Biker Lifestyle Articles

Quality Means Business

Sep 1, 2018 Eagle Leather

Did you ever spend big bucks on a pair of pants and have the zipper fail after the first washing? Have you ever tried to get a de-railed zipper back on its tracks while sitting in the bathroom at a rock concert—well, maybe not that, but something similar? You don’t just blame the zipper; you blame the brand of pants too. And that’s why fashion houses and motorcycle gear makers alike usually use YKK zippers. The letters stand for the Japanese company whose name translates to Yoshida Company Limited. It makes about half the zippers used in the world—seven billion zippers a year. The company was founded in Tokyo in 1934 by Tadao Yoshida. Yoshida was obsessed with quality. At first the zippers were handmade, and could not compete with machine-made zippers. Then the company bought a machine from the US and they were off and running. The company has made improvements to zipper-making machinery and now manufactures its own, which are used in plants around the world, from Canada to Swaziland. In its quest for quality, YKK not only makes its own machinery, it manufactures smelts the bronze for zipper teeth and then forges and molds the teeth. YKK makes its own polyester, spins its own thread, and then weaves and dyes the fabric for its zippers. It even makes the boxes used to ship the zippers. Because all this is done in-house, YKK can maintain consistent quality. According to Seth Silverstein in an article in Slate magazine, founder Yoshida advocated a management philosophy that “no one prospers unless he renders benefit to others.” Yoshida called it the “Circle of Goodness,” and it means YKK goes the extra mile to deliver the best zippers to its customers. Be aware that there are many Fake YKK zippers out there. They can be branded YKK but still be fake. At Eagle Leather, we sell clothing with Genuine YKK zippers, and they all come with one-year warranty. The warranty applies for everything else sold at Eagle Leather. Always inspect zippers, and make sure they work smoothly, especially when the place you buy from does not warranty their products. The zipper was invented in the US, back in 1890 by Civil War veteran Whitcomb. L. Judson. The “chain-lock” fastener is the best known of his thirty patents. Despite a debut at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893, the zipper didn’t achieve popularity during Judson’s lifetime. The company he and others formed to manufacture it was called the Automatic Hook and Eye Company. In 1913, an immigrant from Sweden named Gideon Sundback made improvements that kept the zipper from popping open at random moments. The new zipper was called the “Talon,” and that became the company name. In 1923, Goodrich began using the Talon in its rubber boots and called it the “zipper.” Modern zippers still use Judson’s design as improved by Sundback. The early zippers were used mostly in shoes and tobacco pouches. After World War II, fashion designers began incorporating them in garments, so YKK’s evolution was right on time. As you browse at the Eagle Leather store or online, notice how much gear uses YKK zippers. It’s one of the many quality-first choices we make, both in Eagle Leather brand goods and in items from other gear makers.

Summer Looks for the Ladies

Aug 5, 2018 Eagle Leather

Spring is in the air and a new season of motorcycling is about to begin. Let’s take a look at what’s in store (pun intended) for our women customers. At Eagle Leather we have stylish shirts, tunics, and jackets that any woman will be happy to wear. Let’s look at just a few of the newest items. You’ll find more choices at the store or as you browse online. Liberty Wear is an American company that makes high-fashion tops and tunics that are both trendy and comfortable. The Sapphire Vines tunic is black with a gorgeous, elaborate, silvery, printed design on the front and a deep lacy hem. With summer coming, many women would like the off-the-shoulder spaghetti strap top. We call it Blossomed Elegance because the design of red roses and silvery feathers in front is truly elegant. It’s made in the USA by Liberty Wear. The shirt’s 95% polyester and 5% spandex fabric is flattering and comfortable. One of our newest jackets for women is the Ladies Stylish Jacket with Grommets and Lace. It’s made of soft goatskin. It has two front and back vents and a zipper on each sleeve. You can stow stuff in its two front hand pockets or in the wallet pocket system. There’s an interior pocket with wire feed and two concealed inside pockets fashioned from heavy-duty cloth with built-in holsters and snap closure. The reinforced shoulder can support a concealed weapon, while the stretch panels lining the arms make for a more comfortable ride. The jacket’s heavy mesh inner liner provides ventilation and its full-sleeve zip-out insulated inner liner makes the jacket versatile across seasons. But you might like best the grommet-and-lace details on wrists and shoulders—almost, but not quite—over the top. What if you’re buying a gift for a lady and don’t know her size? We’ve got you covered there too. Take a look at these Chicago Jazz Smoke glasses. The lenses are shatterproof polycarbonate with scratch resistant coating and a UV400 filter for the maximum protection from ultraviolet rays. The glossy black frames have a design on the temples. Vented EVA foam keeps them cool and comfortable. Best of all, the flash mirror lenses can be easily replaced with prescription lenses—they’re RX-ABLE. Remember, our expert staff is ready, willing, and able to help you with gift suggestions to fit almost any budget either online or in person.

The Flying Motorcycle

Jul 11, 2018 Eagle Leather

Next time the highway turns into a parking lot during your commute, imagine soaring above the traffic in a flying motorcycle. Sure, it seems impossible now, but remember that Orville Wright said it would be forever impossible to cross the Atlantic in an airplane. The future always comes faster than we expect. In fact, the police department in Dubai is being trained to ride the Hoversurf S3, which uses four propellers to stay airborne. The machine was designed by a Russian company called Hoversurf in 2017 when the Hoversurf S3, then named Scorpion, was first sold to Dubai. This year the vehicle was renamed HoversurfUSA and opened an office in San Jose, California. The less-than-250-pound machine can go 60 miles an hour and fly for 25 minutes. It’s a single-seater, but can carry as much as 600 pounds and costs $150,000.00. It’s powered by lithium-manganese-nickel batteries. The Hoversurf S3 is controlled with two joysticks and is meant to fly at about 16 feet above the ground (or the traffic). Since it flies so low, it is exempt from FAA regulations (for the present). However, the rider sits very close to those propellers, and it would make mincemeat of anyone it ran into. The COO at Hoversurf, Joseph Segura-Conn, who has flown one, points out the vehicles many safety features, which include a computer-controlled stabilizing system and laser scanners to detect obstacles. Enclosed fans will enclose the props in models to come, and the company will offer customers extensive training. Other companies are developing flying motorcycles. BMW teamed up with Lego (no kidding) to create the Hover Ride based on the Lego Technic BMW R 1200 GS Adventure kit. BMW has no plan to make the vehicle commercially available at this time. Many flying motorcycles are in the concept stage. San Francisco designer Norio Fujikawa’s design for the Jetscooter is a futuristic and fuel-efficient scooter. He is creative director at Astro Studios. The Moonrider Flying Bike has solar panels to power its engine. It was developed by Serbian Profession Marko Lukovic and his team at the industrial design department, University of Art. It’s meant to be used in cities for commuting above the traffic. It would also be a vehicle for police and military. And, Lukovic says that it would also be used for fun in city and country, like three-wheelers and quads. The Moonrider would use a plasma-jet engine—a type of engine that is now in the development phase. When that engine is available, the Moonrider concept could lead to affordable personal flying machines. Dario Cavaliere’s Jetbike imagines a vehicle powered by a jet engine—enough power to get the bike off the ground and moving forward. The air intake system in the front would both cool the engine and keep the bike from crashing. And anti-gravity system below the engine would keep it flying. Four mufflers on the body and wings provide stability. Pilots would use handlebar controls to manage speed and braking and shift their weight to right or left to turn. The Hoverbike takes us from the realm of fantasy (or sci fi) to the cutting edge of military procurement. Chris Malloy of New Zealand build the original Hoverbike in his garage in Sydney, Australia as a hobby. But it attracted a lot of attention, including from the US Army. Now his UK-based company Malloy Aeronautics, is teaming with the US defense contractor SURVICE in Aberdeen, Maryland to create Hoverbikes for use as tactical reconnaissance vehicles. They are expected to be ready in three or four years. The company expects a broad market for the vehicles, replacing such helicopters as the Robinson R22, because they will be cheaper to buy, easier to use, and less expensive to maintain. The Flike Motorbike is a one-person tricopter with an electric/hybrid powertrain. Originated by a Hungarian research institute, it’s being developed by a private company. It’s open concept is not safety oriented and it has steep learning curve, so the Flike Motorbike is meant for private pilots leisure activities. In contrast, the Aero-X from Aerofex flies up to 10 feet off the ground at 45 miles an hour. It operates like a motorcycle, responding to your movements. You can, it is said, learn to operate it safely in a weekend’s training. It uses a rotary engine and has few moving parts, and so is easy and cheap to maintain. And, it costs just $85,000.00. What do you think? Is a flying motorcycle in your future? Let’s discuss it on the Eagle Leather Facebook page.

Valentine's Day Love Notes To Your Motorcycle

Jul 5, 2018 Eagle Leather

Your Bike: The Love of Your Life Happy Valentine's Day! We know you might have a human significant other, but we also know that your motorcycle ranks highly among the things you love the most in this world. We had some fun with our Facebook fans and asked them to tell us why they LOVE their motorcycles. Here are some of our best responses: "I had originally bought my Switchback as a dual purpose machine. My truck was getting too many miles on it and needed alternative transportation, plus it is a nice release from the daily grind. The purchase of my bike became even sweeter when my wife, Amor, discovered the joy of riding. Now she loves it as much as I do and when we can leave the kids behind, we find that it is as much of a bonding time for us as an escape from everything else." - Cory T."I love my bike because it made my soul free and I felt so good when I ride on country roads." - Carlos R."It amazes people when I tell them I'm a female rider alone, but boy can this girl pack! My Victory has given me the freedom to travel, saving me money when I tack on the mileage. We've explored covered bridges in Oregon, went wine tasting in Washington, hit the beach more than a few times, and even chased hot air balloons together. The view from a bike is hard to beat but it's helped me meet some awesome people as well. Vicy has started conversations for me with many children, pastors, and prisoners, along with everyone in between." - Tevera H."I was told many times I was "too small," girls just don't ride, etc... at 5'6 I'm not tiny, so last summer I finally got my endorsement AND my bike which is a Honda 750 purple with purple flames--totally my personality! Now I get to ride with my hubby. Finally momma has a reason to have her own time." - Carson H. This Valentine's Day, we want you to know we LOVE you! We would be nothing without our community. Have a great Valentine's Day with your loved one, motorcycle, friends, family, whoever! And don't forget to stop in to Eagle Leather to save 14% on a gift for your significant other.Tell us why YOU love your bike on the Eagle Leather Facebook Page!

Sharing Your Passion With the Next Generation

Jul 3, 2018 Eagle Leather

If you’re feeling closed in with cabin fever, think how wonderful it’s going to feel when you take to the open road on your motorcycle for the first time this spring! Wouldn’t you like to share that feeling? Maybe with a family member or a friend? Perhaps the best way to share your love of motorcycling with your children is just letting them see how much you enjoy the ride. You might take them along, riding pillion or in a sidecar. To do that, you’ll need to equip them with the right gear to keep them safe. That means a helmet that fits, gloves, sturdy boots that don’t have laces to get caught in the chain, and maybe a chest protector. Of course, they should wear long pants and sleeves, if not leathers, then heavy-duty denim. You can find the gear you need at Eagle Leather. The Kids Leather Motorcycle Jacket is shown here in pink and is also available in black. Our Kids Chaps are made of buffalo hide and are adjustable using buckles and back lacing. A few more words about the helmet: an adult-size helmet will not protect a child from head injury if they fall or are thrown from the bike. A bicycle helmet won’t protect their face. It’s best to get a full-sized helmet with a face shield and chin-bar. See, for example the Vega Red Razor helmet here. It’s illegal to carry a child in front of you on the motorcycle. It’s also just common sense. You can’t grab the child and control the bike in an emergency, and there’s nothing safe for the child to grab onto. Don’t expect a young child to be able to hang onto you, either. They may not be strong enough, and they have short attention spans and may forget. Invest in a child’s riding belt. The belt is a harness that’s easy to get into. The quick-release buttons are at the back so the child can’t take it off. The belt goes between the legs, over the shoulders, around the child’s waist and around your waist. Of course, children are not the only people who might ride with you. A helmet is essential for any passenger and a helmet is only as good as its fit. If you have a certain person who will be your passenger—maybe your husband or your sweetheart—you can buy a helmet just for them. But if you take a variety of people—maybe you give short rides to some of the guys at the Veterans’ Home—you’ll need to do your best as far as fit goes. The Cruiser website suggests this test: Fasten the chin-strap snugly Grab the rear of the helmet and pull up and forward forcefully, trying to roll it forward and off over your chin. If it comes off, you need to use a different (probably smaller) helmet. And, of course, if the helmet pinches or hurts, you also need a different one. Passengers should have leather gloves, heavy-duty boots that rise above the ankle, and either heavy denim or leather jacket and pants.

What Boot Are You?

May 10, 2018 Eagle Leather

According to a study published by the Center for Disease Control, almost one-third of all non-fatal injuries incurred in motorcycle accidents were to the feet and legs. That’s a lot of pain and suffering! We know we need the protection of leather boots, but not all leather boots are created equal when it comes to riding a bike. For one thing, we walk around in them when we get off the bike—they’re one piece of gear we may wear all day. That means they have to be comfortable when we’re putting all our weight on them. And it means, much of the time, that they should look good and make us proud to wear them—though that’s largely a matter of taste. Motorcycle boots are designed with built-in ankle protection that can stand up to the stresses of riding. They are built with greater torsional stiffness to prevent flex. They have oil-resistant soles to lower the chances of slipping when we step on greasy road surfaces. To prevent snagging, they use buckles or Velcro closures or have lace-retention features. Many use zippers like this eight-inch tall boot with a side zipper. They incorporate built-in shifter pads to counter wear and tear caused by the motorcycle shifter. They are double- or triple-stitched to hold up even in a crash. Motorcycle boots come in a range of heights. But they all protect the ankle. Think about how your ankle sticks out a little from the line of your leg. It’s very vulnerable, even in just a little side-skid that does no other damage. Further, lots of leg injuries happen when legs are trapped when the cycle falls, and a protected ankle is less likely to snap under the strain. You’ll judge for yourself how soft you want the soles of your boots to be. The softer the sole, the better the boot will grip the footpeg, but the quicker it will wear out. Whether you get a softer or a stiffer sole, be sure it’s oil-resistant, as on these women's harness boots. Some boots come with steel plates over the toes for extra protection. (Mythbusters at least partly disproved the myth that the steel plate will cut off toes in a crash; any force hard enough to force the steel through them would mash toes anyway.) Boots also may have steel shanks for extra ankle protection. the only real downside is that steel gets cold in cold weather, even when it's in boots. No boot can protect you if you don’t wear it. And if your boots don’t fit right, if they’re too tight, too hard to get on and off, or if they cause blisters, you won’t wear them. So make sure they feel right when you try them on and wear them around the house for a while before taking them on the road. Moto-cross boots, with all their extra protective bracing of one kind or another, are not going to be comfortable for walking around all day—stick some street shoes in your pouch to slip on when you’re not riding. Riding comfort is also enhanced by some newer lining options. For example, look for features like the climate control insole and moisture wicking lining that is also anti-fungal and anti-bacterial on these leather boots. Any boot is better than barefoot, but boots made for motorcycling are worth every penny you spend on them when you consider the money and hardship they can save you when you need them.

2018 Rain Gear Tips

Apr 4, 2018 Eagle Leather

Riding in the rain can be a “fact of life” in the Pacific Northwest. The proper gear can make rain a nuisance as opposed to a deal-breaker. One caveat: Don’t expect to stay perfectly dry. Instead wear gear that will keep you relatively comfortable despite some dampness.First, let’s note the difference between water-resistant and waterproof. Items that are water-resistant keep water out to a certain, imperfect, extent. Items that are waterproof are designed and made to prevent any water from entering at all. Riding a motorcycle in the rain can be a test of waterproof-ness that no piece of gear can pass.But waterproof gear will do a better job of it than gear that’s water-resistant. On the other hand, waterproof gear may not be breathable, which can be important when the weather is warm. Our expert staff at Eagle Leather can help you decide which features are best suited to the way you use your motorcycle.Of course, Eagle Leather carries a selection of waterproof jackets, pants, suits, and boots. But also important and often overlooked are waterproof gloves. Remember that wet hands quickly become cold hands, which are less able to control your ride. Gauntlet gloves keep your wrists dry.The Explorer Waterproof Glove, shown here, has some neat features. It’s made with Hipora™ waterproof and breathable membrane. 3M’s Thinsulate™ keeps the chill away. The palm and finger pads are made of leather. The gloves have a full gauntlet with an adjustable wrist strap and elastic cord closure that works with one hand. The left index finger has a wiper blade you can use to get the rain off your face shield.Some gloves come in ladies’ sizes. For example, the Ladies Waterproof Reflective Glove is a gauntlet glove with an insulated liner, a gel palm for comfort, an adjustable wrist strap, and reflective piping to make the rider just a bit more visible.Eagle Leather carries short waterproof gloves, too. Here’s a pair. They’re made of deerskin with an Enprotex™ liner and Thinsulate™ to keep hands warm and dry.

Pay it Forward in the New Year

Feb 28, 2018 Eagle Leather

When it seems disasters are happening all around us—hurricanes, fires, and a tragic derailment—how do we put that aside and celebrate the new year? One good way to do that is to honor those who lost loved ones, or homes, or businesses, or who are injured. Motorcycle enthusiasts are always ready to help a good cause, and reputable charities are not hard to find. Just look at all the group rides for charity on the Eagle Leather Ride Guide! Social media offers an opportunity to express condolences and good wishes—and costs not a penny. But we’re Americans, and that means we come together in times of trouble. Here are a few ways you can show your solidarity with your neighbors—and we’re all neighbors, we’re all in this together. Of course it’s true on a global level. Who can forget the impoverished Masai tribesfolk who offered some of their precious cattle to help the United States after September 11, 2001? Or the telethon against muscular dystrophy that became an annual tradition? We aren’t looking for something earthshaking that will end poverty and cure disease. And we’re not thinking about helping people far away. No, what we’re looking for are ways to be good neighbors to people we haven’t met yet, but who live and work and travel in our communities. Here are some examples: Pay the toll for the car following you. Buy coffee for the person behind you in the line at the coffee shop. Set up a Little Free Library in your neighborhood. Drop off your used but still usable gloves and jackets at a homeless shelter. Donate a used book to your local jail or drop-in center. Take flowers to a senior center. Ask an ill or elderly neighbor if they need something from the store before you go shopping. Compliment the person behind the cash register. Take donuts to the ambulance garage or fire station—or both. One woman who doesn’t get around well any more gives the manager of her local grocery twenty-dollar bills (one or two) to give to a customer who can use them. Only condition—the gift must be anonymous. She’s told the small gift makes a huge difference. The point is simply to let our neighbors know that someone, someone who could be anyone, cares. Send your “Pay it Forward” stories to the Eagle Leather Facebook page.

What's Next for Eagle Leather?

Oct 9, 2017 Eagle Leather

The only constant thing in life is that stuff changes. Summer changes into fall, which becomes winter, which, in turn, gives way to spring. Children grow up; parents grow old—maybe there’s some cause and effect there as the kids become teenagers. There’s no possibility of growth without change, so usually change is something we welcome. Of course, since we can never be sure of the ultimate result, there’s that frisson of excitement, too. We can empathize just a bit with the pioneers who set out along the Oregon Trail, making a huge change. At Eagle Leather, we’ve always embraced change. Mike made a change when he came to America, and when he started selling motorcycle gear from a van at shows and rallies. He made another big change when he opened his first store and has continued to make changes and expand until Eagle Leather is the biggest seller of motorcycle gear in the Pacific Northwest. And that’s not the only way Eagle Leather has continued to change. Just this year, we’ve added many new designs to our Eagle Leather branded gear. We’ve added new product lines, such as vegan leather jackets. And we’re planning to add more products—in the area of heated gear, for example. (More about that later.) All of our changes are designed to offer motorcycle enthusiasts the best selection of the best gear at the best price. And now, we’re looking at an even bigger change. We’re going to open another store! To do that, we’re consolidating our Auburn store with our store at Lakewood. We’ll be moving our Auburn stock to Lakewood at the end of October. Now, where are we going to put another Eagle Leather store? We’re not sure yet. Just like Amazon, we’re looking at a lot of cities for our second “headquarters.” Unlike Amazon, we’re looking mostly at warm climates, where motorcycle enthusiasts can ride year round. In any case, another part of the country will have an Eagle Leather store where motorcycle enthusiasts can find all their gear for the ride under one big roof. We’d welcome your input about possible locations on the Eagle Leather Facebook page. We’ll let you know through the newsletter and on Facebook as soon as Mike decides where the new location will be, so you can tell your friends and relatives who might live nearby to get ready for the grand opening. Wherever Eagle Leather’s second store will be, we’ll still be here in Lakewood and we’ll still be online, and our expert sales staff will still be ready to advise you on the gear you need, whether that’s in person or by phone at the Lakewood store. That’s something that won’t change. Stay tuned for more information.

Father's Day Gift Ideas

Oct 5, 2017 Eagle Leather

Unique Gifts for Dad Father's Day Gift Ideas Father’s Day is when we honor all the fathers and father-figures in our lives, and whether the dad in your life is a motorcycle enthusiast or not, you can find the perfect gift at Eagle Leather. Is Dad’s motorcycle jacket looking a bit shabby, or maybe doesn’t fit as well as it once did? Even if he’s never ridden a bike, Dad will be stylin’ in the hipster style jacket. This jacket comes in sizes as large as 5X. Click here to check it out. And, because it’s Eagle Leather brand, it comes with Eagle Leather’s two-year warranty against defects. The staff at Eagle Leather can show you, either in person at the Eagle Leather stores or via online chat, other Eagle Leather brand merchandise for Dad. Another gift that’s great for riders and non-riders alike is a leather belt. This one displayed here has that cowboy look with distressed leather and an antiqued metal plaque. If Dad’s a motorcycle enthusiast, he will appreciate a really good bike lock. This one, from Abus, has a 3 x 5 mm square steel bolt—wire cutters won’t break it. The bolt, lock body, and supporting elements of the locking mechanism are all constructed of special hardened steel. The alarm blasts at least 110 dB. Every movement is detected, because the lock includes the ABUS 3D detection system. You only need one hand to press it onto the brake disc. The patented “Snap’n Go” system closes the lock and activates it automatically, or you can use the manual activation button. The lock includes the ABUS Extra Class cylinder with an encoded reversible key. Two manual keys and two AAA standard batteries are included with the lock. Dads rarely think of their own comfort, and put up with a lot of downside without complaining. But you can help reduce or prevent cramping on long rides or short with this simple device shown here. He can just slide it on—no tools needed. The Crampbuster easily rotates forward. When your hand presses down, it effortlessly and accurately regulates the throttle without the squeezing motion that invites cramping. If you don’t know what size to buy, you can buy an Eagle Leather gift card for $25, $50, or $100. And remember, our expert sales staff is standing by to assist you in gift selection. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there!

Black Friday at Eagle Leather 2016!

Sep 11, 2017 Eagle Leather

Three Big Sales Events: Early Bird, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday 2016 Savings Up to 60% Eagle Leather is having a humungous Black Friday sale from Friday, November 25 through Sunday, November 27. This year we’re adding a Cyber Monday sale. And we’ve got the best Early Bird deal we know of. But first, let’s look at what’s on sale. A quarter of the inventory, over half a million dollars in motorcycle gear, will be discounted as much as 60%. But the best deals have limited stock and sizes on hand, so plan to shop early for the best selection! For example, the Ladies’ Updated Motorcycle Jacket will be 60% off. It’s fashioned of soft milled cowhide that’s drum-dyed so it has color all the way through. It has a hidden inner zipper to keep out the wind and snap-out, quilted 3M Thinsulate™ sleeve liners for warmth. Stretch liners in the sleeve liners and an action back add to your riding comfort. Two outside and two inside pockets provide ample storage. Heavy snaps and YKK zippers won’t rust or corrode. Furthermore, you’ll find the fashionable look you seek in the side lace detail and the five-snap front along with the large back panel, which is terrific for patches. Click here to see it. You’ll find deals in every department at Eagle Leather. We’ve put on sale over 300 helmets, mostly at half-price. We’re selling over 270 men’s jackets and over 600 women’s jackets at deep discounts of 25% to 50% off. And over 200 men’s vests and over 200 women’s vests will be discounted between 25% and 50%, as will 400 pairs of chaps. You’ll love our deep discounts on over 300 pairs of gloves, and on accessories like parts, luggage, shirts, bike accessories, raingear, and footwear. In the headwear, eyewear, and wallets departments, you’ll find discounts up to 60%. BUT, and it’s a gigantic BUT, early birds can visit either Eagle Leather store and find Black Friday bargains the weekend before Thanksgiving. Yup, we’re starting the Black Friday sale before Thanksgiving, on Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th. We’ll have the coffee pot on—and maybe cookies if you get here early. The Cyber Monday sale will be (you guessed it) on Cyber Monday, November 28. We’re giving a discount on total purchases. The amount of the discount and the secret code you need to enter at checkout in order to receive the discount will be on the Eagle Leather Facebook page the morning of Cyber Monday. If you haven’t joined the Eagle Leather community on Facebook, here’s a link.

Beautiful Day-Trip Destinations Near Tacoma

Aug 6, 2017 Eagle Leather

Let’s look at some day-trip destinations within an hour or two’s ride from Tacoma. Castle Rock is just over eighty miles on I5, taking an hour and twenty minutes. Or, you can take WA-7S and US-12W, which is a trip of 113 miles and takes two hours and fifteen minutes. Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens both have visitors’ centers, hiking trails, and gorgeous scenery. Once you get there, you can visit the Johnston Visitor Center where exhibits, a movie, and talks by Rangers give you an idea of the Mt. St. Helen’s eruption and its aftermath. The Johnston Ridge Observatory has a glorious panoramic view, displays, and a movie. Weyerhauser Corporation has another center, the Forest Learning Center where you can see the difference between Weyerhauser’s reforestation and the pace of natural regrowth at the monument. You can also see elks. The Castle rock Exhibit Hall and Visitor’s Center includes information about the eruption and also about the logging industry, including a working replica of a sawmill and a steam tractor. If you ride the Spirit Lake Memorial Highway, you’ll have scenic views in every direction. Be sure to watch the road and stay clear of drivers who might be gawking, especially on bridges and switchbacks. For a short hike, try the Hummocks Trail, a two-and-a-half mile look. It’s not too steep and about an hour’s walk takes you through a variety of habitats: deciduous forest, grassland, and marsh. Loowit Trail #216 crosses the barren pumice plain—like a moonscape. You’ll have views of the logs in Spirit Lake and the crater with a lava dome. When you’re tired of hiking take a moment to stop and smell the perfume at Castle Rock Lavender or meditate in one of the garden rooms in the Gardens at Stillmeadow. Leavenworth offers a plethora of things to do. It takes between two-and-a-half and three hours to get there, and there are many roads you can take, including I-90, WA-97, and WA-2. Waterfront Park borders the Wenatchee River. You can sit under the trees and unwind or take a quick dip at one of many beaches. Then see what’s going on at Front Street Park—an art show, a concert at the gazebo, or just people-watching. The Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum houses over six-thousand tools meant for cracking nuts going all the way back to Roman times. George and Arlene Wagner gathered the collection and donated it, and the building, to the city. Leavenworth hosts the Leavenworth Summer Theater with venues such as Ski Hill Amphitheater in the surrounding hills and Festhalle Theater downtown. For something more active, you might hike the Icicle Gorge Trail in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. It follows the turbulent Icicle Creek on both banks. Or try one of eight ziplines run by Leavenworth Ziplines over the Cascades’ forests. Soar over the canyon and the treetops, perfect for families. The Icicle Brewing Company in downtown gives you the best possible means of understanding the brewing process. In the tasting room, you can watch the process and enjoy one of the brews. Port Angeles is just over a hundred miles away on highway 101. While you’re there, enjoy a walking tour of Art on the Town Outdoor Sculptures—pick up a brochure from a merchant. And don’t miss the “museum in the open air” that is Webster’s Woods that features over 125 sculptures and site works in a woodland setting. It’s open year-round, during daylight hours, and it’s free. When you’re in town for just a day, a tour can be a good bet. Like Seattle, Port Angeles has an underground and Heritage Tours will show you buildings from the past—and even a brothel. Or take an Experience Olympic eco-tour to Olympic National Park and its surroundings. Take a self-driving tour through 84 acres of wildlife, including the famous Waving Bears, at the Olympic Game Farm. Whale watching is a must. The Port Angeles Whale Watch Company guarantees sightings from May through November, and you might also see harbor seals, porpoise, sea lions, and a variety of sea birds. Perhaps equally spectacular is a balloon ride. The Morning Star Balloon Company takes you soaring over the Olympic Mountains, the Cascades, the islands of the Salish Sea, and more. Wherever you decide to ride this summer, make sure you stop by Eagle Leather! We have all the gear and accessories you need for making memories on your motorcycle this summer.

Product Comparison
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