You don't always have a say in who you hang out with. I had to make a quick stop because my leg had become quite greasy. Luckily I was riding in shorts, so I discovered the phenomenon before the oil ran out. There was already a group of motorcyclists in the parking lot where I had to do some tinkering. Modern motorcyclists. On All Road or Adventure bikes. Impressive! And dressed hyper-safely, even though the thermometer touched 30 degrees.
The men appeared to have stopped out of confusion. Apparently it is not yet known everywhere in the Randstad that the Posbank is now closed. That actually saves a lot of weekend crowds here!
Because the weekends here were too full of motorcyclists and seniors in osteoarthritis-friendly pastries and stylish 'Rentnerwagen', the last chic automobiles like Dad, who just before his retirement with an often at least surprising handling.
There was a disapproving look from a distance until one of the GS pilots dressed in CE protectors (do you know how much that thing costs?) came up to me together with one of his companions. Not to express his admiration for my well-worn tricycle, but to criticize my clothing. If one adventure rider is over the dam, more will follow. While I was fixing my oil leak, I was looked at as if I were some strange animal. Because those clothes… Shorts, a T-shirt and sandals. Someone gathered his courage and reprimanded that bikers like me made health care costs unaffordable. I looked at him mildly and said, “It's just a matter of not falling. That's not that difficult if you can ride a motorcycle. But when I see your clothes, you have little faith in your own abilities.”
The conversation remained friendly. One man went on to explain in detail that he was safe, yet cool because his outfit offered a range of ventilation options. And he had a special, Australian kind of wet scarf on that prevented him from getting sunstroke in his neck. We didn't really understand each other, but there was a certain tolerance. Nothing wrong with real motorcycle clothing, but everything in its time and place.
That danger and the health and care costs came into clear focus a few days later. A herd of Mamils (middle-aged men in lycra, somewhat mature cyclists) had set out in their typical compact herd. Drunk by old testosterone, two of them had gone off track or something. Racing cycling should not be underestimated. They were seriously injured. The newspaper reported that six ambulances and an air ambulance had been sent to the scene. Plus a few police cars. That costs serious money!
They never had to make such a turnout for me, not even the time my Biggelaar Ducati crashed on a diesel track. I could have been better dressed, but with fresh asphalt eczema I just trudged home and put myself in the disinfectant bandage spray. That hurt and made me anticipate traffic even more after the worst of the stiffness from the abrasions had disappeared. For the rest, there have been some scratches in the paint in just 50 years of motorcycling. But when I look at my body now, I file it under 'patina'. A lady once looked at my divine body in the sauna. She saw some old scratches in the paint and told her friend: “Look, you now also have them as a kit.”
Not much damage has occurred over the past thirty years. Because I once read an interview with a German motorcycle legend (Klacks) in which this motorcycle guru made his statement: “Every fall is a shame.” As in: “Your own fault, big lump.” I almost agree. Because we are vulnerable and should not rely on our 'rights' in traffic, but we must be as careful as a mouse under the kitchen sink in a house where three cats also live.
In terms of vulnerability, each example naturally weakens the argument. With my previous classic sidecar combination I totally lost a Deawoetje or some kind of Korean pastry. I was only left with some muscle pain. But we are vulnerable. And things go wrong.
There must be something to this somewhere, because the statistics prove – or at least show – that the number of motorcycle accidents is increasing. And that is due to 'single-sided accidents'. Accidents in which no other parties were involved other than the crasher. And that is - I think - because motorcycles have become so fast and because many motorcyclists have their motorcycle as a 'lifestyle toy' in addition to the convertible, the camper and - there it is again - the racing bike. A racing bike with which you can show your friends that you are not just someone on a bicycle can easily cost € 10.000, I heard. Those motorcyclists would benefit from a VRO and a little more than the 2000 km they apparently drive on average per year.
But I agree with them, those safety clothing wearers. Despite the long product development time, such a human body is sensitive to damage. So now I have a burn on my leg. And I have that because I was working in my shorts where the BBQ was. It's always something.
But again: The Posbank is closed to all motor traffic. Fortunately, very few motorcyclists are inventive enough to look for roads other than those served by the SatNav. So there are still many places here that are not teeming with Allroads and Adventure bikes. But the chance that you will encounter a happy rider on an old Matchless or a DKWeetje on our undiscovered tertiary roads? It's huge.
Great piece. I have also been riding in half motorcycle clothing for over 40 years. Jacket, helmet and gloves. Usually wear sturdy high walkers.
I also dare to go shopping in the village in shorts. Nice to read that more people think this way...
Ernst Leverkust has been my nickname for years, the older motorcyclist knows what I mean.
ANOTHER beautiful piece of prose Dolf.
Klacks was a phenomenon! Nice nickname!
Great piece of weather, Dolf. In terms of clothing, for me it depends on whether or not I drive with a third wheel. With the third wheel you often wear a helmet, clogs, jeans and a grease jacket. Without third wheel fat suit, boots, gloves, helmet. In terms of fat suits, it is a shame that serious trousers are no longer made. Today's cotton is no longer of the quality that Egyptian cotton used to be.
Those gloves are tricky. You automatically try to break the fall with your hands. About thirty years ago I decided that no matter what motorcycle accident it is always my own fault. Then I decided not to fall anymore. But motorcycle clothing certainly makes sense. Contemporary things are usually only better if they are high tech. I think old-fashioned cotton is outdated.
Beautiful article, very nice to read again. Something different from regular motorcycle magazines. Although I actually always wear (old) leather (that's because I saw a comrade of mine after he fell in loose gravel in shorts and nothing else), someone has to decide for themselves what they want to wear. In my opinion, leather pants protect better against the heat of the boxer block than a bare leg. And I don't mind sweating in the crotch. I always wear gloves, I play the organ in my spare time. But I understand driving without a helmet in Budapest at 44 degrees C. Your brain starts to bubble differently. The Posbank is beautiful - when we lived in Velp a long time ago, caravan drivers would learn to drive slalom there - very funny to see.
An engine block is indeed too hot for shorts. Exhaust systems too, by the way. For the unpantsed parts. Is see the problem of playing organ with Mickey Mouse bandaged hands. And the Posbank during the week was always nice and quiet. And cyclists should be banned there anyway!
Thanks for this entertaining read!!
I rode my motorcycle to work for years. Only in very hot weather did I sometimes drive in jeans and a denim jacket to avoid becoming a victim of sunstroke. I've managed it all the years. Gloves were a must and of course I wore thicker gloves in the winter as a thru-hiker that I was. In the summer I wear leather work gloves with Kevlar incorporated on the knuckles. There is a nice ventilating bright orange fabric on the top of the hand. They are my favorite gloves. And although I drive older boxers and with my light-colored whitish Uvex jacket, dark leather pants and Reevu helmet I certainly don't look like a police officer, many motorists quickly start to put on their seat belts or throw their cell phones out of their hands when they see me. . Apparently clothes also make the biker 😂
All well and good: But do you also have a Reevu helmet? That's funny! Strange that that gene became a success
osteoarthritis-friendly pastries, Dolf, where do you get it from? I needed oxygen after reading this article. Bass.
Old motorcycle, new clothes; You just cut some holes in it, you also have ventilation and an outdoor vintage look. Idea Dolf?!
I just carry my stuff until the holes are in it.
Everyone has to know how to live or protect themselves, but the most important thing is to enjoy and think, I have exchanged my motorcycle, which I feel was too challenging, for an old Moto Guzzi, age and all, but I still ride, although it is a bit quieter. And being lucky is also important.
Without happiness and without a cork soul, no one stays afloat. Guzzies are recognized as life-extending!
I understand, somehow, the discussion about proper clothing...somehow.
Falling happens and the road surface has cheese-slicing qualities.
Thick slices of cheese are tasty, slices missing skin less so...
However, on three wheels or on a 50cc Honda I am a great hero and I dare to stroll around dressed in traditional Dutch clogs, a T-shirt and a short box.
On the big mopeds I always wear long trousers...usually also a jacket made from a vegetarian cow.
Gloves are not for me; I rarely wear them...only when the temperature drops below 5 degrees and most 'real' motorcyclists shuffle over the underfloor heating in slippers...
'Live and let live' my grandfather always said, and the best man had wisdom and life experience under his belt.
My grandpa said, when it's your time, it's your time. 35+ years ago, a Moroccan receptionist read my hand. I would grow old