I feel like I'm halfway around a corner, travelling just that little bit too fast and come fairing-to red nose with Rudolph. Where TF did that come from?
As I write this I'm peeling the sunburn off the back of my neck, after a week by the ocean, trying to work out if I'm too old to reignite another of my passions, surfing. What an awesome week, catching up with mates who are as close as siblings, on the south coast of New South Wheals.
Surfing has been on the back seat due to the time it takes to get to a place to 'get a wave' and still get to work on time. The good news is that apart from being woefully unfit I managed a few waves and reckon I can chase it when time permits.
Luckily, my wetsuit stretches enough to fit still. I guess there's about the same volume – my bum has migrated to my abdomen as it does on old blokes.
I reckon I got into bikes when I moved to Townsville in the late '70s. As there were no waves to surf (the odd few on Maggie Island) and a neighbour had a fabulous sounding black Ducati, I figured that it was time to learn to 'surf' the roads.
The first bike was an RD350 B that I (almost literally) rode into the ground and traded it in for the Sport on my 21st Birthday. I also caught up with a mate who 'crashed' my party that year (trooly rooly!), how good is it to have a friendship that lasts a lifetime. And he's a great bloke too...
While I'm on the subject of running headlong into stuff, I just had my shoes and socks off adding up the number of years Andy Strapz has been on the go.
Chuck Me Farley, we've just completed 25! A quarter of a century, wow!
I would never have thought it would have lasted this long. It's been an interesting journey with many ups and downs. Countless sleepless nights as a result of worry from sailing very close to the wind or having way too much fun.
What makes it special is the number of connections I have made with like-minded idiots over that time. Combining your livelihood with your passion can be pretty dangerous, many people have wrecked one or both. With the amazing customers and staff surrounding me, I'm a lucky bugger indeed.
It sure beats running an Emergency Department – during COVID it would have been a freeway to an early grave.
2022 will be another year of unknowns, but I plan to get out and get the wheels turning many more revolutions than I have for the last few years. Maybe, just maybe, we'll finally make it to Finke.
Yvonne, Yvonne, Yvonne.
A new addition to our range is a simple, light and cheap item... But a must have under the seat of every bike.
If we come across a wounded fellow rider, get stranded for the night or get seriously cold on a ride, an Emergency Blanket might just save a life. The worst they can do is make it look like you give a rats while waiting for the ambulance.
They'll only set you back half a drinking voucher - $5. Grab one here
Ha, I've either bored you silly or got ya! No one had a crack at venturing an opinion on Novembers' item. As I don't know, that mystery will have to remain.
This month we return to a more mechanical minded teaser.
As usual I have no idea what this is or what it's used for.
Go for it, I'm keen to find out more about this item that has followed me from shed to shed for 20 years.
The Tents are Back in Town
I seem to spend more time waiting for these tents to arrive than they do on the shelf. They are bloody hard to get but well worth the wait. I've trialed a shed load of tents over the last 20 years and this is head and shoulders above them all.
Roomy inside, stable in bad weather, quick to put up and... They even fit back in the bag! I reckon they are terrific value when compared to tents costing around a grand.
Go on, it's bloody hot. Let's just drop our wallets and phones on the bank and jump in.
Rebooting stock
Plague delays affecting Forma boots stock seems to be about to resolve itself. Italy and the EU were hit hard with COVID disruption which, combined with transportation constipation, has left massive gaps in our boot supplies this year.
The halls are decked with boots again as of a few days ago...
Have a Merry Christmas and Safe New Year. Remember: When you least expect it... Expect it!
