Do you always were your protective gear?
Discussion
Always wear lid (obviously), gloves and jacket. Trousers go on if I'm going any further than the mile into town. I always wear sturdy footwear so that comes with me (with gaiters if it's cold and/or wet).
Saw a mate drive through town earlier wearing a hoodie with the sleeves pulled up. It did make me wince and not jsut because it's chuffing cold.
Saw a mate drive through town earlier wearing a hoodie with the sleeves pulled up. It did make me wince and not jsut because it's chuffing cold.
This happened at less than 10 mph on a mountain bike, the pain is agony for about a week, that and a trip to A+E, where they scrub the grit out with what can only be described as a scouring pad!
Funnily enough, I always wear full kit whenever I go on the motorbike, the thought of jeans and 20 + Mph slide, makes me shudder.
When you see the scooter riders in there shorts and t shirt in the summer, it's no better wearing jeans
Always, even if I am going to the shop, I just pull my textile trousers over my normal jeans and pop my boots on and jacket. The only time I did not (decided to fetch some beer) I nearly got wiped out at the T junction at top of the road by some moron, I was approaching the junction indicating to turn right and he turned left onto my road but decided that his side of the road was not wide enough and was on my side of the road, f****g t**t 
No brainer really, if I go out on my bike I intend to return home exactly in the same condition!!
No brainer really, if I go out on my bike I intend to return home exactly in the same condition!!
Renn Sport said:
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Also top tip... when you commute, they'll always be little incidents, especially as you find your way again. Don't share these with the Mrs..
top tip indeed they'll only worryAlso top tip... when you commute, they'll always be little incidents, especially as you find your way again. Don't share these with the Mrs..
when i first started 30 years ago i used a naff poor fitting Life helmet that was my dads with a s
tty scratch visor that was better up than down, leaky belstaff nylon thing and gardening gloves with jeans and welders bootsnow - force field pro top/pants, gloves, ce boots, leather or textile depending on time of year etc etc
30 years ago probably didn't care/equipment just wasn't available
now days too many dependents/people rely on me so i protect myself as best i can - feel naked without it
Prof Prolapse said:
spareparts said:
If you come off - even at very slow speed - and land on your elbow, you have a very high risk of suffering a broken elbow as a minimum. This can take 6-9 months to heal properly and regain full strength. An armoured jacket mitigates against this.
If.
spareparts said:
Prof Prolapse said:
spareparts said:
If you come off - even at very slow speed - and land on your elbow, you have a very high risk of suffering a broken elbow as a minimum. This can take 6-9 months to heal properly and regain full strength. An armoured jacket mitigates against this.
If.To each their own, I'm not arguing as 99% of the time I'm in the same camp as you. I just think the point deserves a devil's advocate otherwise I'd be a hypocrite the remaining 1%..
I really enjoy riding in jeans and T-shirt. On a warm day just riding locally, pottering around it's just wonderful. If i'm going out for a real ride I wear everything I have. Leather jacket, gloves, kevlar jeans, and now a back protector. It makes sense if you own it to wear it.
Part of riding is the feeling of vulnerability and the feeling of exposure to your surroundings. I would never knock anybody's choice to wear whatever their choice is. I pick what suits my needs for that ride. I'm rarely interested in over dressing.
I don't really sign up to the "all the gear all the time" idea. It's often backed up with the fact someone could at any time, plough you off the road while texting or drunk driving. While this is very true, living by this idea is, for me, far too extreme. You wouldn't walk into town wearing full leathers and helmet, yet a driver could easily mow you down on the pavement. This does happen every now and then, But i'm not about to dress for it. I take the same approach to riding.
Part of riding is the feeling of vulnerability and the feeling of exposure to your surroundings. I would never knock anybody's choice to wear whatever their choice is. I pick what suits my needs for that ride. I'm rarely interested in over dressing.
I don't really sign up to the "all the gear all the time" idea. It's often backed up with the fact someone could at any time, plough you off the road while texting or drunk driving. While this is very true, living by this idea is, for me, far too extreme. You wouldn't walk into town wearing full leathers and helmet, yet a driver could easily mow you down on the pavement. This does happen every now and then, But i'm not about to dress for it. I take the same approach to riding.
I have fallen off bikes and cycles too many times when younger without gear on and it hurt. I wear gear all the time. It hangs up next to the bike, I dont get on the bike without it. There is such a huge choice now you can get bike gear for all weathers that looks like normal clothing
90% of the time im in a leather jacket with armour/back protector, kevlar jeans, boots, gloves, helmet. 10% of the time i might wear a 2 piece suit on particular bikes and obviously on track
the way I look at it is you can die at 40-50mph (or less) in a bike or car if you are unlucky. The gear stops a 20mph minor accident taking you out for 6 months or worse...its like wearing a seat belt in a car, taking care of the basic level of safety. Have a big off at high speed and hit anything, it doesnt matter much what you are wearing
90% of the time im in a leather jacket with armour/back protector, kevlar jeans, boots, gloves, helmet. 10% of the time i might wear a 2 piece suit on particular bikes and obviously on track
the way I look at it is you can die at 40-50mph (or less) in a bike or car if you are unlucky. The gear stops a 20mph minor accident taking you out for 6 months or worse...its like wearing a seat belt in a car, taking care of the basic level of safety. Have a big off at high speed and hit anything, it doesnt matter much what you are wearing
Most of the time I wear full gear, either leathers in the warmer months or textiles in the colder months. That said, I have no problem with riding in normal clothing. I have ridden and would ride again in normal trousers, trainers and jacket or shirt. I always wear a helmet when it’s legally required and always wear gloves. I would not ride in shorts after doing so in Malta, when it was over 100 in the shade, and getting VERY hot legs when the fan came on while sitting in traffic. I’m happy to wear a t-shirt though if the weather is warm.
This is the best thing posted on here in a very long time ....
This is the best thing posted on here in a very long time ....
Andy XRV said:
Some might say it’s the wrong attitude but every time I jump on a bike I don't convince myself that everyone is out to kill me nor do I think too much about crashing.
From my point of view, this is exactly the right attitude.Always fully geared.
Kevlar Jeans, leathers, gloves, helmet and boots. (If I'm just going for a ride full boots, if not then its ankle boots so i can actual walk when i get to the other end)
I do also own some textiles but find them bulky and cumbersome compared to the jeans...oh and my exhaust melts them! (must hat wrap the pipes)
Kevlar Jeans, leathers, gloves, helmet and boots. (If I'm just going for a ride full boots, if not then its ankle boots so i can actual walk when i get to the other end)
I do also own some textiles but find them bulky and cumbersome compared to the jeans...oh and my exhaust melts them! (must hat wrap the pipes)
out for a ride, everything...
riding to work, or nipping to get fags (typically don't get above 30 mph) jacket, gloves and Kevlar jeans.
I can tell you as someone who road MTB's and BMX's who fell off a lot. Skate parks, bus shelters, flights of stairs.... it hurts but always wear jeans. Its amazing just how much they "protect" your skin in a small spill. You'll still get burnt but nothing like the above.
I deem riding my bike to work (don't exceed 30) no more dangerous than I would be on a push bike.
riding to work, or nipping to get fags (typically don't get above 30 mph) jacket, gloves and Kevlar jeans.
I can tell you as someone who road MTB's and BMX's who fell off a lot. Skate parks, bus shelters, flights of stairs.... it hurts but always wear jeans. Its amazing just how much they "protect" your skin in a small spill. You'll still get burnt but nothing like the above.
I deem riding my bike to work (don't exceed 30) no more dangerous than I would be on a push bike.
Long or spirited trips minimum of helmet, gloves, boots, jacket and leather trousers, back protector. Locally or gentle ride out, jacket, gloves, kevlar jeans, CE approved ankle boots, knee armour.
Was relieved when Mrs Powerstans decided she liked pillion and then riding as it was worth investing more in her gear. Second hand jacket and walking boots replaced with better items (and my winter weight gloves returned from her tender care).
She prefers kevlar jeans to leather trousers but has both, she sees the sence in jacket, helmet, gloves and at least sturdy ankle boots at all times even for local rides.
Fact she quotes from her training is loss of 1cm of skin and flesh every second at 30mph on tarmac.
My pet issue apart from shorts and t shirts is the fact that having cycled for over 400 years including commuting whenever possible I always wear gloves even on the push bike. Following numerous skinned palms when a youth even after even walking pace falls I really cant see why people ever ride without gloves as 15mph major damage to hands can be caused especially if you do the classic action of putting your hands out to protect yourself!!
Was relieved when Mrs Powerstans decided she liked pillion and then riding as it was worth investing more in her gear. Second hand jacket and walking boots replaced with better items (and my winter weight gloves returned from her tender care).
She prefers kevlar jeans to leather trousers but has both, she sees the sence in jacket, helmet, gloves and at least sturdy ankle boots at all times even for local rides.
Fact she quotes from her training is loss of 1cm of skin and flesh every second at 30mph on tarmac.
My pet issue apart from shorts and t shirts is the fact that having cycled for over 400 years including commuting whenever possible I always wear gloves even on the push bike. Following numerous skinned palms when a youth even after even walking pace falls I really cant see why people ever ride without gloves as 15mph major damage to hands can be caused especially if you do the classic action of putting your hands out to protect yourself!!
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