5 PRO Tips To Stay Safe While Mountain Biking
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
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One thing I've always wondered is the armor and pads that pro riders use, or more often - don't use. On most videos, one typically ONLY sees pros wearing knee pads. How does the risk/reward thing figure into the apparent lack of pads used by pro riders? And why is wearing pads seen as a 'non-pro' thing? I'm 56 and been 'mountain biking' since the mid-1980's (back when it wasn't really called mountain biking) where protection wasn't even an option. Today it is. On my typical weekly trail rides, I'll wear my dainese trail air knee pads on most every ride, sometimes throw on my matching elbow pads and that usually gives me enough 'minimal' protection for the silly tumbles I do when I'm clowning around having fun on the bike. But, every once in a while I'm caught out, tumble and say to myself 'shoulda wore your pads, dood!" and enjoy the scab and bruise maintenance for yet another 2-weeks......
I would be interested to hear his thoughts on this too. However, I think you will find that most pros (especially in downhill) are in fact wearing some form of upper body armour under their jerseys. I know that Bruni, for example, wears a chest protector with elbow pads.
I recently had a rib injury so decided to look into armour and got a light weight vest that goes under my jersey. It makes me feel so much safer and I barely notice I have it on (plus it is lightweight enough to not look goofy under my jersey).
I think the key point though is even with good armour on, you still want to ride within your limits as discussed in this video. A bit of armour here and there will only go so far to protect you.
I do agree though that as this sport has progressed, it is becoming more and more similar to motocross and you would never ride without protection in that sport so why would you here?
@@MrBananaxXx Indeed, I used to race MX too and armor definitely saved my clumsy arse more than a few times, as for biking - I raced a local Michigan dual slalom series for a few years (gated with Dakota Norton, but only saw him for the first corner til he disappeared!), and after a particularly brutal wipeout (broke a few ribs), I bought some troy lee torso armor w/ rib protection, and hip armor. While I hardly ever use that torso and hip armor, I will wear it for 'riskier' outings or events. That said, my biggest detriment to wearing pads or armor is summer heat and humidity. The only pads I've found that I can tolerate are the dainese stuff, which is massively vented. I would bet that being hot, sweaty and uncomfortable is a huge reason why more people don't wear even 'minimalist' pads/armor. Lastly, wearing armor does help one's mindset in taking risk, as knowing there's at least some protection handy is a huge mental benefit.
I use helmet, knee pads, back- and shoulder protection on basically every mtb ride. It has for me become second nature to gear up. As an older rider, I know I break more easy and it also takes longer to heal. So if I somewhat can prevent that by wearing protection, then that is a no brainer for me. One other thing that has stuck with me is what happened to a workd cup downhill skier (some 20 years ago). He was skiing on a very easy and low speed ”transportation track” to the lift. He lost focus, did not pay attention, crash, broke his back and ended up in a wheel chair for the rest of his life. A severe accident can happen so easy (to anybody) and wearing protection and stay focused is what you can do as part of your risk management.
I’m 50 and broke my ribs and a finger recently, just more to add to the collection. Between snowboarding and mountain biking I’ve accrued more injuries than when I was boxing and Thai boxing believe it or not. I love mountain biking more than any other sport and am not averse to taking a tumble, but pads are there for a reason, use them. The arthritic pains hurt enough, don’t add to them if you can help it. And buy a water bottle(?) container for tools and wear a backpack, you save yourself shedload of problems
Watch the UCI DH pros and they all have knee pads, elbow pads, back protector, helmet, gloves. They wear them under the jersey they are just really low key.
I used to duo ride, my friends lack of time means it's mostly solo now and it's a big mental difference. Self rescue in paramount.
1. Not getting hurt so now I wear full armour it's subtle enough. Slow ride new trails or any where it's been a while. Be nice to other users (horsesriders/dogwalkers/hikers) chances are solo it'll be one of them that helps you.
2. Hand packed First aid kit for mtb'ing and a rescue whistle. Winter I pack air activated hand warmers. Tools+small parts for my bike.
3. I leave a few energy gels in my pack ever since I forgot snacks.
4. I try to make rides in a figure 8 around the van or start on the trails furthest and ride back to the van
5. Back up gear in the van big first aid kit, tools/spares, clothes of different weather, suncream, electrolytes and lots of water.
I would say phone but its flaky, you can't rely on it (no buddy to ride to the top of the hill for signal), still worth getting the number of whoever manages the land, along with sharing a live gps location with a friend.
Sage advice. Good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from bad decisions.
There are three gentleman mountain bikers I’ve come across so far ( I respect a lot of mountain bikers, don’t get me wrong), and they are Eliot, Jono Jones and Remy Metallieur. I don’t want to offend others but these guys stand out in my opinion as people who deserve respect because of their attitudes and the way they are with others on film (yep, I’m old).
Keep it up El, you’re truly a role model for how any athlete should be. You’re remind me of the old school athletes like Daley Thompson, Bill Beaumont and the like (I’m english, you’d understand if you grew up in 80’s UK). Respect.
Amen 🙏🏽
You lost me at Jono
Good times, my friend!
A year ago Father's Day sunrise I broke my tibia riding my gravel bike around a local trail network. I clawed my way out and got myself home but it was really airlift territory. Super close call, and it made me a lot more cautious. I'm told I should have at least called my wife.... Obviously I preferred pedaling on a broken leg to that idea.
Most people don't understand this because they don't practice or haven't put enough time in gotta have total understanding of what bike does and how it reacts to everything and be able to make the adjustments
Great view! Tkx!
I carry a small folding saw with me in case i have to make crutches.
I feel like your bike is always stalking you, just slightly in frame, waiting for you to make a mistake.
I’m partitioning to get Elliot in the new World Cup commentator box. Dudes a legend next to Warner
After a bad accident years ago I’m just starting to ride again at 51yo and my rule is if trail goes next to a steep drop I get off and walk, always. Don’t care how silly it looks or what anyone thinks
Always put on sunscreen!
Put a $20 in your handlebars for emergencies like when you bonked.