Friday, March 15, 2013

A 'Stich in time

I have been considering purchasing an Aerostich Roadcrafter suit for several months, if not a year or more. However, due to the sudden loss of gainful employment last fall I've had to put that decision on hold.

Custom ballistics color

I've started a new job and I've been able to commute on my bike, but unfortunately I don't have any place to store my riding gear. Not only are we required to empty our pockets to pass through security, Aerostich claims to have ten pockets, we are issued small lockers not much bigger than a Trax or Happy Trails pannier and with mine being the top locker of three it is not feasible, nor very considerate to my co-workers to store dripping wet gear above. I have however, attached my tank slapping inducing top case, along with the side cases to my bike and I am strategically stuffing my gear into those. It gets a little tight with ATGATT including armor, boots, helmet and gloves... which is fine on dry days. There are covered bicycle racks outside the guard shack and on occasion I've resorted to locking my wet gear to the racks with the neon Jacket Caddy cables sent to us from Bobskoot. (Thanks Bob!)

I've mentioned in conversation that I was considering an Aerostich suit and when I asked a friend and fellow rider how he liked his new suit, he generously offered to lend me his old one...

The convenience of a one piece suit, a full length zipper and the ability to roll it up to fit in my top case sure makes life easier. I've been using it for a couple three weeks now and I don't want to give it back. If a 10 year old, worn suit is this nice, I can only imagine what  new one is like.

Although Aerostich is in San Francisco this weekend, plane tickets simply add to the cost. I'm hoping they create a pop-up store in Portland or Seattle this Spring, if not at the BMW Rally in Salem this July.





So for now I'm searching ebay, Craigslist and Aerostich Sale items for a deal in my size, at least until I can save enough pennies to pull the trigger on a new one.

A 'Stich in time... once I save nine.