Totally Feb Up

Hi achternaam,

Reality bites when you book a plane flight to your Old Man's 80th I can tell you. Especially when I was on the inside at a "shot gun wedding"!

All the kids but the oldest have their licence but not one has a bike ticket. I guess that's what happens to the next generation. They don't want to be uncool like the parents. It's a shame really, I'd love to be getting some quality campfire time with them and passing on the skills and stupid stories that have come my way over the years.

The world is so different for them. Not wanting to sound like an Moaning Old Fart but my lifetime has been in-amongst the biggest changes in the history of the world when you add them all up. The information age has made their world infinitely more complex than the one I had to navigate. I'm often pondering that the Jiggery-Pokery we have now is redundant military technology. WTF are they up to now? Our Smart Phones know more about us tech dumb old buggers than we do and far more than the kids realise.

Think back – knobs on bike's headlights were Bakelite FFS!, Lucas was still the Prince of Darkenss and a Square Four was still on the dealership floor in '57. Chevies had wings (instead of a caffine laden toxic drink) and chrome was metal!

Bugger me if wrist watch communication just like Dick Tracey is normal now. Cash is for the high jump as banks and governments collude to rid themselves of the cash economy. Remember when we'd go to the bank on a Friday before heading off to a rally? The only tap at the servo was were you sucked a drink to slake the cockies cage mouth because there was only enough money left for fuel.

This is an illuminating list of '57 models. Click here

ABS and Traction control are becoming madatory, suspension and rocket science are becoming one and home service is what happens to groceries.

Snake Eyes

Here's mail I got from Brett in response to Tomaselli's bite in the last newsletter

A few years ago I rode to the cape with a group of mates and we were travelling in single file. From my right, I saw what I thought was a stick hit my right leg. When we pulled up the guy behind asked me if I saw the huge brown snake that we rode past. I wear nylon pants that go over full length boots and one inch below the top of them were two puncture marks from the snake! A bite out there and you are pretty much gone. So yes, I agree with you on the boot scenario - wear them everywhere!  I still have the pants.

Brett La Cruz

 I love the comment on the top of this video.

"And that ladies and gentlemen is how to get bitten by a brown snake"

APC and ADVX

Bloody Homer Hudson!

Sending me these tempters... One of these days Alice... Why... I'm gonna, err, go.

This years APC week is spoken for and there's no way I could stump up $5.5 k for a trip to Canada but it has a fascination. I really don't know why. I know almost nothing about the place but have a yearning to get there.

The APC Rally has made a big (skid) mark in Adventure Riding in Oz since 2012. To my mind it helped the snowball of Adventure Riding in Australia gather unstoppable momentum. No need to be a Dakar Champ just a desire to get out and see the country from the seat of a bike. I'm not one for plugs but I think this is a situation of credit where credit is due.

Here's a part of the philosphy of the event.

All tracks have been selected because they suit adventure bikes and link up famous tourist destinations, great trail riding areas and go past spectacular scenery that are on every riders bucket list. What makes our rallies different to many other events is that there are no fixed overnight stops which means you can go at your pace. Most riders try to end up at a motel at the end of each day, but others like to campout. Riders have the freedom to stay where they like along the course. All riders are able to navigate the course using their GPS, track notes and paper maps and will always have support teams on hand.

Here's more info if you'd like to have a squiz - LINK

 Updated, Update to the Updates

Ok, so, the Schuberth helmets arrived and have gone off like a frog in a sock. Aussie stocks have been torn to bits and it'll be a couple of months before we see more. I've snaggled what I could to try to make it through.

While I try to keep the webpages up-to-date it's a moving target with Murphy looking down the sights.

Now the decision as to which helmet to wear has been made a little easier. Tontine and Tomaselli got out the Leatherman and Petri Dishes and made the process so much easier.

Some say I'm eligible for Tasmainian Immigration now but that's unkind.

Superbikes No Show

Our last couple of years Superbikes Pop Up Shop efforts have been just that. A lot of effort for not much return. And as my Old Man's 80th lands at the same time I've decided to give it a miss this year.

Apologies to those who wanted to check stuff out or just drop by and say g'day.

Sandgroper Heads Home

Don't tell too many people but I grew up in WA. I'll be over there on the weekend of the Superbikes and the Overlander Adventure crew have asked me to pop into the shop in Midland in Saturday morning the 24th of February from 10am.

Drop by and say g'day, ask a few questions or just shoot the breeze.

The V-Strom Cometh

This is just too easy! Let's see if we can't make it the V-Strapz XT Rally.

Croweating Capers

It just so happens that the Bumblewee needs to be collected from South Oz so I've been invited on the Suzuki Adventure Ride at the same time. It looks to be an interesting route, I've never had an explore of that area so I'm keen as mustard.

Jumping on a plane in full riding kit with my AA Bag and E1 helmet as cabin luggage will be fun. I reckon other passengers will reckon I'm a nervous flyer.

I'm not sure how full it is but here is the link if you want to check it out. You get to ride the new crop of Suzi Adventure bikes at some stage over the weekend.

Girl's Clobber

Held Oz have been working on keeping stock of the Ladies cut Carese 2 jacket and Torno 2 Pants. The Strapz crew are chuffed with the versatility of our suits. We ridden in -5 to 40 degrees, bucketing rain and big days. Over the last couple of weeks we have set some women riders up with suits. The Damen cut is specifically female not tweaked male. Sing out (email here) if you'd like to find out more or click on the links to get yer head around the features and function.

 Evos are Real Close

The new Terra Evo boots are due any day now. I expect stock next week.

That's about all I have to write at ya for now. Only a few sleeps 'til I pick up the Bumblewee! Copyalater