Doesn't sound stupid at all re. image. I know tons of people who've felt pressure to wear certain gear (brands etc.) as part of mountain biking - whether that was internal or external pressure. I've actually seen it cited multiple times in discussions about how expensive mountain biking is to participate in when beyond good shoes and a good helmet the rest of 'the gear' is pretty optional in most places.
Actually, I've ridden plenty of places that aren't steep where folks are out in their trail runners, hiking boots, etc. I think good footwear (talking flat pedals) seems really important here on the Shore because of the moisture and steepness of trails but other footwear provides enough grip for recreational riding other places - even if it's not ideal that best value gear is what folks already own.
My response to peer pressure when it came to clothing was to start wearing a Tilley Hat in high school (folks are too busy making fun of your hate to give a f*ck what else you have on) and if you can survive not wearing the right thing in that environment then being the only person on a ride in a full-face is nothing.
Jan. 12, 2022, 12:40 p.m. - Andrew Major
Doesn't sound stupid at all re. image. I know tons of people who've felt pressure to wear certain gear (brands etc.) as part of mountain biking - whether that was internal or external pressure. I've actually seen it cited multiple times in discussions about how expensive mountain biking is to participate in when beyond good shoes and a good helmet the rest of 'the gear' is pretty optional in most places. Actually, I've ridden plenty of places that aren't steep where folks are out in their trail runners, hiking boots, etc. I think good footwear (talking flat pedals) seems really important here on the Shore because of the moisture and steepness of trails but other footwear provides enough grip for recreational riding other places - even if it's not ideal that best value gear is what folks already own. My response to peer pressure when it came to clothing was to start wearing a Tilley Hat in high school (folks are too busy making fun of your hate to give a f*ck what else you have on) and if you can survive not wearing the right thing in that environment then being the only person on a ride in a full-face is nothing.