Long Term Test of Tourmaster Epic Jacket

I would like to thank Gamma Sales for sponsoring my touring jacket for The Planet Tour. For the past 2 seasons I have used the Tourmaster Epic series touring jacket as my only riding jacket.

In that time I have put it through 32,000+ kms of extreme conditions that have ranged from +3 Celsius up to +41 Celsius (37 F to 106F).  It has seen snow, rain, wind, dust, sunshine, campfire smoke, food spills and a pile of insects as well as protecting me from 2 bird impacts at highway speed.
Designed as a touring jacket it also had to pull duty as my daily garment in all situations and did so with impressive performance.
Unless I was careless in closing one of the many vents it never leaked even on all day rides in heavy rain.
On hot days, with all the vents open (4 in the front and 3 large ones in the back), it provided great ventilation while riding. Sure, it did get warm in stop and go traffic but as a touring rider that happens so infrequently. Not many jackets will keep you cool when stopped in rush hour although I did find good air flow once moving above 40km .
The shoulder vent openings could be folded over to resemble scoops that effectively rammed air flow into the jacket with such efficiency at times I thought I was wearing a mesh unit. Most vents I was able to open while in motion but to properly close them usually required pulling over.
It never leaked once although water would wick up the inside of the sleeve liner if my glove failed to keep the rain out of the gauntlet and running down my hand. It wasn't unbearable but you could notice it.

All outer pockets lived up to their waterproof claim. While I am on the subject, the waterproof hood hidden in the collar was great for those times one had the foresight to put it on. The hood fit under my helmet with no bulk and did a great job of keeping the rain from rolling down into my jacket as well as making a good wind blocker for the back of the neck.
I did have to replace the velcro on the neck closure tab. Perhaps I open and close that flap more than others or 23,000km was its life span? A quick stitching with some new heavy velcro and it's good as new.
The shell has started to show some UV fading. Nothing extreme but up close its easy to tell the jacket is well traveled but still looks totally functional.

It comes with a zip-in quilted liner for cold weather but I only used that in early spring or late fall as it was not wearable as an off bike jacket so therefore too much extra bulk for most of my touring. Apparently this is only with Canadian models and due to some government meddling of tariffs to protect a garment industry in a certain province (I'll let you figure out which) that does not even make motorcycle gear. To make it a wearable jacket/liner can add almost $150 in tariff costs I've heard. When will politics just die like the parasite of fun it is? To solve this I used a light jacket as a liner when needed and had an off bike jacket for cool weather.

Thumbs up

1. Waterproof shell as claimed yet the jacket was breathable. I never felt clammy on wet days.
2. Built-in kidney belt is great for saving the ol' organs as well as a great draft stopper. Cinching it closed keeps those nasty drafts from finding their way in.
3. Waterproof hood in collar is a great feature. I just wished it came with a reminder to use it
4. Storage compartment along the back is great for keeping much needed items handy. In there I stowed: First Aid kit, tire gauge, Oxford neck comfy, zip ties and a small folding knife and had room left over.
5. Comfortable with great adjustment in arms and waist to custom fit it. The arms had a natural bend perfect for riding.
6. Great ventilation for a full length touring jacket
7. Lots of pockets to store items. This helps keep the tank bag less cluttered.
8. Very good reflective piping for night visibility. Much of the reflective parts are the invisible style that you can't even notice by day (until you take a photo and leave the flash on) but glows nicely when headlights shine on it.
9. Nice styling. The jacket drew compliments from other riders.
10. Great value for the price. I was shocked at how inexpensive the garment was considering how well made and feature packed it was.
11. Zipper attachment for pants with extra zipper lead to sew on any non Tourmaster riding pants you may have.

Thumbs down

1. Velcro on neck tab wore out but was cheap to fix
2. Inner waterproof pocket was only on one side. I put my wallet and registration in there. Behind the pocket was another inside pocket for my smart phone. Together they stacked up and it got quite bulky. I would prefer an extra waterproof inner pocket or move one to the opposite side.
3. Liner was useless as a secondary garment (This is not really the fault of Tourmaster).

To sum it up, I think this is a great touring jacket especially when you consider its low cost. If you are like me and hate fussing with pull-on style rain gear and enjoy well thought out jackets for motorcycling I'd go check out the Tourmaster Epic series. In Calgary you can get them at Universal Cycle, my preferred bike shop.
I can see myself getting another season 20,000km, or more, use out of it still.

I was really there!

I was really there! I can say that about a lot of places now.
I thank my parents daily for one tool for school  they purchased for us kids, which was really more like a gift to me. A big set of encyclopedias. World Book encyclopedias to be exact. Not exactly the kind of thing most kids look for at Christmas or birthdays but I was an information sponge and I loved them. I wanted to know more than what was just around me.
As a young lad and into my teens I would just grab a volume then flip through until I found something of interest and then read, repeat. I went through everyone of them. It was my version of the internet only better. There were no distractions like Facebook, Twitter, how to buy Viagra, earn a "college" degree online, how to make money (not really) on the internet, spam and the myriad of other useless distractions. It was just me and my books of information which I would explore, seeing the world through words and pictures, vowing to do some exploring of it in person. I'd say all of it but I am a bit of a realist and realize seeing everything was impossible.

Through these books I explored earth and space, or at least as much as was recorded in those volumes. I was intrigued with places to see. Some attainable only through those pages, or so I thought. I recall seeing a picture of the giant redwoods in northern California. Star Wars - Return of the Jedi shared them with me on the big screen only Hollywood called them a forest on the moon of Endor. Both the still images and  movie of these magnificent trees had me enthralled. In the encyclopedia was one tree in particular, one with a road through it. A plant so large that a hole large enough for a car to pass yet the tree was still alive? Our many family vacations took me to interesting places but never the redwoods and this drive thru tree.

It was on my list of things to see but over the years plans changed, life got busy and the tree was pushed into the recesses of my mind. Having seen news of forest fires and driven through smoke filled valleys I half convinced myself it probably didn't exist anymore. That picture was from a long time ago...in my lifespan, but memory can be selective, especially when presented with data that is hard to digest. Given my prairie upbringing, rain forest was just a term and it never really sank in that this tree, this giant redwood, was approximately 2400 years old. My life span was like a day in this tree's life.

Moving from my youth, past young adult hood I still never found the time to visit these giants, or more correctly nothing or nobody had lit the fire under my arse until my friend James,  just a few years ago. He had told me of these roads that started in the redwoods and then followed the coast. He was speaking of Highway 1, The Pacific Coast Highway. He went on about the curves, one after the other until you were convinced the road had been built by a sport motorcycle rider. When you emerged from the redwood forest suddenly wham! You were staring at the Pacific Ocean.
He had me at redwoods but the corners were enticing too.

James was planning a 25th year anniversary of his epic motorcycle trip down the coast. One he had done solo as every other riding buddy had found a lame excuse to jam out. (I did not know James then or I would have gone).
 "Would you like to go on my 25th anniversary of this trip? It will be the entire month of June."
If I had not been halfway through getting my breathing started again my response would have been a millisecond faster- "YES!"
Finally the day arrived and we were off. Up towards Whistler BC so we could then ride all the continuous paved road down the coast. Our final goal was San Diego. It took us 4 days from Whistler to get through Washington State and the scenic Oregon Coast before California appeared. The corners had been plentiful and fun but James said, "Just wait."
Huh? I had ridden what I thought was paradise and this was not impressing him? What lay ahead?
Following the 101 we saw fantastic ocean views, some fun corners but we left that where the 1 begins, in Leggett. That is where the tree is, Chandelier Tree. The one from my beloved World Book. It was still alive. I couldn't believe it and they only wanted $3.00 to go through it. My first major motorcycle trip and I got to see my tree I've been thinking of on and off all these years.
I was finally here! The last of 3 like it, with roads through. Once they die or burn down they will make no more due to new legislation protecting them. Riding through a forest of them still feels like a dream-like memory.  It was that moment it really clicked. I needed to get out and see all that I had seen in my encyclopedias and beyond those volumes I had read, all the places I had read about in magazines or heard from travellers. See it before this stuff is gone, or I am.
It is that desire that drives The Planet Tour, and I want to see as close to all of it as I can on 2 wheels. Once you find these gems you can proudly say "I can't believe I was really there! Holy shit I was!" I want to say that about a lot of places.

Why not go on a long motorcycle trip? I think that of/for everyone.
So many riders dream of taking that epic trip to somewhere on their motorcycle. Winding mountain roads, canyons, or north to see the midnight sun. They dream, some talk about it but many never get further than that. Why?
Asking them that question can produce many responses: I can't get time off, I have no one to ride with, my bike is not a touring bike, my spouse won't let me (saddest of all), but the one that confuses me is when a rider says they are afraid of going out on the highway.

Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia

Huh? The same person who will ride to a local coffee shop in the city, the same person that will commute to work on their bike, the same person that rides to a local park is afraid of highway travel? They are actually afraid of going out on the open road?
Here is a fact, city driving is much more dangerous than highway travel. You have more people changing direction, people in a hurry, distractions all around, a variety of large vehicles with blind spots and of course pedestrians who blindly walk out into traffic. Plenty of room for errors to occur. In short things you rarely have to deal with on a 2 lane black top way out in the country.

Trans Canada Trail, middle of nowhere, Saskatchewan

That is not to say that road trips are without peril. You still have traffic although by taking back roads there is much, much less. You also have to deal with wildlife and weather. Lets face it, if you are miles from nowhere and Mother Nature wants to dump all over you there's usually few places to hide, but, it beats sitting in an office all day!

I have heard some riders shy away from touring because they don't have a touring bike. Nonsense. I have heard of people going on trips on all sorts of mounts. If your bike can do highway speeds and has decent fuel range then you can tour. You have basic riding gear already like jacket, boots and gloves (I hope). Add a motorcycle rain suit and you are at the minimum to leave town.

Luggage? It can be as cheap as buying a waterproof river bag, like the white water rafting guys use. They can be very inexpensive. Toss in a few items, strap it to the back of the bike and you are off.

Reason #1 for owning rain gear

If you had fun touring, and I think you will, you can slowly build up your gear from there. Hell, my first tour, when I was young, dumb and "bike-broke" I did not even have a rain suit. I made one from garbage bags and duct tape (which I don't recommend) and finished my 1200km trip. That was across the Canadian prairies on a 450cc Honda...in April.
Now..tell me again what your excuses are for not doing a highway trip?

Despite all the lousy drivers why do I still ride?

Its been said that only a motorcycle rider understands why a dog hangs its head out the window of a moving vehicle. If you've never done a road trip on a bike you probably won't understand how true this is or its meaning.

I've had the privilege of a life on the road. Away from home for days on end, eating in a restaurant you hope will be good, sleeping in strange new areas.
To some that seems like a horrible existence whereas I cannot understand how people can drive the same clogged roads every day, week after week, to be stuck in the same office, warehouse or other pay-cheque prison only to go home to the exact same locale at the end of each day.

As a former long haul transport driver and now a traveling entertainer I have seen a lot of pavement. I have witnessed sunsets and sunrises in places I normally would've never visited. I've been the recipient of great late night shows by aurora borealis on remote roads that have stirred my soul.

Now that I am dedicated to seeing the planet on 2 wheels I get to revisit some of these same roads...only, they are different when viewed from the open cockpit of a touring motorcycle.
Familiar roads become new again, and often just days apart from your last visit.
Why?
Unlike a car, where you just sit in a moving, climate-controlled room so removed from the environment, on a bike you live what is happening every second you are out there.
Please note: I said "live" over "experience". When I am on a motorcycle trip I feel more alive than any other waking moment. Even when the moment is not pleasant. It beats an office or car prison.

Car drivers will never know the warm embrace of the sun when it pokes its head out of a chilly, cloudy day. How it can smell so vivid! While you may detect some of the odors and fragrances in a car, it is usually after you have passed the source, thus missing the connection to the area you were just part of.

That grove of cedar trees you may or may not have seen as you droned along in a car just treated my nose to a treat that you will never know in the same way.
See that mountain stream in the shaded gully? It just gave me a quick shot of nature's air conditioning. Instantly! I know that the temperature in that corner is different. Those in a car will only experience the same climate inside their cage.

The same string of corners that may make a car passenger nauseous is a thrill on a bike as you lean into them.  Feeling the rhythm of the road and, not to sound cheesy, you become one with it. You learn its personality.
Instant gratification. That is what motorcycle travel is all about. As a stand-up comic that is a drug. It is why I get on stage to hear your laughs. Instant gratification. It only makes sense to me to combine the two.
I can already hear car drivers thinking I've lost it or smoked something funny.

No, I've taken life by the handle bars and am riding it all the way! Every cool view, every roadside attraction that strikes my fancy and every wonderful curve sweeping through the countryside. I want to see it all but will settle for as many as I can get in during this life's ride.
Riding helps me escape the negative news, the injustices in society and enjoy the wonderful, if not simple, pleasures of LIFE.

I can only encourage you to do the same. Find what makes you feel alive and try to put it into as much of your life as you can. Try and see as much of this wonderful planet....before the world goes crazy!

Biker chicks are the coolest!

Recently my company put on the first Ladies Motorcycle Retreat in an effort to support the fastest growing segment of the market- lady riders.
On the suggestion of a few female pals I decided this would be a good idea and as we set it up I started to panic. "What am I doing? What if this flops? I don't know what the female mind wants...that's why I'm a bachelor!"

My fears were unjustified as it was a smashing success! A group of ladies descended upon the Nakoda Lodge, most of the attendees meeting each other for the first time. The nervousness of the first evening melted as soon as the fun and bubbly motor cycle racer, Ali Cohen did her presentation at the meet and greet.
Within and hour you could see the girls bonding, becoming friends with each other. I have never seen a group of strangers meld so quickly.


After Ali's presentation there was debate on doing a bonfire but the huge lobby fireplace seemed more inviting.
Wood burned, drinks flowed and lively chatter and laughter filled the hotel into wee hours. I too was the recipient of new found friends and helped provide some comic relief with a personal, fireplace comedy experience. What a cool bunch of people! These ladies came to make the most of the weekend and the energy was electric. I feel like I have a new group of riding sisters.

Some have asked why would a guy set up a ladies riding retreat? I asked myself that very question when it was presented to me.  What did I know about retreats, that's a girl thing. After some research I discovered that, while many motorcycle events exist, many are still very male oriented or for couples. With female riders representing the fastest growing segment of new riders they had yet to be catered to.
As fun as many motorcycle events are they have little to offer directly to the fairer sex other than music and beer tents.
We created instructional workshops geared specifically for the ladies without the interference of the guys around. A relaxing atmosphere for the girls to gain knowledge on bike maintenance , touring and riding techniques.
My team and I started to look into what to offer and, without sounding overly proud, would have to say we did a pretty damn good first attempt. The gals had such a great time they set up their own Facebook group to keep in touch and many offered to help set up/promote the next one.

This was great news for what I want to achieve in the motorcycle community.
My mission, besides seeing as much of the planet as I can on 2 wheels is:

1) Promote Safety

I  found when speaking to female riders that they are much more receptive to the concept of proper riding gear and becoming ATGATT riders, something I very much encourage. For those of you that think riding gear is too expensive or that "it will never happen to you", think about how expensive it is to take time off work to heal from injuries you may have been able to prevent...or worse. No one wants their life changed in an instant so why not reduce 

2) Help motorcycling grow

I wish to encourage more people, men and women, to get their motorcycle license, buy a bike and find out what they have been missing. Being on a motorcycle is one of the most freeing experiences I know of. You really haven't seen the planet until you've viewed it through your own 2 wheels.

Many ladies understand, riding is better when you are in control and not just a passenger. I sometime  see a look of shock and amazement from non-riders when they see a female rider. I for one encourage it!
We have to admit the sport has been male dominated since its birth however some guys are not very good role models for our image. More lady riders gives a less macho-hooligan face to the sport and in the mind of the public. That is a good thing. Their example may help change attitudes on both sides of the equation.


3) Bring riders and non-riders together
During my time on this planet I have learned, and accept, that woman, on average, are much better at social organizing than most men. If you want to get a group of friends out for fun, a female is the better choice to make sure all invitees attend as planned. Men quite often make plans for social events and then forget about them on the day of, only to find themselves still having that "one beer" hours later totally forgetting plans made previous. I am guilty as charged on more than a few occassions.

What's next? How about a motorcycle camping trip for you ladies? We are calling it the "Pamered Camper Trip" and will be to a motorcycle resort in BC with meals catered, camping in luxury and nothing to do but enjoy the ride and the trip. We've taken care of the details. Stay tuned for info very soon.
In the meantime, please check out the latest Planet Tour video.

 

Its riding season again, so please, lets all share the road.

Cheers

iPhones save time and prove men should run the planet

I finally took the plunge and ditched my old dumb phone for a smart phone. Being a Mac kind of guy I opted for the newest iPhone 4S which may well be obsolete by the time I post this as technology changes so fast.

Let me state that I am amazed at the amount of information I can access from almost anywhere including Facebook updates, pictures people post about their pets and other riveting things.

Besides the mundane such as emails and text messages I am now able to get the weather forecast anywhere in the world, pull up addresses with interactive maps, find gas, food, ATMs, fake having a Zippo lighter (fun but useless app) and Tweet about everything I find silly. I also have my own pocket secretary that takes dictation. Apple calls her Siri, I call her hours of entertainment. Sure, sure there is the 'talk to text' allowing me the ability to text faster but you can also have fun. The command "talk dirty to me" produced the following response:

"humus, Compost, Pumice, Silt, Gravel" letting me know that geeks have a sense of humour.

I am looking forward to this summer's motorcycle tour as I will be able to update viewers much quicker with pics, tweets and Facebook status updates , all while trying to sweet talk Siri into sexting with me.

While this sort of thing may not be new to so many of you already have a smart phone in some form or  other I am like a kid at Christmas with a new toy.
The downside to this switch from my old coal burning piece of crap cell phone to the most advanced one is that they don't talk to each other. Maybe they were married once??
This has required me to re-enter all my contact info manually. I figured it would be easy as so many of them are on my Facebook. A simple status update of "Hi folks, I have a new iPhone and need to re-enter all my contact info. Please text me so I can add you and send your email address too."
Problem solved right? Um, no. I forgot many of my contacts are female.
The resulting hassle of re-adding everyone has proven to me why the planet is mostly run by men and should remain this way.
Over the past 3 decades I have noticed a HUGE increase in the ego of the once fairer sex. It seems today's gal has a "Me, Me, Me, 'Aren't I the most important princess in your world?' Me" kind of attitude or maybe they just like to message back and forth and intentionally leave info out.

Every woman I know that has texted me just assumes they are the ONLY person in my world that has their given name. 7 billion of us on this orb, what are the odds I know more than one?? I believe it is a throw back to the "It's me game" girls play on us men early in the dating stage to see if we are 2 timing.
You know the call:

Me- "Hello?"
Her- "Hi its me!"
Me- "Me who?"
This is always followed by the cold treatment, no sex or just anger and no more dates.
Even my own sister ( I have 2) played the mind game as you can see by the screen shot below. Why do women do this? Especially when its your own sister?

This is why I am convinced men should run the planet. It keeps diplomatic communication from breaking down.
Example: The red phone rings:
President of USA- "Hello?"
Caller- "This is Korea and we are attacking!"
 President of USA- "Which Korea? I know more than one?"

Can you see the problem?
Ladies, we men love you dearly but at times you must accept that you are not the only thing on our mind. No really, its true. Now if you will excuse me I have a sexting date with Siri...if she remembered. At least she doesn't order the lobster then say "No!"