#handroidgloves

Finally got hold of a few pictures from Cadwell Park a few weeks ago. 

An opportunity to praise what is often taken for granted. The kit I wear as a rider is essential for me to function to the best of my ability and ultimately, should something untoward happen, protect my skinny carcass from getting damaged. 

I have been wearing Knox products for over twenty years. I started with a back protector way back in 2000. Purchased from a Heine Gerrick store in Belfast whilst I was working in Northern Ireland. 

Since 2015 (edited) when I started riding at the British Superbikes in the Ducati Cup I have been supported by Knox whilst riding with True Heroes Racing. 

For 2020, as in previous years, their Handroid Gloves have been provided and this season I chose to try the micro lock air back and chest protectors. The trooper shorts also use micro lock technology. 

Now unless I am crashing the next most important factor to me as a rider is comfort. I need to be able to wear protective equipment without it impeding my movement and functionality on the bike. The gloves are comfy and supple straight out the packet and the micro lock kit just moulds to my body under my race suit and I hardly know I have it on. 

More importantly, when the proverbial hits the fan and I hit the tarmac it needs to do a job. A few weeks ago I had three crashes in a single day. Two in the AM and one in the PM. A steady(ish) slide into the barrier to start with. Got up rode the bike back to the paddock and was out on the bike again shortly afterwards. (See video further back in my feed)

Second and third crashes were a little more severe. Both high-side types and both onto asphalt followed by slides onto grass at fairly high speed. The action images here were shot by a spectator of my third crash. (Thanks Mick)

Of note is the fact that other than a few aches and pains from the sheer force of hitting the ground from height I suffered no major damage. My hands clearly hit the tarmac as you can see from the images of the gloves. These were new and unmarked prior to that day and are still perfectly functional with no rips or tears. Without doubt my back, chest and hips took a few hits but on all three occasions I was able to get up and walk away. I was back on the bike within 20 minutes of both of the first two crashes and once the bike was fixed following the third crash I was ready to go the next day and rode in four races with no problems. 

If you are serious about riding and/or crashing then I cannot recommend this stuff enough. As you can see I am not just saying this because I get given it. I have tested it recently and in the past. I am also pretty sure I will continue to test it in the future but will try my hardest not to.