israel@acf4.UUCP (John Israel) (07/26/85)
Tuesday was a hot and sticky day. I hadn't worn my leather jacket and heavy boots in about a month, keeping cool by driving around town wearing jeans, sneakers, and a shirt, although I always wear a helmet. That afternoon when I was preparing to ride downtown something inside of me said, "wear the leathers". I'm learning to trust my intuition or sixth sense or whatever you want to call it, so unthinkingly I donned the jacket and boots. It was pretty uncomfortable as I waded through traffic on the side streets, but once I was on the highway I cooled off. After seven years of riding without accident I suppose I felt somewhat immune to falling down. But this was the day, the day that as I rode for those seven years I suspected was coming but that I hoped wouldn't. I was passing a car when it changed lanes without warning, and while panic stopping to avoid a collision, I lost control. The bike flew out from under me. I dived, landed on my chest, somehow flipped onto my back and did a slow spin for about 30 yards down the highway, catching fleeting glimpses of my new CB900F spinning on ahead of me. When I stopped the same voice that had mentioned the leathers said, "You're ok". I got up, walked over to my bike and picked it up. It was flooded, but unbelievably it eventually started. Aside from a smashed headlight assembly and some cosmetic damage the bike seemed to be ok. When I got home I saw my jacket. The lacerations and abrasions on it would have been on my arms, abdomen and back had I not had it on. Never again will I ride without a leather jacket and boots. I think I'll get pants. Consider this to be an urgent warning: ALWAYS WEAR LEATHER! - Don Mikkelsen - - Phoenix Computer Resources - - N.Y. N.Y. -