come out, I didn’t feel too hot either. It was comfortable
to wear all the time, for stopping to have a cafe lunch or
to lean over a fence and watch the dogs at sheepdog trials
at a country show. For once, I did not feel a scruffy biker
but an elegant motorcycle rider.
The pockets are easily accessed and just spacious
enough for keys and mobile phone. There is a much
larger pocket cleverly made at the rear of the jacket
which is useful for a wallet, gloves or notebook.
Four months later, it still looks as smart as ever and,
due to the stretch qualities it possesses, it has adapted
itself to my shape. It got wet from sea-spray on a small
ferry to Flinders Island, one of the Furneaux Group of
islands between the Australian mainland and Tasmania.
(Well, I had to didn’t I?) But the mark left by the salt in
the sea-water sponged off thanks to the protective wax
coating of the indigo denim.
As it isn’t bulky, it folds up small enough that I can hide
it inside my helmet when I stop to have a walk around
to explore in the hot Tasmanian sunshine here. It is
such a stylish jacket that I use it for wearing when off the
bike in the evenings when it gets a bit chilly, something
I wouldn’t have done with any other motorcycle jacket I
have owned. When I’m not riding I don’t want to look like
a biker.
Cuff fastenings would be a useful addition to prevent
cold air from going up the sleeves unless gauntlets are
worn. I brought only my summer gloves and on chilly
days would have closed the cuffs if I could have. Also, an
inside collar chain or leather loop for hanging the jacket
up would be useful.
I have not ridden the bike through mud or sand as I
normally do but it has kept me warm and dry in drizzle
and I haven’t felt too hot even though the summer
NEWS MAGAZINE
111
TRAVERSE 111