Comparing anywhere you ride to Whistler is a mistake, therefore comparing whatever protective gear you normally wear to what you should wear at Whistler is also a mistake. The thing about Whistler is how fast you get going. When you bail - and you will bail - you don't just tip over like you will on a technical trail. You yard sale. Those hurt. Whistler is no joke (pun only partially intended). It is not as technically difficult as other places, with the possible exception of a trail or 2 up in the Garbanzo Zone, but it is WAY faster, and so every crash has that much more potential carnage built into it. If you think you will never use the stuff again, then why complain about the $35/day to rent it?
I wear a full face helmet, goggles (which are a must have item if it is at all dusty or wet - which is most of the time), chest/spine/kidney/rib protection, elbow guards, shin/knee guards, gloves, and wrist guards. I would wear hip protectors and a Leatt brace if I had them (which I might soon).
One other thing to note. Most of the big crashes I have either seen or taken come at the end of the day when your confidence is up, along with your fatigue level. Scary combination.
I wear a full face helmet, goggles (which are a must have item if it is at all dusty or wet - which is most of the time), chest/spine/kidney/rib protection, elbow guards, shin/knee guards, gloves, and wrist guards. I would wear hip protectors and a Leatt brace if I had them (which I might soon).
One other thing to note. Most of the big crashes I have either seen or taken come at the end of the day when your confidence is up, along with your fatigue level. Scary combination.
