Last weekend's ride turned out to be a tableau of the year past. A well-laid plan pulling a U-turn and heading a little chaotic. It turned to mud (literally for me) but worked out just fine in the end. The idea was to include our partners in our motorcycle lifestyle by forgoing the High Plains Rally and meet them at a pre-determined campsite in the bush north-east of Melbourne. Said wives would meet up in the newly acquired Strapz 4x4 and proceed to the campsite while Tomaselli and I took the scenic and fun route on the bikes. What could possibly go wrong?
We both had a few things to square away at work, so didn't get away until afternoon tea time. Cutting a couple of stylish swathes around the outer eastern edge on the city on a couple of new mixed surface, back-roads and onto the fabulous Reefton Spur, eventually onto the fast dirt of the Big River Road. We agreed that the pre-planned campsite might be overrun by pissed 4x4 P-platers and bad manners so we hatched a cunning plan to scout the other sites. We'd leapfrog each other checking out other spots in case we needed a change of plan. A way up the road I saw a set of bike tyre marks head off up a track in the direction I thought we had planned to Ron de Voo (a Dutch explorer), only to find myself at the end of a rough track with no mates to play with... Oh, dear. And... It was starting to get dark. The handheld two-way was out of range of the truck so I decided I had to high-tail it out pronto! And rewardingly pronto it was. A technical but relatively open 4x4 track with puddles big enough to count as water crossings, the Bumblewee positively buzzed it's way out. Getting air on contour banks and clippity-tripping up rocky hills and down gullies... It was a cracker ride, one I won't forget for a while, I found the 'zone'. Meanwhile, Tomaselli was up and down the Big River Road looking for any sign of me or the girls. As he was running in his new V85TT Guzzi and had precious little dirt road time this year he found it quite rewarding too. Eventually, we did bump into the Girls in the 4by and set about camping as the last of the sun sulked down behind the mountains. As usual, an easy ride never makes a good yarn!
Ta Ta Titfer
Our mates at Overlander have packed up the station and set off into the sunset. We will have no more of the packable leather hats they made for us when this lot is gone. Just sayin'...
MBV Scuttles the Island Classic
What a shame, the 2021 Island Classic has been canned due to the plague.
It's time for all of us at Strapz HQ to thank all of our 'family' out there. At times this year, I feel like we have been juggling 5 balls (and I can justjuggle 3) – slippery ones at that. It's been easy to drop one of them, but you have been relaxed, philosophical and patient.
For the 20 plus years of Andy Strapz, it's been dogs balls obvious that all we have to offer is quality and service. Neither of those things can be rushed – you get that and we appreciate it.
We've put on 3 new staff but as usual it takes them time for them to get up-to-speed.
The other people to thank are Jodie and Lisa, the two leaders in the engine-room. They put their heart into every item they make, do it beautifully and make me look good.
Have a Merry New Christmas Year and, we'll see you in '21 to have a fresh crack at this Biking Life.
Getting my knee down in the office
Aussie Slang Spot
From Last month we have Dan's contribution Dumb as a hammer As useful as a one legged man in an Rs kicking competition Dropkick Dave sent in Flip Pete gave us Tool
This month we look at a list that might end up being quite long.
The act of urination, voiding the bladder. Before you start, we aren't looking for Pommy or Sepo ring-ins. Strain the beans/peasDingo's BreakfastPoint Percy at the Porcelain (Bazza McKenzie)Splash the bootsGo where the big knobs hang outDrain the (trouser) snakeSyphon the pythonShake hands with the unemployedHave a piss (one takes the piss)Drain the main veinWash the hub capsRecycle the beerGo for a tinkleTap a kidneyNick to the DunnyA WizzWater a tree
T Shirt of the Month
This is just for a bit of a laugh unless we get inundated with requests.
Arrgh, they've Dropped the Camp Chair
Why don't these big companies talk to me before they delete a product? Strootharama, the Camp Chair was the pick of the bunch for motorcycle travel and the buggers go and delete it from the range with no warning. Geez, I have to start again and find the best option for us. Looks like there need to be more road trips. Faeces occurs!
I thought this was a poignant image, you know, pictures and a thousand words 'n' all that. Strapzphoto
That's about all I have to write at yer for 2020. Have a safe and relaxing holiday period and don't waste energy on New Year's Resolutions. You know they never make it past February. Copyalater. Andy.
