It's starting to get cold here in So Cal, so cold that day riding is in the
70's, and gets to the 40's at night. Jacket weather with a sweatshirt
underneath-remember all of us seasoned riders know to dress in layers, and time
for the winter gloves to come out, and on. But only at night. Years ago I
started wearing deerskin gloves while riding, no matter the time of year, and
now feel naked without gloves on while riding. We were told by the old timers
then that gloves could protect you when you had to touch a warm engine, and keep
the 100 octane off your hands when tickling the carbs. Plus they are
comfortable, so I still wear them today. Shorties, cut off at the wrist, with
full fingers for all you too stylish to have your fingers covered so your skull
rings don't show. And I wear out a pair of gloves a year from all the riding,
seems just when they get really comfortable they are too stretched and don't fit
right anymore.
But over the years I have accumulated gloves, and one pair of snow mobile
mittens in my riding wardrobe. I have deerskin gauntlets for cooler weather, no
lining needed, and even three pairs of cold weather gloves when it gets below
freezing. Gloves for every occasion, or at least for every climate I may
encounter. Function way before form as I have no nylon, plastic, or non-animal
skin gloves, except if you don't count naugha as a proper hide. I'm
comfortable, and even warm on cool nights, and prefer to be riding rather than
in a car with the heat blasting on me. I'm addicted, and I know it-get over
it!
Now for all you safety driven riders, I don't wear a jacket when it is hot,
I love riding in t-shirts and jeans. Just like McQueen did, but for cold nights
I can dress like Brando in my leather. Or James Dean, still cool, but warm.
Years ago a friend had a Belstaff riding jacket, the old English type that
weighed 100 pounds, smelled like the swamp, and you used to melt candles to keep
the rain out. But it worked, and today they are over $500 new, this is probably
the only used item never to buy-one whiff and you'll know why. But a few weeks
ago I made a concession to style, and bought a Tour master Rincon that has the
looks and feel, and the protection it states, for less than $100. It fits, it's
light compared to any of my five leathers, it's warm, and I look cool. OK, I
hope I do. But it works, and now I have even another choice to make when the
weather gets cool. After any years of riding in New Jersey, Colorado, and New
Mexico winters, I still don't wear long johns, and refuse to be seen in chaps.
I know, "they keep the cold out," my wife says, but the Rowdy Yates style never
sat well with me, no pun intended. If you are going to wear leather, wear
leather. With the exception of the posers who wear them all year round, or the
girls who almost wear them at biker rallies. I'm talking guys who ride here,
not the so-called lifestyle types. You all know who you are, if not, ask one of
us. And with my Arai, I am ready for any weather, any road, at any time of
year. Just a matter of which bike I ride today, let's see , Bonneville or
Tiger? When did riding become so difficult?
Years ago there was a popular poster with Jesus on it, quoting someone
other than Him stating, "let them wear their hair as long as they want." Good
advice, as I will never join the shaved head/future man looking agenda until a
comb over is obscene, so I wear my hair to my shoulders. Keeps my neck warm in
winter too. It's that he never said it. But too many people are turned off, or
on by religious things and quotes attributed to God, when He never said them.
You would think with all that He does have to say it would be easier to quote
than misquote. So when I see some squeaky clean, no hair out of place guy
carrying a shiny, leather Bible cover, I get scared. I don't find these types
out there, or in scripture. Guys in suits, skinny ties, and white shirts, too
cultish. I find no dress code for godliness that Jesus spoke of. Dress
comfortably, even in a suit and tie if that works for you. Even though it
creeps some of us out. All Bibles look new once, break in the new one quick, a
worn out Bible tells of a life that isn't. Be more aware of what is on the
inside rather than the packaging of it. Be yourself, a full time job for me,
and let Jesus shine through you, not despite you. When it is hot, He keeps is
cool. When cold, He is warm.
I tell visitors to church when asking for our pastor, just look for someone
helping someone and that is probably him. If you believe, your life should
reflect what you believe. Your lifestyle will have life, not just trendy
clothes. For God looks on the heart and not the outer man. A good lesson in
figuring out just who you are in church with, or riding next to. It is getting
tougher to tell us older riders as the full face helmets keep the bugs out of
teeth, and even younger guys with shaved heads look older. Ask around, you can
tell those who ride. Don't be misled by a pretty bike and a shiny leather. Or
don't be misled by some guys carrying a book that isn't the Bible, but has the
name of Jesus on it. Those of us who ride know who we are, and those who belong
to Jesus Christ know who we are. Better yet, He knows, and that makes all the
difference.
Jesus knows and is the real thing. No posers in heaven, although they may
occupy some churches, and pulpits. Get to know God, and don't stray from Him.
Stick with what you know, and you will stick with who you know. The signs
remind us that Jesus is the reason for the season, but no matter the weather,
Jesus is truly a man for all seasons. He just knows how to dress for it. Do
you? To be ready in any situation. Dressing in layers, the most important part
being what is inside. Or really who. Who is inside those shiny leathers is
more important than what covers them. For out of the heart...Jesus Christ,
cool, and always comfortable. Are you?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com