to get sniggers as they come bombing past along the trail...

 

As I've got older, I'm realising I don't bounce back as fast as I used to and I'd prefer to be on my bike more than not so I'll be padding up from now on!

[RocknRolla]

Helmet and brain.

 

Sometimes by brain runs out of oxygen and I make stupid mistakes.

 

I would suggest, for a beginner to get some of the G-form products, great for cycling.

 

and gloves - gravel rash on the hands aint nice at all.

[SwissVan]

Gloves, helmet and glasses...in any order you prefer but prefarbly all at the same time

 

I'm thinking of buying some of those flexible knee gaurds for mtbking, you know the ones that are made for XC types who think they can immitate NINO

[Capricorn]

gloves, lid, glasses (when I dont lose them), knee-shin pads and shoes with decent toe box, aka 5.10s.

Once in a while, i'll sport some elbow+forearm protectors as well. Depends on the terrain.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

After the near save on Saturday, I'm going back to putting on my pads for the way down. That was a bit too close for comfort!

 

Epic though, the rush that arrived post save...

[Sportsworld.co.za]

Especially with Mountain Biking, I suggest getting a helmet with side protection as well.

 

Check these Norwegian Etto helmets out.

• 2 Sizes: S/M or L/XL
  
• Available at www.sportsworld.co.za
  

 

The guys at our local rides love them.

[BaltazarMarques]

After the near save on Saturday, I'm going back to putting on my pads for the way down. That was a bit too close for comfort!

 

Epic though, the rush that arrived post save...

 

Puckered sphincter moments!!!

 

Silly thing is I have all the gear but as my buddy said on Saturday - They're no good to me sitting in a bag in the car!!

 

Hindsight and all that...

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

 

Puckered sphincter moments!!!

 

Silly thing is I have all the gear but as my buddy said on Saturday - They're no good to me sitting in a bag in the car!!

 

Hindsight and all that...

Indeed! I have my full face and all my gear (chest protector, knee shin and elbow guards as well) in my boot. Al the time.

[BaltazarMarques]

 

Indeed! I have my full face and all my gear (chest protector, knee shin and elbow guards as well) in my boot. Al the time.

 

Eeeeeexcellent... Also good for trips to Johannesburg, especially during a NUMSA strike

[marko35s]

After the near save on Saturday, I'm going back to putting on my pads for the way down. That was a bit too close for comfort!

 

Epic though, the rush that arrived post save...

What did I miss?

[braailegend]

Helmet and gloves.

When jumping: Jeans and perhaps a extra Tshirt

[Mada3400]

Piss pot + neck brace is always the answer!

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

What did I miss?

will tell you when we meet later this week. It basically had somethng to do with way more speed than I'm used to, the root step down on vasbyt and a rapid loss of talent. And a few love bites from my LH pedal

[niterider]

I'm guaranteed to crash whenever I don't wear kneepads. Also I'm more cautious (probably why I'm crashing). So its kneepads for me on any ride that has some singletrack that goes downwards.

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

I only put on my protection at Tokai, Jonkers, Dirtopia when I do know that I am planning to push it a bit more DH so that I can improve my technical skills. I got the CWC special full on knee/shin guards as well as elbow guards. Found it useful. I hardly fall nowadays and my early falls at Tokai when starting out was more often due to going to slow and being tentative. I look like a power ranger with it on and it doesnt even bother me on the climbs (I fall uphill as well). I would suggest that all newbies wear it, also often a simple fall can cause you to scrape open and then it just takes forever to heal.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

I only put on my protection at Tokai, Jonkers, Dirtopia when I do know that I am planning to push it a bit more DH so that I can improve my technical skills. I got the CWC special full on knee/shin guards as well as elbow guards. Found it useful. I hardly fall nowadays and my early falls at Tokai when starting out was more often due to going to slow and being tentative. I look like a power ranger with it on and it doesnt even bother me on the climbs (I fall uphill as well). I would suggest that all newbies wear it, also often a simple fall can cause you to scrape open and then it just takes forever to heal.

 

Oufy, were you in Tokai on saturday morning, round 8h30, going up Vasbyt? I'm the oke on the Reign X and pink dayglo helmet. If it was you, I've seen you a few times...