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The sandals and sportbike post got me thinking... I'm guilty myself of taking rides of a mile or less in inadequate gear. I've ridden to the store at the top of the hill near my house a few times dressed improperly - tennis shoes, long cotton pants, light long-sleeve jacket, full face helmet. So I guess I'd say my minimum is long pants, shoes, long sleeves, full face helmet. My max speed for this jaunt is probably 30mph if the road is clear. Those thin pants aren't gonna do me much good if I go down at 30 mph though and I'll sure feel like an idiot if I catch a shoe string on the rear brake. I feel guilty about it, but it's just too tempting to hop on the bike. I wouldn't do it in shorts, short sleeves or sandals or without a helmet.

I'm looking for some new light gear now so maybe I can break this bad habit. Anyone else guilty of the corner store or video return run while dressed improperly? I want to hear your confession or get my scolding!

I'll scold ya.

A majority of accidents occur within miles of the home. That mile trip to the store and back is one of your high-risk times, so why not gear up?

I deserve it... I just wanted to hear where other people drew the line for putting on all their stuff. Oh, and I forget to say gloves - I always have my gloves even when I'm wearing my flimsy pants and light jacket.

Do you know where that stat comes from about most accidents being one mile from home? Is that from the HURT report or whatever it's called?

I do not recall where it came from. Let me grab some books from the shelf and see what I can find. Beats studying for my last final.

My personal rule is this: if the bike is moving faster than 5 MPH under its own power, full gear goes on.

(edit)

My exhaustive three minute search didn't find anything in the Hough books I have. But check out these links:

http://www.insurance.com/Article.aspx/artid/104

http://www.chase.com/cm/cs?pagename=Cha ... raccidents

Thanks. I'd appreciate it. I read your link by the way. That was nice - well done.

cb360 wrote:Thanks. I'd appreciate it. I read your link by the way. That was nice - well done.

Check my post right above yours, I just edited it. And while I, too, enjoy the article in my sig, I didn't write it. I'll update my sig to avoid confusion.

Ah, I see you live in Seattle. As a native of that area, I honestly cannot see doing any riding without gear, no matter how short the trip is. The amount of crazy drivers out there is just astounding.

Im sure we have all done it at one point. and if your a new rider Im sure you will.

Got it - that's still a nice little piece of writing though, even if it isn't yours! Yep, there's some bad drivers around here. Gonna have to get some chaps I suppose...

Hey guys. I ride 6 miles to work. Normally I wear jeans(dungarees-cant bust'em) leather-gloves and jacket, tennis shoes, and full face helmet. I get up to 70 on m back road before i reach the city limit. Across town i go 30- 45. But thats what i always wear unless i'm going for a longer fun ride, i wear my harley boots.