When Not to Ride
It's coming up on summer in the States and many of my friends and family are talking about riding. A good friend told me he is embarking on the very exciting process of buying his first motorcycle, and looked to me for riding advice and a pep talk. Here's what I told him.I am full of pep talks for you. But first I am going to do something uncharacteristic:
Don't ride a motorcycle.
Don't ride a motorcycle.
Don't ride a motorcycle.
You heard me say it now, and let me tell you why. A motorcycle is not to be ridden if:
1. You need to get somewhere in a hurry. This is the number one thing that kills bikers. That and not wearing the proper safety equipment. If you are in a hurry, then drive a car, take a cab, or find some other way to get there. Riding the bike should be done as a means of tranquil transit or recreational traveling. It's not for zipping from one part of town to another to meet deadlines. Not if you want to live. The split seconds that you lose when hurrying rob you of the time needed to properly react to surprises. I know. I've been surprised plenty. And I can safely say that every accident I have been in has been avoidable. When I was paying attention and moving along leisurely, everything that the road threw at me I avoided. The only accidents I have been in were a result of driver error. My error. I simply was going too fast and not paying enough attention. The day I stop motorcycling is the day I get into an accident that was unavoidable.
2. You aren't wearing safety equipment. I hope you will have already taken my example and know that you should use every single thing you can, even when it's 98 degrees outside. I NEVER ride without my helmet, Aerostich jacket, jeans (minimum, riding pants as well if going far), gloves, and lace up shoes (no flip flops, sandals, or anything that will fly off your foot the second you hit the ground). I suit up, look like a dork in the heat, and I could care less. Please note the photo below, I am fully suited in the desert, looking extra dorky and loving it. When I drop the bike I dust myself off and get back on and ride away. When people who don't wear safety gear drop the bike, they go away in an ambulance. Or worse.
3. You feel at all influenced physically, i.e. sick, buzzed, hung over, tired, depressed, agitated, emotionally unbalanced, or anything else that can impair your judgment. The only things keeping you from an unscheduled and painful dismount are your wits, reflexes, and physical strength. If any of those are missing you could be in a lot of trouble.
4. There is anything wrong with your bike. I don't care how minor it seems. Even just a brake light that's out can get you rear-ended. You have to think about the lowest common denominator on the road. The poor drivers who won't be able to react in time to a problem. If your bike doesn't perform the way it's supposed to, then you will be relying on the condition of the other vehicles on the road and the skills of their drivers to save you. Not good.
5. Things just feel "off." I am not superstitious. However, there are times when you get a strange feeling, like "maybe I shouldn't be doing this right now." I try to cultivate a sense of trust in that feeling. If you want to say it's silly go right ahead. But the point could be made that if you feel something weird about riding, then your confidence may be low, and perhaps in that case, you should take the day off.
Now, all that having been said, I think motorcycling is the way to travel and if everyone in the world rode bikes instead of cars, we'd be in a much better place. So, do ride, just use the common sense that God gave you and do it safely. You are more than capable of riding safely, and if you keep your head about you will be a very good rider. Just make sure to keep your head about you. And if you can't do that, then find another way home, ok?
Happy riding everyone!
posted by goat hill dreamer @ 8:27 PM
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