Protecting your gems

[DARTHYOGA]

I have just recently been engaged ( WOOO HOO! ) to the biker of my dreams and I have this beautiful ring.
I also just became the owner of a Brodie Devo that I plan on being very nasty to this summer and was wondering if there are any women out there that would like to share what they do to protect thier preciuos stones while riding. I dont want to take it off, but I would die a thousand deaths if I did anything to it.

[cheryl@nsmb.com]

Ya that is a good question. I think sometimes for safety you may have to take it off? I don't think you would ever lose it riding but I'd be scared of crashing and it inflicting pain on my finger followed by having to have it cut off a swelling didget? Any thoughts from someone who may have some actual ring experience not my hypothetical ones?

[newgirl]

I would highly suggest taking it off - not only you run the risk of losing it out in the forest and spent the summer scouring through ferns but if you could catch your finger/ring on something and do serious damage to your digit.

[newgirl]

especially if its a big f**k off sticky outie diamond!!

[Iliketoridemybicycle]

I agree. It's nice to take risks, but not when it comes to the diamonds.
I used to wear my ring all the time, doing trials and dh, but now I take it off....i'd just rather not have to worry about it getting hit and coming loose from the ring.

[enduramil]

Congratulations on your engagement.

When it comes to riding and rings there are many reasons not to wear them. Losing or bending it are a couple but health and safety is the biggest reason. While I was on a summer tasking in Wainwright I learned from the medics why not to wear a ring. It only takes 12lbs of pressure to rip your finger clean off. And that is even with a glove on.

On the trail there are numerous things that potentialy can catch the ring and do damage.

My fiance has just started mountain biking. She takes off her ring when riding. She agreed with my observation that one doesn't always have to wear a ring to show the commitment. That it is better not to wear it as the ring is alot easier to store somewhere safe than it is to reattach her finger. And besides with it gone it's kind of hard to slide the wedding ring on.

[DARTHYOGA]

Thanks guys, thats great advice. Im thinking Ill be safe so I can have a finger for the big day!

[thewalrus]

wear it on a neck chain?

[Lady Gravity]

that's funny, i always wear my rings (and earrings, necklaces etc.) and have never lost anything (touch wood). if i didn't wear gloves, i'd be more concerned, but i always have gloves on. my rings are fairly low profile though, maybe that makes a difference.

oh and congrats on the engagement!

[Tajana]

I wore a ring and bent my finger while riding my finger was soo swollen the doctors had to be careful when they cut it off my finger. So just for safty I'd take it off, but congrads on the engagement

[DrewM]

Congrats on your engagement!

Ever since my significant other took up Mountain Biking I have switched to purchasing low profile jewlery with a definite eye to durability as well as appearance.

I'd get a strong gold snake chain and wear your ring around that while you are biking (I'm assuming your rock isn't so big that it would kill you if you crashed). That way it is under your clothing and you can feel it on you all the time.

If you want to wear it under gloves make sure to try a variety of women's specific and kids full fingered gloves to see what fits best. There is a huge variety in finger sizes.

[slider32]

Hmm, I wonder if any bike companies make "ring gloves"

http://www.igolfstore.com/lc/lc_red_nail.jpg

[DARTHYOGA]

Niiiiiice!

[heckler]

Both of our rings have been hanging in a key box for the last 8 months. That way we always know where we last left them.

But, it's been 10 years now. Newly engaged means you're still staring at the shiny thing on your finger.

Don't ride with it.

[heckler]

Here's proof...

http://bb.nsmb.com/showthread.php?t=76115

[Fluid]

I have always ridden with my rings on for the past 10 years. In fact, my hubby even picked a low profile engagement ring for me with consideration for riding back then.

However, now I'm hearing more and more people recommending leaving the rings at home. So my last couple of rides I have started to leave them at home instead.

It's true that you don't always have to be wearing the ring to show your commitment. I would hate to have to have my rings cut off my finger for any reason.

[Neo]

well i got engaged a while back (again!) and although my girl doesn't ride shore, she does do other activities and sports, and i advise her to take it off when she does. knowing what i paid for it and that it's one of a kind, i'd be damn pissed if she lost or damaged it. not to mention it would suck royally if it led to injury or had to be cut off. i'd definitely say leave it at home when you ride.

funny, if this was a men's only forum, this thread would be about protecting other jewels :D

[Tom]

I never wear my wedding ring while riding or while working. Have you ever seen a picture of what can happen if the ring gets caught on something? It's called "de-gloving" and it's pretty gross. The ring can rip all the flesh right off your finger.