wear clean underwear

Years ago Frank and I agreed that we are both not afraid to die.  We have given our lives to Jesus, and we know where we are going after we die-heaven.  And after going through life changing illnesses, we still agree.  Our confidence is not shaken, but we also agree that we are not sure of the process.  Something we are all faced with.  And it is no different for those of us who ride, from ads to parts managers to our peer riders, we are shown or told how to dress for the ride.  A man just spent $25k on his Harley Ultra Expensive Glide.  Then spends another $1500 on leathers, gotta look good when cruisin’ by at 25 mph, chaps in the wind when it’s 90 degrees out.  Then they go and spend $25 on a half shell helmet, non-DOT, and brag to their friends what rebels they are.  Even spending another $5 for a sticker to prove it.  BMW riders are no different, after raiding their 401k for the newest BMW to impress the elite, they buy their riding suits-ready for any weather, adding $1500 to their Amex card, but never will ride in the rain.  Too hard to clean the bike after.  But if it gets cold, they are ready-even on 90 degree days, Klim approved and ready to go wherever their adventure bike will take them. Just as long as the road is dry and clear. Sport bike riders are no different, without a full leather riding suit, knee pads, and full gauntlet gloves, you cannot go fast.  Or at least look like you could waiting for the light to turn green.  I fall somewhere in between, or below, depending on your take.  Years ago when a car turned in front of me at 45 mph, and I landed on my head, I was glad to have my Bell R-T on.  Even though it wore a hole in the helmet, the open face part allowed me slide on my face, leaving my left cheek look like it had been sandpapered.  And the ad telling me about a $10 head and a $10 helmet made sense then, and it does now.  I wear a full face Arai, quiet, light, and comfortable.  But I believe you should make the decision yourself, and be given a discount on your insurance for wearing one.  Not sure how that would go over in the mid west, where summer means shorts, flip flops, tank top, and no helmet while riding.  Or what to think of Barr, who I rode cross country with.  Just back from Iraq, he wore his leather jacket and gloves in all weather, up to 124 degrees when my Arai’s glue melted.  Claimed after being in 130 heat, it didn’t bother him.  But he wouldn’t wear a helmet-go figure.  And today we have a new acronym, ATGATT, All The Gear, All The Time reminding us to dress safe.  If only we were shown how to ride safe.  Or better yet, car drivers were taught to drive safe, without cell in hand, or under the influence of children.  Very few of us go down without the help of some irresponsible driver.  Fashion may make a statement, it doesn’t make a better rider.

Now I always wear gloves, deerskins, when riding.  Your first line of defense when falling is your hands, and engines get hot.  Plus you leave no fingerprints.  And talking with Fu last night, a new rider, he reminded me of how his MSF class taught him to always dress safely.  Trendy, and also so when not on your bike, the public knows what you are riding.  Just in case carrying your new helmet didn’t give you away.  On older riders we can tell by the bugs in their beards, and the way they hobble from too much seat time.  You decide.  They are called accidents because they are unplanned, unwanted, and uninvited.  And when asked after being hit from behind by a woman, if I wished I had more riding gear on, my answer was “I wish she hadn’t hit me.”  And no I didn’t have on clean underwear to go to the hospital.

Now if you are looking for a lesson on wearing the armor of God, sorry.  You missed the point.  The point is about choice, and the choices we make.  To ride or not to ride?  Jesus or hell?  King James or NIV?  Honda or Harley?  These are all important decisions we make.  With the one abut Jesus meaning life or death.  But only God lets you choose, no one forces you to go to heaven, or hell, although your parents may have made you go to church.  If I had known I was going to be hit that day, I might have stayed home.  Taken another route.  But they are called accidents, and we don’t know if or when they are going to happen.  But here are some for sure facts, to help you choose.  You will never get VD if you only have sex with your spouse, who has not had sex with anyone else.  If you never drink, you will never be an alcoholic.  If you never try drugs, you will never become a junkie.  Few set out to ruin their lives, yet the results are still the same.  One bad choice got them there, one good choice, turning to Jesus will get you out.  A helmet might not prevent an accident, but I am glad I wore one when I needed it.  And going to church, reading the Bible more, and praying more won’t save you-it takes Jesus, and trusting Him.  So I wish to offer another acronym, ATGATT.  Always Trust God, All The Time!  And show it by your choices you make.  Which show self control, a fruit of the spirit in your life.  Learn to avoid accidents by staying away from situations where they might occur.  Trouble with drinking, stay out of bars and friends who do.  Sex, R is the new X rating, just one peak doesn’t hurt, or does it?  As Billy Graham put it, the first glance is normal, the second is lustful.  Drugs, stay away from those who use them and avoid the temptation.  Bad company corrupts good morals, learn the power in saying no.  And say yes to Jesus, where the real power lays. Live to ride another day, another road.  Spend time with Jesus, and as you get to know Him better, you see sin in a different way, and you want to avoid it.  Your choice-only found in Jesus, not in any other religion.  Or philosophy.  Or fellowship.  Just you and Jesus, and when He becomes real, you make better decisions. 

So never leave the house for any reason without Jesus.  Let Him guide your ride.  And enjoy the ride better.  $25k and 25 miles don’t make you a biker.  Clothes don’t make the man, Jesus does.  You can’t buy your way into Him either.  He is more than the clothes you wear or the bike you ride.  He is life.  And life is for the living.  And so those of us who know Jesus are not afraid to die.  And even though not sure of the process, trust Him daily.  And because of Him we know where we are going, even after we die.  ATGATT-Always Trusting God, All The Time.  Clean underwear optional.  Some decisions will always be more important than others. 

love with compassion,

Mike

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