Trail Riding Gear Advice Needed

[Caleb]

OK, so I've learned other than random places I can get away with riding around here I am going to head to Chadwick for some real fun. Right now I've just been riding around some pretty safe areas so a helmet, gloves, normal motorcycle riding gear has been sufficient.

Now, I'm wanting to get something that will protect me if I fall into a rock, or whatever could happen out there.

Should the first thing on the list be a helmet or sinc eI have a perfectly good street helmet should I invest in other gear first? I'm on a budget of around $250.

I assume I need some type of knee/elbow protection, and I've seen the chest protectors they sell. Anyone care to educate me? I'm NOT going to be riding crazy but I want to be protected so I'm impaled on a stick out in the forest. :)

[pocketpool]

i ride at chadwick all the time and also race harescrambles. here's a
list of what i wear at all times.

helmet
goggles w/ tearoffs
jersey and pants, w/ spandex (monkey butt sucks)
gloves
knee pads
elbow pads
chest protector
boots
fanny pack (extra spark plug, misc. tools)
camelbak (highly recommend)

[Caleb]

Now if you had to put that in the order of most importance, how would you rank it? Also still interested in seeing if I can possibly save money for the time being using street helmet (even if I look like a loser).

[wolfie]

I would have to go with the helmet and then the boots. With all the rocks the boots saved me many times, gloves are good also for the falls. I never wore a chest protector or the camelback. But the fanny pack is needed for the extra spark plugs. NIce to have a good plug if you flood the bike out. Chadwick holds water ALL the time and with the rains there will be alot of it. Not sure what size boot you wear but I have a pair I am not using if you are interested in borrowing them till you can get some. Just let me know.

[Caleb]

Depending on the brand I can wear 9-10 size shoe So carrying an extra spark plug, that's a good idea. The camelbak is excellent also but not sure I can procure one. Is there drinkable water anywhere else on the trail? (Well water, whatever)

I need to know anything else like this that might be handy. I don't want to get stuck pushing or having someone on an atv tow my bike back to my truck because of a stupid newb mistake.

Ok so first thing I'm getting is Helmet, goggles, gloves, hopefully I can borrow your boots, if not some boots that might be my budget for now.

Is it dangerous to ride without chest/knee/elbow protection on the easy paths? (The ones I'll be sticking to) I am real big on wearing my gear for protection so I don't want to take a stupid risk because I didn't want to wait two weeks to get paid again and afford all my gear.

[wolfie]

depends on how crazy you want to get on the trails. Even the easy ones can get ya. I never rode for speed at chadwick more for the technical stuff. But only gear I had was pants (you can borrow those too if they fit) boots jersey gloves and a helmet. I got scraped up a bit every time I went but then I would ride with guys alot better than me who would push me to go to some crazy places. My advice stay away from strawberry ridge. You can make chadwick as easy or as hard as you want just depends on the trails you take. There are fire trails that are wide open like dirt roads they easiest trail is 101. You have to get a day pass at the gas station( not sure how much it is now) but you can get a map there also. They give you a sticker so if the rangers stop you no fine. I will pm you my number and you can give me a call later this week aobut the gear

[Caleb]

Word thanks!

[mercutio80]

Let me look around the house. I might have an extra camelback backpack. You'd have to find the bladder for it, but it would save you some money.

[Caleb]

Cool thanks mercutio I appreciate everyone's help. I was in the military I should have a camelback but seeing as I avoided exercising at all cost while I was in I never needed one. :) GO AIR FORCE! lol

[impactimages]

i ride at chadwick nearly every weekend and i beleive that helmet, boots, gloves, goggle, and sparkplug will get ya where ever u need to go down there, but when u get to Kays station for the permit($5.00) ask for a map..........very important down there if ur a newby....enjoy it man

[Caleb]

Thanks I actually went and bought a helmet, goggles, gloves, boots, and had to order the shirt and pants. Hopefully they will be in before this weekend. If for some reason I don't make it Saturday, Sunday might be my day to go. We'll just have to see how it plays out.

[R1ray]

I always thought that if I forgot something it wasn't my camelback.lol

Ray

[pocketpool]

sounds like you got everything. the permit at kay's is $6 and you can also
get one at the oldfield gas station (less of a wait).

[COOTER]

Most important you need a riding buddy. Even with a map you can get lost. The girl down at Kay's said that some kids moved the trail markers around.

As far a being a newbie
Forget that crap. I know guys ,that have rode for years, get out rode by a guys that have only rode a few months because they went big or " hillbilly up" (for you hillbilly GP guys)
When I started racing I had a pro guy tell me this
Hard on the gas or hard on the breaks
Meaning you are either going for it or you're not. Off Road riding is not like the street with at ride with in your limits stuff. Dirtbikes are made to go down. I'm not saying that you should go for a 50ft step down off a cliff face your 1st time out just don't be scared of falling
Anyway I ride a HUSKY TE 510 and I have a chrome helmet with a 219# sticker on the side. If you see me out there stop and say hey.
Later

[pocketpool]

Most important you need a riding buddy. Even with a map you can get lost. The girl down at Kay's said that some kids moved the trail markers around.

As far a being a newbie
Forget that crap. I know guys ,that have rode for years, get out rode by a guys that have only rode a few months because they went big or " hillbilly up" (for you hillbilly GP guys)
When I started racing I had a pro guy tell me this
Hard on the gas or hard on the breaks
Meaning you are either going for it or you're not. Off Road riding is not like the street with at ride with in your limits stuff. Dirtbikes are made to go down. I'm not saying that you should go for a 50ft step down off a cliff face your 1st time out just don't be scared of falling
Anyway I ride a HUSKY TE 510 and I have a chrome helmet with a 219# sticker on the side. If you see me out there stop and say hey.
Later


do you race the hillbilly's too? i ride a yz250 #114.

[COOTER]

yeah I race hillbillys when I don't have drill. I missed chadwick last weeked.
I think I going to do more quad racing this year though if spud even runs them.

[pocketpool]

yeah I race hillbillys when I don't have drill. I missed chadwick last weeked.
I think I going to do more quad racing this year though if spud even runs them.


QUADS?!!!! WHY?!!!!!!!!!

[Caleb]

We got the wife a new tire for her 125 so we are going this weekend if he weather holds out (I don't want to go out in the rain the first time/