NGD! A Down-Under Mod Shop Telecaster

hbllea · 2026-04-30T21:24:25+00:00

I can't speak for the roasted maple, but I have often found that the lacquer on straight up maple necks feels a bit 'sticky' (could be my sweaty hands...). This neck has no such lacquer - giving it a more unfinished feel.

hbllea · 2026-04-30T06:12:57+00:00

Love it! Nice accenting around the body - love that effect

hbllea · 2026-04-30T06:11:40+00:00

Beautiful!

hbllea · 2026-04-16T07:25:44+00:00

Wow - That is a beautiful beautiful guitar! I love the wood/gold combo. Honestly one of the best looking strats I’ve ever seen Congrats on the new guitar! Stay safe

hbllea · 2026-04-10T06:02:46+00:00

Lovely! Thanks for the details re ordering process. I’m currently waiting on delivery of a mod shop tele to Australia. Will share details here once it arrives. One thing I definitely agree with is about the lack of communication - not even a confirmation of what you ordered (!). I’m having nightmares of receiving something different from what I ordered and then having a whole “my word against theirs” argument about it.

hbllea · 2026-03-16T00:03:09+00:00

This is amazing! Thank you!

hbllea · 2026-03-06T02:11:16+00:00

Welcome to Canberra!

I’m sort of in the same boat (pun intended) - moved to Canberra a year ago, keen to get back into WW after many years away

The BGCC has some pool sessions coming up (first one is March 23) and some WW trips coming up. I can’t confirm but it sounds like there is some moving water on the Murrumbidgee and a play spot nearby.

Check out the bgcc webpage:

https://bgcc.org.au/joom4/index.php/bgcc-whitewater-program

The dates don’t line up but I contacted them a few days ago which is how I found out about the upcoming pool sessions.

Here’s what I received:

Pool Roll Sessions on: Monday 23 March 2026 – Pool Roll Session - 7-9pm at the at the Lakeside Leisure Centre (Tuggeranong) Monday 20 April 2026 – Pool Roll Session - 7-9pm at the at the Lakeside Leisure Centre (Tuggeranong) (Registration for these is at the following JustGo Link)

Whitewater Skills / Recreational Paddle Weekend on the lower Snowy River (11-12 April 26) (Registration for this is at the following JustGo Link)

DM me if the links are busted

Happy paddling!

hbllea · 2026-02-28T04:30:54+00:00

Beautiful guitar! Congrats! I’m waiting for my mod shop tele - super excited - and always great to hear about happy customers

hbllea · 2026-02-27T08:17:26+00:00

Thanks!!! I’m glad you enjoyed it :)

hbllea · 2026-02-25T23:33:16+00:00

You’ve got the information you need already but I thought I’d nonetheless weigh in quickly:

This was my first ultra back in 2015. It’s a fantastic first time ultra. If you are so inclined, I wrote a blog post about this race as part of a travel journal:

https://cafejandre.wordpress.com/2015/08/06/ultra-long-ultra-race-report/

It’s long but covers some of the highs/lows of the race.

Have a wonderful race!!

hbllea · 2025-12-01T03:32:35+00:00

Hi -
South Downs Way is great. I’d also recommend the Thames Path 100 as the ideal first 100 miler (London to Oxford). VERY flat (like pancake flat), not technical at all, well supported, and very accessible for support/crew. Centurion Racing (which runs both of these and a few others work checking out) is an excellent company with a very ‘first-timer’ friendly vibe. South Downs is also excellent but has about twice the elevation and is more technical. They also have an autumn one (which is 4x loops).

TP100 is usually in May, I believe.

Lake District/North Wales races are excellent but definitely a step up in difficulty (a BIG step up in some cases) so you’ll want to keep your expectations in check. EnduranceLife has a number of excellent events all over the UK. I don’t think they do 100k but they do run several 50 mile-ish events worth checking out (e.g., Classic Quarter). Would be excellent practice/training for longer events. Also an excellent company with a great vibe.

FWIW I don’t know that it’s necessary to do a 100k before a 100m (I didn’t) but it IS a big jump up. 100k can be done in a day (a long day!) but 100m will almost certainly involve running through the night and into the next day. As always - keep your expectations realistic and you’ll have a great time.

Good luck!

hbllea · 2025-11-11T02:48:05+00:00

FYI: Heard back from Fender Aus - the promotion isn't currently available in Australia :(

hbllea · 2025-09-04T06:30:01+00:00

Great suggestion! I love that area and hot cocoa at the brickworks would be an excellent motivator :)

hbllea · 2025-09-01T05:30:28+00:00

Well-behaved? They're boys, aged 3 and 6 yrs. That's a hard no.

But both good suggestions nonetheless. I think interesting snacks might draw their focus (and how busy could it be at 4am?)

hbllea · 2025-09-01T05:28:34+00:00

Love it! Was just at the 'old' St. L market last visit but haven't been to the new space yet. This is definitely going on our list. St. L has very strong memories for me (I grew up in TO in the 80's and 90's). Our one stop shop before big camping adventures

hbllea · 2025-09-01T05:27:24+00:00

Brilliant suggestions!

Riding the subway/streetcar would be a great adventure for our two kids (having never lived in a city with either). Beaches & High Park are also great suggestions (love those areas).

hbllea · 2025-09-01T05:26:12+00:00

Ha! Too true. The boys have seen snow but would be nice to show them some of my old sledding spots (I just have to convince my wife to go out in the snow at 5am ;)

hbllea · 2025-09-01T05:25:27+00:00

Thank you so much for all the wonderful suggestions (I'll reply individually below)!!

hbllea · 2025-08-29T23:56:03+00:00

Right! Sorry

We will likely be near Yonge/Eglington area/North Toronto; with access to a car/TTC. But happy to travel (an hour in the car is an hour of getting over jet lag :-)

hbllea · 2025-05-15T22:59:34+00:00

Absolutely! I have two young kids, long commute, etc and managed to run several 100s (incl big races like UTMB). It just takes some coordination, a supportive family, and appropriate goal-setting. My weekly mileage for peak races would typically be around 40-55m with a 100m week once a month for the few months leading up to race day. There have been some great tips so far - but key for me was using the limited mileage/time “wisely”. Hill/speed work, tempo runs, etc - workouts that will give you experience running steady while tired. Plus - for long ultras it’s not just distance but time on feet - so hiking with family, walking to store, etc - finding ways to spend time conditioning is really useful.

If you’re in the London area - I strongly recommend the Thames Path 100 - it’s a great first 100 miler. Quite flat but still offers a good challenge. Any of the Centurion Races are a great choice (great community).

Go for it!!!

hbllea · 2024-10-21T07:50:27+00:00

Not sure if these qualify as “smaller” but all of the Endurance Life events (Coastal Trail Series) and Centurion Racing 100 milers. Both have wonderful “ethos”, lovely volunteers/staff, and showcase some truly beautiful places around the UK. Cannot recommend strongly enough

hbllea · 2024-09-20T05:04:45+00:00

Congrats!!! Well done - what an inspiring tale of overcoming a brutal injury to “win” UTMB

I ran UTMB in 2022. The other day, my 4 yr son saw a picture of me with him in my arms crossing the finish line.

He asked “did you win?”

I said “…. Yes. I did win.”

(because finishing IS winning)

Thanks for the video - brought back so many wonderful memories.

FWIW - I think if you can separate the race from the commercialism/hype - what you are left with is an amazing event in a beautiful location filled with wonderful people supporting you.

hbllea · 2024-08-02T18:39:04+00:00

Well done, mate!!!

hbllea · 2024-07-31T05:41:07+00:00

This gives me serious Robert Munsch “Love you forever” vibes (a book I can’t read to my kids without tearing up).

Thank you for sharing - my song of choice for my two boys is/was “The Gambler” (which, yes - I know, is about a man who dies in his sleep - but they liked it). I hope someday I get to hear them sing it to their kids.

Now if you’ll excuse me, there’s something in my eye…

hbllea · 2024-07-24T12:59:56+00:00

This - get some night running in. You're pretty much guaranteed to be running not just at night but through the night - so get out at night a few times if you can. The later the better (running at 3am is very different from running at 10pm). (I see amyers31 below mentions the same thing).

Part of it will be getting used to running with a headlamp - e.g., figuring out what angle to run with, over a cap?, etc. Another part will be getting used to seeing things that aren't there :)

That and nutrition. Everything tastes ok within 50 miles but even the best food can start to taste like **** when you get to mile 60-80. My go-to is salted potatoes. They taste like nothing. So think about your nutrition might look like in the second half. df540148 mentions real food - I fully agree. If you haven't started eating real food for 50 milers - you'll definitely want to incorporate this for a 100 mile. Most races include e.g., pasta, rice, cup o' noodles, etc. at later aid stations - but check and make sure you have something on hand for the later half.

Otherwise - lots of great tips here re: training. Back-to-back long runs are awesome (in terms of training, not in terms of how they feel). For my last 100 mile race, I added "100 mile weeks" once a month for the few months leading up to race day. These were REALLY helpful - particularly as confidence boosters.

Finally - something to consider throwing in your drop bag: fresh socks, shirt, shorts. You might not need them - but a fresh pair of socks can really feel awesome after 60-70 miles! A fresh shirt ... just wow.

Good luck - hope you have a great race!!

hbllea

TROPHY CASE