The Most Important Riding Lesson I Ever Learned

Every rider has heard the saying…

“Dress for the slide, not the ride.”

I actually disagree.

I think we should dress for the life we want after the ride.

Because once you’ve experienced asphalt against your skin…

You stop worrying about looking cool.

You start worrying about making it home, especially when you have little people who depend on you. 

I’ve been fortunate enough to walk away from two motorcycle accidents over the last twenty-five years.

Neither one was planned. Neither one cared how experienced I was.

Both of them taught me lessons that changed the way I ride forever.

The first happened when I was still riding sport bikes.

It was one of those rare Florida nights where it was absolutely freezing. I had on three jackets, not because I was thinking about safety, but simply because I was trying to not freeze to death. 

Ironically…

Those extra layers protected me more than I realized.

I won’t rehash the entire story because I’ve written about it before, but I was riding home when an electric blue PT Cruiser put on its right turn signal and immediately changed lanes directly into me.

I was riding in the middle lane. There was a vehicle beside me. There was nowhere to go.

We collided.

My arm snapped the driver’s side mirror clean off, and the impact launched me toward the guardrail. Somehow, by what I can only describe as divine intervention, I managed to keep the motorcycle upright.

I walked away with relatively minor injuries. The motorcycle wasn’t nearly as lucky.

That night taught me two lessons I’ll never forget.

First…

Ride like you’re invisible.

Most drivers aren’t looking for motorcycles. Whether they’re distracted, in a hurry, or simply don’t see us, it doesn’t really matter. As riders, we have to assume we’re invisible and ride accordingly.

The second lesson came years later… And this one was completely my own fault.

Fast forward nearly twenty years.

By then I had plenty of miles under my belt.

Unfortunately… My confidence outran my common sense.

I decided attempting a stunt on my Harley sounded like a good idea.

Standing on the seat, doing the Indian Larry, at over forty miles per hour.

What could possibly go wrong?

Gravity answered that question almost immediately.

Down I went.

Thankfully, my guardian angel was apparently working overtime because I walked away again.

Road rash, however… Is every bit as miserable as people say it is.

I lost skin on both palms, my elbow, and a good portion of one butt cheek.

Sitting down became an Olympic event.

Sleeping wasn’t much better.

Recovery was slow, painful, and no complaints because it was completely self-inflicted.

That crash taught me another lesson.

Asphalt doesn’t care how skilled you think you are.

It doesn’t care how experienced you are.

It doesn’t care whether the accident was your fault or someone else’s.

It simply reminds you that motorcycles demand respect every single time you throw a leg over one.

Today, I still don’t wear full riding gear every single time I hop on a motorcycle around town.

I’m not going to pretend I do. I live in Florida.

It’s hotter than Satan’s balls for most of the year.

But if I’m heading out on a trip… If I’m putting serious miles behind me…

You better believe I’m geared up.

Because I’ve already learned those lessons.

I don’t need to learn them again.

                        Photo Taken After Completing 48 States in 6 Days

 

One question I get asked all the time is how I choose the gear I wear.

The answer is actually pretty simple.

I don’t choose companies. I choose people.

One of the coolest parts about spending years traveling this country by motorcycle is eventually meeting the people behind the brands.

You stop seeing logos.

You start seeing families.

Dreams.

Small businesses built by riders who genuinely care about this community.

That’s exactly how I met Nick and Ashley, the owners of NBT Clothing.

Long before there was ever a partnership…

I was simply a customer.

For years I wore their armed pants on every single road trip. 

                      My first pair of NBT pants in 2023 - still worn regularly

 

When I finally met Nick and Ashley and heard the story behind the company, it only reinforced what I already believed.

They’re genuine people that care about riders and community. 

They build gear that’s protective enough for real travel while still being comfortable enough that you actually want to wear it all day.

That matters.

When I told Nick about my 48-state ride in May 2026 and that I was raising money for a local charity, Quantum House, his response wasn’t about marketing.

It was…

“Jess, this is incredible. Let’s make sure you’re safe.”

That told me everything I needed to know.

For the past several years I’ve worn NBT Clothing through cross-country trips, thousand-mile days, pouring rain, brutal heat, freezing mornings, and everything in between.

Not for photo shoots.

Not because I had to.

Because it works.

Now, I am proud to represent a company I was already supporting long before I ever became an ambassador.

And that’s probably the biggest point I want to leave you with.

There will always be cheaper gear.

There will always be another company selling something online.

But every dollar we spend is a vote for the businesses we want to exist tomorrow.

I’d rather support companies run by real people.

People who answer the phone.

People who stand behind their products.

People who give back to the motorcycle community.

Because that’s exactly the kind of community I want to be part of.

So whether you’re wearing NBT or another brand you trust…

Wear the gear.

Ride like you’re invisible.

And remember…

Don’t dress for the ride.

Dress for the life you want after it.

— Jess