Booties are the best - here's why!

Are Booties the single greatest weapon in your Winter-kit arsenal?
Don't answer that.
I will for you.
Yes. Yes is the answer.

First things first, Booties is a fun word to say. Full stop.
But seriously, their positive impact on your Winter ride is literally off the charts.*

These two little champions are your greatest weapon in the fight against whatever Winter throws your way.
Cold? Wet? Frost? No. Stress.
Booties'll stick up the elbows, press on and drag your tootsies with 'em.

Also, for the quirkier amongst us, maybe give them a little personality.
Maybe call one of them Gerard and the other Cecile?
Maybe have little chats with them on those long n lonely solo rides when all you want's an ear to listen to life's hardships?
Maybe they'll become a perfect substitute to fill the void left by that puppy mum and dad never let you have no matter how much you begged and cried and rolled on the floor kicking up one of the all time best tantrums...maybe.
But I wouldn't know because I DEFINITELY never did that.

So put your frostbite away and stick it in storage, because these guys are in your corner and that's all you need to know.

Thanks for reading!

*(Largely because there is no chart in the first place but let's ignore those inconvenient truths.)

5 MUST HAVES IN ANY SADDLE BAG

There's so many articles about what one should pack in their saddle bag.
But so many of them miss the point.
See, punctures are a bitch, but there's always a friendly soul, or a convenient bike shop close by.
What you really need in a saddle bag are the following...


1. SELFIE STICK-

It's hard to hold your phone and operate the camera and take the snap and keep it focused. So this year, I'm packing a selfie stick ready for the grams.

Here's a warning shot of a selfie without the stick:

2. A MUG OF CONCRETE + A SHOULDER TO CRY ON

Let me put it this way - I'm not a complainer when it comes to hurting on the bike.
...
Well, not often.
...
Well, I complain a bit but I keep it to myself.
...
I complain a fair amount but not heaps more than your average.
...
I do complain though.
...
When it's cold.
...
Heaps.
...
In my head.
...
Nah, out loud.
...

I'm softer than the fur on a new born colt. 

Someone get this man a Mug, STAT!

3.HAND SANITISER (waterless of course!)

I'm no germaphobe, but you don't need to be to understand that any time you enter a public toilet, you'll be leaving with more than you came in with. Bugs. Lots and lots of dirty bugs.

Question without notice: How many feces NOT in the toilet does a Council need to see before they decide to refill the soap dispenser? In my experience, apparently heaps.

So if you don't want more bed-bugs than a backpackers bunk accompanying you on your ride home, get some squeegee.

P.S What's going on in this pic? Why is there a Question mark after 'Handwash'? And why is wash faded out, that leaves it reading as How to Hand. Bizarre.

4. COURAGE

The courage to start a dialogue with that cyclist that's out on the open road with absolutely no idea how faded and see-through their knicks have become.
Years of heavy work and hearty sweat in the saddle has made those butt cheeks look good, but not everyone in the slipstream needs to be 'copping an eyeful of the peach' as they say.
So if you swing up alongside a worn-out traveler, just dip into your saddle bag, pinch a sprinkle of that courage out and let them know it might be time to re-invest in some new kit.

5. A BIG HEART FULLA JOY

"Get off the road!"
"Scum!"
"Nice lycra Dickhead!"
"Hi, I'm a NSW's Politician and cyclists suck, am I right!?"
"My daughter rides a tricylce with training wheels and she's just learning and it's a really rewarding experience for me as a father and I love her but it doesn't change the fact that I hate you being in my God Damned Car Lane!"

Ahhhhh....the bike....what a joyous place to be.

Thanks for reading.