Wow, with all the reports of people being in accidents or hearing about accidents or knowing someone who has been in accident, it made me wonder about what I saw yesterday while out on my first lengthy ride.

Eric, who is on this forum, and his wife Pam, were kind enough to take me along on their Sunday ride to Warm Springs, GA, which is evidently a hot spot for alot of the local bikers. It's a very pleasant ride on a mild day. Temps were in the mid 80's. I wore all of my gear, full face helmet, gloves, boots, chaps and leather vented jacket over a tank top and jeans. Yeah, I was hot sitting still, but in the wind I was comfortable. I do not like half helmets with just sunglasses as the wind dries my eyes out.

We saw hundreds of bikers yesterday but of all the Harley riders I was BY FAR the most over dressed, protective gears-wise, rider out there. I think I may have seen one or two other people in a jacket. I don't think I saw any other Harley rider in a full face helmet. At most, seemed like everyone had on just a half helmet or skid lid and boots. That's it. No gloves, no chaps and rarely even a long sleeved shirt.

Now, I am not preaching. I am a noob and have only been riding for three months. I also have a two year old daughter at home and a husband who are very precious to me. I am just vain enough about my appearance that if and when I go down, I want to avoid road rash if at all possible. Each to his own and ride your own ride, but it was an eye-opening experience.