Fox Creek Blog

Acworth, Georgia is about 30 miles northwest of Atlanta. What used to be “out in the country”, is now part of the big mess called “Metro Atlanta”. In this part of Georgia, we’re in just about the best motorcycle riding country in the USA.

The North Georgia Mountains, Southeastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina are full of some of the greatest “twisties” anywhere. The Tail of the Dragon, US Highway 129 connecting Western North Carolina and Tennessee is about a 3 hour ride to the north. TWO (Two Wheels Only) motorcycle campground in Suches, Georgia is only about 2 hours north. The Blue Ridge Parkway is an easy ride from Metro Atlanta. The beaches of the Florida Panhandle are an easy weekend trip to the south. Only problem with riding south in the summer is when you cross the “gnat line” in Macon, Georgia.

Patriot Guard Riders at the dedication of the
Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA

We have about 11 months of almost perfect riding weather here. Winter temps, early in the day can be “uncomfortable” in January and February. I’ve left home on Polar Bear Rides on January 1st with the temps in the mid 20’s. By 11:00AM, it’s in the 40’s and by 2PM, we’re usually in the 50’s.

My Classic I is perfect for riding in this part of the country. I take out the liner in spring and fall and really only use it in winter. The jacket is heavy enough to keep out the coldest temps. In warmer weather, the zipper vents allow me enough flexibility to open them up if I get hot.

End of September, plans were to meet some friends in Panama City, Florida for the Fall Thunder Beach Ralley. First really cool morning of the fall, so I decided to put on my Classic I before I headed out. Motorcycle packed, I turned out of my sub-division and traveled about a half a mile, when a four legged yard shark came out of nowhere. First, I saw he was about a foot away going for my front tire. My instinct was to hit the brake but I still ran over him with my front tire. The braking I did caused a skid and I went down on my left side. I rode the slide for a while, but eventually separated from the bike and rolled another fifteen or twenty feet after the bike came to a stop. Got up and checked to make sure my arms and legs were all there.

Dennis in his Fox Creek Classic I

I got the bike up on its tires and looked over at the dog, laying on his back in the other lane. His eyes were open and they were blinking real fast. I contemplated going over and putting him out of his misery with a swift kick to the head. I hate to see any animal suffer. When all of a sudden he stood up looking kind of dazed, he shook his head from side to side then stopped, looked directly at me and started barking. I started to move toward him and he took off running for parts unknown.

I pushed the bike off of the road and surveyed the damage. Scraped saddle bag, bent shifter, scratched mirror, crushed crash bar and thats it! Damage to me, small road rash on one knee. Damage to my Classic I was road rash on the left elbow and shoulder, a small amount of road rash on the right elbow and upper arm, scratches on the buckle and a little road rash on the front. Nothing on my body that was covered by my Classic I had any kind of injury. What a jacket! I quit smoking in August and unfortunately have gained about 30 lbs so I’m gonna need a new jacket. I think I’ll try the Classic II this time.

Roadie in his Fox Creek laced vest
2004 Yamaha Road Star Midnight Silverado

I have been impressed with my “Fox Creek experience” and totally satisfied. Especially now, since I’ve gotten to test it in a crash. In the only other motorcycle accident in which I was involved, I was wearing a blue jean jacket. About 50 stitches in one arm convinced me that leather would be a permanent part of my riding ensemble.

My next trip is Bike Week in Daytona Beach. This will be my 11th. I usually ride down with friends and spend three or four days. This year, I’m taking the whole week. Leaving home on March 3rd and coming home on March 11th. I plan on riding from Atlanta to Daytona, totally on back roads. I don’t want to get on an interstate highway at all, if possible. If you guys are going to be down there, let me know where and I’ll drop by.

Sounds like a fun trip, Dennis, but we’re not going to Daytona. So, folks, we’re depending on you to keep us up-to-date on what happens at Bike Week. Send us your stories and photos about Bike Week or any other interesting ride or experience you would like to tell us about.

Recently, I was standing in my doorway getting ready to go out for a ride. I looked in the mirror and saw that I had on my Harley-Davidson boots, Harley-Davidson shirt, Harley-Davidson jacket, Harley-Davidson fanny pack (with my Harley-Davidson handkerchief and Harley-Davidson wallet inside), Harley-Davidson bandanna, Harley-Davidson gloves, and Harley-Davidson helmet.

Jeff as “Harley Guy”

I was horrified. I had become “Harley Guy,” the type of guy that has Harley-Davidson stamped on everything he owns or wears. I hate that guy, but I had become him, the corporate sellout. I was rather disgusted with myself.

I immediately went inside the house and threw my Harley-Davidson jacket into the garbage can. Never wanted to see it again.

I started an internet search for leather motorcycle jackets. The name Fox Creek Leather kept coming up. I finally visited their site and thought that they had some beautiful products. Reading through their site, I was impressed by the thickness of their leather and the alleged care with which they are constructed.

Jeff’s Harley April, 2006BC (Before Crash)

I was very interested in purchasing one of their jackets, but was hesitant to buy anything because I would be buying it sight unseen via the internet from some place 8,000 miles away. So, I scoured the internet for personal reviews or comments on Fox Creek Leather Jackets. I visited many sites and many sources, but was unable to locate any negative comments or reviews. Not a single one.

I broke down and gave them a call. They went over specific measurements and eventually convinced me to get one size bigger than I thought I should. I bought the Classic Motorcycle Jacket II. I also bought a pair of braided chaps and some deerskin gauntlets.

They arrived in Pusan, Korea from Virginia, USA in 5 days.

As many reviews had said, the leather was very thick and weighed a ton, but was very soft. Everything fit absolutely perfectly. Although it is still a bit warm here in Korea, the vents on the jacket made it very comfortable to wear.

Jeff’s Bike October, 2006AD (After Drop)

Well. Just a few days after getting the jacket and other leather gear, I was wearing my new jacket and gloves and I slid on something, missed a corner, and slammed into a concrete telephone pole. I broke my leg and was launched off my bike. I tumbled along the ground for about 30 feet.

The leather jacket quite possible saved my life and definitely saved me from serious blood loss and significant upper-body injuries. I had one minor scrape on my right forearm, which I believe was just a bit of road burn caused by the inside zipper lining on the right sleeve.

Jeff and his Harley-Davidson repairman friend

There was absolutely NO damage to the jacket. There was a bit of dust on the right sleeve and right side of the jacket, but I dusted that off in the emergency room. There is not a single scratch on that leather jacket.

Reid at Prince Edward Island last summer. PEI is one
of the three Maritime provinces along with
New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.

This part of the world is a motorcyclist’s wonderland - incredible scenery ranging from twists and turns along the coast of Nova Scotia (including the world famous Cabot Trail), to the gently rolling emerald farmland hills on Prince Edward Island, to the picturesque Saint John River valley in New Brunswick.

Wherever you ride, there are always lots of curves and hills, and often the traffic on the back roads is light. Here in the Halifax area we are on the coast so I ride from late March until late December - and sometimes the winters are mild enough I can get out during January and February.

Reid and Bonnie on their 2004 Yamaha Road Star

My wife Bonnie and I ride throughout the Maritime region (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island) - putting on about 18K kms (11K miles) each year. We do a lot of day trips on the bike, some overnighters and vacation on the bike often. Bonnie is a great fan of motorcycling - although packing for two weeks on a bike can be a challenge!

My 2004 Road Star Midnight Silverado has a 1700 cc (102 cubic inch) engine with lots of power for ‘two up’ riding and touring. It is our ‘dream bike’ - we wanted a Roadie for several years. Bonnie bought it for me from her inheritance after her father passed away in 2003. I’ve dressed it up with comfortable seats, backrests, and, of course, lots of chrome!

Motorcycle training class - Reid is on the far right

In addition to being the minister of a local church congregation, I am also a chief instructor with the ‘Gearing Up’ Motorcycle Training Program (the Canadian version of the MSF course). I train new motorcyclists every other weekend, from May to October and also teach some of the Experienced Rider Courses here in the city.

Fox Creek Protective Gear

Teaching the safety course has made me very aware of the necessity of good protective gear. I have to say, my Fox Creek jacket sure fits that description - thick, heavy weight leather - but very comfortable! It’s perfect for the constantly changing temperatures we find when riding along the coast - from really warm inland - mid to high 80s in the summer - to mid 60s along the coast. A quick zip of the jacket vents adjusts for the temperature variations. I’m really looking forward to the leather overpants I have on order - to complete a great looking, fantastic feeling, and very protective set of riding gear.

- Reid, Dartmouth, Canada

“Thank you folks at Fox Creek for a jacket of outstanding quality and for your great customer service. A winning combination!” - Reid

Download the Printable Version (pdf format).

Visit our Travel Bag Page.

Thank you for all your entries winners will be contacted via e-mail for a shipping address for their gift certificate. 

Congratulations to the following people for winning our Fox Creek Leather Trivia Contest:

Sharon G.

Barry N., CA

Peter V., GA

Lori H.

John S.

Gina F., KS

Phil R., AUST

Kevin T.

David L.

Also, we thank the following participants for their entries (just missed winning by one answer!) and would like to offer them a free Montana Pitch Blend Leather Oil for their time and efforts.

Pam P.

Seth

Andrea B.

Terri M.

Adrianne W.
…..
For those who are curious:
1.       What year did Fox Creek Leather go on-line? 1999 - http://www.foxcreekleather.com/about/testimonials.phtml
2.       ­­What gives us the flexibility to custom make a garment when some one’s measurements fall outside our stock sizes? Domestic manufacturing. - http://www.foxcreekleather.com/about/usa.phtml
3.       Why do Fox Creek Leather’s garments readily absorb conditioning oils?  We use naked leather. - http://www.foxcreekleather.com/help/leatherCare.phtml
4.       How many variations of any one style of saddlebag do we offer?  4 - http://www.foxcreekleather.com/luggage/saddlebags/all.html
5.        What comes in a Large Tool Bag Gift Set?  Heavy-Duty 12″ Tool Bag, Men’s Lined Deerskin Gauntlets, Montana Pitch Blend Leather Oil, and Long Lever Covers. - http://www.foxcreekleather.com/203.html
6.       The difference between a Classic I Jacket and a Classic II Jacket is:  Two outside pockets and a belt. - http://www.foxcreekleather.com/mensjackets.phtml - we also did accept one pocket and a belt.
7.      How many of our leather vests have buffalo nickel head snaps?  6 – Men’s Buffalo Nickel, Men’s Braided Buffalo Nickel, Men’s 2 Tone Buffalo Nickel, Men’s Jean Biker, Women’s Laced Nickel, Women’s Eagle. http://www.foxcreekleather.com/womensvests.phtml & http://www.foxcreekleather.com/mensvests.phtml
8.      What is another name for Latigo Leather?  Harness Leather - http://www.foxcreekleather.com/82.html
9.       Which is NOT covered by our lifetime guarantee?  Liner was left in the rain and rusted the zipper. – http://www.foxcreekleather.com/help/lifetimeGuarantee.phtml
10.    If you live in Washington and order a jacket (which is in stock and shipping with UPS ground delivery) in how many business days could you expect delivery?  5 - http://www.foxcreekleather.com/help/shipping.phtml

Thank you for your contest entries!

With the first several entries submitted, we found that people seem to be having trouble with number 4 and number 7.  So here are some hints…