Oops I Did it Again (and I don't mean the song)

[newfsmith]

If even one of the bolts fastening the cleat to your shoe is loose it can be next to impossible to get unclipped. It sounds like everyone else has covered the pedal adjustment, lube, & being sure that the cleat is compatable with your pedal. Your helmet should be replace both because it doesn't fit and won't protect you in a fall, and it has crashed.

[latelatebloomer]

Bike wounds AND black lingerie! The coolest!

ps - latelate who works at the brain injury rehab says, please get new helmet if you have any question. A messed-up brain is so unsexy!

[amg]

Good job on getting right back on! And nice war wounds, bear them with pride! Have you thought about wearing arm and leg pads? When I was first starting mountain biking I found that wearing leg and arm pads gave me a little more confidence and a lot less scrapes and bruises. They strap to a hydropack pretty easily if you don't want to wear them on climbs.

About the helmet - replace it as soon as you can. Not because it may have hit the ground, but because it doesn't fit. In my opinion, a helmet that doesn't fit properly isn't going to protect your head properly. And you only have one of those - isn't it worth the cost of a new helmet? I've broken two (properly fitting) helmets in my mountain biking career to date, and had no serious head injuries, only a very minor concussion from the second crash (off of a jump). I attribute this to well fitting, high quality helmets. Besides, it's always nice to buy new bike stuff.

A.

PS - most of the other people racing are probably as nervous as you. Give it a try, it's fun! I finished dead last my first couple of races, and then gradually began improving - "hey, this time I was faster than someone who didn't crash or have a mechanical..."

[mtbdarby]

A. I ordered some knee pads but I don't like them - they're heavy and very bulky and I can't get them to fit right (could be my fault for strapping them on). Any ideas of links, brand names, etc of where to look for them? I didn't see any of them in the lbs/testorone shop

[Irulan]

There are so many choices. I have 661 4x4's which aren't made anymore. There's hardshell, soft shell, neoprene, full coverage, just front coverage.....

One thing to be carefull of with the front coverage ones is that the straps can chafe.

Irulan

[mtbdarby]

they are 661's that strap in the back and across the top and bottom and they chafe BAD. They are hard shell and they hurt where I gashed my knee open which is what I'm trying to protect. Any ideas on what type and style?? And a good website to get them at?

TIA.