Renting a moped/scooter on holiday - what do you wear?
Discussion
Heading out to Ibiza this summer and looking at renting a moped/scooter to get around for a few days, my younger daughter who's working out there will occasionally be on the back. They supply a helmet and not much else in the way of protection. Do I just live dangerously and try my hardest to avoid a tarmac tattoo or what can/do I wear to avoid leaving an unhealthy amount of my skin on Spanish tarmac if the worse should happen?
TL:DR Do I take textiles out there or MTFU when renting a scooter in Spain?
TL:DR Do I take textiles out there or MTFU when renting a scooter in Spain?
They say dress for the slide, not the ride. It's your call, wear whatever you're comfortable with. That said, you'll be the *only* person wearing protective gear...
When I was young and stupid I hired a Harley in Greece and wore nothing but shorts and trainers. I didn't bother with a lid as a) it was s
t and b) I wanted to be afraid so I didn't go very fast (not difficult on a Harley 
)
When I was young and stupid I hired a Harley in Greece and wore nothing but shorts and trainers. I didn't bother with a lid as a) it was s
t and b) I wanted to be afraid so I didn't go very fast (not difficult on a Harley )You wont be going faster than push bike speeds, so only risking what you can get on a push bike....mmmm....even on the UK's safest roads in the world, cyclists are dropping like flies these days in KSI accidents...and I can still remember the gravel rash from last time I fell off ...
But then you consider the law of averages, and its not like you are cramming 12000 commuting miles into your holiday, for a handful of trips at 15-20 mph around town, would risk it with just a helmet...
But then you consider the law of averages, and its not like you are cramming 12000 commuting miles into your holiday, for a handful of trips at 15-20 mph around town, would risk it with just a helmet...
shoes or trainers is a must....feet are one of the most easily injured with potentially life changing results...just think about stubbing your toe and how much that hurts.
When I see people on scooters with flip flops ...well...not good. Just putting your foot down wrong at 20mph in flip flops could mean never walking properly again.
I shattered 80% of the bones in my feet in a 50mph car accident, had 3 foot operations (another 10 for rest of my body) and 6 months in a wheelchair before learning to walk again. I can walk about ok, but not too far and not very comfortable without meds.
Hence im reminded daily about looking after my feet, and always wear sturdy boots on the bike.
....so thats; helmet, light gloves, shoes/trainers .....just leaves bits of skin on arms n legs to worry about
When I see people on scooters with flip flops ...well...not good. Just putting your foot down wrong at 20mph in flip flops could mean never walking properly again.
I shattered 80% of the bones in my feet in a 50mph car accident, had 3 foot operations (another 10 for rest of my body) and 6 months in a wheelchair before learning to walk again. I can walk about ok, but not too far and not very comfortable without meds.
Hence im reminded daily about looking after my feet, and always wear sturdy boots on the bike.
....so thats; helmet, light gloves, shoes/trainers .....just leaves bits of skin on arms n legs to worry about
Wear helmet and gloves. Beyond that, you may want long trousers rather than shorts but that would be up to you. I rode in shorts in Malta many years ago. Never again!!. When I stopped, the fan came on and blew the heat from the engine all over my already very hot legs. Very uncomfortable but unlikely to be an issue on a scooter.
Look at what the locals are wearing. They don't value their skin any less than you value yours but they live in a hot climate (rather than just visit occasionally) and understand the balance of risk between managing the heat and preparing for a potential crash. Wear the same as them.
Look at what the locals are wearing. They don't value their skin any less than you value yours but they live in a hot climate (rather than just visit occasionally) and understand the balance of risk between managing the heat and preparing for a potential crash. Wear the same as them.
poo at Paul's said:
... how about them strap on knee pads / elbow that you can wear skateboarding. Light and easy to pack.
Unlikely to stay in place in the event of a spill so probably totally pointless.Lots of kevlar jeans and hoodies about that wouldn't be so bad as proper textiles in the heat.
Even get kevlar shirts now like this:
http://www.dragginjeans.com/mens/draggin-shirt/
Wont help much with impacts but at least should reduce scrapes
Even get kevlar shirts now like this:
http://www.dragginjeans.com/mens/draggin-shirt/
Wont help much with impacts but at least should reduce scrapes
poo at Paul's said:
Some gloves, how about them strap on knee pads / elbow that you can wear skateboarding. Light and easy to pack. But I'd just be in MTB gloves, max. Just don't ride like a nob.
Ibiza, on rented moped in full textiles? you'd look a proper melt!
totally agree, take it easy....a slight sea breeze isn't going to cool you down much in 45+ degrees of heat, if anything riding around in that heat dehydrating in proper gear wont be that healthy for you anyway..Ibiza, on rented moped in full textiles? you'd look a proper melt!
Car?! Mopeds abroad are brilliant fun, especially with a group of you, ill never forget racing down a beach in San Antonio with a group of us and hitting the remains of a large sandcastle in the dark and going over the handlebars ..
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