Noob Question: Dealing with Gear

[lunchmeat]

Comments and opinions, personal experiences, tips, tricks, all welcome.

What do you do with your gear after you've gotten where you're going?

I haven't quite figured this one out yet. I don't like puting my helmet on the helmet lock on my bike (as it's kinda close to the hot muffler, and I don't konw if that's good) but I have done it before. My gloves, I can stick them in my jacket pockets sometimes. What do you guys do with the jacket?

Also, how long does it take you to suit up when you're about to leave someplace? I usually get to my bike, put on the jacket, pull my keys out and stick in the ignition, put on helmet, then gloves. Then I do my whole FINE-C routine and go. What do you guys do?

[Veda]

Just like riding, with practice I think you get better at gearing up and getting in a routine. Personally, I start my bike first and then gear up while I'm waiting for the bike to warm up.

[Scoutmedic]

I leave my gear on my bike. My jacket gets draped between the mirrors and windshield. Helmet gets hung on a handlebar. Sunglasses and gloves get tucked into my passenger strap. I do a FINE-C at the beginning of the day before I start riding. At stops while we're out, it only gets a quick glance to check for anything new. As for how long, I'm not sure. I know it takes me longer than most of the people I ride with (the majority don't wear helmets or jackets when it's warm) but, I've definitely gotten faster at it.

[anarchy]

I do a FINE-C at the beginning of the day before I start riding. At stops while we're out, it only gets a quick glance to check for anything new.

fine-c is the engine start-up procedure... did you mean t-clocs - the pre-ride inspection??

[anarchy]

What do you do with your gear after you've gotten where you're going?

depends on what the environment is like... sometimes i'll leave the gear with the bike, other times i'll take it with me.

[tortus]

I stick my gloves in my seat compartment. Hang my helmet off the left helmet hook (opposite side of the can), and just take my jacket with me.

If I have my backpack with me and it's empty, I also hang it on the helmet hook.

[intotherain]

Why was the helmet lock invented if you can just put the helmet on the handle bar?? I just put my helmet and wrap a chain lock through it and lock it. I stick my gloves in my tank bag. I take my jacket with me by curling it up and putting it under my arm pit. I take off my boots and get on my sandals. Boots go into the backpack. Then I go to a bathroom and change into shorts. I put my heavy leather pants into my back pack. I put the tank bag into my back pack. My back pack is stuffed now and barely fits.

Getting all my gear on takes about 5 mins. I go to a bathroom and stick all my gear on at once and just walk to my bike. Sometimes I wonder why go through all this work when I can just take my car.

[Kal]

My gear goes with me.

[Flipper]

When I'm parked in the city at a meter I always feel pressured to get all my stuff on quickly because someone is waiting for my spot.

I hate this and actually have lots of anxiety about it.

I have to unlock my seat and get my helmet off the lock.
Put the seat back on, which is sometimes tricky.
Put my purse on the back with velcro and a cargo net.
Put on my jacket and adjust various velcro tabs.
Put on my bandana to keep my hair out of my eyes.
Put on my helmet.
Put on my sunglasses. This sometimes needs adjusting with the helmet.
Put on gloves.
Get the bike fired up.

All the time some car is sitting waiting for me........I hate that pressure.

Flipper