It seemed like a simple issue – WHERE to keep the maps. Envelope? Yeah, right: totally useless and messy. Experience from previous motorcycle trips, however, proved how awesome it is to have functional tools, bits, and bobs. To me – and granted this may be some sort of fetish – having the perfect (insert item here) is a major part of the whole experience.
What I wanted: pen pockets outside, maps inside with enough space so I could flip thru them. Trivial, perhaps, but we’re talking Zen here. The perfect, most functional design that would allow me to find and store maps (and scraps of paper) while traveling using a case compact enough to fit in a tank bag. And make it bright – like orange, maybe, so it wouldn’t be lost (woops) or forgotten.
Sadly, my experience with sewing (other than a button) ended tragically with a sewing machine and my not having any clue what they were talking about in the instructions when it came to threading both the top needle that went up and down and apparently a lower round needle that’s the key to the whole sewing machine concept. Sadly for me, the pictograms of how to thread them, combined with my lousy eyesight means… well… it means nothing is being sewed.
Then it hit me: a guy on advrider.com posted about doing custom sewing. After some measuring and thinking and rough drawing on PhotoShop, off the designs went. $15 (plus shipping & handling) and a very few days later, I got my map case.
Outside: pen/pencil/highlighter pockets.
Inside: maps in outer pockets that allow for flipping thru maps, inner pockets for scrap paper, ferry schedules, unused maps.
The maps inside layed out to show how much the case holds!
Filled and closed (velcro holds it securely shut).
Awesome! In addition to the great work done, it’s really cool to have a custom-made piece of gear. Yes it may only be a map case, but it’s awesome, and it’s orange.
More Info including how to buy YOURS NOW in your choice of colors.
