To all our mates out there dealing with flood and tempest: Our thoughts and spares are with you.
I started writing the newsletter before you mob in South East Qld and North Eastern NSW started building your Arcs. I hope the worst you got was a really good garden watering.
As Henry Lawson said, "Australia is a land where we either get nothing or too much". How right he was.
I'm going into the backroom to check my contents insurance cover. It's unprecedented how often I'm hearing weather events begin described as unprecedented!
I have my suspicions that the Aussie summer might roll on into April. I have no idea why I think it, other than that we've had such a weird one, it will have to stay weird.
Mudbourne has had Cairns weather, Croweaterville and the red centre have had the Ark plans out. The East Coast creeks and rivers have had a cleanout and refresh. That petulant Spanish kid has loaded most of the country with a big drink. It's made travel to places that have been parched and desolate, stunningly green and alive. That feeling of being alive permeates those who travel through it, refreshing them in the process.
Sure, it's a bummer I didn't get to hang out at the Lake Gardiner Speed Trials...! But hey, the name suggests that might be errr... A lake sometimes at least, that's racing.
The magic of the Aussie bush, more strikingly, the outback's response to big rain is something to behold. And, should be beheld by as many people as possible before it fizzles out or gets over-run by international tourists again.
Drop everything and get out there!
Mystery Items
It seems that January's item was a bit too easy. I got an overwhelming response tagging it as a part of an old car's windscreen wipers. Many respondents had a crack at the make of car into the bargain.
This Month's Item I have no idea what this month's item is either, it could go one way or the other.
Go on have a crack!
Schuberth C4 Pro Run Out
The next Schuberth model, the C5 is on the horizon, While I don't have any definite ETA (or indication that they are the real thing), it is time to send the last of my stocks of C4 Pros to good homes. Great helmets but ya can't stop progress.
I have very limited numbers of sizes X-Small through to XX-Large in glosswhiteonly, normally $999, be quick to grab one at $795. You get the first opportunity.
They still carry the 5-year warranty and we do have the SC1 Standard and Advanced comms for them. I'd grab one myself but I've only got one head and it needs to be in a C5 as soon as I can get it into one to test.
I'm a Moto Guzzi fancier by marriage...Mrs Strapz is a life member of MGCoV.
Today my interest was piqued when the information relating to the upcoming Rally style, event happening in Victoria's Yea area lobbed into my inbox. It's short notice but hey, that's the Italian way is it not?
All with an interest in a good time, flash bikes and good tucker might like to have a gekko at the finer details of the event.
Over the years the Luddite deep inside me has resisted offering all sorts of electronica t in a vain effort to protect me from big doses of the sh1ts.
As you probably know, I'm the sort of person that computerized things take exception to. I turn them on and invariably they extend the rude digit(al), turning the air blue and tempting me to give the thing an impromptu flying lesson. I can walk past a laptop and it will hang.
Over the last few years, I've managed to get to grips with Sena products and regularly get requests for Cardo kits. I've just shuddered and apologized.
With Marcus onboard now I've been convinced by the quality, function, water/dust-proofness and reliability of the system. Cardo claims to have twice the range of competitors, the best mesh system, universal connectivity, JBL speakers, and voice control. I've had lots of positive input from users I've talked to... I'm in.
That's it.... dummy gone, lolly done, toys out of the cot!
The retractable cable locks I've been stocking from Pacsafe, are goners. Information regarding an ETA is harder to get than a politician's straight answer.
Step up Kryptonite. I've been using one of their U locks for decades now and it still works seamlessly. Locking my jacket and helmet to my bike while cruising about the bush or town, frees up my hands for more important things.
A light, compact cable lock is a must for my motorcycle travel kit and this is a robust, chunk effort.
February slipped by and I felt like I achieved nothing. It will be April before the head reaches the top of the paper flood I have in my office. I know I take that great gasp as I reach the surface and make a beeline for the bike keys.
