protection for legs?

[lovelylibrarian]

Other than not falling, hitting myself with the pedals, etc., is there anything I can put on my legs (calves especially) to protect them while I learn to MTN bike? I can't explain how many bruises I have on my legs at this moment. I'm not a swimsuit model, so that's not the issue, but I'm too embarrassed to wear my bike shorts to spinning class! I was thinking of wearing thick knee socks but that's kind of ridiculous too.

Are all new MTN bikers this bruised?

[Irulan]

1. Many different kinds of leg and shin protection are out there. Don't be embarrassed to wear it
2. don't be embarrassed, wear your bruises with pride. That's how you know you are a real mountain biker!!!

[sgtiger]

Back in his bmx days, my brother swore by xtrskn.

http://www.bmxtreme.com/products/xtrskn.htm

[BluePeace2]

I don't think that long socks will do much, I managed to have a few issues getting cliped into my new Crank Bro. Smarties the other day, and in not falling on my SO I managed to put a small hole in my skin but not in my long pants ?!? I haven't had many problems with bruising or scrapes other than the time that we had to push our bikes up a nice steep hill that had no trail and when I fell going up an nother steep hill and falling onto a small tree but most of my problems can be covered by a skirt or proudly displayed as proof of my new 'thing' that I do.

[lph]

Really thick knee high wool socks. Turned over. With an Argyle pattern, like guys in kilts wear.

Sorry, just couldn't resist the mental image

[alpinerabbit]

Yeah. I'm thinking of mutating into a MTBer too for the winter.
Those socks (red of course) would look cool with the construction worker shorts I would love to buy which are neon yellow with big reflective stripes.

[MtnBikerChk]

Other than not falling, hitting myself with the pedals, etc., is there anything I can put on my legs (calves especially) to protect them while I learn to MTN bike?

Wear shin protection or knee/shin and wear them proudly! I never go anywhere without mine - it's like putting on a helmet - you just do it and it's part of the ride.

There are sooooo many good ones out there. Go to the LBS and try them on though. If you are short like me some won't fit right.

Rockgardn
Fox
sixsixone
Troy Lee Designs
Roach

(what did I forget)