Gigi Pridmore's ATTGATT story. Some busted knees...

[the Ferret]

True MT. I think all the appropriate gear is what we mean. Appropriate is, of course, defined by the individuals appetite for risk. Sometimes, mistakenly, called a risk assessment. If I ride to the local beach in warm or hot weather I will wear a helmet, which the law compels me to in any case, gloves, jeans, a T and runners. Sometimes, mostly actually, I will wear an open face. I carry all the beach gear in a backpack. If I decide to take a swim further afield then it's more armour, full face, and the beach gear backpack is strapped to the pillion seat. It's funny how different people view appropriate gear. At last years rally I was the only one to wear full leathers. To me it seemed appropriate, if a little sweaty. And no, I don't wear a kidney belt, but I have considered enhancing my manly physique with a set of football shoulder pads .

Cheers mate, and I hope your wife fully recovers. After a "certain age" that's often hard to do. If I have a bad one now it would almost certainly be the end of me. But I don't let that stop me from revelling in the joy of riding.

I agree with both of these.. and at 66 a real good header might spell the end for me too.

as I 've noted before the helmet is the only piece of gear designed to save your life, and I wear one 100% of the time when riding (from open face to full face). The rest of the gear (armored jacket, armored pants, boots and gloves) are designed to save broken bones and rashed skin, and on any given day I will wear any combo of this, from all to none. Yesterdays ride for example, Modular helmet, mesh jacket with armor, hi viz vest, jeans and mc specific boots, no gloves. If my ride had been much longer ( 79 miles) I might have removed the jacket. It was hot and humid and sticky and uncomfortable (today will be the same). Now if I was going out for a spirited ride with my son or brother where I will be pushing it and increasing my risk, I'd be geared up head to toe no matte the temp. I want to be comfortable riding, and am fully aware of the risks. Riding itself is a risk. If I wanted to avoid any risk, I'd sell the bikes, stay at home and watch the telly.

.... ATGSTT, STGATT

[Ulvetanna_imp]

The only way most people seem to learn what is "appropriate" is by incurring an injury where some piece of gear would have reduced or prevented it. I ground a knee down wearing jeans in 1983 and pretty much never rode without leather pants after that. I started paying attention to riding gear thereafter and evaluated it based on how well it looked like it would protect my vulnerable points, elbows, shoulders, knees, head, hands.

Gigi admits she didn't wear the right gear, and learned a lesson. Even when Reg Pridmore is at the controls things can happen. I also was a passenger behind Reg, at the racetrack many years ago. It was terrifying how fast he entered turns, more frightening than any roller coaster or amusement park ride I've ever been on. Fortunately he didn't crash. My lap times did pick up after that, though.

We can all hope or believe nothing is going to happen, but most likely someday something is going to happen. Just a little fall in a parking lot or gas station can be life-altering, or something to shrug off, depending on the gear.