Off road riding gear

I need help on what to get.

Pauli, Andrei, Wahl and myself ended up at Country Trax for the weekend. It was very hot while we did the training. Even though I drank plenty water during Friday, the heat got to me in the end. Man down in the last 30 min of training for the day. I ended up suffering severe heat stroke, that turned me into a zombie for the most part of Saturday. Also recovering from flu that put me in bed for 3 days just 3 days before Country Trax also contributed to my ill health. Oh, I going back to Country Trax next winter to finish the course with correct gear, definitely not planning to get heat stroke again.

If I going to survive summer this year I really need the proper protective gear for off-road riding that would allow me to keep as cool as possible. Well nothing much can be done about the helmet, you just have to cook da brain. I already have my off-road riding boots, and neckbrace, and a camelpack (though did not save me from heat stroke anyway).

So what gear do you experienced off-road riders recommend that I should get to replace my Comfort Shell for off road riding, where the riding can be slow at times.

Have a look at a site called bikegear.co.za. They sell a cooling vest that works on the same principle as the old fashioned canvas coolers that we used to hang in front of the vehicle. Evaporative cooling. They have a long article on cooling and tips etc. I found it very interesting.

Some possible solutions:
During the last 8 years I have suffered thru 2 75km Barberton mtb races in january, 2 ascents of the Spitzkoppe in Nam over easter, 1 ascent of Kili in July, and a GS ride thru Nam in October last year. I am very aware of the dangers of dehydration, having learnt my lessons, and survived.

Good ole Rallye 2 zoot works very well. Even when the temps at 50degC, lotsa zips, mesh and vents make this a very suitable zoot, for all climates.

Mix a packet of Game into your Camelback H2O, it's Isotonic, and as your gut probably only absorbs about 200ml per hour, which can be insufficient. Isotonic increases this absorbtion rate. Also drink some rehydrate every nite, to facilitate recovery. Coca tea also helps.

I hope you have recovered.

Thanx so far with the information provided. Today I must say I feeling normal again, fully rehydrated again and clear minded. Yesterday was still feeling dazed and annoying dry lips.

When riding in summer, I have a habit at a rest break.
I buy a cold water (still or sparkling) to drink and pour half down my throat.
The other half goes inside my riding jacket, drenching my riding shirt inside and cooling my core,
Very refreshing...!

Don't wear so much black...............

KnopKop wrote:Don't wear so much black...............

... and ride faster - more circulation
... and cut your hair short - less insulation

"I'm only wearing black until they come up with something a little bit darker..."
Unknown biker

We're in Africa...Black is beautiful!

Yes, black is beautiful, but when off road riding. So KnopKop you have any suggestions for cool protective gear.

How about this...



That will be cool and visible...

Happy-go-lucky wrote:Yes, black is beautiful, but when off road riding. So KnopKop you have any suggestions for cool protective gear.

Unfortunately, no matter what you wear, you will be hot. With less black clothes, you will only be less hot, but still bloody hot, if you know what I mean.

This is part of the sport we chose to participate in. You will get hot no matter what. If you ride off road, you will fall now and then, no matter what. It comes with the territory, accept it. Superbike riders will also tell you that they cook in those leather suits, but they accept it as an integral part of their sport.

Or as one of my favourite comedians, Chopper Reed, always says: "Harden the F**k up"

Here is a link, but pleased be warned, it contains some swearing. -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmXri8ZCKjc

"lekka" cool to go with t-shirt and shorts……….the choice is yours (ours) –

sweat or blood
no contest really. It’s much cheaper to sweat than to bleed

Like Knoppie said, full leathers can be like a sauna on a hot day (YEF time) and if you are on a LT

I think if you plan on a course like country trax or a full day off road with minimal tar travel, MX gear is the way to go. Wear your ballistic vest with MX shirt over, then either your normal trousers OR buy proper knee braces with integral protection and MX pants.

I have seen guys crash with said kit offroad at high speed and get up and walk away. For a full offroad day that would be what I would wear. I know BM sell a ballistic vest which in my opinion is way overpriced. Thor make a good one as well as a couple of others. You will most likely pay around 1500 - 3000 for one of those depending on the brand. For proper knee braces they start at around 1800 per set and go up to 7K. You really get what you pay for with this stuff.

Helmet, get an offroad with goggles. Offroad allows for a lot more air in and goggles now come with one way vents that allow air in over your brow and eyes but no dust. Again, you get what you pay for.

If you have the cash you can get really well kitted out without sacrificing safety on or off the road.

M

Unfortunately off-road riding is all about sweat and being hot. I suggest you work on your fitness and conditioning. Even ballistic vests are very hot if you do the slow technical stuff.

So just keep doing it over and over until your body is used to it. It is not for sissies and boy scouts!!!

I'm sure that the Boy Scouts will disagree with you...!

morpheus, thanx for your helpful reply.

I know wearing protective gear is hot, but different gear can result in a cooler ride even if it is only a few degrees. Those few degrees will go a long way in me enjoying the ride. I sure there is gear that is cooler than my comfort shell. If MX gear is the way to go, so be it. I just don't want to buy anything, I want reliable gear too.

The interesting point is that the colour of an object is the wavelength of light radiated back outwards.
The less light radiated back out, the more wavelengths are absorbed = heat gain.

So white or silver riding gear would be the least hot and black the hottest, then dark blue, purple, brown, green, red, orange, yellow...

Silver reflective gear would probably be more practical than white as aluminium thread would be used and would be more resistant to dirt.

Richard H wrote:
Silver reflective gear would probably be more practical than white as aluminium thread would be used and would be more resistant to dirt.

...so the silver suit you posted earlier would be the best then...