Taking the plunge...
- Thread starter Kamatu
- Start date
John Tolhurst
Zen MBB Master
I tried to put a light rain jacket on once while riding no hands. Failed. Couldn't find the second arm hole as the wind kept blowing it around and I couldn't lean forward enough off the seat, pedal, balance etc all at once. Jackie Chan could though. 
Word is, don't try. I realised later that if the sleeve had got in the spokes it would have looked and felt pretty stupid, and painful.
Word is, don't try. I realised later that if the sleeve had got in the spokes it would have looked and felt pretty stupid, and painful.
Rick Harker
Well-Known Member
And it all happens so fast...
In hindsight...
If only...
Hotdog, I hope your wounds heal quickly.
I'm waiting patiently to read about your first riding experience and make a comparison, share laughs and bring back memories for the experienced. I bet they smile!
Regards,
Rick.
In hindsight...
If only...
Hotdog, I hope your wounds heal quickly.
I'm waiting patiently to read about your first riding experience and make a comparison, share laughs and bring back memories for the experienced. I bet they smile!
Regards,
Rick.
Thanks for the all the good wishes, everyone. I have actually been thinking about the option for more protective clothing, partially prompted by seeing Moto GP riders on TV sliding down the track at 160 kph/100 mph barely scuffing their armoured racing leathers and feeling rather envious! I'm going to give MTB/DH/moto elbow/forearm guards a go when I get back on the bike, at least until my road rash is 100% healed. Abrasion protection for my hips seems like an even better idea and I've found a couple of possibilities there, Domino Crash Series leather reinforced cycling shorts or Icon Field Armor Shorts, which are kevlar shorts designed to be worn as abrasion resistant underwear by motorcyclists but which work just fine as recumbent cycling shorts.
I'm going to give MTB/DH/moto elbow/forearm guards a go when I get back on the bike, at least until my road rash is 100% healed. Abrasion protection for my hips seems like an even better idea and I've found a couple of possibilities there, Domino Crash Series leather reinforced cycling shorts or Icon Field Armor Shorts, which are kevlar shorts designed to be worn as abrasion resistant underwear by motorcyclists but which work just fine as recumbent cycling shorts.I admit my riding style is a bit more casual than most and I see some problems with long rides, but ever since I tried to rip one of my toes off (ripped the end of my big toe almost off, it made a nice flap with the end of my toe bone peaking out, we cleaned it, flipped it back into place and strapped it back on, not even a scar left) with various other damage when I was 15, I've been a big fan of heavy cotton long sleeve T-shirts, sturdy denim pants and decent shoes and they have served me well.
Maybe not the thing to do big touring in, but I did manage to handle 14 mile and 20 mile round trips while going to college (I actually think they were a bit longer since I didn't use the Interstate...) dressed that way. Summertime here is 90+ degrees with 90%+ humidity, so it was hot. Of course at the time, I didn't need a helmet.....
Maybe not the thing to do big touring in, but I did manage to handle 14 mile and 20 mile round trips while going to college (I actually think they were a bit longer since I didn't use the Interstate...) dressed that way. Summertime here is 90+ degrees with 90%+ humidity, so it was hot. Of course at the time, I didn't need a helmet.....
Yeah, I can't really see heavy cotton long-sleeve t's and denim pants working for me. I really don't like the feel of cotton once it's wet (and it's bound to be one way or another when I'm riding, either sweat or rain or both), it's heavy and clingy and doesn't dry quickly. Denim is similar, but is even heavier and also stiff, not nice wrapped round your legs when you're trying to pedal. And in any case, while both would be a little better at protecting you than lycra in a bicycle crash neither really offer much in the way of abrasion protection. Just ask any motorcyclist/cyclist who's slid down the road wearing a pair of jeans and they'll confirm that...
Personally I find the technical fabrics of cycling gear much nicer to wear when riding, they're light, form fitting, sweat wicking, quick drying and breathable. Unfortunately they offer negligible protection in the even of a fall, but what I'm after is adding abrasion resistant bits in strategic places (hips and arms, the bits that tend to slide along the ground when crashing a recumbent) rather than abandoning cycling style gear all together. Elbow and forearm guards together with kevlar/leather reinforced shorts seems the way to go, effective protection against road rash but without restricting movement, getting too hot or adding much weight.
Personally I find the technical fabrics of cycling gear much nicer to wear when riding, they're light, form fitting, sweat wicking, quick drying and breathable. Unfortunately they offer negligible protection in the even of a fall, but what I'm after is adding abrasion resistant bits in strategic places (hips and arms, the bits that tend to slide along the ground when crashing a recumbent) rather than abandoning cycling style gear all together. Elbow and forearm guards together with kevlar/leather reinforced shorts seems the way to go, effective protection against road rash but without restricting movement, getting too hot or adding much weight.
Mark B wrote: I was suprised on the BROL board to see this topic get so much interest. I was reluctant to suggest the Power Ranger outfit.
Mark
Wimp!
Other fabrics would work, you wouldn't have to get the cotton ones. The more I thought about it, the "winter weight" uniforms I wore would probably be great. While they don't breathe as well as the summer ones, they are a bit more sturdy and have an extra layer of fabric over many of the sticking out bits like knees and elbows.
Yes, I think I still have a bit of Spandex/Lycra left around here, but maybe not, I haven't used them in a decade. I used to wear the shorts for long runs/road marches in the Army to prevent chafing of thighs and such. If I need them, I'll wear them, otherwise I don't care for them.
Mark B wrote:
Modest?
Mark
Not particularly, I just dislike tight underwear. In fact, I've been relearning boxers since the baby was born. Hard as heck to tell the kid he has to wear underwear when daddy doesn't. I just have this problem remembering that these shorts I'm wearing aren't really shorts when I step outside. I'm better at it now, it has been three years, but once in a while I still almost do it....
Now, how to get instantly in shape for tomorrow..... :shock:
