Jump to content

Protection, Do We Need It?


 Share

Recommended Posts

My sixsixone kneepads paid for themselves today. Fast walking pace crash down a rocky gully (between sections - don't ask me how) and over the bars - smashed my right kneecap onto a rock.

Was painful even with the kneepads on and I have some bruising and a slight limp. There is no doubt in my mind that without protection this would have been a MAJOR injury.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

So far, 8years riding,I've been very lucky with regard to crashes! Never anything worse than a bruise and some small scrapes. I put it down to sheer bloody mindedness. 'NO, I'm NOT going to hit the ground!' There was one crash earlier this year, I'm told I got my head on a tree and the observer didn't expect me to bounce up straight away! (Thank god for lids!)

I've never worn any protection other than gloves, boots and a lid. I have braces on my knees 'coz they get sore quite a lot, but that's just to keep heat in and keep the joints together!

I must say I've always thought that knee pads would be restrictive, especially under the skinny Trials jeans everyone seems to wear! Elbow pads look awkward and again restrictive, but I do see there are advantages in wearing them. Being a Southern Softie I very very rarely ride anything resembling a rock, but I can imagine that those who do regularly are a lot more at risk of getting kneecapped.

In a roundabout way I guess I'm trying to say while I've no real need (at the moment!) of extra protection, I can quite see that there are those who do! I would argue that a real novice could benefit from the extra feeling of security offered, but that same novice could be at a disadvantage when he/she improves, as the pads would restrict movement. I reckon it would take a few years of riding for the restrictions to be noticeable and to have a detrimental effect, by which time the novice is no longer, and is less likely to have a fall. I guess then one could say that getting better means tougher sections, which means potential falls are potentially worse, which increases the need for pads . . . a vicious circle!

Thankfully the mud is nice and soft around here, so falls are soft een if the washing machine does get a workout!

Just my tuppence worth!

Pete.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 
So far, 8years riding,I've been very lucky with regard to crashes! Never anything worse than a bruise and some small scrapes. I put it down to sheer bloody mindedness. 'NO, I'm NOT going to hit the ground!' There was one crash earlier this year, I'm told I got my head on a tree and the observer didn't expect me to bounce up straight away! (Thank god for lids!)

I've never worn any protection other than gloves, boots and a lid. I have braces on my knees 'coz they get sore quite a lot, but that's just to keep heat in and keep the joints together!

I must say I've always thought that knee pads would be restrictive, especially under the skinny Trials jeans everyone seems to wear! Elbow pads look awkward and again restrictive, but I do see there are advantages in wearing them. Being a Southern Softie I very very rarely ride anything resembling a rock, but I can imagine that those who do regularly are a lot more at risk of getting kneecapped.

In a roundabout way I guess I'm trying to say while I've no real need (at the moment!) of extra protection, I can quite see that there are those who do! I would argue that a real novice could benefit from the extra feeling of security offered, but that same novice could be at a disadvantage when he/she improves, as the pads would restrict movement. I reckon it would take a few years of riding for the restrictions to be noticeable and to have a detrimental effect, by which time the novice is no longer, and is less likely to have a fall. I guess then one could say that getting better means tougher sections, which means potential falls are potentially worse, which increases the need for pads . . . a vicious circle!

Thankfully the mud is nice and soft around here, so falls are soft een if the washing machine does get a workout!

Just my tuppence worth!

Pete.

I dont think protective gear is restrictive, bearing in mind that 20 years ago it was impossible to ride with a helmet or gloves for the same reasons quoted !!!!!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
 Share

×
  • Create New...