When it would be stupid not to...

...wear your gear.

First an admission:  I will occasionally run out for errands without the benefit of full gear.  Gloves, helmet and boots had been my minimum uniform, although I've changed my tune now.

Now my small story:
I was going to run an errand on Saturday, a little over a mile there and back, and had considered just putting on the helmet, gloves and boots in the interest of staying cool in the 97F heat.  My 2 year old son was watching me gear up and declared:  "Daddy, you forgot your jacket!"
I thought about it for a moment, and decided that I had indeed forgotten my jacket, along with my pants.  I put them on and ran the errand.  Nothing happened on the trip to reinforce the gear choice, but to be sure, if I had ignored him I would have needed the gear.  I'll not ride again without the gear, because I would be haunted by my son's words, and never really enjoy myself.  

I thank everyone on this board, and others, for their stories and opinions concerning riding gear.  I hope someone reads mine and thinks a little more about their choice in gear.  I entered this sport with the notion that wearing a helmet was probably a good idea, but not much more.  Reading lots of posts had forced me to go out and buy a jacket, pants, boots and gloves.  Buying the gear is great, but if you choose not to wear it, you've gained nothing.  I've read it before, but it hadn't sunk in to me yet:  If it's too hot to ride with gear, it's too hot to ride.

Ride safe

Craig

Good story, thanks :cool:

solman244, July 06 2004If it's too hot to ride with gear, it's too hot to ride.

Ride safe

Craig

I have been guilty of riding in fools gear. �I used to wear my full gear about 95% of the time, but that 5% really bothered me. �About a year ago I bought a Firstgear Meshtex jacket and I absolutely love this thing! �It vents so well that I need to pack a long sleeve shirt even on the hottest of days for when the sun sets and the temps cool. �If it's really hot out, I combine the mesh jacket with a cool vest and I stay COOL....sometimes too cool. � :twist: Now I have no excuse not to always wear full gear and since buying the mesh jacket, I have been riding 100% full gear all the time. �

Firstgear Mesh $79

Cool Vest $35

Edit: I will add that the link to the cool vest shown above is exactly the same as the Joe Rocket vest that sells for $80 sans the JR logo.

I lived in hot/humid Maryland for a long time and before the cool vests were introduced we rigged up a setup where we used a safety vest covered with vinyl hose and a cooler filled with ice water attached to the back of the bike.  A fuel pump circulated the ice cold water through the hoses and kept you cool.  It worked really well for about 30-45 minutes before the ice would melt and the water was no longer cool enough to make a difference.  Ahhhhh the things you do when you're young and bored.  :goof:

Very good story.  

Those haunting words, wheres your jacket daddy? from Muriel my 7 y/o daughter stay with you a long time...

Thats a good thing cause it's when you dont have it (protection) that you need it most!

Chris
Ft Worth, TX

Thanks for the link RiverRat, I just ordered a cool vest.  I always wear full gear and that should help a lot.  It gets pretty hot and humid here in Nashville.