Phew, this little black duck finally got a couple of thousand klicks under his wheels.
What joy to get a few days on the bike to head up to New Sloth Wheals to cultivate a hangover with a mate I have called brother for nearly 30 years. Over the majority of that time, we've lived in different states but talk most weeks. Although 5 years his senior (and I regularly remind him), our birthdays are only one day apart. I regularly think of how lucky I am to be able to keep and cherish some amazing friendships over the majority of my life. Hey, I'm still close to a bloke who gate crashed my 21st!
The other 'brother' Tomaselli and I snuck off work early on a Wednesday and scrubbed our tyres in up the Reefton Spur to Alexandra. As we were in high spirits, we weren't too perturbed that Booking Dot Con stuffed up our accommodation costing us another monkey ($100). We sauntered up the Commercial Hotel and lazily opted for 'roast of the day', "As long as it's not pork mate – it doesn't agree with me," I qualified to the order-taking person.
Long story short, they served roast pork... with mint sauce and raw steamed veggies! It took four interventions to get the bar manager, who from where we sat, was as effective as a wooden dog in a doorway, to take any notice and begrudgingly issue a single meal refund. Beer for dinner... The management didn't have the manners to reply to an email complaint – Avoid.
As if to reward us for not burning down said sh1thole, Thursday dawned sunny and eerily still – perfect. We snuck into Bonnie Doon the back way, Mansfield, Myrtleford, Granya, then Walwa to Corryong has to be one of Australia's, if not the world's great rides.
The Murray was as still and glassy as a pond and almost lapping at the road, we barely spied another vehicle. The reflections of the tress in the billabongs sat perfectly beneath their parents, the sun shone and to top it off a dusting of snow capped the high peaks.
We sat soaking up the glorious day's ride, sipping a few beers in T-shirts, swapping yarns with like-minded motel internees as the sun set.
Tom headed for home as I crawled over the Snowies to Cooma (see Spray) and paddled the back way over the Badja Mountain to Braidwood for the knees-up.
GP Week Open Daze
As we said last month, we are not in a position to do the shop on the island for GP week. Instead we want to host as many of our fabulous customers here at Strapz HQ for the few days before and after.
We'll have a couple of clearance bins, specials on helmets, a flash (complimentary) coffee machine, videos running and a visit from Held Oz and The Grinning Dingo.
We've stocked up on gloves and wet weather gear, all Helinox chairs in stock will be 10% off.
Earmolding
Rather than hang around with the great unwashed at the circuit, drop by Strapz HQ for a set of Earmolds in comfort
E1 Runout
Distribution arrangements are in flux at present as COVID (or cheque's in the mail), international freight (cheque's in the mail) and change of importer continue to leave supply in chaos. The endpoint is that we have access to limited stock of Schuberth E1 that needs a new home. As usual, they are mixed colours, small and large sizes. Medium and Large are Ol' Mother Hubbard, there is one Medium and no Large.
Those with big or small bonces that want a flash new hat (they still qualify for the factory 5-year warranty) and aren't too fussy about colours should wrap a tape measure around your skull and flick an us email.
Not all stock falls into that category, some will be 2022 pricing at $1100 but if you get lucky you might get one for $715.
During our GP Open Daze we'll have C4, C4 Pro and R2 at clearance pricing plus free freight.
Colours and sizes are a bit of a lottery so flick us an email to info@andystrapz.com and we'll track down colour options for you. Returns are welcome but sale items require you to stump up the cost.
Part of the birthday activities... The best I could do was shoot my mouth off.
Helmet Feature
Last month I threatened you with a few yarns about collectable helmets. Off-sider Marcus has an extensive collection and has volunteered (in that armed forces fashion) to give you a peak into some stack hats from history.
What better place to start than one of the great legends, Giacomo Agostini? Probably one of the most recognizable designs, the Ago helmets have always had a distinctive look.
This one was worn in 1975, the sticker R.O.T.Y. was The Race of the Year at Mallory Park. Fellow racer John Newbold and Ago swapped helmets. John died in the mid-eighties and the helmet was listed for sale.
It's an original X3000 model which was re-released a couple of years ago.
Haslam's Hat
Can you believe anyone would ride as much as a skateboard in one of these? Ron Haslam told Marcus essentially the same thing. He only wore this once and didn't like the fit, his signature can be seen bottom left. This Premier brand hat was used in 1976 at a round of the Grand Prix.
This came via Phil Morris who runs the Owestrey Museum in Wales. Phil is not that popular in the helmet-collecting world at present, but that's a different story.
This vintage helmet was almost always hand-laid fibreglass and weigh nearly twice that of a modern brain bucket.
Dunk a Donut
One of the most useful items to reach Strapz HQ recently is the Helmet Donut. For years I've chased my helmet around the bench when cleaning or servicing it... Yes, they do need service.
I really didn't think I needed a donut, I'd hack a hole in a hunk of scrap foam and make do. The thing that struck me recently is that in the modern world the Donut is most useful when putting Comms on charge. I used to plug in my helmet and watch it roll about like a drunk bee until it applies Murphy's Law and came to rest on the visor.
AMCN reports Zero have joined the Adventure sector with a World Launch of the DSR/X which Alan Cathcart tested recently.
A few short years ago, American electric bike manufacturer, Zero, successfully created the e-answer to traditional internal combustion-engined bikes. I rode the first Zero bike down the GO Road what seems like half a lifetime ago. A bike the size of a 250 with the power of a 900. It was let down by cheap skinny tyres, but was a massive glimpse into the future. This Spring, Zero debuts it's first dual-purpose model, new in the adventure sector, launching a 2023-model DSR/X. The company's first true dual-purpose model. Can't wait to throw a leg over this new jigger.
You can read the full feature in the next AMCN issue Vol 72 No 07 on sale now. Courtesy of @AMCN
What the Truck is happening with speed limits?
On my recent trip, I encountered 'new limit' signs all over the place. It seems that the moment a road gets a blemish on it, the Safetycrats bung up a speed limit sign 20 klicks lower than the previous one.
Last time I struck out of Khancoban the speed limit was 80kph. This time it was 60! Many years ago we could fang though there at $1.30 and feel pretty relaxed about it.
Sixty... I felt like I could walk that road quicker. It's ridiculous! Are we gonna be stuck with main roads posted at 80 kph and back roads at 60 in the next few years?
You gotta love Liquid Paper.
Too Cute For Words
Its name is the ComplEAT, yes, it's a bit cringe-worthy but hooeee, it's a cracker, one of those items that nobody needs but has to have – it's so trick.
Essentially, it's a nesting fork, spoon and knife/spatula set that turns into a pair of tongs.
The spatula even has a silicone-y, rubbery edge thingo to scrape the last of the gravy off yer plate.
