protection for Loooooooong Journey?

supafly1982

I am going to be biking the West Highland Way in May. Its 95 miles over some easy terrain then some very difficult terrain and climbs, some bike hiking to be done, climbing rocks and dodgy paths etc, very physicaly and mentaly demanding apparently. Were doing it in 3 days.
I normally ride with raceface arm and leg hard plastic armour, but not so sure this is the thing to be using on a jouney such as this, i will need to travel light and be very mobile.

What protection would oyu recomend for such a demanding trip, or would you reccomend any?

cheers
scott

nicklouse

a few pairs of padded shorts.

The Rookie

Helmet, motocross top (they are great, really airy, tough material) over a base layer and shorts, outer and liner, socks would be good as well as shoes!

Simon

Northwind

I'd want to pad up for some parts of that ride- haven't ridden it as a route but the bits I've done have the potential to bite hard if ridden with a bit of enthusiasm (and would be a bit of a shame if ridden cautiously) . Think I'd go with my kyle straits- I know I can pedal in them all day no bother.

Having said that, most of the route doesn't really warrant it so I'd not wear them the whole time. But devil's staircase etc, I would. Are you using a support service, baggage forwarders or similiar? Where are your stops?

delcol

i would wear knee pads kyle straits or simlar.. i dont notice my tld tbones once i put them on..

supafly1982

Northwind wrote:

I'd want to pad up for some parts of that ride- haven't ridden it as a route but the bits I've done have the potential to bite hard if ridden with a bit of enthusiasm (and would be a bit of a shame if ridden cautiously) . Think I'd go with my kyle straits- I know I can pedal in them all day no bother.

Having said that, most of the route doesn't really warrant it so I'd not wear them the whole time. But devil's staircase etc, I would. Are you using a support service, baggage forwarders or similiar? Where are your stops?

i was thinking about veggies but they got bad reviews then came accross the kyle straits, i like to ride with pads as ive got confidence to ride harder, i would ride alot more catiously without them and as you said it would be a shame, plus theres all the hiking the bike at Loch Lomond, dont want to restrict climbing ability which i think my raceface would.

nicklouse wrote:

a few pairs of padded shorts.

any reccomendation Nick? i use the muddyfox (inner) ones, they have doen the job well so far

DodgeT

I had some veggies, worse thing I could ever of done with my money. Got some kyle straits now which are fantastic, fit and forget you've got them on.

My mate has some of these on last night http://www.sixsixone.com/Catalog_661Bike.aspx?id=89593191-f4ad-4860-84c3-e7bfca2c8878&product=51cc7173-afff-41a4-9cde-da2eb9309177 and these http://www.sixsixone.com/Catalog_661Bike.aspx?id=db5d78e7-4ffd-4b0a-b129-cb7be569ae05&product=1aa7068d-65d4-4a7e-9d23-2b405cf29cb3 he really rates them for not budging and being almost unoticeable when on.

They do look good as light protection for all day use etc. Act as leggings / arm sleeves too. Think he paid about £50 for the pair, CRC I think.

MountainMonster

Maybe just bring what you have, but get a large enough backpack to keep the pads stored in? Absolutely no point in having the pads on for climbs or times when you don't need it, and can just pop them on once things get technical.

supafly1982

MountainMonster wrote:

Maybe just bring what you have, but get a large enough backpack to keep the pads stored in? Absolutely no point in having the pads on for climbs or times when you don't need it, and can just pop them on once things get technical.

its trying to keep the bulk weight down though, they are large and take up way too much space.

DodgeT wrote:

I had some veggies, worse thing I could ever of done with my money. Got some kyle straits now which are fantastic, fit and forget you've got them on.

My mate has some of these on last night http://www.sixsixone.com/Catalog_661Bike.aspx?id=89593191-f4ad-4860-84c3-e7bfca2c8878&product=51cc7173-afff-41a4-9cde-da2eb9309177 and these http://www.sixsixone.com/Catalog_661Bike.aspx?id=db5d78e7-4ffd-4b0a-b129-cb7be569ae05&product=1aa7068d-65d4-4a7e-9d23-2b405cf29cb3 he really rates them for not budging and being almost unoticeable when on.

They do look good as light protection for all day use etc. Act as leggings / arm sleeves too. Think he paid about £50 for the pair, CRC I think.

excellent, those look like the type of thing that will suit me, cheers

Northwind

Not sure what the point of those is, they're pretty enclosed so it's like wearing arm/legwarmers all the time (the arm ones feel sweatier than my POCs as they cover more arm). They fit well under other clothes mind and they'll be more stowable and lighter, so that's a definate plus for this, but they're as much faff as a proper pad and haven't got a fraction of the protection.

supafly1982

Northwind wrote:

Not sure what the point of those is, they're pretty enclosed so it's like wearing arm/legwarmers all the time (the arm ones feel sweatier than my POCs as they cover more arm). They fit well under other clothes mind and they'll be more stowable and lighter, so that's a definate plus for this, but they're as much faff as a proper pad and haven't got a fraction of the protection.

i see, got to admit i do preffer the whole leg and forearm protection, im qite rough with my self and bike and prone to the odd "off"

DodgeT

They're never going to be "hardcore", but for something OP has described, i'd of thought they would be pretty ideal.
The material is very thin, its like the compression tops / bottoms you get. My 661 sub top is made with the same stuff and it is like you've got nothing on its so thin & breathable.
Bonus too is that there are no straps whatsoever, so no worrying about them getting sweaty / grit in them and starting to rub.

Northwind

See, I tried a subgear longsleeve and I sweated like a pig... SO I guess maybe that's just me being a sweaty mess, more than the fabric

DodgeT

Couldn't possibly comment :P

1mancity2

Northwind wrote:

See, I tried a subgear longsleeve and I sweated like a pig... SO I guess maybe that's just me being a sweaty mess, more than the fabric

Not called boil in the bag for nothing!

Great this weather mind you....

supafly1982

DodgeT wrote:

They're never going to be "hardcore", but for something OP has described, i'd of thought they would be pretty ideal.
The material is very thin, its like the compression tops / bottoms you get. My 661 sub top is made with the same stuff and it is like you've got nothing on its so thin & breathable.
Bonus too is that there are no straps whatsoever, so no worrying about them getting sweaty / grit in them and starting to rub.

aye they do seem lie the closest thing im going to get for my needs, not hardcore protection but enough to stop the flesh ripping as much, a little protection, which is all i want really

supafly1982

anyone else got the 661 Rythims? they are not even on 661 size chart lol

andymc06

Hi Supafly

Just received some 661 Rhythm elbows pads. Will be trying them out at Cwmcarn tomorrow. I got them because my Veggies were constantly slipping down over my LS baselayer on rough descents. On first impressions they are very lightweight and comfortable with sufficient padding for most offs I would have thought. They pack down to almost nothing. They are effectively arm warmers as well though so I'm not sure if they will be too hot come the summer.

The sizing seems to match the other 661 pads. I am large on the veggies and the rhythms.

In terms of the legs, if you wanted a little more knee protection, I can highly recommend the Fox Launch Pro knee pads. Very comfortable even for long pedaling sessions.

Hope this helps!

supafly1982

HI Andy, good man, will take a look at veggie size chart. let me know how you get on with the rythims

cheers
scott

allen.coulson

Dont forget frame protection - pad the Xbar because you are going to be carrying the bike on some of the stages.

andymc06

Rhythm's were very good. Didn't move at all on the Cwmcarn descents and very comfortable.

delcol

look for the new troylee designs knee pads they seem to be scoring top marks.