Leather, nakedness and commuting

[cfoley]

I stopped riding my bike to work. By the time I have peeled off my leather jacket and changed my boots I'm a sweaty, sticky mess.


Driving to work, I notice a lot of cyclists. I googled cycle shorts and found that they are made of lightweight, high-wicking fabrics. The only protection they offer is SPF 50. (My leather jacket might be perforated but that's neither lightweight nor high wicking!) I've kept pace with some cyclists and the faster of them often do 20 MPH on the road, sometimes faster downhill.


Now, there is a route I can go to work that is 30 MPH the whole way, and I'm wondering if I really need my jacket, boots and knee armour. Is the difference between crashing at 20 MPH and 30 MPH more likely to send me to hospital or am I just at the same level of risk as the cyclists?


Assuming that there isn't much of a difference, one of our cultures is wrong. Are we ridiculously overprotected for low-speed commuting? Are cyclists the crazy ones, zipping about at 20 MPH naked (effectively)?

[simonm]

http://www.visordown.com/forum/advanced-...00711.html

You're not going to like what I'm going to say.

You either play the odds or roll the dice. Wearing protective gear is playing the odds that if you come off you'll come out of it possibly a bit better off.  Wearing less is rolling the dice that you'll either be hurt a lot or die :-P.

A motorbike is much heavier, holds caustic (fuel) liquids and, in addition, if you fall off things keep spinning (on a bicycle you'll probably screw up your wheel before it lops your arm off).  A motorbike is dramatically more dangerous to fall off than a bicycle.

Your call.  No one can make that choice except you.





P.s.  If you have kids, think of them not having a father before you make any decision. :lol
P.P.S.  This looks like good reading too [size=78%]http://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/m...pics-video[/size]

[alexanderfitu]

Big difference between cylist at 30mph and a fazer at 30mph is that if you crash, you dont have a 250 kg bike flying at you, or lying on top of your legs etc.

[Lawrence]

I wouldn't ride a bicycle wearing lycra, same as I wouldn't ride my motorbike I wearing thin trousers.  Sliding down the road on your arse is going to hurt without some decent protection whether it's at 20 or 30mph, only difference really is how much skin you leave behind.

[simonm]

I wouldn't ride a bicycle wearing lycra, same as I wouldn't ride my motorbike I wearing thin trousers.  Sliding down the road on your arse is going to hurt without some decent protection whether it's at 20 or 30mph, only difference really is how much skin you leave behind.

To be fair lycra is about as protective as an eggshell, it's only designed to hold the contents in and give you a modicum of dignity aside from nudity and often not even then.  Lycra is not protection

[seangee]

http://www.visordown.com/forum/advanced-...00711.html

You're not going to like what I'm going to say.

You either play the odds or roll the dice. Wearing protective gear is playing the odds that if you come off you'll come out of it possibly a bit better off.  Wearing less is rolling the dice that you'll either be hurt a lot or die :-P.

A motorbike is much heavier, holds caustic (fuel) liquids and, in addition, if you fall off things keep spinning (on a bicycle you'll probably screw up your wheel before it lops your arm off).  A motorbike is dramatically more dangerous to fall off than a bicycle.

Your call.  No one can make that choice except you.

Like wot he says - it's your choice. Personally for me gloves, boots and jacket are not negotiable. When its like now I do sometimes ride in jeans / trousers and I DO KNOW ITS A GAMBLE. Textile all weather jacket with all the lining layers removed and all the vents open is tolerable if you can get over 20mph. Parked in traffic is bloody hot - even in Lycra

[Lawrence]

To be fair lycra is about as protective as an eggshell, it's only designed to give you a modicum of dignity aside from nudity and often not even then.  Lycra is not protection

Sometimes it's virtually the same thing  :eek  Although on the plus side, you do sometimes get a bird with a nice arse wearing it, and going through London they catch you up at every set of lights

[Skippernick]

Invest in that mesh jacket  stuff which contains the armour but you can see through.

[cfoley]

You're not going to like what I'm going to say.

Actually, I do like what you said and thanks for the links, although I'll wait to get home before reading the second, NSFW one. It's why I asked instead of just going out in jeans and a hoodie.

A motorbike is much heavier, holds caustic (fuel) liquids and, in addition, if you fall off things keep spinning (on a bicycle you'll probably screw up your wheel before it lops your arm off).  A motorbike is dramatically more dangerous to fall off than a bicycle.

This is exactly the sort of advice I was looking for.

Invest in that mesh jacket  stuff which contains the armour but you can see through.

I've not seen that stuff before. Does it contain protection against sliding along the road or just against bumps?

[JoeRock]

You're not going to like what I'm going to say.

Actually, I do like what you said and thanks for the links, although I'll wait to get home before reading the second, NSFW one. It's why I asked instead of just going out in jeans and a hoodie.

A motorbike is much heavier, holds caustic (fuel) liquids and, in addition, if you fall off things keep spinning (on a bicycle you'll probably screw up your wheel before it lops your arm off).  A motorbike is dramatically more dangerous to fall off than a bicycle.

This is exactly the sort of advice I was looking for.

Invest in that mesh jacket  stuff which contains the armour but you can see through.

I've not seen that stuff before. Does it contain protection against sliding along the road or just against bumps?

If it's the type of thing that I'm thinking of then it's a jacket made of kevlar mesh, fitted with armour. Some slide protection (not as good as leather, but not bad at all), and then has armour fitted. Legs are a bit more tricky, but you could wear proper bike jeans (kevlar lined, armour fitted) as they're nowhere near as hot as leathers?

[cfoley]

That sounds pretty good. I already have (and love) bike jeans. Part of the reason I bought them is for commuting since I can wear jeans at work.


I'll look into the mesh jacket. Is this the idea:
http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/clothing/m...black.html


(As an aside, I thought Hein Gericke closed down)

[Dead Eye]

Hein Gericke is still very much alive

They went in to administration, but were bought out and saved. Was there about a half hour ago in fact. I noticed this stuff in the store and it seems pretty good - pretty sure that kitcrazy is using it as well when I last saw him on the lofo rides

[sure2ride]

I've got a mesh (air flow) jacket, it.s not as good as full leather for protection, but in really hot weather like this, leathers are so uncomfortable I think your concentration could be affected due to the heat    Air flow jackets give shouder, arm and back protection and are pretty cool in this weather, which helps me concentrate on my crap riding as I feel a lot more comfortable. I only use it when it is really hot like now, but I think it's a compromise, some protection and great comfort, versus good protection but heat distraction.  Just my two penny worth...don't shoot me.

[fireblake]

I've just bought some Draggin jeans. Definitely more comfy than my leathers.  Except yesterday when the gaufe hit 100 and the fan cut in.

Mickey

[simonm]

Hein Gericke UK went in to administration and was bought by Hein Gericke Gmbh (German parent company) all sounds a bit convenient tbh, but what can you say apart from darn expensive most of the time  :lol

[Lazarus]

I have a Joe Rocket suit that has detachable panels leaving the mesh "tea bag" effect whilst still containing the protection.


Suit cost ~ 140 quid and also has a waterproof lining (removable)

[Slaninar]

I stopped riding my bike to work. By the time I have peeled off my leather jacket and changed my boots I'm a sweaty, sticky mess.


Driving to work, I notice a lot of cyclists. I googled cycle shorts and found that they are made of lightweight, high-wicking fabrics. The only protection they offer is SPF 50. (My leather jacket might be perforated but that's neither lightweight nor high wicking!) I've kept pace with some cyclists and the faster of them often do 20 MPH on the road, sometimes faster downhill.


Now, there is a route I can go to work that is 30 MPH the whole way, and I'm wondering if I really need my jacket, boots and knee armour. Is the difference between crashing at 20 MPH and 30 MPH more likely to send me to hospital or am I just at the same level of risk as the cyclists?


Assuming that there isn't much of a difference, one of our cultures is wrong. Are we ridiculously overprotected for low-speed commuting? Are cyclists the crazy ones, zipping about at 20 MPH naked (effectively)?

I have lots of experience in riding bicycles (some less riding motorcycles), and have fallen many times off both.

Difference:
Motorcycle is heavier. When you drop, it is heavy, can pull you down hard if you don't let go, can fall on you.

Motorcycle can also go a lot faster easily.


When I ride in shorts I usually take it easy. I'm not cooking in long leathers, so am less nervous and can easily ride at 40 km/h. Put cycling helmet, goggles and ride. But I dare not go fast without gear - or very seldom, knowing the risks.  When I'm in full leathers, and it's too hot outside,  I ride too fast often - which is sometimes more dangerous. In spite of the protective gear.


Gloves are a must. Helmet also.



Today I rode in to work in mesh jacket (summer one), summer gloves, helmet, t-shirt, jeans, sneakers and knee protectors BMX style - like these:

[img height=703 width=697]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/leaforge/Qtech%20Protection/HingedKneePads2.jpg[/img]

When it's hotter- just shorts and t-shirt. And SLOOOOOOWLY. 

[Punkstig]

Pro skins under my leather trousers and a joe rocket mesh jacket with full pads (£30) from George white!

[alan sherman]

My commute through London I do on a bicycle (shorts and T shirt - I recently started wearing a helmet) or motorbike.  Max speed limit is 40 if I go up Park Lane, or 30 if I go through Hyde Park which is a lot nicer.  I regularly ride over 30mph on the push bike, especially when riding for fun rather than commuting.  Travel time is pretty similar - the push bike can squeeze through smaller gaps.  The moto can go a bit faster when clear.  Both journey have about 35mins moving time and 10 mins sat at traffic lights.

In London it gets hot, and I commute not wearing full kit.  I think it is safer than wearing full kit and sweating and getting stressed.

Things I wouldn't go without:
- Helmet (its law sadly)
- Sunglasses so I can ride with the visor up and get max air into the helmet
- Gloves, or leather palmed cycling mitts.  The first thing you do when you crash is put your hand out - losing skin from your hands isn't nice.
- I often wear moto boots, but sometimes just my office shows.  The moto boots are easier to change gear in.
- Otherwise normal office clothes if it is too hot for a jacket.

It is my call, a risk I take that I am happy with.  As said before I cycle a lot and think it would be hypocritical to do that in lycra and gimp up for the same journey at a similar speed.  I do ride slower when wearing less protective kit.



I don't think the argument about motos being heavy and therefore more dangerous is that solid.  A leather trouser won't protect your leg from being crushed.  You might get pinned by the bike so unable to roll and get gravel rash though.  A motorbike has a greater tyre contact patch so is 'safer' than the tiny contact patch on the pushbike.  If you crash on either bike then being hit by other road users is my biggest worry and there is no effective protection from that!

It is personal choice at the end of the day.

[Slaninar]

My commute through London I do on a bicycle (shorts and T shirt - I recently started wearing a helmet) or motorbike.  Max speed limit is 40 if I go up Park Lane, or 30 if I go through Hyde Park which is a lot nicer.  I regularly ride over 30mph on the push bike, especially when riding for fun rather than commuting.  Travel time is pretty similar - the push bike can squeeze through smaller gaps.  The moto can go a bit faster when clear.  Both journey have about 35mins moving time and 10 mins sat at traffic lights.

In London it gets hot, and I commute not wearing full kit.  I think it is safer than wearing full kit and sweating and getting stressed.

Things I wouldn't go without:
- Helmet (its law sadly)
- Sunglasses so I can ride with the visor up and get max air into the helmet
- Gloves, or leather palmed cycling mitts.  The first thing you do when you crash is put your hand out - losing skin from your hands isn't nice.
- I often wear moto boots, but sometimes just my office shows.  The moto boots are easier to change gear in.
- Otherwise normal office clothes if it is too hot for a jacket.

It is my call, a risk I take that I am happy with.  As said before I cycle a lot and think it would be hypocritical to do that in lycra and gimp up for the same journey at a similar speed.  I do ride slower when wearing less protective kit.



I don't think the argument about motos being heavy and therefore more dangerous is that solid.  A leather trouser won't protect your leg from being crushed.  You might get pinned by the bike so unable to roll and get gravel rash though.  A motorbike has a greater tyre contact patch so is 'safer' than the tiny contact patch on the pushbike.  If you crash on either bike then being hit by other road users is my biggest worry and there is no effective protection from that!

It is personal choice at the end of the day.

Agree with most. However.

1) When cycling, you get more hot than when riding motorcycle. Also, when cycling downhill, I wish I could borrow some protective clothing, just for the ride down.

2) Bike is more dangerous. Hot engine and pipes, heavy itself. So you get to choose:

a) Broken bone (with leaders)
b) Broken bone AND serious deep burns, road rash etc (without em)


So protective gear is very useful, needed and it WORKS. Always.   

Having said all this I also think it's better to ride in shorts, slowly, than in leathers. Les stress.