Knee pads with bibs on the trails

[Rock Guy]

All practicalities aside, I'm a firm believer of dressing the part. Its a nod of respect to those that have paved the way. It's also a great way to integrate into the community of whatever you're getting involved with. 

Wearing a suit and tie is certainly less practical than jeans and a T-shirt, but it shows respect when going to a wedding, applying for a job, going to court, seeing clients (in many industries), etc. and this in turn will allow for more meaningful interactions. 

So, really, it depends what experience you're trying to get out of mountain biking. No-one will chase you away if you roll up to the trail head wearing a spandex skin suit, ankle socks, a roadie helmet and knee pads, but you will need to deal with some heckles and are probably a little bit less likely to be invited for beers afterwards with new people you just met on the trails.

I also find it a great motivator to become a better cyclist. If I dress like a proper roadie when I take the Emonda out for a spin I push a little harder to at least try and be as fast as the real roadies. Likewise, when I don my full face helmet and baggies on the mountain, I am motivated to improve my skill set and not be a little pansy all the time. 

But hey, you do you...

If you do go the route of looking the part, Specialized make some really nice, light baggies that I have never experienced to be a hinderance.

Edited February 13 by Rock Guy

[DieselnDust]

44 minutes ago, Robbie Stewart said:

I used to surf once upon a time, and never had I had the brain fart to wear baggies over my wetsuit. It was baggies with or without a rash vest depending on the level of sunburn in summer, or a wetsuit in winter.

Kitesurfers wearing baggies and a wetsuit is just stupid. But that's my take on it. Maybe a kitesurfer can explain if any visit this forum.

Baggies over the wetsuit is perfect for giving yourself a wedgie during hangtime

[Robbie Stewart]

1 hour ago, MORNE said:

Admittedly not a surfer myself, but would have thought you wear a wetsuit here because of the 10-17* C water temps first and foremost…i highly doubt a kite surfer who frequents warmer waters wears a wetsuit. Baggies and inpact vest only? Same goes for surfers. Sun protection in the way of those long sleeve jobbies we also put on kids, but a wetsuit in 25*+ water? Yea no i would think.

I quit surfing before I moved to Cape Town. I grew up in George and was a Vic bay local. Summers the water temps average around 22 ~ 23 degrees. Winters are around 16 ~ 18 degrees.

Although, I have paddled out a handful of times at Bigbay and the waters then were around 18 degrees on those occasions. Each time I surfed in my long leg / short sleeve wetsuit and felt fine. I have noticed that the summer water temps in Cape Town are much colder than the winter temps.

The main reason I don't surf here though is the very high chance of being infected by e-coli. I am used to crisp white foam when a wave breaks, not the poo coloured foam the west coast is famous for where I live. I refuse to swim here for that reason alone.

[Robbie Stewart]

1 hour ago, Rock Guy said:

Likewise, when I don my full face helmet and baggies on the mountain, I am motivated to improve my skill set and not be a little pansy all the time. 

I have found this to be true. I recently upgraded to full face and goggles. Suddenly I'm faster and jump higher and further, and no, its not a placebo effect. Its a tangible difference. Mates I struggled to keep up with remain within striking distance on descents, and jumps I was barely clearing now feel much smaller and I go much deeper than before.

[mazambaan]

20 hours ago, Robbie Stewart said:

I have found this to be true. I recently upgraded to full face and goggles. Suddenly I'm faster and jump higher and further, and no, its not a placebo effect. Its a tangible difference. Mates I struggled to keep up with remain within striking distance on descents, and jumps I was barely clearing now feel much smaller and I go much deeper than before.

Interesting and completely understandable, my little "problem" is "mixed" conditions as I normally ride prepared trails (XC/Marathon type) so it is lycra, jersey, cycling hat. BUT, every now and then on the trail there is the rock garden / tech section, and off piste downhill or the lure of an enduro section at Giba (all when you should actually walk or turn away). 🙈Part way down you wish you had all the kit; full face, ballistic vest (heck, air vest), knee braces and MX boots as you take in the jagged rocks or cannot control the speed anymore.