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Benambra International Airport

Welcome to 2023.

We look to be stumbling into a somewhat uncertain year. The big game of ‘mine’s bigger than yours’ going on in Europe, our far northern neighbours having a dip at it with us and Ol’ Stumblin’ Joe trying to work out the difference between hell and a hand cart is making the world a bit ‘nervy’.

January has flown past, maybe I’d best get started on my Christmas shopping soon.

The motorcycle industry is quiet in most states. It doesn’t take Nostradamus to deduce that toys take a back seat when tucker and roof gets expensive…er.

For Strapz HQ it’s about holding our nerve and getting some gear made to stock up the shelves.

One side benefit of being quiet is that I got a ride in. Once the crew got back from Chrissy hols I packed the Kato and joined my mate Tomaselli on a roundabout trip to Bathurst and back. Over 6 days I managed to peel 2300 clicks under the wheels with around 300 on dirt roads. In the thirty-odd years we’ve been riding together, I’d never met his brother… any excuse for a ride is good ’un.

The day we left Mudbourne, summer turned up and I gotta say, acclimatizing to thirty-odd degrees after months of winter weather was challenging. Carrying water on my back was a seriously important factor in surviving it. Sucking in water so it could leak out my skin kept me pushing through.

When I washed the bike I realized that the new rear Bridgestone AX41 was 2 parts knackered. It struck me that the traction control icon should be a $ sign. Having big skiddy fun on dirt roads and fanging on hot tarmac can get expensive.

Another lesson was never again to book one of those high-rise hotels with underground parking. After descending three levels, I had to carry luggage and riding kit through two doors, up a lift, then another door, a flight of stairs, another lift and a long corridor. Struth, as I inserted the key card into the door with my teeth, I was about ready to expire.

I hadn’t been in the room more than a few minutes when the fire alarm went off and I had to make my way down the bloody fire escape!

Luckily there was a bottle shop across the road

It’s a good thing that I squeezed in a ride as I’m off to get the hardware out of my ankle.

I planned to get on a waiting list, working on the theory that it would be a year or three before they got to me. The lumpy bits hurt when I wear anything but light boots and they are so close to the skin that I’m always a bit conscious of catching a screw head on something in the shed or garden.

I was shocked when they came back to me – it might be coming out as you read this. While I don’t have to wear a boot or anything, I’ve been warned off the bike for February.

More Learnings

Yes, folks, I am a cynic… You may not have guessed.

I set off from our Mornington Peninsula home at pre-sparra in my Thermalz top. The plan was to change at the smoko stop in Euroa. As I was comfortable, I didn’t and pressed on.

My riding mate and I cut through Kelly Country, Beechworth, Granya, across the Murray on the punt and rolled into the Jingellic pub with the onboard thermometer reading 38 degrees.

The blurb that comes with fine Merino is packed with superlatives about temperature adjustment, wicking and comfort. “Bullsh1t”, I called, “It’s good but please, they are having a lend when it comes to 25 degrees plus… surely!”

Chuck me Farley, I was stunned. Yeah, it was hot, there was no way to change that but when I got going the way the fibres of the wool wicked was nothing short of astounding. A cotton T-shirt cools via a damp spot, the Thermalz seemed more like an area of a radiator.

So much for the cynicism, wrong again. I wore my Thermal top for the full trip. Of the five days away only the last leg home was below the 30 mark. I reckon I covered 250 clicks of dirt road and worked a bit during that time, the bloody thing didn’t even smell used! Tom’s T-shirt was rank at the end of day one and he changed to Thermalz and reported the same findings as we rolled into Bathurst half-cooked.

Performance WAAY beyond what I expected.

Thermalz here

Stand Up

We’ve just taken delivery of a few of these lightweight Trail Stand props. Weighing at only 370 grams they are designed to lift both front or rear wheels for puncture or chain fettling.

We developed a bag to stash them in so that they don’t rip holes in stuff and get the stand clogged up with dust.

CLICK HERE to snap one up.

Greedy little bugger

Testing, 1, 2, 1, 2, 2.

The trip was also a great opportunity to spend some quality time in the new Held Exosafe armour. While I’d worn it on a couple of short rides, I hadn’t lived in it. The 30-degree-plus conditions I struck was a perfect trial environment.

I simply removed all the armour from my jacket, wrapped my bones in it, whacked the jacket on and struck out.

Apart from the little bit of extra time it took to get ready… I really didn’t notice it… And that is about the best thing you could ask for in a protective garment. Unfortunately, they only come in sizes up to 2XL. I reckon they are true to size. I’m Large size every day of the week and it fits me just right. As usual, I’m making a nuisance of myself at Held HQ pressing them to make bigger sizes.

Many years ago I learnt that an expensive protective ‘shirt’ was cheaper than losing a week’s work.

Brain Bucket Collection

Here’s the next instalment in the series having a BoPeep at Marcus’s helmet collection.

Setting up in pole position this month is the Doctor’s hat, signed of course.

Rossi was fond of loud kit and this sets a high bar. Maybe he found some of his Dad’s ‘meds’ left over from the ’70s.

This is his tribute helmet from the 2009 season. This is actually a signed replica as the original race hat sold for over $25,000! It’s even more impressive in the flesh.

Apparently a local snaffled a helmet he threw into the crowd at the Island. We reckon he probably has no idea what it might be worth.

Coming a close second is Max Biaggi’s Nolan prototype used during the 1992 pre-season on his debut season aboard a RS 250 Aprillia. Note that it has none of the Telkor sponsorship decals applied yet. His team mate Frankie Chili was my favourite.

The chunk out of the top left was as a result of vigorous testing at Phillip Island.

What a season that was. Biaggi won the final round and exchanged fairing paint with names like Cadalora, Reggiani, Bradl and Capirossi, a recent 125 graduate.

Newie

I recently set the crew on a creative arvo. I gave them a bunch of bits and challenged them to make something useful. The Specs Sleeve is one result.

Some people go all out don’t they?

That’s about all I got to write at yer for now.

Copyalater

Andy