2020, Eyes Down for the Next Game

Hi achternaam,

What will this new decade end up being called? We had the 'naughties', the 'Twenties' may not have been in our lifetimes, but it's had a run. Maybe the trend adopted by lots of blokes, the wearing 10 days growth will have it dubbed the 'Scruffies'. Let's hope it's not the Trumpies!

It is for many a new start and after my December not to Remember, I was pleased to leave 2019 behind. What I hadn't counted on was the new start those who have lost everything would have to undertake. Geez, it brought home just how fortunate I was.

To all those who've done it rough in the last few weeks the whole crew here at Strapz Central send positive thoughts and big hugs. Those who swapped a bike helmet for a 'Firey's' hat, bloody good on ya!

Youse who only have a pile of charred and molten metal where bikes once stood, that sucks! One phone conversation I had recently from a mate on Kangaroo Island included a description of the moment his 1200GSA fuel tank let go, sending a massive and perfect 'mushroom' explosion 10 metres into the red angry sky. Weird thoughts happen at such times, he reckoned his was, "geez I wish I had my camera". This was while he was fighting to save his life and home!

Moto-bicycling is still off the me'n'you for this little black duck as the screws and plates take in my right ankle. The official word is mid-year but I can't see that. I see Enduro boots and the old Guzzi in my crystal ball waaay before that! Hell, the 'moon-boot' looks very much like an MX boot and I'm betting I wouldn't be the first to use one that way. Sense will prevail, there's a bunch of hardware that will be there for the rest of my days so I'd best let it settle in properly.

Woo, hooo! I've just come back from the 'bone chippies'. I can grade to ordinary shoes in the next week or two!

Have Postie Will Travel

On long trips, sometimes I like to make use of the postal service. Picking up a parcel that I had posted by a relative or mate to a pre-arranged place then filling up a pre-paid satchel with a batch of dirty or useless clothing is pretty efficient.

Some trips need to start with warm clobber but as we head north it can become a burden. Easy post it home.

Just take great care opening the parcel if it contains a couple of pairs of well-travelled socks that have 'brewed up' for three weeks, waiting for your return.

Crocodile Dundee's Top Box?

T Shirt of the Month

I'm not sure about your world but in mine we often joke... "That's a T Shirt" when someone says or hears (mis-hears) something that makes us laugh.

Ok, let's make it a regular addition to the newsletter. Unless we get an overwhelming response these won't be for sale, just a bit of fun.

Heading to Help?

Here's Mrs Strapz's 20 cents worth.

Thinking of heading to a bushfire ravaged area to help support the locals?

Make sure you book your accommodation direct with the motel if you really want to help. Booking through any of the booking apps incurs a commission of up to 30% of your money directly to overseas website owners, who do not pay tax here. So not only does Australia miss out on the tax benefit, but the accommodation owners also miss out on their profit margin. Which doesn’t really achieve the support you are going there to provide.

Suck it Up

Welcome Aboard

Dylan Field has been talking to us about his upcoming trip overland from Melbourne to London this year. After abusing him for being in a position to go for it I've parked my jealousy.

I thought you'd be interested in what he's learned in the pre-journey errr... Journey.

We can all suffer in our jocks! Here are his thoughts.

********************

You won't be prepared.

That's the ironic lesson I learned planning my trip from Melbourne to London. It's not the logistical effort of getting from one place to another but an emotional one. You sit there in your room, surrounded by maps, boxes, bags and motorbike parts counting the cost. You constantly wonder what the hell you're doing. It's the same thing Carlos Sainz pondered at the passing of Paulo Gonçalves at this year's Dakar Rally. My advice, keep going.

Preparation began with the idea. I met a guy at a bucks party who rode Melbourne to Romania. The conversation began when I told him my partner's from Iran. He showed me pictures of him riding there. I was stunned. I didn't know you could ride an Australian registered bike around the world. When I took off on my 3-month ride around North America, I knew I had to do the same. I looked up all the mountains in the world and plotted a route through them the night I got home.

The rest is details. I met up with Drew from the bucks party and he gave me some advice and direction. I selected a motorbike and almost switched it to an e-bike to save costs and hassles. I plotted a route on a giant map with a piece of string, took note of the weather, terrain and bought the appropriate gear. Shipping, border crossings, and political situations are some of the other balls being juggled during planning.

Iran is one of the main destinations. I don't even know if I'll get there. My partner's Iranian and I want to see the country and meet her parents. It's a beautiful and culturally rich place. We keep a close eye on the news as tensions with the USA flare-up. Fingers crossed everything goes well and her father likes me!

Planning an adventure of this scale is daunting and full of unknowns. Doing it will be just as tricky. You'll never be fully prepared for what lies ahead.

It certainly helps to have Andy's support and a set of his Avduro pannier bags. They're lightweight and tough enough for anything I'll put them through.

Dylan

My tips:

- Find someone whose done it

- Focus on getting there

- Know your budget

- Know the weather

- Try not to worry

Follow the ride on Instagram: https://instagram.com.au/dylan_george_field

Finally, the M1 Pro Arrives

That's about all for this month, copyalater.