Around the world with Lindstrands
40,000 km, is one lap around the world on the equator.
This is also the distance I covered on my motorbike on my trip from Zealand to New Zealand last year. 3 continents, 4 seasons and almost every possible climate on such an adventure demands a lot from man, machine and equipment.
I didn't like having to stop to put on a rain suit. However, on my last trip through Spain and Portugal, such a suit soon proved too warm and too heavy. And it rained twice during that month-long trip! When Danny from ATR Superstore heard about my preparations for my trip to the other side of the world, he offered to come by and try on a new suit.At first I was a bit sceptical about the Lindstrands Oman adventure's layer system. Which means that the winter and rain lining are separately removable. So I would have to stop again to put these in when it started raining. But oh well, travelling around the world with no time limit! Who cares.But then you are left with a lightweight jacket with protectors that feels much cooler than a Gore-tex® suit.
Its versatility and unique colour combination: orange and kiwi green (matches my bike and New Zealand:) made me decide, after some consideration, to start my trip with this suit.The first week of my trip was immediately a good test of its waterproofness. Riding through the rain from early morning until late at night. And in Italy and Austria even through heavy snow and -6° Celsius. I was surprised every day that I stayed dry and warm. When I continued to ride a lot in the rain even in my second week, I decided to ride from Romania towards the Adriatic coast. Fortunately, the clouds soon disappeared and so did the winter and rain lining; it went into my bag. Riding along the Greek and Turkish coast was great with blue sea and white beaches to my right, the bright sun right above me and a fresh breeze through my jacket.Even though it was sometimes a bit dusty, I always enjoyed putting on the Oman Adventure. In July, I trekked through the desert in Qaraqalpaqstan together with 2 German motorbike adventurers. They usually strapped their black motor suit on their luggage and rode on in shorts. Even in the firm heat of +46° Celsius while we were being questioned by soldiers and border officals, I felt comfortable and well protected from the sun. The light colours of the jacket and a wet t-shirt underneath were enough to keep myself cool. A mesh or see-through jacket does not work in these temperatures either because you get so much hot air past your body that you dry out tremendously fast.
300 days into my trip and shortly after arriving in New Zealand, I can say that I am very satisfied with Lindstrands' suit. Previously, I had never heard of the Swedish brand so it had to gain my trust due to its performance and comfort.I should consider myself very lucky to have experienced so much during this period. Apart from some discolouration from the sun and one broken hanger of a zip, the suit has held up very well. Also my next adventure I will be riding the elements again in the Lindstrands Oman Adventure.
