Fox Creek Blog

Last December a buddy and I agreed to take a three week Harley tour out west — sometime around mid to late May. The basic plan was to start at home in Southwest VA and head out to CO, WY and MT, to tour the Rocky Mountain, Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. Our plan was to “high tail” it through the east and midwest so that the bulk of our time could be spent enjoying the rugged beauty of the Rockies.

As we refined the details, I quickly realized my old riding gear wasn’t up to the task. Going online, I checked the weather statistics for the twelve states on our route. I discovered that the temperature range we would probably encounter was from a low of 30 degrees to a high of 90 degrees, and many states averaged 4 inches of precipitation during the month of May. Continuing to research my options for quality gear up to the wide range of weather extremes, I eventually came to Fox Creek Leather. Much to my surprise they were located in nearby Independence, VA less than two hours away from my home in Blacksburg.

I was immediately impressed that Fox Creek Leather offered not only very well made, thick yet supple leathers, but also backed it up with world-class personalized customer service and a solid lifetime warranty. Never before had I found a company that performed so admirably to earn 100% positive customer reviews. I was unable to locate ANYONE who didn’t like their FCL gear. That confirmed my decision that FCL would be the source of my gear.

Fox Creek Leather Vented Reflector Jacket

After reading everything in the FCL online catalog and mulling over the styles and features, I bought the FCL Vented Reflector Jacket. It offered generous venting on the front and back and sleeves. The removable Thinsulate Liner and fleece neck warmer seemed like they would provide a great deal of warmth for the bitterly cold days. To layer up, I planned on merino wool long underwear, long sleeve shirt, and if needed, a layer of fleece under the FCL jacket. The reflective piping across the front, back and around the sleeves hopefully would provide added visibility at night and in the fog. I decided to add a Frogg Toggs rainsuit layer over the FCL in case of heavy or long rains.

Fox Creek Leather Lined Chaps

In addition to the jacket, I also added a pair of FCL Lined Chaps. The quality and thickness of the leather paired with the quilted Thinsulate® zip-out liner seemed to offer the flexibility for this tour out west as well as for my daily commutes to work. At the end of March I drove down to FCL store in Independence, VA and found that everything I had read online about them was completely accurate! The friendly salesperson took my measurements and quickly retrieved the correct size jacket and chaps from the storeroom. Everything about the jacket and chaps was crafted perfectly. The leather was soft and buttery, yet was quite hefty with the 1.4-1.6 mm (jacket) and 1.6-1.8 mm (chaps) thicknesses.

Steve at St Mary Lake

Of course I had to test out my new purchases locally, well before the big trip, to see how cold I could comfortably ride. So I headed out on a 4 hour ride through the Blue Ridge Mountains on a crisp 38-42 degree early spring day, wearing only jeans and a short sleeve t-shirt under the lined FCL jacket and chaps. I arrived home cool but not frozen. With this benchmark I knew I could handle much longer and colder days out west once I layered up. Our adventure began May 21 as we left VA and rode as far as Evansville IN. The temps were in the mid 80’s so I wore just the jacket and chaps (no liner). I had all vents opened. It was warm when not moving, but comfortable while riding the HD Electra Glide, I directed air from the air diverters under the fairing to the chest vents and up the sleeves, and out to the sleeve and back vents.

The next day we rode to Abaleen KS and the cool morning temps again warmed to the mid 80’s. Continuing with no liner and the vents zipped, as the day warmed up I was easily cooled by opening the vents. The third day we dodged many Kansas spring thunderstorms as the day wore on. The FCL jacket and chaps waterproofing easily repelled the light rain we encountered. We rode on to Greeley, CO and saw massive storms ahead so we quickly found a motel.

Day four we were faced with rain covering most of Colorado with heavy low clouds. Checking the Weather channel we decided to not ride into Rocky Mountain National Park as we had hoped. The Trail Ridge road was going to ice up again, get closed again, and the views obscured by clouds. The weather seemed better to the north in eastern WY, so we rode on to Casper WY. The light rain closed in as fog and we ended up riding in the nastiest white-out soup. Visibility was bad, and seeing the road was becoming exceedingly difficult. While I was glad my jacket offered reflective piping, the fog was so thick nobody could see much of anything, so we pulled into a truck stop for an hour or so to allow the fog to lift before proceeding. We dodged and rode through a few rain showers heading west across WY Rt 26. We passed Hell’s 1/2 acre and I was perfectly dry and comfortable in the cool 60 degree air.

In the late afternoon we began seeing the glory of the Wind River Range, and Red Rocks cliffs. After refueling, we headed out of Dubois WY on Rt. 26 and over the pass near Breccia peak through temps in the mid 30s, with snow still on the road shoulders, and face stinging sleet as we pressed on to the Tetons. Once again, the FCL gear passed with flying colors. I was extremely comfortable and only slightly inconvenienced by the sleet on my glasses.

Hideaway fleece neck warmer

The really great (and probably overlooked) feature of the FCL Vented Reflector jacket is the hide-away fleece neck warmer. In warm weather I keep it wrapped around my camera in my left jacket pocket. However when the temperature dropped below 50, wearing it around my neck added a surprising amount of warmth… So much so, that I never needed to add my fleece layer.

Lake Jackson

We stayed at the Lake Jackson Lodge and enjoyed an excellent Buffalo Prime Rib dinner and stuffed mushroom appetizer, and a stunning view of the Teton peaks through the huge windows of the lodge restaurant.

The next day we relished the beauty of the Teton range, Snake river, Jenny Lake, and Lake Jackson. Then we rode up into the still snow covered Yellowstone Caldera. The lakes in South Yellowstone were still frozen, while others further North were partly melted by the active volcanic calderas under Yellowstone National Park. Gorgeous! After a few days hanging out with friends in Paradise Valley, we rode the best one day ride ever: Livingston MT, Bozeman, Belgrade, down the Gallatin river to West Yellowstone entrance, across Yellowstone out Northeast Entrance to Cooke City, over Beartooth Pass, into Red Lodge, back Rt. 78 and 90 to Livingston. Simply awesome! (~400 miles)

Steve at Beartooth Pass

The Beartooth Highway climbs through one of the highest and most rugged areas in the lower 48 states, with 20 peaks reaching over 12,000 feet in elevation. In the surrounding mountains, glaciers are found on the north flank of nearly every mountain peak over 11,500 feet high. The Road itself is the highest elevation highway in Wyoming (10,947 feet) and Montana (10,350 feet), and is the highest elevation highway in the Northern Rockies!

The next day we headed up to Glacier National Park and explored all the roads we could in the park. Unfortunately we were too early in the season and the “Road to the Sun” was still closed. Nevertheless, the wildlife and rugged ice carved mountains were stunningly awesome.

We spent a rainy day in Cody, WY enjoying the amazing Buffalo Bill Historical Center. The next day we faced rain, cold, fog and sleet heading over the Bighorn Mountains beginning our ride home. The rest of the ride back east offered moderate to hot 90 degree weather. The worst heat experienced was while sitting in a construction zone traffic jam around Indianapolis. Even that breezeless heat was bearable with the main jacket zipper half opened. Overall, it is remarkable how flexible the lined FCL jacket and chaps perform over such a variety of temperatures and weather conditions. So after 6,400 miles of riding from the low 30’s and sleet, to the low 90s, all I can say is Fox Creek gear exceeded all my expectations providing comfort and protection. Highly recommended in every way! Now to clean all the bugs and dirt off with Montana Pitch Blend…
- Steve Helm
Blacksburg, VA

First off, let me point out that the customer service of Fox Creek Leather is unmatched and way beyond that of what’s expected these days. When I first ordered the vest, it was WAY too small and I called them up to ask about an exchange. They said they would send a larger size out immediately without waiting for me to return the smaller one back to them. I was surprised they would trust a buyer on the honor system, but that just goes to show their level of service!

I ended up keeping the smaller size for my mother, as it fit her great, and I told them to just go ahead and bill me for the larger size. They did so, and I ended up getting the larger size the very next day! Try finding customer service like that anywhere else!

The vest itself is fantastic. A great fit, high quality materials and it looks as good, if not better, than the much more expensive vests you’d get from Harley. I measured a 38 inch chest, but as stated, the 38 was so small I could barely get it on. I ended up going with a size 42 and it’s a great fit! I’d suggest going a size or two larger as they seem to run quite small. I couldn’t be happier with my vest, and I will always recommend Fox Creek Leather to anyone interested in any type of leather product!

Thanks!

Brent S.
Holly Springs, NC

There are few things as iconic to the American culture as a motorcycle and the clothing we wear. “Buy American” is my conviction, and I intend to perpetuate this feeling and support my country and the American ideal. A major factor in my choosing Fox Creek for my riding apparel is that it is made right here, in the heartland of Virginia.* I know, I’ve been to their facility.

There is an innate feel of pride and quality when you wrap yourself in Fox Creek, it’s a knowing that you are supporting American workers and our American economy. It’s a feeling that cannot be realized by inferior products from some unscrupulous overseas manufacturers.

Forget trying to save a few dollars with substandard gear sacrificing quality and the American worker, buy these quality American made products - your reward will be superior goods, a strong economy and a better standard of living.

Wrap yourself in security and impeccable quality, be resolute in this way of life, twist the throttle, and ride an American road with a feeling of national pride.

Wade S. Walker
Milner, Georgia

*Wade visited our shipping facility and retail store in Virginia. Our products are contract manufactured for us by facilities from Maine to Florida to Oregon.

Doug Barber bought his first camera and motorcycle in the 60’s, and has been riding and photographing bikers ever since. In the early 70’s he was invited to photograph the funeral of the Sergeant of Arms for a major 1% Club. From that point on he has been hooked. When he isn’t photographing commercially, he is out and about photographing the ever changing biker’s world.
Q-Ball’s Black and White Biker Art

His old school biker photography has been featured in many magazines, along with museum and gallery shows. Hot Bike Japan used his photos on 8 covers and a calendar. In November 2007 Iron Horse Magazine did a feature story on Q-Ball and his life’s work.

About ten years back he created www.VtwinBiker.com where he not only shares his photos, but developed a biker community resource including Builder & Mechanics Forum, Biker Life & Legal Issues Forum, Biker Culture & Art Forum, plus the largest collection of individually submitted biker poetry anywhere.

When you have some time check out his extensive website www.VtwinBiker.com, then sign his guestbook. Tell him Fox Creek sent you.

Harley’s Angels is a group of women motorcycle enthusiasts dedicated to promoting breast cancer awareness, research, and education. Our primary fundraising project is the publication of a calendar featuring the women of “Harley’s Angels.” With one out of eight women being diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, it is no surprise that there are also several breast cancer survivors within our group. The calendar is tastefully designed featuring the women of Harley’s Angels and our motorcycles.

Our first calendar was published in 2003 and after five successful calendar years, you are likely to find our calendars anywhere from bike shops to grandmother’s kitchen. We have donated $360,000 to two of Houston’s finest research centers supporting Dr. Kent Osborne, Director of Baylor’s BreastCenter, and Dr. Kelly Hunt, Chief Breast Surgeon, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Ride for a Cure Bike

Harley’s Angels, Cruzin’ to Cure, is a non-profit 501(c)3 volunteer organization. We would like to invite you to join us in the crusade to find a cure for breast cancer. If you would like to join us in this effort, please visit our website at www.harleysangels.org or contact any of the Harley’s Angels volunteer members.
Harley’s Angels logo

We are Harley’s Angels and we’re Cruzin’ to Cure breast cancer!

Harley’s Angels
Post Office Box 12
Pearland, Texas 77588

With more and more motorcycle enthusiasts reaching new levels of rides and performance, positive safety measures and technologies are working to keep apace with all the new developments. Many of us now ride in varying weather conditions and I think more so with all the advances in clothing and materials that keeps the rain and cold out better than ever.

I know that riding with the girls in the Smokey Mountain Thunder Chapter of Women in the Wind will sometimes catch me out in conditions that may be called “less than ideal.”

Really good products are necessary and when you combine the challenges of safety, weather, durability, and comfort, it’s a no-brainer that quality leather rates as high on the list of riding confidence as good tires, or a good maintenance program.

Doris’ Lined Chaps Nothing I’ve tried feels, (or smells) as good as thick and soft leather. Looking at the standpoint of safety I’d rather leave some of the leather from my new Fox Creek Leather chaps on the pavement than my own skin. From the standpoint of comfort with the zip-in zip-out convenience of the linings, I’m provided with warm and snugly cold protection when I need it.

If conditions change I can always zip ‘em out and put ‘em in a saddlebag or back-pack. Being a return customer of Fox Creek I knew that I could expect a good product with a great team to assist with any problems I might encounter. Sure enough my husband ordered the first ones too large, (by his own measurements ;-) and a second pair was sent to us the very day he called to return them. We had to trim the legs some but remember you want them long for the protection and to keep out the weather. You can always cut off some more.

– Doris W. from Fletcher, NC

Over the years I’ve logged around 100,000 miles on street bikes and have been fortunate enough to have never had a crash - until this week. And I’m happy to say that the Fox Creek Leather Classic I jacket that I bought 4 months ago truly saved me from serious road rash.

Classic I Jacket I bought my Classic I about 4 months ago. I’ve been in love with the jacket since the day I received it. I’ve worn it EVERY day since even in temps up into the 90’s where I’ve found the jacket to vent surprisingly well when underway. So far I’ve encountered temps down to 40 degrees F and have found it to be warm also.

Two nights ago I was headed home at 1:00 AM on the freeway here in the San Diego area. There were almost NO cars on the road at all at this time. I was wearing my Fox Creek Classic I and also my Fox Creek elkskin gloves. As I cruised along on my Electra Glide at about 65 mph suddenly out of the blue I was SLAMMED HARD from the rear by a car I’d never seen coming. The impact was so violent I was stunned.

The next thing I knew I was flat on my back on the pavement skidding along feet-first at 65 mph. I recall propping myself up a bit on my forearms to try and look ahead of me to see where I was sliding. I could see a massive shower of sparks about 15 feet out in front of me - this was my bike skidding along on it’s side. After what seemed an eternity I came to a rest and immediately jumped up and dashed to the freeway shoulder to get out of the way of any approaching cars that might be coming along behind me.

A witness who had been behind me stopped and told me what had happened. The car had passed by them at approx 85-90 mph and then a couple seconds later drifted into my lane and sideswiped me at my left saddle bag. The car never stopped and fled the scene. The Highway Patrol made a report, etc. I went to the hospital to be checked out and all I had was some minor road rash just above my pants belt from where the bottom of my jacket had ridden up a bit due to the direction I had been sliding on the pavement.

In looking at my gear I was impressed at how well my Fox Creek jacket and elkskin gloves had stood up to the punishment of this incident. Here in California the freeways are cement with longitudinal rain grooves cut into them about 1/4″ or so apart. This surface would have shredded me badly had I not been wearing the top quality leather that I was. The rash I did have was minor and not what I consider the fault of the jacket, however I shudder to imagine what the road rash would have been like had I not been geared up properly. The heavy supple leather of Fox Creek’s jacket and gloves truly saved me from a great deal of pain.

Thanks to all of you at Fox Creek!

Jeff Smith
San Diego, CA

Sometimes you just need a cooler that will ride and go… a cup holder to keep your drink handy… a light for your smokes or comfort for your hands and feet. Well, Fox Creek Leather has been looking for these things, too, and now we’ve found them.

Zippo® lighters are packaged in a gift box and warranted for life. They make a classy gift - especially when you combine your choice of lighter with a Gift Kit. The Kruzer Kaddy comes with 2 insulating wraps that hold drinks of different sizes snugly on your handlebars. Crampbusters give your hand a break - great for long trips. All you do is rest your palm on your grips to regulate your speed. The Cooler Bag fits over most sissy bars and converts to a backpack for carrying. And don’t forget - Fox Creek Leather now stocks select Milwaukee boots.

Would you like to earn some extra profits?

Fox Creek Leather is looking for affiliates to promote the highest quality leathers on the internet. Sign up is free, quick, and easy. Once approved, you place our specially coded text, logos, banners, and photos on your site. When a customer follows one of these links and makes a purchase, you will reap the rewards.

Yes, rewards. Affiliates are rewarded for promoting Fox Creek Leather with a generous 10% commission. This can mean big money for you because of Fox Creek Leather’s high conversion rate. Average orders are just under $200 with some orders as high as $1000. Your little corner of cyber real estate could be yielding you quick and easy money now! The more you promote Fox Creek Leather, the more you can earn…

Visit Fox Creek Leather’s Affiliate page to learn more. Sign up today and start earning right away!

After nearly 10 years living and working in New York City, I returned home to Southern California in the Spring of 2004. I had said that when I returned to California I would buy a motorcycle and so in April 2006 I did. My 2006 HD Sportster 1200L is my preferred mode of travel as I make my way to and from work on a daily basis.

While the distance between my home and office is a mere 12 miles, 12 miles in Los Angeles traffic can be anything but relaxing and so in those first years back before I bought my bike, I grumbled every day about being stuck in a car, sitting in traffic…

Now, I rise in the morning with great anticipation of what lies ahead. In the colder months when it actually gets as low as as the mid 30’s without the wind, I don my lined Fox Creek Gauntlets to keep my hands warm and my Fox Creek chaps.

I walk around the bike, checking to be sure everything is in good order - disconnect the battery tender, roll the bike out of my garage and start her up. Keeping the volume as low as I can on the deep rumble of the Vance & Hines pipes so as not to disturb my neighbors I head off to work up and through a lovely canyon known as Beverly Glen, out to Sunset Blvd and on to Santa Monica Blvd. There are days I must admit, that the turn on to Sunset Blvd brings rise to the voice in my head that says “keep going”… on to Pacific Coast Highway and then reality sets in and I turn towards my office anticipating the end of my day when I can make the return trip home.

Judi Flournoy
Los Angeles CA