I think that is awesome that her own personal trauma inspired her to a goal and a lifelong mission. Wonder what she was doing with her life before this accident? Is it possible that a so-so life found true calling, true purpose because of this? Wouldn't be the first time someone found happiness and purpose after a trauma. :shrug:
Also of note, personal choice. If I geared up all the way every time I know for a fact I would ride way, way less than I do. That means way less close calls, way less sudden gravel, rain, slick spots, cats, goats, deer, trucks, ducks and gremlins for me to get over, past, avoid, etc, etc. In short, less practiced skill than I have now. Would that mean a more likely accident, all geared up? Maybe. But, I do know that instead of 10-12,000 miles a year and riding pretty much every single day if only to the bank, to get beer, to visit, just to clear my head, to the hardware store, etc, etc, etc, maybe it's only 4,000 miles a year and, at best, every other weekend?
Most of my riding is in shorts, t shirt, untied tennis shoes and, only because I have to, a helmet. I wore flip flops the other day. I also know that when I gear up, I go faster, I go in hotter, I push it in every way, clearly more than 'geared down'.
I applaud her, absolutely, for pursuing her goal of getting people to gear all the way up all the time. And, sometimes, I am with her. But, I am in it for the quality and that means, in terms of riding, quantity.
Am I asking for it? To go down? To get killed? I don't think so. I think I am doing what I think appropriate to my skill level, the conditions and being frank with myself; if I go down geared down, I am not going to regret one single ride I've taken prior to it. I am not gonna lay there and wish I had rode less.
If I never go down, I might contribute it to the fact that I ride in more conditions, more often, traffic, tight parking lots, highways, byways, gravel, loose conditions, as much and as often as I can.
Oh, and she went down at 120. I've never been 120 geared up or down. And I don't think I ever will.
In closing, I applaud her, especially getting her own ride and becoming an instructor!!!
