Gearing Up

It occurred to me this morning that “gearing up”, the actual act of dressing to ride, serves to focus a rider’s mind to the task at hand. It’s akin to dressing for battle. You are, after all, entering a situation where you have to protect yourself.

It starts with the bike. I commute and carry a lunch, a laptop and rain gear. 10 hours and 80 miles can take you through a few weather systems and things can change over the course of a day so I need to carry gear for various weather considerations. So my “gearing up” starts with packing the bike. I have side cases for rain gear and my lunch and a top box for my laptop. Attention has to be paid to unlocked or open cases, straps or other items that may be sticking out or loose. Once packed and secure it’s time to dress. Boots, jeans (or over-pants), helmet, gloves and eye protection. I take care to make sure pockets are zipped, gloves are closed, boots are tied and strapped, helmet is secured. Lastly I do a walk around the bike to check everything and make sure I haven’t left any tools lying on the ground from any maintenance I may have done the night before and that the coffee cup I brought outside with me isn’t on the seat. A start of the engine, check of the gas level, a final check that each case is secure and I’m off.

It sounds like a lot; but it only takes a few minutes and can save you a lot of misery. A simple distraction is enough to divert your attention and cause a crash. The simple routine of gearing up serves to focus your attention to the ride ahead and is one more element that makes for a safe ride.