On Thanksgiving 2024, I experienced a motorcycle accident that changed my perspective on riding safety forever. While riding at 60 mph, I lost control and crashed into a mountain. My friends told me I went airborne before hitting the mountain. I lost consciousness for five minutes until a helicopter arrived to take me to the hospital.

I spent four days in the hospital and left with several bone fractures in my hand and right leg. The worst injury, however, was to my ankle, which was left unprotected because I was NOT wearing proper motorcycle boots. My regular shoes couldn’t withstand the impact, leaving my ankle fractured and vulnerable. Six weeks later, as I work on this project, my leg still bears the lingering effects of the crash, and I have a long way to go for a full recovery.

Despite this, I was fortunate. The rest of my protective gear—helmet, jacket, gloves, and pants—saved me from far worse injuries. It protected my head, spine, and other fragile parts of my body. This accident taught me a hard but invaluable lesson :

Every piece of gear matters.