… that beautiful summer. Isn't it bad, such a rainy summer? Next to the garage I have two 220 liter barrels for the rainwater collection of my garage roof. From bone dry to constantly overflowing in just one wet night. And this morning I got soaking wet again when I got a fresh baguette. But that was because I was still in summer outfit.
Motorcycle clothing
With all the caveats about mouthguards during cushioning and helmets for cyclists, I have paid little attention to the nowadays so self-evident motorcycle clothing with ventilation and CE approved protectors. And to put on a self-inflating neck brace before every ride is also a bridge too far for me.
The weather or safety
I have always dressed more for the weather than for possible accidents, falls and disasters. In bad weather, this was in the beginning according to the still current 'layer system'. Long leg woolen underpants, pajama pants, jeans and yellow or orange waterproof PVC pants, the bottom of a sailboat. The upper floor was similarly decorated with the addition of a Saturday Telegraph to protect the chest.
In terms of footwear and gloves, there was also plenty of experimentation on a budget. And on the steering wheel came the impressive 'hippo hands'. It all went well despite the fact that we still had real winters and were young. In the summer you drove in jeans or shorts and a shirt. And because you were young and overconfident you sometimes fell. But young meat heals quickly. And the scars from that time are indelible learning moments.
Now I have a good, but not too expensive textile combination for serious rides. For the short local summer rides, jeans and a T-shirt will still suffice. Plus the firm intention not to fall.
So this summer was exceptional
It was often just too hot on the engine. And yet I was amazed to see fellow motorcyclists in full combat gear. And that while overheating and dehydration were more obvious than asphalt eczema due to a slider. Protection is good and sensible. But, a hard statement: Every motorcycle accident is your own fault. Still, the chance that you will encounter one is small enough to take some risks in the margins. As long as you stay careful. But of course something can always go wrong during such a hot summer.
That brand, for example, if you walk off happy and cheerful in shorts, T-shirt and slippers to go shopping at ALDI. If you are standing just next to your motorcycle, for example, a young mother with a pram may want to pass by. Then you step back a little and… You hear the hiss of a piece of meat being placed on the BBQ. The confrontation between your lower leg and the hot exhaust bend has only one winner: the exhaust bend. Then it is also just a matter of covering the blister with plasters so that the case can heal protected again.
In the meantime, more attention will be paid to protective clothing. Because it is raining. But in the meantime I have come to the point where my classics are exempt from service during frost, snow and brine. Have a little more bite. Then it's spring again!
When I just got my motorcycle I rode without a leather suit. I'm talking about 1977. A friend of mine too. At a campsite in Brittany, experienced motorcyclists told us we were crazy to ride without a leather suit. However, we did have boots and leather gloves and that seemed enough at the time. Later there were leather overalls and all-weather clothing on top of that, because I drove all year round. So also in the winter of 1978/1979 in the snow.
I once had a calf on the exhaust of my Honda C 310 because I had to go to a friend in slippery weather. So I too have a brand.
Another 95 days and then the days will lengthen again
That's positive
Wonderful nostalgia… Gerard Cox, … you should have come in July. Ah…. 35 years ago I did a VRO with one Mr Bastinck as our instructor, a famous driving school from R'dam. His saying was: it is better to fall on other people's skin than to rub the asphalt with your own skin. The pebbles or sand from the road surface stays under a dried cowhide less than yours.
Beautifully described ... Exactly as I have been sharing my motorcycle experience for decades!
I always ride in my leather suit, even if the sparrows fall from the roof: an accident is absolutely not always your own fault.
How come again? Apart from spring and summer, a year has many beautiful days on which you can enjoy motorcycling without brine. This is no problem with good protective clothing.
I have a BMW Atlantis suit for that, it is not cheap but it is safe, comfortable and waterproof. If I add up all the money I spent on cheap, mediocre motorcycle clothing in 42 years of motorcycling, then cheap turns out to be expensive.
I find your plea to take risks with protective clothing downright stupid Dolf!
But luckily I don't tell anyone to do it.
Come to New Zealand soon, it IS spring here!
In the summer I ride with jeans, and a leather jacket. The jeans do have a layer of Kevlar, they say that helps with falling.
Confrontation with an exhaust bend has also happened to me. The exhaust bend won and the scar on my leg is indeed an indelible learning moment. After all these years, I still wish the motorist who caused it by a negligent game of 'tag' and drove on the same as I had to experience. I will never forget the smell, which was a mixture of scorching textiles sticking to the meat and the smell of barbecue. I would still recommend considering wearing leather motorcycle pants, although I do drive around in jeans and a jeans jacket in scorching weather for exactly the reason you mention. (Semi) synthetic stuff is to be avoided given my experience. Jeans works wonders there. When car retards go all the way, almost nothing helps because you are the crumple zone yourself. The absolute determination not to fall or fall
carom, makes you think along for car morons who often by definition do not see you. That saves at least a roast undercarriage, if not worse.
In half a year it will be spring again!
Look! That's positive thinking!
Another 95 days and then the days will lengthen again