46
DECEMBER 2020
By Dieter Harm, Member #1206
I
was first attracted by her curves, the perfect symmetry. The gleam that radiated from her skin oozed strength and heat. Would she be too hot to handle? The clincher however was her perfect size; 30cm, she complied with the Beemer Pannier Standard, the gold sizing standard for travel companions. She would be a perfect fit. We first met online (cobbaustralia.com. au) which seems to be the norm nowadays. I was planning on doing some camping but with all the Fire Bans, was searching for a solution to the campfire issue. Staring into a flame is one of evolutions oldest and most powerful genetic memories, it stirs the soul. Without fire, there is no camping. A day of adventure riding the back roads is fun in it’s own right, but it is not really complete without the warming glow and orange reflections of flaming embers upon which to ponder the days events, those sphincter tightening moments when one stared down the abyss.
CAMPING WITH COBB Removing protection generally has consequences and in this case she would need to be fitted with 3 clay pot shoes to elevate her bottom 20mm above ground, thus providing sufficient ventilation for the heat beads to burn, using a similar heating principle to the Webers.
Roasting Mode
Pannier Mode And so Cobb would come into my life. She would become my portable fire pit and roaster, to provide comfort at the camping locations. Stripped of her handles and protective mesh, she was the perfect pannier fit.
The hot plate handle was also altered to double as a handle for removing her top. She likes to get very hot! Twelve heat beads will deliver a small roast in 2 hours/4 beers. With feasting commenced, I generally add six more heat beads to maintain a warming fire glow over the next few hours of alcohol consumption as old mate settles for dreamtime. Cobb has her pros and cons.
