Safety
Safety is one aspect of bicycling that can never be overemphasized. At Bangalore Bicycle Championships we not only stress the importance of riding with good protective gear but also ensure that they are followed.
Riders can come to the Race venue without Helmets and Gloves to have tea and chit-chat with the Race Marshals. But, no rider is allowed to race if he/she isn’t wearing a bike helmet and biking gloves.
HELMET -
A bike helmet protects your head if/when you fall. It has thick foam inside and a strap to keep it on when you fly through the track during the race!
If/when you hit the ground, the foam gets crushed. This cushions the blow, and saves you from a head injury. The straps are for keeping it snug on your head. If the strap is not right, your helmet might slip to the side or to the back.
Being careful and not falling is best! That’s better than crashing in a helmet! The helmet only covers your head. So you need to know how to ride well without crashing. But even the pro riders crash! If you hurt your brain it can change you. You may not be able to go to office the next day or in worst case you might not be able to talk, or run, or tie your own shoes.
Find a helmet that fits you. That is the most important part. That will keep it on your head while you fly through the air or over the handlebars. Adjust the straps to get the perfect fit.
Your helmet is good for only one bad crash. That damages the foam and you have to replace it. Even if the helmet looks undamaged, it may not be able to withstand the force of another blow.
GLOVES -
There are 4 main reasons why you should wear gloves:
1. Improved Grip and Control
You know that being out on a bike can make you pretty sweaty and that means your hands are wet, too. A good pair of gloves will help keep your hands dry, which means that you can maintain a better grip on the handlebars.
2. Comfort and Protection for Your Skin
Cycling can be pretty hard on your hands. From the constant pressure on your palms, to the wear on your fingers from running your shifters through the range of gears, it doesn’t take long for calluses or blisters to develop. A pair of bike gloves can give your skin the extra layer of protection you need to be comfortable.
3. Shock Absorption
Gloves with some form of padding serve a very useful function in absorbing shock from the road that would otherwise be transferred to the rider.
4. Protection in Case of a Crash
What do most people do as they start to fall? They put their hands out to try and catch themselves, to break their impact as they hit the ground. If you’ve ever fallen like this, you know that you can really tear up your palms. A pair of bike gloves can give you the protection you need to save your hands and keep the gravel and grit out of your hands. They may be completely shredded when you take stock of things after the wreck, but tearing up a pair of gloves is a whole lot better than wrecking your hands.
Guards -
First Aid -