You could always tell us lot abroad at the racing, cutting about in full leathers with a napper like a Ribena kid. I'm old now so I have a bike with boxes. Job jobbed.
I ride in shorts and T shirt whenever I can. Also, probably ridden more miles in a flat cap than many on here have done in helmets. Said this before...Served in Airbourne, flown open cockpit aeroplanes and open top rotor craft, 78 now and pottering about on a ditch pump in shorts and T shirt is tame. Ken. PS. I’ve paid NI to cover potential repair costs, but not used it yet.
How funny...I was literally just asking the misuse "is it better to wear what you want and be blowed, or wear what you should and pang at the "lost look" you hoped to achieve" She looked over at my fat, middle aged spread on the sofa and raised her eyebrows and muttered something about "what look"? As stated before, I am a hi Vis airbag wearing ATGATT rider as that is what seems 'right' (to me, no judgement), but it has very certainly taken something away from the joy of riding. It is a debate close to my heart. But if I am truely truely honestly honest....I am a late in the day rider. Coming to it in its entirety in my 30s (some 15 years ago) and mortaged and married and kiddied up and the midlife crisis aspect of hipstering around on an Uber cool cafe racer in skin tight jeans, beared and waxed jacket are all a misnomer to me (maybe I need to live in the city). I resign myself to the fact that it isn't what you ride. And it isn't what you look like when you ride. It is how you ride. I'll say it again, my advanced riding instructor who seemed the most boring BMW 1200 GS rider was, in fact, a screeching, screamin speed demon (within the limits of advanced riding) and was awe inspiring to boot. Fast, fluid, confident. And he was entirely suited and booted. But it mattered not. He rode like the proverbial wind. And then, just this afternoon as I swept the driveway and a Ducati scrambler rumbled past with the rider in high vis etc....I shook my head. "Not a Triumph, what a shame". So, perhaps what you wear doesn't matter anyway!
Just as an addition, for clarity. I do not ride like my instructor. I bimble around...and am fairly happy doing so. As far as I'm concerned I'm the coolest guy out there - but then I can't see myself.
I do sometimes wear sensible protective clothing when biking and I find, it tends to make me feel a little bit invincible. That is worrying. Cheers,Ken.
Really nice to have a discussion about this. I get everyone’s point of view. Hope we’ve all got out this weekend, shorts or not!
Just to clarify, I only rode once in shorts due to exceptional conditions normally I cringe when I see people in t-shirts, no gloves etc.
Me too! (Cringe I mean). Did I read somewhere that the embedded grit needs to be sanded out of the wound?
Yesterday I drove route 66 for about 90 miles from Sapulpa Oklahoma to just past Chandler Oklahoma. The street triple is still tied up and divorce court, so I couldn't ride. The towns were interesting, with a lot of old buildings and petrol stations along the way. Didn't get to stop and explore as much as I would have liked to, and take pictures. Only took one picture when I had to stop to take a leak. Old UK phone booth from a foundry in Glasgow.
No not sanded, a nail brush gets much more out. I've done that to a few people. Grit can be funny, a week or so ago another bit came out of my right shin, it's the first time in years. The only time I've ever aquired any was about 1979 when I came off on a newly , and un-signposted, resurfaced road. Loose chippings are not nice when you turn off a dual carriageway onto them unexpectedly while wearing trousers and a pair of brogues.
I would say I always wear full protective gear, but I recall riding to the gym (5km) in the early hours in gym clothes with Helmet and gloves. I felt very exposed and shifting in casual shoes was a pain.
I usually wear full gear except if it's warm I might wear ordinary jeans. When in my teens and helmets were not compulsory I used to whizz down the road and back on my bike without a helmet on to dry my hair. Having slightly long very curly hair it used to blow it up into a big afro style.
Did you take your leak in the phone box? Just asking, only the few that remain over here seem to quite regularly be used that way.
We always wear full protection, usually leathers for day rides, textiles for touring. There is a serious down side though, while away touring you can be in the Alps at temperatures close to zero then a few day later in Tuscany in 40c heat, even removing linings etc it gets seriously uncomfortable and must have a detrimental effect on your concentration levels. I know, I've been there and it isn't much fun (SWMBO pillioning at the time was close to passing out), the problem being if you're away and nowhere to store your gear you've no option but to wear the stuff whatever the weather. It seems only us Brits and the Germans are mad enough to wear full gear, more than once I've been mistaken for the latter when checking in to hotels (and I don't speak German ) However I wouldn't preach to those that choose not to gear up, biking is all about freedom - so each to their own. (and if it keeps you alert in hotter climes a little less gear makes sense)
I wear mostly biking jeans now. If its cold, a pair of leggings underneath. If its wet, a pair of overt rousers. Its a light way to tour and covers most conditions plus you can wear the jeans when off the bike too.
