'Be Safe' is what parents tell their kids whenever they head out on their own to do God Knows What with their friends.
'Stay Safe' is the equivalent phrase motorcyclists use when our fellow riders are about to head out and place themselves into God Knows What sorts of dangers.
Actually, when it comes to motorcycles, we do know what dangers are out there, and they are myriad, but mostly manageable.
Most two-wheeled risks are known and accepted as part of the potential price of our enjoyment, but that doesn't lessen the worry (much) of our family and non-riding friends when they see us go out for a ride. And the more in-the-know about your motorcycling habits these family and friends are, the more worried they'll be.
The same goes I guess for parents and their kids. The more details you know about what they will be doing, the more you may be likely to worry. It's sure that way for me. If you want me not to worry, I tell them, please don't relate that you'll be trying out bungee jumping on that school field trip.
My family is pretty good with me and my motorcycling obsession. After a rocky start in which a bike purchase gravely endangered my marriage, all has been well, even though I've increased the number of bikes I own to three, raising the resulting spend rate to Warp 9.
In general, my family recognizes the (mentally) therapeutic affect of a ride, and they don't question the cost-benefit equation. After all, I could be spending that time and money on psychological counseling and prozac.
But if they were to know the gritty details of where and how I ride, they might feel a bit differently. It's hard for non-riders to understand that riding at the clip I do on weekends around mountain curves is actually pretty safe, because all they can reference is their four-wheel experience.
So it's better they not know the details. The fact that I've come home unscathed from 11 consecutive years of weekly rides makes them believe what I do is safe enough.
And so it is, for the most part.
But I still say 'Stay Safe' to my riding friends, as they leave our mountain hangout for home, and trust I'll see them again. We who ride may know the dangers, but we also know we are not invincible and there are idiots out there whose mistakes may end us. And then there's just plain bad luck.
So, 'Stay Safe' and 'Be Safe' to Riders and Kids everywhere, and doubly so to those of you who are Both. And remember, when it comes to friends and family - lose the details!
'Stay Safe' is the equivalent phrase motorcyclists use when our fellow riders are about to head out and place themselves into God Knows What sorts of dangers.
Actually, when it comes to motorcycles, we do know what dangers are out there, and they are myriad, but mostly manageable.
Most two-wheeled risks are known and accepted as part of the potential price of our enjoyment, but that doesn't lessen the worry (much) of our family and non-riding friends when they see us go out for a ride. And the more in-the-know about your motorcycling habits these family and friends are, the more worried they'll be.
The same goes I guess for parents and their kids. The more details you know about what they will be doing, the more you may be likely to worry. It's sure that way for me. If you want me not to worry, I tell them, please don't relate that you'll be trying out bungee jumping on that school field trip.
My family is pretty good with me and my motorcycling obsession. After a rocky start in which a bike purchase gravely endangered my marriage, all has been well, even though I've increased the number of bikes I own to three, raising the resulting spend rate to Warp 9.
In general, my family recognizes the (mentally) therapeutic affect of a ride, and they don't question the cost-benefit equation. After all, I could be spending that time and money on psychological counseling and prozac.
But if they were to know the gritty details of where and how I ride, they might feel a bit differently. It's hard for non-riders to understand that riding at the clip I do on weekends around mountain curves is actually pretty safe, because all they can reference is their four-wheel experience.
So it's better they not know the details. The fact that I've come home unscathed from 11 consecutive years of weekly rides makes them believe what I do is safe enough.
And so it is, for the most part.
But I still say 'Stay Safe' to my riding friends, as they leave our mountain hangout for home, and trust I'll see them again. We who ride may know the dangers, but we also know we are not invincible and there are idiots out there whose mistakes may end us. And then there's just plain bad luck.
So, 'Stay Safe' and 'Be Safe' to Riders and Kids everywhere, and doubly so to those of you who are Both. And remember, when it comes to friends and family - lose the details!
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