Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

'. • I II ~ t Fullcoverage he lmet gives best protection. but may restrict vision. Dick Burleson does . He just wears his regular glasses when he rides and carries lots of rags to wipe them off. Some riders get larger prescription glasses for riding (the familiar ' Ray Ban pilot's glasses shape is one example). But whatever glasses you wear make sure the lenses are made of impact-resistant glass or hardened plastic, and the frames will be comfortable and safe, even in a fall . Some goggles will fit over your prescription glasses, even though they do restrict visibility somewhat. Bett er, and more expensive, are the ' goggles you can buy with prescription lenses in place of the normal glass, , With any goggles , if you wear the strap on the outside of your helmet , tape it in place so branches won't catch hold and pull them off. Boots and socks So many good motorcycle boots are available now you 'll have no trouble finding a pair that's comfortable and provides basic protection for your feet and legs. T hat means they're built of heavy leat her or plastic and are a t least '16 inches high. Lace-up lineman's type lea ther boots will work fine 'a nd they cost a lot less, But they also don't have the extras reinforcement and padding real motorcycle boots have , like shin padding or shield, hard toes , steel arch support and foam -filled , cuffs.at.the top to help keep out, water. Contrary to what new enduro riders may think the smooth motocross wole is preferred over the cleated Vibram type enduro sole. You can get either one when you buy your boots, but the smooth sole slides on the ground easier in turns (even though you normally ride an enduro with your feet up) , and it doesn't catch on the footpegs when you have to slide a foot off quickly for balance or footing. If you prefer the better traction of the enduro sole , or you don't want to rush out and buy a new pair of boots, do as J ack Penton suggests and grind away the lugs just ahead of the instep. This way they 'll slide off the pegs when you want them to, but they'll grip the ground when you're pushing or pulling your bike out of trouble. Boots with the MX sole usually come with toe plates, and it's a good idea to put them on any boots you wear riding to keep the soles from being pulled . apart when you happen to drag your_ feet. Good boots will protect your feet and legs better, and they'll feel more comfortable, if you clea n them when they're dirty and waterproof them often with something like Sno-Seal or Mink Oil. Apply a couple of coats, especially at the seams, if the first coat seems to soak in rapidly. Silicone spray is also a good waterproofer, but it doesn't do as good a job of restoring dried -out leather. On, plastic boots it's In winter you want t o be warm and dry. yet free enough to push. all that's needed to waterproof the seams, Wear the socks that are the most , comfortable in your boots, MX socks, heavy wool over light cotton or synthetic anklets. athletic socks or even, as the salty New England Trail Riders Association suggests. the sea sock. These are heavy knit cotton socks that cushion the foot and absorb sweat and water. Gloves Protection of the palms of your hands from blistering and the backs from the scratches of branches and brush becomes very important once you start riding the long off-road distances enduros involve. Almost any kind of leather gloves will work , even the Trucker Specials and gardening gloves you can buy at most hardware stores, MX gloves with the protective rubber ribs on the back are better, and the' enduro version of these has longer cuffs to outlap your jacket sleeve and keep out rain, Carry an extra pair in your pocket if the day is wet - A dry pair part way through the run will give you a real lift. In cold weather, heavily padded gloves or mittens will work, but your forearms will get very tired from trying , to grip tightly through the padding. Jack Penton's solution is to wear nylon gloves underneath his regular enduro pair if the day is dry. On wet days he might use ski gloves one size larger, which he's altered by cutting off the padding in the palms. You have to tum them inside out to do this evenly. Face protection • Denta l work is expensive, and gumming your food for the rest of your life can be a bore, so if you're like most enduro riders. who for visibility reasons prefer not to wear a fullcoverage helmet, you 'll probably want some other form of mouth or face protection. There a re p lenty of good ones to choose from. In fact it seems like a new design comes on the market almost every month. Most are designed for motocross racing. but the protection they give from facial disfigurement , works just as good in enduro riding. The problem is, during an en duro you 've also got to breathe hard a t times, like when you're heaving with every ounce of strength to b reak the suction of. a swamp bo ttom and ge t your bike to firm ground. even thoug h it's 85 degrees and you've already rid den almost a h undred miles. You '.'Champions h ip End uro," cop~' ri!:ht c 1977 b v Steve Boo t h and Br ia n Pa lormo , i's available direct from the publ ishe r, Pa ragon P u b l ica tions. 3106 Sweetbrier, Lafaverte , CA 94549 for $5 .95 postpaid. 'Ca li fo rn ia res id en ts add 6 %. sal ~ ~ax' . ' " _. 19

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