I wear, at the minimum, my helmet, my Dianese Riding boots (the ankle high ones), Icon Mesh Jacket, Kevlar lined jeans and leather gloves. Depending on where I'm going and the temperature, I'll trade in the mesh jacket for leather and the riding shoes for my full height Sidi Vertigo boots.
I rode a few times last year without a jacket and have to say that it was nice. The problem was that the entire time I kept thinking about how bad it would hurt to go sliding across the pavement.
Here is the way I look at it. Throw on whatever you would wear to ride, run down the street as fast as you can and dive onto the pavement. I remember how bad it hurt to scrap my knee falling of my bike as a kid. I can't imagine how bad it would hurt even going 20mph, let alone 70mph.
I have never went down, nor do I ever want to, but if it happens, I want a fighting chance.
In the end it's your decision, but as my wife said, gear is cheaper than skin grafts and a whole lot less painful.
I rode a few times last year without a jacket and have to say that it was nice. The problem was that the entire time I kept thinking about how bad it would hurt to go sliding across the pavement.
Here is the way I look at it. Throw on whatever you would wear to ride, run down the street as fast as you can and dive onto the pavement. I remember how bad it hurt to scrap my knee falling of my bike as a kid. I can't imagine how bad it would hurt even going 20mph, let alone 70mph.
I have never went down, nor do I ever want to, but if it happens, I want a fighting chance.
In the end it's your decision, but as my wife said, gear is cheaper than skin grafts and a whole lot less painful.
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