ick, I was sure the clock had slowed down. Tock, it always does near quitting time. Tick, but today was special, it was a half-day. Tock, which meant that I could be out the door and carving my way up the coast with plenty of daylight for a couple of hundred miles of a rounder. Tick, I had new meats and pads on my machine. Tock, and a new set of ARC Performance Series Gear from Icon to try out. Buzzzzz! Time to ride.
     The freeway is actually free and clear at this time of day. I reach the canyon that will take me to the coast in record time. The rubber is warm and sticky as I lean her into the exit ramp. This will be fun. I get a glimpse of myself in a store window at a stop. The Icon ARC Performance Gear looks great with my big V-Twin. I look like a black knight. I chose the ARC Stealth because the ARC Series embodies a brutal evolution of form and function in sizes up to 4XL. Starting with a stylishly cut riding exterior, the ARC jacket has been “hot-rodded” using specific materials in exact areas for the greatest benefit. Abrasion resistant leather is used in high-impact areas.      Gathered expansion panels are built into the ballistic nylon core, promoting unrestrained movement. The hostile nature of the ARC jacket is echoed through its tactical thermal plastic rubber implants. Use ARC as your riding exterior and you will feel its unkind intent. No apologies asked, none given. The new Stealth color is just a bonus, like my squeeze says; it’s black like my heart.
     The coast road is almost empty and if I bend the law a little, I’ll still keep it safe. It just feels good to ride free. Plus, I’m comfortable because the Icon ARC pants I’m wearing are designed to be functional and versatile, and can be worn as an over-pant or worn alone. They’re fully loaded with adjustable and removable CE approved knee armor, as well as reinforced Aramid and Cordura panels. The chassis material is durable nylon and built on Icon’s Loose Fit pattern, giving me plenty of room to comfortably layer up underneath, because it might be cold on the road home.
     A fog rolls across my flight path; my world is reduced to a patch of white light and the feel of the bike in my hands. I can feel every explosion in the two pistons, the smooth vibration as I notch her down one gear, the grip of the tires, the slight pull of the brake lever under my fingers. It’s almost perfect. It’s for moments like these that I ride. Then I break out of the fog into sunlight and there’s the diner that usually takes twice as long to reach. My gal is out front waiting on the seat of her Sportster.
     She eyes my new Icon Stealth ARC jacket and pants, “You look great,” she says. “New gear?”
     “ARC gear from Icon,” I answer. “Available through Drag Specialties. Maybe we’ll pick you up some on the ride home.”