JULY 4, 2025
Your weekly blast of ride inspo, rebel energy, and just enough cheek to get you out the door. Whether you’re spinning up the legs, plotting a mid-winter escape, or quietly manifesting your next big ride — this one’s for you.
🚀 Where We Will Be Unbound
Mental Wheels Tour de France Dinner
July 25 | Three Blue Ducks, Alexandria
Get ready for the ultimate winter cycling soirée — an unforgettable night of good food, good people, and Tour de France mayhem.
What’s On:
🍽️ Two-course meal curated by the Ducks’ legendary chefs
🥂 Drinks on arrival to get the chatter flowing
🎤 Special guests sharing stories and insights
🎥 Live cross to the TDF stage finish
Tickets: $120
🎟️ Secure your spot before it sells out
Ride-wise, this weekend the Playaz have got a double banger cooked up.
Saturday’s Coluzzi bunch will take the crew deep into Sydney’s Royal National Park to touch Bald Hill at Stanwell Park, then chop back to the city via the Old Princes Highway. A quick iced chocolate at the Sutherland 7/11 servo, a bit of chit-chat, and then 30 km back into town.
Sunday, we go long(er), as Wisemans Ferry greets us. Undoubtedly one of the most scenic rides around. Departing The Cafe Racer Clubhouse after fresh espressos, we’ll leave Sin City behind us and roll over the Coathanger (Sydney Harbour Bridge), up the Pacific Highway in the dark, then plunge down the epic descent into Galston Gorge.
The chop to Wisemans Ferry is then one-upped by the glorious Hawkesbury River Road and rolling hills all the way back to civilisation.
150 km and you’re deep in West Sydney. That deserves a pint at The Fiddler and a MetroⓂ️🚆 ride back home.
The weekend done right.
Here’s the loop:
👉 Strava Route
🔥 Gear We Love
VX36™ Tri-Fuse — Next-Level Carbon Tech
This week we’re geeking out on our own backyard innovation: the VX36™ Tri-Fuse Carbon Layup — patent pending, seriously advanced.
What is it?
A unique three-layer carbon structure:
✅ Two sheets of carbon set at 36° opposing angles for strength
✅ A pressure-fused core layer that bonds seamlessly under insane compressive force
✅ Result: lightweight, super-rigid, void-free perfection
The VX36 is the backbone of our new wheels and cockpit parts — and trust us, you’ll feel it from the first pedal stroke.
Stay tuned — full deep dive dropping soon.
🔥 Gear Drop: The Maxxis Reaver 🔥
Ready to turn your gravel bike into a rocket ship? We just took the new Maxxis Reaver tyres for a spin, and let’s just say—speed has never felt this smooth. From buttery-fast hardpack to loose corners, these semi-slick rebels deliver grip, guts, and grins in equal measure.
👉 Dive into the full review and see why the Reaver might be your next secret weapon.
🔧 Jan Bike Czech
Introducing Jan Bike Czech — our resident wrench wizard, Czech bike mechanic extraordinaire, and the guy you want in your corner when things go clunk.
Every week, Jan drops a tip, hack, or sneaky shortcut to keep your bike running sweet.
This Week’s Tip:
👉 Tubeless Tape Alternatives
If you’re stuck without proper tubeless rim tape, don’t panic. Here are some stand-ins that can get you rolling:
✅ Gorilla Tape: Tough, sticky, seals well — just don’t overdo the layers.
✅ 3M Extreme Sealing Tape: Super robust and made for outdoor sealing jobs.
✅ T-Rex Tape: Similar to Gorilla, good stretch and hold.
Pro Hack:
Always clean your rim bed with isopropyl alcohol before applying any tape. The cleaner it is, the longer it’ll hold air.
Got a question for Jan? Shoot it our way — he’ll pick the best for next week’s edition.
🎧 Robbie’s Track of the Week
Alright, legends — time to take it down a notch. This week, Dusty’s cooked up a playlist designed for when the ride ends and the stories start flowing.
Think chilled edits, soulful grooves, and baseline bliss — perfect for your next dinner party or backyard barbecue.
🔊 Dusty Allen Necessity – Chilled Cuts for Good Company
👉 Listen on Soundcloud
💥 Blaze Says…
“If you’re waiting for the perfect plan, you’ll be waiting forever. Just roll out, the path will often find you before you find it”
— Charlie Blaze McRae ✌️ #FTSIGR
🔥 Full Send Freudian Slip of the Week
“I told myself I’d keep it steady… but it was so wet I got too excited and went full send”
💛 FTSIGR Love
The countdown to Mary’s Mayhem is on — Aug 2–3 in Tassie’s backcountry. Expect filthy climbs, fast descents, and the biggest gravel grin you’ve ever worn.
🎟️ Use code FRIEND10OFF for a cheeky discount
👉 Enter Here
🍸 Friday Night Afterparty at Kelly’s Pub — Powered by Pure Mist Gin.
🧊 Free cocktail on arrival. Bad decisions encouraged.
#FTSIGR — We ride. We rave. We regret nothing.
✌️ Who’s coming with?