I’ve been called Thickheaded, but I prefer the term “adventurous.” Case in point: I was planning a ride from Alabama to Connecticut at the end of October. This alone made my coworkers question my intelligence. Then, when I told them I’d be riding a naked bike, they tried to have me committed.

Weather along the East Coast in late autumn can be anything from sweltering to frosty. I’d be traveling from the deep South, through Appalachia, and up into the Northeast on a Triumph Speed Four with virtually no wind protection. Faced with the prospect of heat, cold, rain, and snow in one trip, I could have been stuck packing three different sets of gear.

But I like to travel as unencumbered as possible. Since I’ve always found BMW gear to be top notch in fit and function, I called Joan Horst at BMW Rider’s Gear and explained my dilemma. Her solution: the new Belice ladies’ suit. With multiple layers of weather protection, it’s really three suits in one.

To complete the package, Joan sent over a pair of waterproof Traveller Lite boots and a set of Allround gloves.

The jacket has three layers for ultra-versatility. The outer layer is made of Cordura and has zippered mesh vents in the upper arms and back. The next layer is a snap-in Venturi wind- and waterproof liner. Beneath that, there’s a very soft fleece layer that’s nice enough to wear alone. As for the pants, they have two layers: a Cordura outer layer and a removable Venturi liner, which has both elastic and Velcro at the cuffs so they fit securely. The adjustable belt and elbow straps let you snug up the jacket, and the ribbed panels over the shoulder blades and above the knees ensure a comfortable fit while you’re on a bike.

As for protective features, there’s removable CE armor in the shoulders, elbows, and knees, and a removable back protector in the jacket. There’s also reflective piping on the jacket and pants. In addition, the two parts zip together, giving you the security and comfort of a one-piece suit.

But even the best suit wouldn’t keep me happy if my feet were cold or wet. Enter the Traveller boot. Made of a sturdy, lightweight mix of Lorica and Cordura, the Traveller is waterproof but breathable. The soft nylon mesh lining and outer textile panel give this boot all-weather capabilities. There’s firm padding at the ankles, a built-in shin protector, and a reinforced toe. There are also wide sections of rubber reinforcement at the shifter area.

The boots are incredibly light, given their all-weather features, and are very easy to slip on and off. They have zippers on the inside of the leg and large Velcro closure flaps up top. They’re soft and comfortable right out of the box — no painful break-in period needed.

Same goes for the Allround gloves. They’re a mix of Cordura, suede, and smooth hydrophobic cowhide, underlaid with Schoeller Keprotec. A soft material and precurved fit make them incredibly comfy. And thanks to the inner membrane, the gloves are also wind- and waterproof. But they have only light padding for cooler temperatures — I put in a pair of liners when the riding got cold, and switched to my heavy-duty winter gloves at night.

The gloves have a Velcro strap that lets you tighten up the wrist, and a Velcro pad at the cuff to close it off. Best of all, there’s a mini-Squeegee on the left index finger for wiping your visor — a major plus for me on foggy mornings.

The trip turned out to be a perfect way to test my new stuff. The day I left Birmingham, it was over 80 degrees and humid. The next day, I woke up in North Carolina to cooler temperatures and rain. Once I got up into the mountains, and anytime I rode the highway at night, the temperature dropped into the low 40s. I can’t say enough about how well the suit performed. I used every layer combination it offered, and I was comfortable the whole time. The boots and gloves kept my digits warm and dry, even in the misty Shenandoah Mountains. So, instead of gritting my teeth against the cold, I could focus on other things I’m good at, like getting lost. See, guys? Anything’s possible if you have the right gear. RB

SOURCES

Belice Jacket $575

Belice Pants $350

Women’s 4-16, 4P-16P

Traveller Lite Boot $199
Women’s 6-11
Men’s 6.5-13

Allround Gloves $59
6/6.5-12/12.5

BMW Rider’s Gear
800/345-4BMW
www.bmw-riders-gear.com