It's been so wet on the East coast lately, even the ducks are whinging!
Our condolences and best wishes go out to those in Queensland and Northern NSW who are dealing with another flood event. I hope you, yours and the bikes are safe and sound.
I'm not a fan of going for a day ride in the wet but happy to deal with a wet ride on a trip away. Good gear that works properly makes me feel a little like when I was a kid, sitting inside the window watching a bleak rain day outside. The revelation of modern gear that actually keeps you dry, rather than only claiming to, makes it so much nicer out there. That extra you paid for the best gear you could afford, will pay a healthy dividend when the weather turns on you.
Photo - Watto - Incite Images- courtesy AMCN
I love the Zen of having to be right on the sharp edge of concentration to get smooth lines and precise control of the bike. Luckily, tyres have come on in leaps and bounds on a wet road. Most of them hang on extremely well nowadays.
Staying alert for the variation of surface, standing water and changes in the shine of the road are crucial components of wet riding that occur inside our helmet.
Oh, that's in the country, I'd rather catch a bus with the great unwashed than ride in a wet city. And... night-time... It makes me shudder just writing about it!
THE DREAM
Submitted by Mike
I bought a motorcycle for a personal dream. One day when I am very old and when I can not walk anymore, it will be in my garage as a trophy of my memories. I met people who taught me something and have the same spirit. I got wet, I felt cold, I felt heat, I felt fear, I fell, I got up, I hurt myself, But also, I laughed out loud inside the helmet. I spoke a thousand times with myself. I sang and shouted with joy like a madman, And yes... sometimes I cried while speaking to loved ones who have passed but ride with me every day. I have seen wonderful places and lived unforgettable experiences. I often made corners that even Valentino Rossi would be proud of. Other times I made corners full of terror. I stopped a thousand times to see a landscape. I spoke with perfect strangers, and I forgot people I see every day. I went out with my demons inside and returned home with absolute peace in my heart. I always thought how dangerous it is, knowing that the meaning of courage is to advance even feeling fear. Every time I get on my bike, I think how wonderful it is. I stopped talking to those who do not understand, (they just do not understand) and I learned through gestures to communicate with other motorcyclists. I spent money I did not have, giving up many things, but all these things are not worth even a moment on my bike. It is not a means of transport or a piece of iron with wheels, it is the lost part of my soul and my spirit. And when someone says to me: "you have to sell the motorcycle and you have to be a more serious person", I do not answer. I just swing my head and smile. To ride a motorcycle... only the person who loves them understands it. I am Blessed to have ridden many roads with my best friends and people I had never met sharing special moments every step of the way with the people closest to me and family across the world. Bless my biker friends and keep us all safe while we are on the roads doing what we enjoy most!
'Round and 'Round We Go
Strutharama, we have so many balls in the air at the moment that it's getting dark... Maybe that's just winter but sheesh... It's easy not to notice one missing.
We've been half making items while waiting for a vital component to turn up for months now. There's half-finished stuff everywhere. Fabric, webbing, buckles and sick staff are one thing. Patchy supply of everything from helmets, visors, clothing, Helinox chairs, sleeping mats... the list seems endless.
The worst part is trying to keep up the information flow to you guys. Furry ETA's, cheque's-in-the-mail-COVID excuses, disorganization or sheer incompetence at the supply side does my head in.
Thanks for allowing us a bit of latitude.
Spoiler Warning
I've had great results with this jigger on my screen. It has done heaps to control the wind noise and buffetting I get off the Kato. There's a huge difference between wobbling up a dirt road at between 50 and 90 klicks to six hours of highway speeds with a cross wind.
They come complete with a system to clamp to the top of the screen or brackets and templates to drill and mount permanently. There are six positions of adjustment and I can change it while riding.
There's a new model (no, not the bloke) of this style of pants on the way. Held Oz and I have developed them despite Germany's lack of interest. That means the cracking Cloudburst pant has to be cleared from the drawers here at Strapz HQ to make space for the incoming.
Normal sting for them is $145, how does a steal at $105 sound? Some sizes are limited.
The economy is not the only thing bouncing back. After a notable absence to celebrate 25 years of Andy Strapz, our popular Riding Shirt is on its way back.
It's taken a few months to shake it down but we should see them land in mid-June. We've formed up with a team in Pakistan to make them for us to our exact specs. We've added plenty of length in the arms and body plus Aussie generous sizing.
Cut from heavy-weight pre-shrunk cotton, I've worn my initial samples to death and they have washed beautifully.
There are two colour choices, grime hiding Grey Marle or stylish Navy Blue.
Aussie Sizes – M to 4XL
COVID and the Gods of Freight willing we should see them mid-June.
