Dealing with your gear? Not looking like a Newb?

[spin]

as a new biker im challenged to deal with my new gear:

1) when going to the gym (small lockers, need to deal w/ extra clothes, etc)

2) heat

i have a pretty heavy leather joerocket jacket and am considering buying a tech jacket. do i look foolish riding around in a heavy leather in the summer here? i pass by these 'seasoned' riders in T's, shorts, etc and i think, man.... what am i doing here. i know it is safe but man i look like a newb!

i just bought a bike lock to lock up my helmet in front of the gym and got a nice backpack and tank bag.

any ideas, tips?
love to hear em!

[ceemes]

as a new biker im challenged to deal with my new gear:

1) when going to the gym (small lockers, need to deal w/ extra clothes, etc)

2) heat

i have a pretty heavy leather joerocket jacket and am considering buying a tech jacket. do i look foolish riding around in a heavy leather in the summer here? i pass by these 'seasoned' riders in T's, shorts, etc and i think, man.... what am i doing here. i know it is safe but man i look like a newb!

i just bought a bike lock to lock up my helmet in front of the gym and got a nice backpack and tank bag.

any ideas, tips?
love to hear em!

Forget about those so-called "seasoned" riders in T's, shorts, ect, they are nothing more then rolling organ donors looking for a place to happen. Fact of the matter is, you are going to drop your bike someday, it happens to all of us sooner or later, or some twit cager is going merge into your lane without looking causing you to spill. When those events happen, you will be damn glad you are wearing your gear, just remember, bruises heal a hell of a lot fast then road rash, and are a hell of a lot less painful.

As for securing your jacket and helmet at the gym, I use to carry a length of chain and a stout Yale lock in my gym bag. (this was when I was young and fit and actually went to the gym) I would then run the chain through both arm of the jacket and my helmet then lock them to my locker door.

[jstark47]

My two bulkiest items of gear are my helmet and jacket (yes, I wear a mesh/armored jacket even in the heat....). Both get secured to the helmet lock on the bike and don't come inside. I run a security cable through the sleeve of the jacket to the helmet lock. It's worked so far....

[RideYourRide]

do i look foolish riding around in a heavy leather in the summer here? i pass by these 'seasoned' riders in T's, shorts, etc and i think, man.... what am i doing here. i know it is safe but man i look like a newb!

You're out of your "procreating" mind.

The people who look like amateurs are the no gear weekend warrior 2,000 mile a year club that you've mistaken for seasoned riders.

[spin]

thanks guys.

i figured these would be the responses. maybe i should just get a jacket that is protective yet a tad more seasonal. i guess im just jealous of the guys who are riding with minimal gear, i know its stupid but they look so awfully comfortable!

[IcyHound]

Spin - I was just hit by a freaking deer last week. It ran into the side of my bike, I didn't hit it. My gear is trashed from top to bottom. I can salvage my boots, thats it.

You don't look like a newbie, you look like someone with sense.

[intotherain]

AGAAT (All Gear At All Times)


Don't let some gear less rider get to your head; always wear full gear. BTW, you'll get used to just carrying your gear with you. It's awkward at first but you get used to it.

[Ian522]

Look for a perforated leather jacket, or mesh. If your leather jacket is not perforated I can imagine you must be sweating buckets in this weather.

[jonnythan]

thanks guys.

i figured these would be the responses. maybe i should just get a jacket that is protective yet a tad more seasonal. i guess im just jealous of the guys who are riding with minimal gear, i know its stupid but they look so awfully comfortable!

Mesh jacket, mesh gloves (or at least polyester-lined leather), and Draggin Jeans.

Only way to ride in the heat

[KingRobb]

Do what you need to do...but never worry about what other people think of you. You can only please yourself.