PROTECTION WEAR

These explanations may seem unnecessary to experienced off-road riders. But we often see guests arriving with incomplete or inadequate equipment.

Helmet / Goggles:

Cross or enduro helmets that allow you to wear goggles are infinitely superior to visor helmets when it comes to off-roading.

Well-fitting goggles keep the dust (of which there is more than enough in Turkey) from getting into your eyes. If you wear contact lenses, the fit of your goggles is especially important. We’ve found Scott Goggles to be excellent.

If you wear glasses there are special goggles that allow you to wear glasses underneath (E.g. the model OTG by Scott).

Cross and enduro helmets have better air ventilation, so you will sweat less.

The special peak protects you from the sunlight as well as from branches. Visor helmets allow dust enter from underneath, get behind the visor and into the eyes. Sunlight can blind you with a dusty visor, and it soon gets full of scratches.

Yoshimoto offers rental helmets in various sizes for 30 Euros per week. But bringing your own well-fitting helmet is always advisable. Goggles may be rented for 10 Euros per week.

Our team use expensive but very comfortable helmets by Arai.
 

Boots:

!!! Cross or enduro boots are necessary!!!
Soft sports and touring boots are as inadequate as running shoes. Feet, ankles and lower legs are the body parts most at risk with off-roading. Obstacles such as rocks and trees, as well as stones kicked up by the front wheel or the bike ahead of you may cause serious injuries without adequate protection.
Our team wear recommend boots by ALPINESTARS (TECH 8).
Yoshimoto offers rental boots in various sizes for 30 Euros per week, but as with helmets, a good fit is important. If you have your own boots, do bring them.

Knee protectors:

An absolute must for off-roading! Yet still we sometimes see even experienced riders without protectors. On the stony tracks of Turkey, you can’t ride without these protectors.
You can rent them from us for 10 Euros per week.

Elbow protectors:

Also good to have if you should fall on a hard ground, though they often slip and may offer little protection against abrasions.
Protectors may be rented for 10 Euros per week.

Body protectors:

Expensive but very advisable. There are basically two different kinds of body protectors. The first is the ‘shell’ which is a stiff plastic protector mainly worn for moto-crossing. Opinions vary as to the protective qualities of this these, but they are certainly uncomfortable to wear. The second kind is the so-called ‘protector shirt.’ Originally developed for street biking, they are far more comfortable and don’t restrict your movement. They protect the back and the entire spine from injury. They also have integrated elbow protectors and a kidney belt. The elbow protectors don’t slip as easily as single ones. DAINESE offer the most comfortable shirt for 250 Euros. Also AXO has a similarly good one. Protector shirts by Axo may be rented for 30 Euros per week.

Gloves:

Cross or enduro gloves are another must! They offer protection without restricting your grip, and help keep the heat and sweat on the outside. Gloves may be rented for 10 Euros per week.

Jacket:

A light enduro jacket is advisable. Heavy leather jackets are impossible.

Pants:

Cross or enduro pants are advisable. If necessary, other biking pants might also be worn. Pants may be rented for 20 Euros per week.

Biking shirt:

A cross shirt over the protector shirt is comfortable to wear in Turkey’s warm climate and absolutely enough. Shirts may be rented for 10 Euros per week.

Rain gear:

Better to bring it, then it won’t rain for sure! Light combinations are best to carry.

 

Useful things:

• A small and light backpack and/or free-bag to carry the following…
• Drinking bottle / Camelbak to compensate for the loss of water on the way. Can be refilled at wells and springs everywhere in the mountains
• Soluble vitamin and mineral tablets / energy drinks / energy bars to give you strength on the way
• Pocket camera / Pocket knife / Multi-tool flash-light or torch
• High-protection sun-screen lotion, mainly for the face.
• Fitness and a good attitude!