I second what Erin says about gear.....make sure you have some good coinage set aside for a good helmet, leather jacket, somekind of boots, and gloves.....a pair of leathers would be nice, but you can get away with jeans and a good jacket....dont skimp out because your skin is the same as mine, it will bleed and get road rash...as for helmets....remeber...it's protecting your brain....