olsensafety

The riding motto ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time) should not only apply to protective body gear, but should also be extended to hearing protection. While motorcycles have been around since the latter part of the 19th century as a mode of transportation, it has only been since the mid 1970’s that studies have demonstrated the relationship between hearing loss and wind noise in motorcyclists [1]. Despite this well-known relationship, many motorcyclists still do not take appropriate measures to protect their hearing.

n the previous two issues of this newsletter we have discussed how dehydration contributes to rider fatigue and potentiates both hyperthermia and hypothermia, all of which are real risks that need to be managed when adventure riding. Since we are in the hottest portion of the adventure-riding season – July and August – it will be worthwhile to briefly review dehydration and hyponatremia and how to manage these two riding risks.

In this issue we will briefly review two more risks common to our sport – hypothermia and hyperthermia. Our marvelously created bodies have the ability to thermo regulate, remarkably maintaining our core body temperatures at 98.6 °F plus or minus 1.4 °F under a wide range of conditions. When our ability to thermo regulate is overwhelmed by thermal extremes and/or contributory factors, we can develop either hypothermia or hyperthermia, both of which can be potentially lethal.

The
science
of
riding
a
motorcycle
is
intrinsically
linked
to
the
art
of
safely
identifying
and
managing
risks.

The
more
 skilled
we
become
in
the
proper
techniques
of
riding
by
learning
and
practicing
good
riding
habits,
the
more
we
can
 safely
enjoy
this
sport.

As
we
ride,
we
continually
scan
ahead
(as
well
from
side
to
side
and
behind
us)
to
assess
our
 riding
conditions,
identify
potential
risks
(curve
up
ahead,
oncoming
traffic,
entering
side
road,
rock
or
rut
in
our
 path,
deer
or
pedestrian
at
the
side
of
the
road,
vehicle
closely
following
us,
etc.),
and
then
appropriately
respond
by
 minimizing
the
risk
or
eliminating
it
when
possible.