WHAT's INSIDE YOUR JACKET POCKETS

Just a few short years of campaigning have taught me, my jacket makes an excellent repository for essential items.

So what's in the jacket?

On the outside:

- on my sleeve by the wrist is a good plastic whistle

- on my main zip of mid-rif belt is my 'Medic Alert' disc

- on my left sleeve pocket is my driver licence and some essential phone numbers .

- in my rear kangaroo pouch is a pair of light sloppies (so that upon dismounting for a spell I can shed boots n socks and be comfortable in a jiffy (I also wear boxers or swim trunks so I can be in 'shorts' quickly)

These small thing make arriving at destination so much more pleasant.

What's inside:

- in my breast pocket is cash

- in my side pockets are the following

6mm, 4mm and 3mm allen keys. 10mm spanner.

- cig lighter

- lip balm

- hanky

- tyre gauge

- flannel in zip-lok bag for wiping visor

- credit card holder

- small tube of factor 100 sunbloc

2 spare AA camera batteries

Back in my garage I have designated shelves for my biking stuff.

Three plastic trays (ala Plastics warehouse) are for :

a- contents of my jacket pockets

b - contents of my tank bag

c - neck buff, 2nd gloves, stuff

It's become routine to empty into the trays after every ride and to fill before departing. I'm boring enough to even have a check-list in each tray to ensure I do not overlook anything.

There's nothing worse than finding out you left some item at home.

Also I have a few jackets by now and use the one best suited for the ride ahead. I lock n load while prepping for a trip and generally have all I need to cope wiht most eventuallities.

The allen keys are for torquing up mirrors, bar wieghts etc and the 10mm panner is the most usefull (although 1200GS is the 124mm mirror spanner)

 I find by having designated specific holders for items reduces my prep time and I can lock-n-load at a moments notice and be off.