Where To?
Where the hell can a body go for a few days ride? I'm a bit bored of my local loop.
We have plague restrictions in Sydney and surrounds, limits in Vic and border bans abound. We've got voracious mice literally chewing yer ear out past the black stump of the eastern states. And as if from a horror story, there's a plague of spiders taking over Gippsland.
Biblical plague and pestilence eh! My heart goes out to those having to live amongst it all. Here's me having a whinge about not getting a ride in!
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| No, that's not frost. It's dew on webs. |
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Sockz Stuff Up
I've had word that there is a potential issue with a small number of socks bought late last year.
Here's what my supplier wrote.
Arggh... Late last year we were supplied a small number of cones of faulty yarn affecting random pairs released from our factory around the time of your December order. The yarn supplied was not treated with the usual superwash treatment causing immediate shrinkage, consistent with your customer's feedback. This particular batch was air freighted in due to high demand at the time, which made it easy for us to identify and rectify the issue immediately.
In your situation it is disappointing because we were initially able to pinpoint to a number of pairs dyed navy and therefore alert the necessary customers potentially affected, however, from your feedback it seems some of your customised order dated (colour black) was also affected, an annoying surprise!
Naturally this gets up my nose like a COVID Test! These socks have been as reliable as sunrise for ten years or more. If that's affected you or you have some-one having a grizzle please get the affected socks back to me for replacement.
No need to be concerned about the current batch, they are just fine. |
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The Swiss Alps, who knows when we might get a chance to go there again?
If I have the spot and memory lined up, I ran a few klicks down this 'hill' in 'angel gear' (neutral, motor off) like the Tour de Frog riders do. |
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New Boots
It's tempting to add a reference to the seminal (oh dear, even more double entendre) album by Ian Druy and the Blockheads but... Best not.
The long drought of Forma Boots has made me look further afield for supply. It looks like we won't see them in Oz until September.
I've had a lot of time for Sidi gear over the years and their Gore-Tex Adventure Boots get a great wrap from the people I've talked to, so I decided to dip my toes into that pool. The first stock has just come through the door and I've been waddling about the factory in my pair. |
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Offering great protection and legendary Gortex® waterproofing, I'm looking forward to giving them a good shakedown in the upcoming weeks.
More info here |
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I've waited months to get these tents back in stock. The plague has continually pushed back the delivery date since last October.
Those people who expressed interest, now's your chance... while I still have a couple to spare.
Click here |
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Many years ago my first home purchase was an old shed with a small flat attached. The shed was full of old tools, truck and automotive treasures.
This is one of them.
This is obviously something to squirt fluid about but what is it and where did it get used? |
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| The Mystery Item from April was a hand saw sharpener, thanks Warren for solving it for me. |
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| Yeah, I've been called that before. |
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I recently had a disturbing conversation with a bloke who got himself stuck under his bike for quite sometime... In the middle of nowhere!
His reason to call was that rather than cutting his leg off, he cut his panniers open to retrieve his EPIRB. The panniers are an easy fix but his leg didn't need the delays.
I always carry mine on my hydration pack shoulder strap so I can get at it even if I've been catapulted away from the bike. Let's face it, we don't often come to rest conveniently next to the bike.
I looked into stocking EPIRBs but found that they were being sold at about the price I could buy them from the wholesaler for. I can go broke on a beach lying in the sun. |
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In a (another) recent lack of judgement, I decided to snag just four phone mounts (a test to make sure they were the real thing) to suit Quadlock for 790 and 890 KTMs. I've worked out a neat solution for mine and thought it a great idea to grab a few for others who might like the same elegant mount. So... I bought from one of those Aliba-bum, Made in China websites.
When they arrived I noticed a slight difference in the paint coating, I'd seen it before. It looked to be 'Sharpie' ink and with a few wipes of metho on a rag it proved to be exactly that!
I started a dispute with the supplier and the dodgy buggers played dumb refunding only one of the items' purchase price.
The units have had the bases Aussie powder-coated and they are ready to go. Combined with a Quadlock Mirror mount they make a really useful phone mount.
That's if the powder coater can find them... Geeezzz! |
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A load of Helinox gear has just lobbed from the long list of back orders that have been doing my head in.
Apparently the plague has been holding up supplies of the tubing required for production.
Get stuck in here |
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If your pants have been hanging down like a rapper's waiting for the braces to turn up, you're in luck.
Here they are |
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Our supply of superfine Merino fabric is back after another frustrating wait. Thanks to all those who patiently waited for us to make Thermalz for you. Instead of one roll we needed two to get over the backlog.
Life in Strapz HQ really is quite bizarre at times. The first thing we do after receiving a mind numbingly expensive roll of fabric is chop it into little bits.
Production is just about back on top now, we've even got a couple of garments on the shelf.
Go here to order yours |
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| I found this enjoyable and thought provoking. Unfortunately our road rules are way behind. |
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Fixing Unbroken Stuff Dear oh dear, Icebreaker have fixed the Helix Jackets and totally cocked it up for us! New stock arrived the other day and they don't resemble the cracking mid-layer jacket we've had for a few years now.
Almost all aspects of the thing have been changed... And not for the better.
The bottom line is that we have three Small and one 2XL left. The new stock is going back, that's the end of a good thing.
Out they go at $220.
GGGrrrrr, now I have to look for something to replace them. |
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| My two Bro's and I testing the jackets a few years ago. |
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That's about all from me.
HNFY
Copyalater
Andy |
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