So this January my good mate Mike Jones came and stayed with me for 3 months so we could train together and prepare for the 2015 season. It was awesome having him stay out here, my wife got him out in the garden and my son Bam loved having him here. He thought he was the man working hard on his tan until it would peel off a few days later. It made training more fun having Mike to ride with everyday, even though I'm pretty sure he hated me every day dragging him out on the bike. - Sam Hill
So I spent the winter out with Sam at his home training in Perth, Australia. It was something I think I needed to do just to open up my eyes to how much you have to train to get to the top of our sport. Training with Sam was tough, the hours we put in on the bike was ridiculous and something I had never done. Normally I only ride for an hour or two, but with him I didn't know how long we would be out as he didn't tell me! I think working close with Sam with his experience made me think that no matter how you feel you still have to get up and go training. Wasn't bad either having the nice weather, that made me want to train more. Usually I would be training at home in South Wales in the rain and mud, which is great but you can't beat the sun to help you get out of bed! - Mike Jones.
Mike's attitude for this season is even more focussed and determined. I think being able to work so close with Sam and currently Sam's mechanic Jacy, the results speak for themselves - 3rd at Lourdes, 23rd at the Irish EWS and 2nd in Qualifying at Fort William. It's a great story that Mike made his break on the world cup scene on his natural talent, hard work and determination. With his Sam, Pagey and the whole CRC-Paypal teams support he is taking the step up to the next level. We are looking forward to having Sam back once he is ready and strong enough. His results in Rotorua EWS, a top 10 and a stage win, showed promise for the season. His history and track record says enough. Rob Sherratt - Global Marketing Manager, Nukeproof.
I never understood why pros rides without knee guards while they ride that hard... isn't that quickest way to get injury? Are knee guards that much uncomfortable VS the chance of getting injured?
You're very fortunate then Rabbii. I have hit my knees plenty of times while wearing the guards. Last summer I went straight into a tree with my right knee and remember thinking how many pieces my knee cap would be in if it weren't for the pads.
^^^^^Dead on, back in the day, not really too long ago actually, no one padded up for a trail ride. This is a newer thing for the pink bike generation. I see guys now armored on the same trails we used to ride our hard tails with 80mm of fork travel. Pads do have their place, but harden the f*ck up already.
Used to not wear knee pads, but after a big fall (on a trail I am very familiar with) one year off the bike and a knee surgery later, I wear knee pads no matter what I am riding. Maybe I just have no skill.
Why do you guys care so much? Let them ride how they want. You don't know the first thing about them or their riding, they have no relation to you or your riding so mind your own biznass. That was some seriously drifty shredding.
Back in the days people were putting sht loads of armor on them to ride a local "DH comp" or to have a "huck session". Every now and then some Joey would take a hard smack. These days same trails are ridden in XC lid on 6" bike. For good and bad, I am worried for Joeys 10 year younger friend looking up to Enduro crowd
I'm starting to think different people might habitually fall in different ways. I too never hit my knees in a crash like Rabbii, and rarely my elbows, but i regularly prang my shoulder or hips, for whatever reason.
yeah they do I have watched that for decades...its like a muscle memory type thing but for protective falling...its weird. some guys just go to wrists, knees, elbows....strange.. I am more of a knee man myself...soft shell nukeproofs were the best thing I ever bought for these shinanegans
Sshredder- Actually I disagree with that. I took a fast/hard fall when I was in HS where the first thing to impact was my knee on a rock. The impact forced a hard tumble. Luckily I was wearing those 661 shin/knee combo deals. The skin on my knee was taken off and imprinted into the mesh fabric of the guard and I couldn't walk right for a week or two. The nerves on my knee cap are permanently damaged (little to no sensation on the skin) but if I wasn't wearing those pads, I'm fairly certain my knee cap would have been obliterated.
Wearing them more often is up to you. Personally I do ride some DH trails on my trail bike with no knee pads. Its all up to how confident you are. And that was like 8 years ago now so I'm all good Don't need feeling in the skin to rip a bike haha. EVA foam is awesome from what I hear.
I've seen some weird MTB videos over the years, but that's got to be a first, free content is cool and all but a few random shots of his son a few shots of him riding and then the song stops, hasn't got the best storyline. Step it up Nukeproof.
must be a pretty weird father son relationship with them having different second names, coming from different countries, and I am not sure how mike would feel if sam slept with his mum. Edit it wise, it's probably still better than Rad Company.
I have to admit,I have never wore all this protective gear. Other than a lid and a pair of glasses. In 23 years doing this shit,I have came off more times than I can remember. Dunno,I would find it restrictive. Tempting fate aren't I ?
You know it Stappers. Some really great garage psych bands happening over your ways then. See also the stems, the trilobites, headstones(?) etc . I remember an amazing Lime Spiders cassette that was in a spring loaded case too. It had that slave girl song on it. Music matters!
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Alex Trebek - "that is correct !"
I don't even drive my car that fast.
Other than a lid and a pair of glasses.
In 23 years doing this shit,I have came off more times than I can remember.
Dunno,I would find it restrictive.
Tempting fate aren't I ?
Or Bi Polar Disorder.
Thick was the term they used for me.