Hello friends,
yesterday, my almost 17 y.o. son braked too hard in the road side, where asphalt and sand meet.
Of course (he's got no ABS), he fell down, and bruised his arm and leg. He's got a few days ahead of nuisance and some pain.
Myself, I've been through this unpleasant experience twice in my life (and more seriously than him). It was physical pain then, but it feels akward this time; that's something that comes with being a father I guess...
I wish safe pleasant rides to all, today specially to those who share our dangerous hobby with sons and daughters.
Greetings,
Josep
......bruised his arm and leg.......??
Don't tell me Josep that you let him drive a bike wearing shorts and a T-shirt
Always wear protective clothing!
Sometimes youngsters simply need this sort of experience and feel the tarmac. Makes them more aware of the dangers of biking.
And as a biking father (with a biking daughter) you know that one day it is going to happen. You just keep your fingers crossed that the damage, both fysical as to the bike, won't be too bad.
Anyway, good recovery to him!
......bruised his arm and leg.......??
Don't tell me Josep that you let him drive a bike wearing shorts and a T-shirt
Always wear protective clothing!
Yes, I did let him
It's a common mistake down here, to increase the risk level for the sake of comfort... Certainly, nothing to be proud of.
His mother and I, on occasion of our summer bike trips, we usually find ourselves removing our protective clothing as soon as we reach the South of France...
Sometimes youngsters simply need this sort of experience and feel the tarmac. Makes them more aware of the dangers of biking.
And as a biking father (with a biking daughter) you know that one day it is going to happen. You just keep your fingers crossed that the damage, both fysical as to the bike, won't be too bad.
Anyway, good recovery to him!
Well, he knows that I myself often use no protective clothing, and he's seen with his eyes what happened to me once.
But now he'll have actual experience on his own flesh, which I hope will help his instincts know that he's got to be aware of what he's riding, all the time.
Yes, I keep my fingers well crossed. For his physical damage.
The bike had little damage; but who cares, my grandmother used to say that "everything that's paid with money, is cheap".
Regards,
Josep
Yes, better recovery as possible !
Yes also, it's more difficult to stay with protective clothes around here ( we have 35 degres last Thursday ! than in North netherland or Norway . I've seen yesterday a guy with helmet, leather jacket and ... Short
Yes it's always a dilemma , depending on how much kils we have to do ...
Sympathies to your son and to poor papa also to witness this. @ Madero "Always wear body armour bfore leaving the bedroom". The meeting of flesh and tarmac is not pleasant but the Italian motorcycle cops have a short sleeve uniform, fo summer.
When I was young, we couldn't afford protective clothing, jeans and as thick a jacket as you could get away with but wouldn't give up those trips in a tee shirt and jeans. Always gloves though.
In Italy last year. I was standing eating a snack at the roadside, in my shorts, and some sports bikes came past, summer gear all round, one in particular with shorts, nice brown legs... and a string strap top....Ciao Bella!
If it's too hot find a bar with air-con or just be a little more careful.
JK
Hopefully it's a learning experience!
Like others have said, I can understand the wish to ride with minimal gear. Personally I just can't do it, even if it's just to corner store. For riding in 35-40C I've got mesh jacket and pants that I soak in water .
Over here we call it ATGATT ( All the gear all the time)...after 40+ years both road and offroad riding I've learned that the gear does work
Having said all that, my neighbour wears flip-flops and shorts on his KLR....
been there, done that, few times but I guess when u watch your own son do it, it takes a different perspective.....in Italy it is fairly common to see bikers wearing flip-flops..! I used to do it but 20 odd years abroad taught me that it is better to be sweaty and safe than to leave inches of your skin on the road.....
speedy recovery to your lad.
I wish safe pleasant rides to all, today specially to those who share our dangerous hobby with sons and daughters.
Sorry to see that, I hope for a fast recovery to your son. However I do strongly believe that riding a motorbike doesn't have to be dangerous, although I make no mistake about the fact that I am more exposed to dangers then tin box drivers.
My suggestion: As it looks like he is on the way to recovery, why not focus on what went wrong so he doesn't do it another time? That way his pain will at least be good for something. If he lives with the fear and general assumption that "biking is just dangerous", he will either not have the confidence he needs to ride safely in the future nor learn how to ride properly.
However if he learns something out of it, he can remember this pain as a learning experience that will both make him a better rider and a better motorist in general, being aware of other people's vulnerability when approaching a cyclist, pedestrian or another biker (and his own).
No preaching intended but I will say, I think DJcat's is the best post here.
Best wishes. JK
Absolutely no preaching....just sharing.
It's a key part of bike culture that we are still able to decide for ourselves (mostly) .....unless you ride a Harley, then you must conform to the prerequisite image!
When I started biking even helmets were not mandatory... I started wearing them before they came mandatory.
I hope he recovers fast and remembers his lesson!
@Jasper Ever seen a happy 'Hog' rider?
Leatherwaistcoatchapsbeerbelly.
JK
@JK ...you're right-->
minus
plus
...but I guess we all look the same to them and can't understand why anyone wouldn't ride a H-D ..."nuff said
..there are actually some great guys and gals!
Thanks to all for your words!
He seems to have no infection, and is recovering well, even if his mobility is limited (still pain if he rests on his left foot).
Regards,
Josep
I hope he gets some good antibiotics and heals up quickly so he can back out on the road.
I like the acronym ATGATT All The Gear All The Time. I like to always ware a heavy leather coat and gloves no mater what. Its always hot sitting at lights but the sweat quickly gets whisked away when I start moving. I'm told I can get dehydrated quickly if I ware just a T-shirt because the sweat dries the second its produced and your body just keep trying to produce more, not sure if that is true.