Knee Pads on a Road ride

Knee Pads on a Road Ride

Downhill mountain bikers are a bit goofy. We all know that. I mean the very idea of riding a bike that looks more like a moto… in the woods. Come on!

Just look at us and our equipment. Protective pads on every limb and helmets like we are unable to take care of ourselves. Big balloon tires as though we just escaped from some county carnival. We even need guidance keeping our chains on straight. We're so goofy that we throw down big bucks for a full suspension set up… that fully locks out. You would think we shuttle to the trails in the short yellow bus.

Just look at any riding shot of yourself that is more than three years old. I bet you shudder at the 4.5 dh tires you wrestled onto those fat boy rims. Or it's hard to imagine being able to ride with a BIGGER set of riser bars. What about the snazzy day glo chest plate, the front and rear fenders (even in the dry), disc brake covers or the multicolored tires.

But I'm a mountain biker, and I'm OK with that.

What I have issues with however, is that roadies are cooler.

Roadies, unlike us mountain bikers, don't know how much fun it is to actually do something goofy. Like trying to win a time trial in a trendy, baggy, oversized sleeve flapping, shirttail getting caught in your rear tire 'race uniform'. Just ask any pro dh'er, racing like that is an absolute blast!


Ozzie's Kneepads...

No. Roadies wear those 'cool' skin suits when they time trial. You can tell by the photos in the mags that they aren't having any fun. But, they are cool.

Mountain bikers are laughing and partying all the way to the middle of the pack when we race loaded down with a back pack, six pack, and a video camera.

The roadies are so cool, they don't smile; they just stick their hand out and a SAG Wagon SUV swerves over to service them right there on the curb.

My friend, Ozzie, lost a pool game. So, he had do to the Saturday morning road ride wearing knee pads.

Ozzie is a gamer, he didn't complain. He just rolled up to the group, head down and shaking slightly.

You'd think it was the end of the world for all the other roadies on that ride to let Ozzie and his knee pads sit in for a couple miles.

The pack's reaction to Ozzie's knee pads reminded me of that time when an in-line skater tried to take a pull! That ride is still in litigation.

The roadies are cool. I admit. They don't do anything without a good reason.

The middle of your back is an excellent place for a pocket. No wind catching visors. They shave their legs. All cool stuff. Lately, I have even noticed that some roadies wear their eyewear upside down on purpose. That way the glasses never slip off their noses as they tuck down over their top tubes.

Us bone headed mountain bikers are still messing with our tear off lenses!

But I have to say, it is kind of fun not being cool.