Crashing stinks

Going on a nice, half days ride is a purely pleasant thing. Longer rides are more epic, involving planning for weather, big changes in temperature and the other worries associated with long term outdoor activities. Shorter rides are mostly concerned with an all purpose garment or layering of clothes to stay comfortable depending upon which half of the day you are riding. A good riding jacket with armor, removable insulation and vents for air flow is usually the best option. The one thing I never think about is crashing. Don't get me wrong, I prepare for it by wearing boots, jeans, motorcycle jacket or my Draggin shirt and always a helmet and gloves. Road rash and hard pavement do not care how good of a rider you think you are. Thanks to Rob for the above picture which shows the exact moment you are glad for body armor and a full face helmet. Something my friend Dave learned this past Monday after an unexpected (they're all unexpected) spill in a low speed uphill corner. It was a lowside crash and he was relatively unhurt, except for the usual soreness that accompanies bouncing around on the pavement.
The bike, however, did not fare so well. The side casing was torn open and oil spilled from the gap. The rest of the damage was cosmetic and all can be repaired. Without a doubt, the ugliest sound in the world is a motorcycle sliding along the roadway. Neither of these pictures are of the actual crash, but that doesn't really matter. The results and the emotions are the same. It all started out as a pleasant day of riding, it ended up by the side of the road waiting for a pickup truck to take the fallen bike back to it's home to be nursed back to health by my friend, and the bike's owner, Chris. It could have been any one of us, we were all riding hard and fast. I'm just glad Dave wasn't hurt and was wearing the right gear. I used to have the attitude that if you want to ride without a helmet, fine, that's up to you. That is no longer my attitude, put on a damn helmet, somebody loves you and wants to see you again. If Indian Larry had been wearing a proper helmet he would probably be with us today. A helmet doesn't guarantee anything, but not wearing one, and landing on your head, does. You don't believe me? take a long hard look at Gary Busey.