Chaps and Hats
 The Price We Pay For Fashion
I just read another story from a reader about a rider who went down in
chaps. While the coverage of his legs resulted in little damage, his butt
was another story. A serious case of road rash on his buns sent him into
the hospital where he was bandaged up and sent home to live life perpendicularly
for the next few weeks.
Chalk another one up for fashion.
Where did we get the idea that something made to be worn while riding a horse
at 25 miles an hour, thus keeping its sweat off our jeans would do much to
protect our bodies at 60 mph as we glide into a slide? Of course, many
riders take the same chance every time they ride out in those clad iron Levi
501's. Round 'em up partner. When is the First Annual Sound Rider
Cattle Drive?
 Chaps come in all kinds of flavors. You can get the ones made in Mexico
for around $100 a pair, or you can invest in those fancy ones with the silver
studs and frilly trim making you look like the Electric Horseman (Robert
Redford, circa 1979). In fact, might as well find a way to light 'em up while
you're at it. But what's the result if you hit the ground? It would
be different for each one of us, I'm sure.
Style and Profile. Such an important part of our society it seems.
If any of this awakens your
common sense, many local dealers will gladly sell you a set of real
leathers. They start at around $250, and as an added bonus you get some
piece of mind when you buy them.
Hopefully, there will never be a law to 'make' you wear more protective
clothing. Some of my acquaintances would call that totalitarian -
right? Seat belts laws are totalitarian - right? Helmet laws are,
too? But if you don't already cover your body in protective gear, I'll
hope the stories you hear about people's mishaps are enough to guide you toward
taking better care of better. And I hope it's not your own mishap that
causes you to dress better when you ride.
 Skid Lids? Oh yeah. That's a nice way to say 'screw it' to helmet
laws. You know what they are? Those little skimpy pieces of plastic
that barely cover the upper third of your skull. Some of the local State
Patrol have a penchant for them, but since the helmet law in Olympia is so
twisted it's always a toss up if the local court will uphold the fine. And
now were back onto the horse thing again. I think what a Jockey wears
actually provides more protection.
Sad
thing is, I just got done hearing about a guy who had on a skid lid just before
he fractured his skull and went into a coma. A full face helmet might have
improved his chances. It was his choice. What's yours, and for how
long will you stand by it. It's a crazy world. We've got people who
wear full face helmets every time they ride looking to eliminate the helmet
law. Ok, freedom of choice. For their own safety I'm glad to see
they wear the full coverage helmet at their option. A full face helmet is
at your option, you understand?
Nice Vest. Didn't the Marlboro man wear one? Goes great with your hairy arms and that nifty tattoo.
Is that a scar on your arm from when you dumped your bike last year, or was
that a high school athletic injury? Again, the vest is your choice. A
full coverage jacket with padding would be your choice, too. I, for one, keep
the arms covered even if it's like 105
degrees outside. I keep my arms covered so the next time some cage driver
pulls a left in front of me I won't need elbow therapy.
I'm thinking about the day a riding partner of mine was heading home from a
ride we'd just taken on Bainbridge. As he left the ferry dock and headed for I-5,
a car pulled out in front of him. It was one of Seattle's finest on his
way to a call and too rushed to notice the motorcyclist. The only thing to
do was drop the bike and let and it slide gracefully into the door of the
police car. I hate it when that happens, but I'm happy to say that my
partner, fully adorned in padded leather, got up from the spill with minimal
damage to his body.
I just love ya, whoever you are, out there riding and enjoying the roads of
the Northwest. And I want to see you out there next weekend like I did
last weekend, without a bloody butt, squishy brain, bleeding knees, broken limbs
or any of that other gory
stuff. The last thing I want to see you doing is reading Sound Rider on
your lap top from your hospital bed.
Ride Safe,
Ted Knecht/Summer 00
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