Your knees are the most important and least quick to heal joint, and if you have flat peddles you soon find out how much blood can come out of your shins (though the scars look cool and last forever!)
I'm too old to heal quickly, and too young / stupid to ride within my limits, so I fall off – I wear Raceface Rally pads all the time, even though they are hot. Reckon on getting a size up from your normal though.
Does anyone else find that they have more accidents on trail centres and local trails cos your more likely to ride on the edge of my abilities?
Trail centres have more obstacles per mile than natural xc trails, and the good ones tempt you into the advanced options and shortcuts (where I usually sail over the handlebars). If I'm somewhere new, or miles away from civilisation, I'm more cautious.