Knee Slappers

My knees are vulnerable. My mom has bad knees, my sister's make very colorful noises when she climbs stairs, and mine turned to Rice Krispies a few years ago when I somehow tore cartilage in there. Don't even know how I did it.

But I do know when I was about 6, I fell on the playground and embedded a stone between the skin and patella (kneecap) and had to have a doctor remove it. I still have the scar. And about eight years ago, when a crazed deer jumped onto our front fender, I went down on that same knee -- OUCH! -- and tore it open down to the ligament. Not fun.

Hey, I can take a hint! Knee armor would be a real good idea when I ride.

In fact, on one forum I read, a poster commented that most people don't realize hands and knees are the most commonly injured body parts, even in minor motorcycle accidents. Yepper, I can attest to that. In addition to my knee, that crash tore a neat hole in my very expensive Kevlar gloves. But not my hand.

I decided the knees need attention.

So I started searching the Internet for some comfortable knee guards to wear when I ride my bike. I didn't know much about this, because none of the road riders I know wear them. Most of what I found was geared to motocross racing. Sliders, designed for actually scraping the pavement -- ON PURPOSE! -- and long, hard plastic things that ride up the thigh and down the shin.

I don't want to be the bionic biker -- just safe.
There are also armored riding pants you can buy, but I wasn't looking to invest that much buckage.

I found this review on WebBike World:

"The Thor knee guards appear to offer very good protection for the few extra seconds of time it takes to put them on and the initial cost is only $24.95. Considering the potential to avoid or reduce injuries to the knee, the cost in money and time involved in using the Quadrant knee guards make them an excellent value."

The Thor Quadtrants have "patella donuts" that surround each kneecap, and they cover the shins, too.

Like my boots, I wanted to try them on before spending good money on something that may not work for me. But after reading that review, I was convinced 25 bucks was worth the risk. So I ordered a pair from the Motorcycle Superstore. It was a great experience, too. I ordered them on a Monday and received them on Wednesday. Now THAT is service.

What's even better, these babies are comfortable strapped over my jeans and do not scratch the bike. They have a teeny bit of venting for breathability, and I haven't noticed excessive heat, even on warm days. I dressed them up with reflective pinstriping and they actually look quite sporty.

I wore them to my second rider course and my coach, who knew me from my prior wipe-outs, came over and kicked me in the armored shin. "What's this?" he asked, obviously amused.

"I don't get hurt when I wear them," I said. "It's like carrying an umbrella -- it won't rain."

And you know something? Once I forgot them and bruised up my shin pretty good. But I haven't been bruised once while wearing them.

My husband says they're "sexy." But I think he's just being sarcastic.

Nic browses in an antique shop while wearing her sexy knee guards.