You know, that’s a good idea. It’s possible with more tire up front the wash wouldn’t have happened. I’m running those paper thin Kenda booster pros 2.6 width, 21 psi rear and 19 front. They are great for the endurance races (super fast, comfy) but collapsed and washed when I overshot the landing ramp. More tire could have made a difference!
1 Like
I suggest that your sole goal for your next race should be not to crash. You might even find that it is quicker!
1 Like
I am sooooo with you!!!
I wouldn’t hesitate to wear pads to an XC race and have many times. I race expert womens but started wearing pads for ALL MTB RIDES (including races) after a crash on an easy trail I was extremely familiar with nearly gave me an injury as bad as Chloe Dygert’s. Thankfully didn’t sever my muscle tissue but >$1,000 ER bill and weeks off the bike isn’t worth it. I swore to myself I’d never MTB without knee pads again and over two years later I’ve kept that promise. Anyone who gives anyone else sh*t for wearing pads/full face helmet/etc can go back to elementary school.
I think crashing is more common during racing because of the adrenaline, higher heart rate, and higher pace than you’re used to.
1 Like
Heck yeah, who cares what it looks like! Safe and happy is fast. Look into lighter-duty protection.
I have these sam hill 7iDP ones, which are pleasantly pedal-able:
Also, G-form are the classic.
And I echo the sentiments expressed already - hire a skills coach! Even riders who don’t have frequent crashes can use a weekend clinic every now and then.
Edit: Whoops - looks like Joe has both of these checked off. 
1 Like
I use the non-lite versions and am happy pedalling around in them all day with no rub or comfort issues 
2 Likes
Thanks guys! Appreciate that I’m not a nut job for wearing pads in an xc race
This whole thing started with a couple of crashes in races but the hardest hit I’ve ever had (ever!) was 3 days ago in a skills clinic. After 30 years of knowing where my limits are we pushed them a bit…dude it was fun! Until it suddenly wasn’t LOL. This bruising is just ridiculous but I consider myself lucky nothing is broken and the pads I was wearing (elbow and knee) kept those areas completely free of injury. (It’s the hip that really got smashed)
So with you on this…my first mtb race was in 1992 but a week and a half ago I was so fired up and having a great time. HR pinned and feeling no pain. I need to dial it back and chill out. I need to smoke weed at the start. Or probably better…
Yes!
Joe
PS pads are scheduled for delivery today!
3 Likes
@Joe I don’t wear pads but I do have a mouthguard. Implants take 9 months to put into place and it isn’t a fun process.
1 Like
I crashed pretty hard two and a half weeks ago and hit my head and shoulder hard. Luckily no concussion and just a sprained rotator cuff, but I have my second A-Race(s) in two weeks time. Is there anything in the way of brace or pad that would be valuable to protect my shoulder?
1 Like
Gotta tell you, I’m considering full face (see below)
1 Like
Not sure such a thing exists…but I might use one if it does!
Joe
1 Like
If you are worried about clipping your bars put these on. I have just broke my finger so am going to run them on the next race I have.
2 Likes
So just an update, I’m healing up pretty well and our 2nd endurance race was today.
Thursday a buddy and I went out to do some recon. He’s 54 as well and rode the breck epic in 2022 so a pretty good rider. He rode up this feature, bobbled, then fell over, landing in a heap. Medical ATV evac, ET, and a short ICU stay ensued. Final tally…fractures of the transverse processes on 4 vertebrae and 7 broken ribs. He’s home and at the 48 hour mark feeling a little better but it was quite the thing.
So today was the race and I’ve gotta tell you, I was feeling the anxiety. The course went over the same feature too. Two guys bought it right in front of me and another two in front of the guy in front of me so I was close to 4 crashes over the course of the race. But I rode steady and didn’t have any drama, got my laps done in 2:21 and felt pretty darn good to have finished unscathed.
I’m not saying “be careful” and I’m not trying to freak anybody out…just kinda “awareness” and my personal journey + looking for tips. But be careful out there!!!
Joe
3 Likes