| Author | Message | ||
     Fltwistygirl |
So, as an offshoot from another thread, a few of us were talking about how to deal with boneheads who criticize us for being ATGATT and how we can get the word out that it is our choice to sweat our rears off in the heat instead of suffering worse side effects in the event something goes awry and there is an incident. Just last month we were at the grocery store on the bikes and some dimwit pulled into a parking spot next to us as we were taking out helmets off. He asked "aren't y'all hot in all that "stuff" (not his word choice, figure it out)? I smiled sweetly and said, "well sir, I'd rather sweat than bleed" locked my full faced helmet in my side case and started walking away. He was not ready for conversation to end, followed me ranting about "I've been riding for 40+ years, never wore more than a tank top and shorts in heat like this..." I turned around and said, "sir, gear is a choice. This is what we choose to wear. Have a nice day". I for one would love to get that message out and perhaps avoid conversations like the one above, and perhaps educate others as well. I'm in favor of as positive of a message as possible. I don't want to add any more fuel to anyone's fire. Patches were mentioned, and that may work for some, but the gear I wear tends to not lend itself to working well with patches. I'd love to have something that functions as a message and is visible (retroreflective in hi viz colors would be awesome). Stickers would be cool, or maybe a velcroed on armband or something like that. Ideas??? BeLinda. | ||
| Ezblast |
Good idea! EZ | ||
| Oldog |
Patches and stickers the arm band if functional ( mp3 player / phone carrier ) | ||
| Teeps |
If said dimwit were to see body vs asphalt encounter it might change his mind. I worked at a bike shop for 12 years. I've seen the outcome. The moment for me was, when a customer hobbled in with both knee caps and 6 ground off toes. Yep, shorts, tank top and flip flops. | ||
| Fahren |
I'm not sure patches or anything else will shut up a person wanting to engage with you, stupidly or otherwise, about an issue. I'd work on what to say and how, depending on the type of person doing the asking/commenting. You never know - relationships can start in the funniest ways! How many friends do you have who you met through an argument or disagreement?! :-) Anything else you put on might tend to get as many, if not more reactions from folks. | ||
| Danger_dave |
You can't fix 'stupid' with a sign. >>How many friends do you have who you met through an argument or disagreement?<< None. | ||
| Danger_dave |
http://youtu.be/p5ZkdHImCuQ | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
"I'm not sure patches or anything else will shut up a person wanting to engage with you, stupidly or otherwise, about an issue". You are probably right with that. However, ATGATT is a message I'm not afraid to repeat, in as many ways as possible. Doing, talking about, wearing messages about it. Practicing what I preach. I'm sure others here are of that same opinion. "I'd work on what to say and how, depending on the type of person doing the asking/commenting" That's another thing I'm always open to is hearing different ways to counter crap like this. Now here I'll paint with a broad brush: some guys are socialized to counter a comment like this jerk had with something equally snarky. Girls in general are not. I tend to be more diplomatic. Maybe I need to arm my arsenal with more snark. "You never know - relationships can start in the funniest ways! How many friends do you have who you met through an argument or disagreement?! :-)" Not friends, exactly, but I have turned around student/coach relationships that started with animosity (them towards me, for a number of reasons-they are court ordered, think women should be back rests, they already know everything about operating bikes, etc.) and turned it into a situation where they were finally receptive to the idea that they could learn even one new thing from some chick. People like that never become my friends. Someone I am cordial to, yes, but not a friend. "Anything else you put on might tend to get as many, if not more reactions from folks." Reactions can be a good thing, even if they are not positive. If it gets people thinking, I've done my job. (Message edited by fltwistygirl on June 04, 2011) | ||
| Oldog |
a band  | ||
| Oldog |
When I encounter folks on hot days with the how do you wear that I usually say I dont ride with out this or its ok when moving chat if they are inclined and try to put a positive face on the sport what bums me out is folks start with some guy got killed last week at so and so. I smile and say its a possibility and then, I excuse me from the conversation... | ||
| Danger_dave |
Douglas Adams - The meaning of Liff: CLABBY (adj.) A 'clabby' conversation is one stuck up by a commissionare or cleaning lady in order to avoid any further actual work. The opening gambit is usually designed to provoke the maximum confusion, and therefore the longest possible clabby conversation. It is vitaly important to learn the correct, or 'clixby' (q.v.), responses to a clabby gambit, and not to get trapped by a 'ditherington' (q.v.). For instance, if confronted with a clabby gambit such as 'Oh, mr Smith, I didn't know you'd had your leg off', the ditherington response is 'I haven't....' whereas the clixby is 'good.' | ||
| Syonyk |
I've just pointed out the variety of vented gear I'm wearing, and leave it at that. I've had old guys nearly deck me in a bar because I was talking to someone (NOT THEM) and said that, in my opinion, not wearing a helmet is stupid. I'm opposed to helmet laws, but I really don't see why one would *not* wear one. After this has happened a few times, I've mostly learned to keep my mouth shut & lead by example. The old guys who've ridden "a million or two" miles in their lives aren't going to change. The trick is going after younger riders, and most of them are more receptive in my experience. If you point out good, comfortable options, it really helps. There are people out there who haven't heard of mesh gear with liners as "year round options" (or at least most of the year). Old guys? The solution is just to wait for them to die off. I truly don't care how they ride other than to laugh at how uncomfortable they look if it starts to rain when I sail by in a full face helmet & rain gear. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
New rules in Europe. Germany- Boots covering the ankle & jacket with CE protection + helmet. = minimum legal requirement for protection. France are considering following suit, but have already announced that hi-viz clothing is to be mandatory for motorcyclists from 01/01/12. But they're going to repeal the 106hp limit at the same time due to untenable pressure from the industry & other european states. So, from next year in France you'll be able to legally ride your turbo'd & nitroused Busa. Wearing flip-flops & shorts should you so wish, but you'll have to wear a luminous orange or yellow hi-viz vest or sam-browne. Like that's going to do a lot. There's going to be big organised protests in the major cities here on Sat 18th June. I'll be taking part too if I can. | ||
| Danger_dave |
interesting grumps - I copied it on Kiwi Biker to see what they make of it. | ||
| Fuzzz |
I stared wearing a full face helmet in 81, when there was no helmet law in Oregon...The H-D riders I knew gave me no end of grief about it till I simply said, "you guys argue, 'let those who ride decide', this is my decision, period, none of yer damn business what I ride, how I ride, when or where I ride" BTW, I got a new lid yesterday, a Scorpion EXO...:-))) | ||
| Ratbuell |
I'm all for the patch. But when a dimwit gets in my face, I unzip the right leg of my overpants (be they mesh/armor Joe Rockets, or textile/armor Fieldsheers), and show this:  And that was IN gear. Fenceposts don't seem to mind if you're armored or not...but the graft and scarring definitely get a message across  | ||
| Greg_e |
If you just put ATGATT in big letters and a gruesome bleeding body part, people will think it is some new motorcycle gang and either be afraid of you or want to take your turf over. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
Oldog- I dig that message. Tweak the font a bit, put it on a hi viz yella or green background, and whooomp there it is. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-FPimCmbX8 "After this has happened a few times, I've mostly learned to keep my mouth shut & lead by example. The trick is going after younger riders, and most of them are more receptive in my experience. If you point out good, comfortable options, it really helps. There are people out there who haven't heard of mesh gear with liners as "year round options" (or at least most of the year). Usually my approach as well. Sometimes I feel it'd be more effective putting the turds in their place however. Influencing the young ones is one of the driving forces that got me into this line of work. As a sport bike rider, if you consider the city-x that, I was able to relate to that group and try to connect with that demographic. The Uly is more of a grown up bike, but if you take the bags off, it is a pretty bad azzed looking sport bike. Danger Dave-always appreciate your perspective on stuff. People exhibit turd-ular behaviors everywhere. It's universal. Grumps-thanks for your input. Cool to hear what changes are happening across the pond. Hopefully some of those are blowing our way... Ratbuell-holy guacamole. That is a big boo boo. Impressive and you were one lucky dude and a natural poster child for ATGATT! | ||
| Pwnzor |
I just laugh at people when the first words out of their mouth to a complete stranger are completely idiotic. | ||
| Greg_e |
The one thing I always stress is that riding in clothing specifically made for riding is far more comfortable than wearing other clothing. You can of course wear other things, but would you go swimming in a three piece suit? You certainly can but you would be more comfortable wearing proper swimming clothing. | ||
| Danger_dave |
Ha - I'm just messing. There's a point of diminishing return I reckon. A noob on a 250 that could do with a bit of help - I'll do all I can - if asked. Mr 'I've been riding 40 years in a tank top': 'Good'. I've been riding 50 and have ridden away from several crashes because of the leather gimp suit. | ||
| Ratbuell |
BeLinda - ya...it tickled. That was a compound tib/fib fracture. Two clean-broken bones, and all four ends...exited my skin. Hence, the graft. But in the whole wreck, not an inch of roadrash. The picture? That's the graft REVISION. Its an improvement, a year after the initial rebuild. 18 staples, and I removed every one myself because they were due to come out day after xmas...and the trauma center was 'closed' (to all but emergencies) for the holiday. So they gave me the pliers and showed me how. 3 fingers of Macallan 18 whisky...one pair of pliers...out they came. It was actually pretty cool | ||
| Ratbuell |
....Maybe a patch that says "ATGATT" on the top line...and "GO DARWIN" on the second line?  | ||
| Timo31 |
When someone ask me why I wear gear this is what is running thru my mind. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
"If you just put ATGATT in big letters and a gruesome bleeding body part, people will think it is some new motorcycle gang and either be afraid of you or want to take your turf over". Oooooh, me likey. That is cool in a disturbing way. It could grab attention fo sho. Never had Macallan whiskey, is it a sippin' on the rocks type of whiskey like bushmills? And eek, pulling staples out yourself  . | ||
| Pwnzor |
Never had Macallan whiskey, is it a sippin' on the rocks type of whiskey like bushmills? You profane the nectar of the Gods by allowing ice to mingle with it. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Actually...my Laphroaig 21 comes alive with a single ice cube in it. Recommended by the distillery, actually. Not really "on the rocks"...but definitely adds to the bouquet AND to the finish. Completely transforms the whisky. And Macallan is definitely a sipper. Aside from the staple night...which was an exception for eighteen obvious reasons...2 fingers will last me the whole night. Same for the Laphroaig. I was also turned onto a new whisky by a friend at Christmas, she got me a bottle of Knot. Sweeter than I usually like...nearly a liqueur, but VERY nice. Now...at over $150 a bottle for most of these, I do recommend sampling a friends' stash if they are willing. It's a chunk of change to find out in the first ounce that it's not for you. Me...I'm hooked. My corner shelf has the Knot. A Macallan 18. A Macallan Fine Oak 10. A Laphroaig 15. Laphroaig 10 cask strength (unfiltered). Laphroaig 10. Bushmills 10. Glenlivet 12. And a hip-flask with the remains of my Black Bush. I do need to replenish my stash of Macallan 21...but I need a decent commission check first  And...each of these bottles usually lasts me 2 or 3 years. Couple fingers at a time, on special occasions...definitely NOT the "hard day at work I need a drink" shelf, LOL. | ||
| Nm5150 |
Woodford Reserve is my favorite.As far as ATGATT goes I usually just make some unspellable sound and point to my mouth and walk away.Most of the time they look like they feel bad for trying to have a conversation with someone that can't talk | ||
| Brumbear |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwdwhGkdB3Y&feature =related Potcheen there is no equal | ||
| Cataract2 |
I just show them the scar on my right wrist where I had an external fixture at for my broken wrist. That was all I have from my crash at 55 mph on hwy 528. |
