If it’s got two wheels, you can bet I will ride it. I love everything about riding from the adrenaline rush to the satisfaction I get from installing a new part. It started with mountain biking, then I moved on to the sleek simplicity of fixed gears and finally graduated to motorcycles. Riding isn’t just a way to get from point A to point B. It’s an experience that you just can’t get any other way. Before I was into riding, I’d scoff at book titles like “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.”
You need to pay close attention to everything, improvising with the flow of traffic, anticipating every nook and cranny of the road as the wind whips in your face. All the incredible moments brought from riding isn’t without its drawbacks. Having a sweet engine and lower visibility than other vehicles makes for a deadly combo. According the US Federal Government motorcyclists are 26 times more likely to get in an accident than cars.
Perhaps the element of danger is what really makes it more rewarding, after all they say death is the spice of life. Us bikers like things extra spicy.
Riding at Night
I have to work during the day (unfortunately). This leaves me little time to cruise around on my bike when the sun is up. I am usually taking rides at night. There are some inherent risks for bikers at night.
Generally motorcycles and bicycles are much less visible than cars. I don’t have the luxury of a two ton steel frame protecting me from any accidents while I’m on the road so I make sure to take all the safety measures I can. According to US DOT 60% of all motorcycle accidents occur at night, with 45% of those occurring between 5pm and 12am. During these hours streets are poorly lit, and bicyclists and motorcyclists alike are tough to see. This is usually my peak riding time. For these reasons I always make it a point to become more visible.
Once you have a motorcycle or bicycle, the next thing you need to do is get the right gear. You have to be economic when you ride a bike, because there’s not a whole lot you can carry, even with saddlebags. You need a place to keep your phone, tools, spare tubes and personal items like clothes or laptops. I’m always on the hunt for gear that is not only cool to look at but it also functions.
The NightRage Backpack was created by Underground Technology (UT) specifically to increase rider visibility. This backpack is a life saver for someone like me. It’s great for bicycle riders or motorcyclists. It come with bright neon looking lights that come in green, blue or red to maximize visibility. I’ve tested this backpack in all sorts of conditions and it holds up like a champ. The backpack with lights is water resistant and has three different settings: strobe, flash and always on. Other vehicles can see the lights from around a half mile away.
I don’t feel dorky when I use this bag like some of the other safety gear I’ve had in the past. Inside it’s got sleeve for a laptop, pockets to put small items like keys and your wallet, as well as a hard shell to keep your stuff safe. The Night Rage backpack lets me rage on in comfort. It gets the job done in style for anyone on two wheels.