You
Are Worth The Cost
By:
Kelles Fleming
On
the first day of Wing Ding, a group of 15 bikes were riding to Henry Horton
State Park for lunch. The group was
made up of members from Chapters E and R from across the USA.
At the exit ramp leaving I-24, the top speed was not more than 20 MPH,
the pavement was dry and traffic was fairly light.
All conditions were great but not all went well.
 One bike near the end of the group hit the seam between the blacktop and
concrete. The front end of the bike
shifted, the front brake was applied and very soon the rider and co-rider were
on the ground and the bike was wedged under the guard rail.
The
rider suffered 7 broken ribs with a condition called a “flailed chest”.
These injuries were from the impact with the ground.
The co-rider had a broken arm and ankle that required multiple surgeries
to repair. This sounds bad but, it
could have been worst.
What
other injuries could they have sustained had they not been wearing a good
helmet? The co-rider had a minor
scrape on her hand from not wearing her gloves.
Both are wearing protective riding jacket and pants that showed evidence
of taking the grinding and sliding on the pavement.
As for footwear, both were wearing over-the-ankle shoes that helped to
prevent more severe injuries.
 Incidents like this drive the point home why GWRRA encourages us to ride
with protective clothing and the proper safety equipment.
As we know, the helmet absorbs and spreads the energy of an impact across
the skull. This helps to prevent
serious head and brain injury. Even
in hot temperatures, the protective clothing keeps the sun off the bare skin and
helps to evaporate perspiration and keep you cool.
It takes the brunt of the energy when the body comes in contact with the
pavement or other objects. This is
one time in life where paying for the best quality will pay big dividends if you
have to use it one time.
I
have heard people say that they ride a touring bike and don’t need all that
protection but what they don’t realize or think about is they will lose the
battle when it comes time to try and keep that bike under control when it is
totally out of control. Just the
fact that we ride behind a plastic screen and have a heavy bike doesn’t mean
that you are less vulnerable to injury than someone who rides a smaller or
sportier bike.
Since
it is suggested to replace your helmet every 4 to 5 years or when it has been
dropped, take something into consideration.
How much is your head worth? How
much is the prevention of brain damage worth to you…and your family?
I don’t know any person’s head that is worth less than cost of the
highest quality helmet you can afford.
Also,
consider the payback on the price of good protective equipment.
How much is your skin going to cost you if you have to be hospitalized to
have skin grafts after sliding on that pavement?
The pain of having something many times worst than a skinned knee when
you were a child.
None
of us plan to have an accident but, every one of us needs to plan and be
prepared for an accident. A plan
without an action is feudal but, an action without a plan is fatal!
|