Morning Fall — An Cinematic Reminder of Risk
I’ve posted this video many times over the years. In part to remind readers of the risk of riding. But mostly as attempt to keep myself honest about it. Especially as I get older. It’s easy to slip into complacency and pretend the risk isn’t really there. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t dwell endlessly on it but I pay attention. Recently I found myself riding more often without the usual protective gear. Plain jeans. A denim jacket. Reading a few interviews with men and women suffering from severe road rash reminded me that as I approach my 72nd birthday I probably won’t heal as quickly as I once would. And it’s easy to mitigate. I’m afraid I’ve leaned too hard towards the irrational wisdom of “Dress for the ride, not for the crash” rather than the original slogan and it’s nod toward risk management — “Dress for the crash, not for the ride.”
A quick visit to Revzilla had me ordering some armored riding jeans. I already have one pair and they look and feel pretty much like regular jeans. Now I will have a choice of two. Just a little thing that hopefully will never been needed. I already have some impact and abrasion protection in jackets with my Merlin Hixon II leather jacket, and for hot weather my KLIM Induction jacket.
For cold weather there’s a gap though. And a few days ago I bit the bullet hard and ordered an Aerostich Darien jacket complete with back armor. I figure it an early birthday present as I prepare to celebrate 72 years around the sun. It will be 10 to 12 weeks before it arrives but in time for the cold weather this fall. All that’s left is a decision on whether to buy the Darien pants as well.
“Morning Fall” is a quiet, elegant, almost lyrical look at what an accident on a motorcycle might be like. I’ve watched YouTube videos of crashes where the feel is catastrophic impact and power. They’re mechanical and disconnected from any feeling of the crash. This video is different. It’s not scary or adapt to have you looking away. But it has a powerful resonance that for me at least, makes me consider not just the risk of riding a motorcycle, but also stimulates me to act.
Embracing the risk of riding a motorcycle or scooter is something I learned while taking my first Motorcycle Safety Foundation riding course. The idea has stuck with me and I actively apply what I learned about being a rider. Be safe on the road. Come home to those who love you.
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Hello Steve, I look forward to watching the video you posted. My first street motorcycle was purchased before i knew of risk management. 7 weeks later I had a brief visit to the ER. I was basically OK but the bike was totaled. Later, I took the Penna rider test and secured my license, which lead me to MSF. Gear is essential.
I suspect it would not take much for me to suffer serious injury. So the cost and inconvenience of always gearing up is incidental to me now. Pretty much always has been since I started riding again in my 50s. The MSF course was extremely helpful to me in regard to understanding how to be on the road with other vehicles. It isn’t like driving a car.
And here’s the conundrum – how much money am I willing to spend in gear vrs. how much time I have left to ride. As you note, gear is expensive. I own an armored jacket, two helmets, gloves, and a pair of half boots that barely cover the ankle. I have pants I’ve never worn. I have no rain gear. I am acutely aware of how inadequate my gear is. On one of my desert trail rides this past winter I banged up my ankles so bad duck-walking over extremely rugged technical terrain I had black-and-blue bruises for a.month. I should buy riding boots. This conundrum doesn’t apply to riding specifically, but also camping gear. I’ve reached that point in life where the cost analysis is measured not by money, but by time. Will I use the thing I’m about to buy enough times to justify its purchase? Realistically, no. But like you, I have the resources to buy it anyway. And what will I do with it once I can’t – or don’t – ride anymore? Will I get rid of it myself, or will it be something others will have to deal with?
I got into riding mostly as an alternative to spending money on gas. I loved the savings I got from riding scooters, but I always sort of resented having to put on the gear to go run errands. Recently, I bought a used 2015 Nissan Leaf, and guess what? No gear! I get in the thing, and I can run errands for days on a single charge. Its range is limited to 50 miles at most, but the freedom of not having to don gear just to go to the store, and still not spend money on gas,, has felt pretty sweet. Aging does bring about changes. Ride On!
You raise a lot of good questions on this topic. Putting all the gear on to ride two miles down the road is a pain. And I often won’t. I will always have a helmet, gloves, riding boots, and a jacket. But I will usually ride with normal denim jeans. Especially for the half mile ride down the street to the Pump Station cafe. I guess we all develop our own limits and concerns. I shiver thinking of feeling my hands drag across the pavement. It’s why I never ride without them. And the same with boots. I have this vision of my ankle grinding on the pavement.
I will purchase things now without concern for cost. There was a time in my life when I was just irresponsible with money when I couldn’t really afford to be. Now I can afford to burn money on things to keep me safe whether I use them or not. I am careful to evaluate the need without expectation of whether I will use it. Thankfully, I am in a good place now with safety gear.
The Leaf is a good option for low fuel cost and utility. And like you say no gear requirements. For me, fuel cost has never factored into the equation for me. Perhaps because we put so few total miles on our vehicles. And a car just isn’t like a scooter or motorcycle. I will take the car if the thought of gearing up makes me weary. Not a good time to be on two-wheels when I feel that way.
And you are so right about aging bringing out changes. My eyes open wider all the time!
I fell for comfort on my recent trip to Lake George. I had to meet some friends after a short hop to the meeting point. I was soaked in sweat on arrival from my leather jacket. I removed the liner and tossed it with my luggage. After meeting we rode ninety miles to our lunch stop and I was still baking. I switched to a lightweight wind breaker and was much more comfortable. I’m of two minds on this. I could have been sweating and safer or I could have been so uncomfortable that my mind would have been distracted by the perspiration. In retrospect I should have stuck with the leather but it didn’t seem so at the time. Fortunately there were no mishaps.
Heat definitely pushes me to gear up lighter. Not so much with the jacket but with the pants. Generally though, I am more likely not to ride when it’s really hot rather than not wear protective gear. So early mornings until noon instead of all day rides. I don’t like baking like you described on your ride to lunch. My KLIM Induction jacket is vented well and usually handles the hot air. Not as safe as my leather jacket but better than just donning a plain denim jacket.
Lets both keep avoiding mishaps!
You will love your Darien – vents exceptionally well and layer to your hearts content for warmth, never get wet again😁. However it is critical that you follow ‘Stich washing instruments – do not use detergent use Nicwax wash , later use their wash in when it needs to renew waterproofing. Also the coat feels very stiff until it’s 1st wash – I have washed mine ( just plain water can help) in the first few days😉then dryer will soften it 😁
Enjoy!!
It’s only two months away from delivery now. I’m just hoping it’s not too big. Straight measurements put me at a 44. But because I ride through the winters here and add a lot of layers they strongly suggested I move up to the 46. I can exchange it but I hope I won’t have to.
I’ll be careful with the washing and softening. I assume low for the dryer??
I’ve been married for 50 years, so far; and I’ve been riding for about 60 years, so far. I have almost always worn full protective gear from the top to the bottom. And once I realized very early in my riding career that that is the way I like to dress for riding, I bought a one-piece armored riding suit, and I’ve been wearing them ever since. They are easy-on and easy-off in about 20 seconds with one full-length zipper. I don’t motorcycle anywhere, no matter how short the ride, without first donning my suit.
You have embraced a good riding ritual. What kind of one piece suit are you using? I have a friend who used a Roadcrafter for years. Year round in all weathers. But it is loosing its waterproof qualities now.
I’m recommitting to always gearing up.
After several years, I fixed the zippers on my Roadcrafter and started using it again. It just works. Hot or cold, wet or dry. And, it’s still reasonably rain proof. My current challenge is looking for a new helmet. The lining disintegrated on my Nolan and the mechanism fell apart on my winter modular helmet. I’m trying to figure out if I’ll get enough use out of it to justify the expense.
Buying a new helmet is the most stressful part of gear purchases for me. I just replaced my HJC helmet with a new Sedici one. And new helmets are so tight that I always think I’ve purchased one that’s too small. Same with this latest one. Uncomfortably tight to start. And perfectly comfortable after a few rides.
Good to hear the Roadcrafter is still performing.