ATGATT - I know how important it is, but...

[shrub]

On a stinking hot day when I'm going to the gym, down to the boozer for a libation or just pottering around and visiting people I get sorely tempted to set off in jeans and a T shirt, and when I see guys riding in short sleeved shirts and open face helmets I genuinely envy them. I think to myself "I'll be fine, only going a few Ks and not going fast. Hell, back in the day I often rode with no lid and frequently wearing nothing more than a denim jacket and jeans".

Only problem is I know how important ATGATT is. Knowledge sucks sometimes.

[The Baron]

Get some summer gloves and a Dri-Mesh jacket and you will feel the wind again.

Stay safe and have a good xmas.

[MSTRS:Me]

On a stinking hot day ... I genuinely envy them.

Know this. Most crashes occur within 5kms of home. Will you still envy the aircooled types when the nurse is wielding her scrubbing brush? Or will you wait until your arse is making like a potato to provide skin for your back?

Still - it's all good IF you remain upright, eh?

[riffer]

I rode heaps as a teenager in the 80s in jeans and either a jean jacket, or bomber jacket or leather jacket.

ATGATT is fine if you fall off. No gear is fine if you don't.

Are you a betting man?

[shrub]

Know this. Most crashes occur within 5kms of home. Will you still envy the aircooled types when the nurse is wielding her scrubbing brush? Or will you wait until your arse is making like a potato to provide skin for your back?

Still - it's all good IF you remain upright, eh?

Yeah, about 5 years ago I was riding my mountainbike down a hill and had a lovely faceplant. I was probably doing about 20 kmh and had a broken nose, smashed my front teeth and ended up with 40 stitches in my face. It fucking hurt and I remind myself of that every time I get tempted to ride in a T shirt or buy an open face lid.

[shrub]

Are you a betting man?

I am, but I like to stack the deck in my favour. I figure ATGATT is like a spare tyre - the day you have a flat is the day you don't have your spare in the car, so the day I drop my bike on an oil spill, shingle or any of the other myriad urban hazards is the day I left my jacket and gloves hanging up.

[spajohn]

Yeah, about 5 years ago I was riding my mountainbike down a hill and had a lovely faceplant. I was probably doing about 20 kmh and had a broken nose, smashed my front teeth and ended up with 40 stitches in my face. It fucking hurt and I remind myself of that every time I get tempted to ride in a T shirt or buy an open face lid.

Damn. That makes me not want to go mountain bike riding!

[shrub]

Damn. That makes me not want to go mountain bike riding!

That was the last time I did it. When they injected the local directly into the cuts and used the scrubbing brush to get the gravel out I learnt what pain really was.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Yeah, about 5 years ago I was riding my mountainbike down a hill and had a lovely faceplant. I was probably doing about 20 kmh and had a broken nose, smashed my front teeth and ended up with 40 stitches in my face. It fucking hurt and I remind myself of that every time I get tempted to ride in a T shirt or buy an open face lid.

my worst injuries have been on mountainbikes. and mountainbike helmets are shit. If I wasnt so fashion conscious I'd wear a fullface on the mtb.

[spajohn]

That was the last time I did it. When they injected the local directly into the cuts and used the scrubbing brush to get the gravel out I learnt what pain really was.

A mate was a few weeks off sitting the practical test to complete his paramedic training when he broke both arms coming off his mountain bike. Set the poor bugger back the better part of a year.

[macros87]

On a stinking hot day when I'm going to the gym, down to the boozer for a libation or just pottering around and visiting people I get sorely tempted to set off in jeans and a T shirt, and when I see guys riding in short sleeved shirts and open face helmets I genuinely envy them. I think to myself "I'll be fine, only going a few Ks and not going fast. Hell, back in the day I often rode with no lid and frequently wearing nothing more than a denim jacket and jeans".

Only problem is I know how important ATGATT is. Knowledge sucks sometimes.

OHHHHH MAN! do i know what you mean! during winter every time I see those people I think dickheads... particularly the guys with with the jandals... how can you comfortably change gears like that?! as soon as the heat
(and humidity now) of summer comes around I completely change my mind and start thinking lucky bastards... not about the jandal clad ones though.

I have thought about it a lot... but I am yet to leave my gear behind... I cant do it, I feel guilty, like I am doing something wrong even, dont know why.

It would be interesting to have a poll on how many people who generally follow ATGATT succumb to temptation on the hotter days of summer.

[HenryDorsetCase]

in summer I wear draggin jeans and engineer boots instead of leather pants and Sidis. but still helmet gloves and jacket

[Danae]

Open-faced helmets look dorky.

[Slyer]

Riding in a t-shirt feels amazing when it's hot. Only around town though.
You get dirty looks but really, you're safer than all the lycra wearing cyclists.
I'm guessing the abrasion resistance of lycra is not great.

[wysper]

On a stinking hot day when I'm going to the gym, down to the boozer for a libation or just pottering around and visiting people I get sorely tempted to set off in jeans and a T shirt, and when I see guys riding in short sleeved shirts and open face helmets I genuinely envy them. I think to myself "I'll be fine, only going a few Ks and not going fast. Hell, back in the day I often rode with no lid and frequently wearing nothing more than a denim jacket and jeans".

Only problem is I know how important ATGATT is. Knowledge sucks sometimes.

I hear ya. I feel guilty if I don't properly suit up to nip out to get lunch at lunch time.

Every now and then I would love to be able to jump on and ride sans helmet and leathers, but for me the price (and pain) would be too high if it all when pear shaped. We know it will hurt even if you ARE geared up.