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Mildie
Shiny
Joined: Jun 25, 2008
Posts: 21
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 Posted: Wed 17th Sep 4:33pm Post subject: Mtbnz Dh Gear Policy |
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MTBNZ formally announce their policy on Downhill Protective Equipment This policy will be implemented for this summers NZ Cup Series, and National Championships events. It is also hoped that affiliated clubs will also adopt the policy, as a best practice approach for dealing with this important part of our sport.
 It is important to note that there are many reasons behind adopting the policy, and the timing reflects both the maturity of the sport of Downhill racing, and MTBNZ's role as MTB's national body. This policy has been formulated among others, through consultation with other international MTB organisation's approaches to cover this off, and MTBNZ's policy represents both a blending of other standards, but aligned with NZ conditions.
 It is not designed to be 'over the top' but we do recognise there will be a level of resistance that is perfectly understandable. Just as MTBNZ's adoption of compulsory full-face helmets was three years ago and which is now accepted as being the norm, we hope this protective equipment policy will also follow that line of acceptance. BMX went through a similar process quite a few years ago, and for BMX there was a lot of public image associated with their decision to fully cover arms and legs - initially it didn't go down well with some racers, but was certainly necessary. Downhill racing is in a similar situation and has been for some time.
 First and foremost, the policy represents a duty of care to the junior ranks - the teenagers, entry level and otherwise who race downhill and whose numbers are on the rise at both club and National level events. We can't sanction any longer racers in shorts and tee shirts racing National level events, or the high (avoidable) injury count we generally have because of that! It is an honest attempt at looking after the junior ranks on their way through to being able to spend many years in the sport.
 For the vast majority of riders who also race at MTBNZ's National level events, this policy will not mean they will need to do anything different. For some there may be minor change, and for some quite a shift in attitude to safety. We do not want to take away personal choice and 'direct', and that is why there is quite a lot of flexibility built-in for especially the above 19 age groups, which also represents recognition of often higher levels of experience.
 An important component of this policy is the presentation of the sport. While it may not be an important component for a lot of racers, poor presentation especially around percieved safety does make sourcing support from sponsors etc difficult. It is an often posed question - "How can people be allowed to race such a potentially dangerous sport with so little safety equipment?"
 There has been a lot of internal pressure applied for MTBNZ to take a lead on this, from MTB Clubs (including DH Clubs) and a heap of people who really care about DH.
You're all welcome to contact MTBNZ via Chris Mildon directly at chris.mildon[at]gmail.com or 021 2309120 - I'm happy to talk to anyone about how it all fits together.
[CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE DOWNHILL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT POLICY]
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bikerjake
Thrashed
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Joined: Jul 13, 2006
Posts: 1,152
Location: north shore
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| Posted: Wed 17th Sep 5:05pm Post subject: |
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thats way better. from what i picked material protection such as t-bones are allowed right?
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allister
Scuffed
Joined: May 28, 2005
Posts: 470
Location: HAMILTON/AUCKLAND
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| Posted: Wed 17th Sep 5:26pm Post subject: |
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| bikerjake wrote: | | thats way better. from what i picked material protection such as t-bones are allowed right? |
Yep they are sweet. Thats not too bad, nothing more than what most riders are doing now anyway.
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bikerjake
Thrashed
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Joined: Jul 13, 2006
Posts: 1,152
Location: north shore
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| Posted: Wed 17th Sep 5:30pm Post subject: |
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| allister wrote: | | bikerjake wrote: | | thats way better. from what i picked material protection such as t-bones are allowed right? |
Yep they are sweet. Thats not too bad, nothing more than what most riders are doing now anyway. |
yea the only change for most people is elbow guards but atleast they can be material ones not big chunky plastic things 
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TFIM6
Dusty
Joined: Apr 01, 2008
Posts: 45
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| Posted: Wed 17th Sep 5:37pm Post subject: |
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| allister wrote: | | bikerjake wrote: | | thats way better. from what i picked material protection such as t-bones are allowed right? |
Yep they are sweet. Thats not too bad, nothing more than what most riders are doing now anyway. |
Tbones are just knee, it says "Can be one piece knee/shin protectors or separate knee AND shin padding"
So tbones prob not legal
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Bigfoot
Mangled
Joined: Jul 13, 2003
Posts: 24,397
Location: The distant future - the year 2000. (Canada)
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| Posted: Wed 17th Sep 5:39pm Post subject: |
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who is pumped about wildly overreacting 
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XCrazy
Scuffed
Joined: Jan 29, 2007
Posts: 452
Location: Taupo/Wellington
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| Posted: Wed 17th Sep 5:41pm Post subject: |
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I'm gutted, I wanted pages more of circular, pointless arguments 
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Whoops
Scuffed
Joined: May 29, 2006
Posts: 365
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| Posted: Wed 17th Sep 5:48pm Post subject: |
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(just wait... it'll come)
No glove, no love.
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dh_winner
Flogged
Joined: Feb 25, 2003
Posts: 3,768
Location: CHCH
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| Posted: Wed 17th Sep 5:57pm Post subject: |
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Nicely done to Mildy and his team! this seems like a much more workable set of guidelines.
As i see it :
Junior:
-Elbows must be protected with any appropriate pad irrelevant of sleeve length.
-Knees must be protected with any appropriate pad irrelevant if pants or shorts are worn
Senior
-Elbows must either be covered with jersey or protected with appropriate pad
-Knees must be protected if full length pants are not worn.
Full finger gloves manditory for both.
Seems pretty good to me. Clarification on knees would possibly help.
| Armor guidelines wrote: | | Knee protectors with the following requirements: |
and then
| Armor guidelines wrote: | | Can be one piece knee/shin or seperate knee and shin padding |
I read this as you can wear knees without shins but it could be definatly read differently.
Still this is a minor thing. Personally im very happy with it.
Last edited by dh_winner on Thu 18th Sep 3:17pm; edited 2 times in total |
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Jono
High grade mental defective
Joined: Dec 25, 2001
Posts: 7,803
Location: Wellytron
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| Posted: Wed 17th Sep 6:05pm Post subject: |
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| dh_winner wrote: | | Armor guidelines wrote: | | Knee protectors with the following requirements: |
and then
| Armor guidelines wrote: | | Can be one piece knee/shin or seperate knee and shin padding |
I read this as you can wear knees without shins but it could be definatly read differently.
Still this is a minor thing. Personally im very happy with it. |
I thought that was pretty clear. The first one is just a heading ("knee protector"), and the second has the requirements (which are that there must be coverage of both the knee and shin, either as one piece of safety gear, or as separate components (knee and shin parts).
Also, the "protection" must be something that is sold as a piece of MTB protective gear, so you can't turn up with a hoodie wrapped around your legs.
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soccer_pro
Scuffed
Joined: Apr 11, 2007
Posts: 360
Location: Mo' Town
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| Posted: Wed 17th Sep 6:05pm Post subject: |
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So do we have to wear full length pants when racing now?
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dh_winner
Flogged
Joined: Feb 25, 2003
Posts: 3,768
Location: CHCH
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| Posted: Wed 17th Sep 6:08pm Post subject: |
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no you just have to have pads on ya knees. or if you senior you can race without pads if you wear pants.
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soccer_pro
Scuffed
Joined: Apr 11, 2007
Posts: 360
Location: Mo' Town
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| Posted: Wed 17th Sep 6:09pm Post subject: |
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cool as. thanks. that saves me 200 bucks
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Jono
High grade mental defective
Joined: Dec 25, 2001
Posts: 7,803
Location: Wellytron
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| Posted: Wed 17th Sep 6:09pm Post subject: |
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| soccer_pro wrote: | | So do we have to wear full length pants when racing now? |
gah! No! It doesn't say anywhere that you have to wear full length pants!
As a senior (i.e. not junior), you have the option of wearing full length pants, or shorts with knee/shin guards. Or both.
As a junior, you must wear knee/shin guards, irrespective of whether you've got shorts or full length pants.
Everyone must wear full length gloves. Even if you think that it's more slippy when you've got mud everywhere, or if you think that you get better feel with bare hands.
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yakuza
Wrecked
Joined: Apr 28, 2006
Posts: 5,922
Location: palmy north
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| Posted: Wed 17th Sep 6:11pm Post subject: |
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"Knee and elbow protection required with...."
So that means we can wear just knee pads 
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