If I had to buy new clothes every time I injured myself, I'd be a) the most fashionable kid on the trails/road/riding ring, and b) even more broke.

I think of the rips and tears and holes and scratches and missing buttons and the parts held together by electrical tape as badges of honour. "Whatever doesn't kill me..."

It's scary to put that new pair of running shoes back on after you rolled an ankle, or go trail riding in the saddle without the knee blocks you got tossed from and trampled last time, or wear that white workout shirt even after you got out all the blood stains from the barbed wire.

If you think of the jacket as a jinx, it'll jinx you. If you think of it as a good luck charm, it'll give you strength. It's your choice, but I recommend the latter!