Game Over

Check out this post on my new blog!

My motorcycling days are done. As I’ve been reminded several times lately, four out of four neurologist said no more riding. This week I sold my bike.

Saying goodbye to my motorcycle

Not sure what is on the horizon for me or the blog. I’d love to hear your ideas. Should I still profile women motorcyclists? Y’all have been so great and I’ve connected with so many fabulous friends. Love to hear what you think.

I was feeling old until …

Check out this video! 80 reasons to keep moving!

Manifesto. Do you have one?

Here’s a great place to start!

 

What are you going to do today?

Wind and Road Snakes!

Yesterday coming home from work I took a more covered route because of the wind. A little too gusty for two-wheels! There’s only one open stretch on the road I took and almost lost it twice. I’m guessing many of you have experienced that type of wind. The sudden burst of wind that hits from the side and you feel your bike being pushed out from under you. Yup. That was the kind of wind we had here. 

A little farther down the road I ended up in a residential area with a lot of cover so I knew the wind wouldn’t be such a hazardous factor.  But, there was another hazard that was new to me. Road snakes. It’s not what you think. Road snakes are that toilet paper tar road crack filler used around these parts! They look innocent enough, but if you hit them at the right angle on two wheels they can be rather slippery!

Minnesota Road Snakes

Well, I had my first encounter with some fresh ones shortly after getting out of the wind! There were many of these road snakes running parallel with me and I could feel the motorcycle wobble a little. Yikes! Kept everything upright. Big win!

What is that stuff? Looks like toilet paper and tar!

These photos are from today and not the ones I encountered yesterday, but you get the idea. Do you have road snakes by you?

Profile of a Female Motorcyclist: Meet Grace a.k.a. @SeismicCoach

I am so glad on February 11, 2010 I decided to start this blog to chronicle my journey into motorcycling. It has not only recorded my story, but has opened the door to share other lady rider’s stories as well! We are such a beautiful and diverse group and I have another female motorcyclist to add. Please welcome Grace or on Twitter @SeismicCoach from British Columbia, Canada. Check out her web site Seismic Coaching.

Grace a.k.a. @SeismicCoach

How long have you been riding a motorcycle? Two years, but missing this third season.

How did you learn to ride? I learned to ride with the fine folks at Pacific Riding School. I come from a road cycling and technical mountain biking background with some race experience. Some key bicycling skills translated naturally (with minor adjustments for a heavier bike) into motorcycling, including leaning and counter-steering, looking far ahead, looking beyond the turn, traffic awareness, braking concepts (front-wheel vs. rear wheel), and keeping an eye on road conditions.

What was your first motorcycle? A 2007 Suzuki Boulevard S40. It’s a great starter bike that, like me, was small and compact with a solid thirst for adventures.

How many have you owned? Just the one so far. Looking to buy the next one ASAP.

Why did you want to ride a motorcycle? I’m an adventure motorcyclist at heart. I still love to mountain bike, but motorcycling takes adventure and travel to the next level. Everything about the open air appeals to my core – the smells, sharper focus and awareness, open to the elements, and even the dynamic “textures” of air during a ride – can’t get enough of it. At the time I got my Class 6 licence, I was several months into launching my own consulting business and had just finished Big Contract #1. Learning to ride anchored the deep-soul gratifying independence and flexibility borne of building a business. Now it permeates much of who I am and how my business grows.

Tell us about your riding. Every ride is pure pleasure regardless of purpose. I took a couple of short solo trips within the province and gained some new skills and confidence at Reg Pridmore’s CLASS course in Rosamond, California. I live in a more rural area with easy access to city centres. Many rides are about scouting different routes and back roads.

What advice do you have for women who ride or want to ride a motorcycle?Taking the MSF course (in Canada, MSA, Motorcycle Skills Assessment) is a no-brainer.

1)     Try custom-fitted vented earplugs. It’s a personal preference and, given that I like long rides, I no longer get headaches from sustained loud noise;

2)     Although not imperative, solid bicycle handling skills can ease the transition to motorcycling. Just remember the front brake lever is on the right-hand side on a motorcycle.

3)     Age is inconsequential;

4)     There’s a reason that you’re curious about motorcycling. Listen to that inner voice. Take a stand for your curiosity and desire to keep learning. No such thing as a silly question as everyone had to start at Square One, including the pros.

What is the longest trip that you’ve taken on your cycle? The longest trip was an overnighter from the Fraser Valley area of British Columbia to Campbell River on Vancouver Island. The first day of the trip felt longer because Island weather greeted me with sun, rain, wind, hail, sun, clouds, sun, more rain, more hail… in July! Oddly, I didn’t mind it. The plan with the next bike is to take multi-day trips. With my business, I have the flexibility to take an extended trip and notify clients well in advance. I’m currently savouring the process of dreaming, planning, and researching that first big trip.

Do you belong to any motorcycle groups? I’m a member of the LIME (Ladies International Motorcycle Enthusiast) group based in Vancouver, but I tend to ride solo or occasionally with a friend.

Do you have a favorite riding story? One of my favourites is the time I refueled at a quiet gas station in Fort Langley, BC. Imagine a petite woman, solo and gassing up, as an older gentleman with grizzled white beard and tousled hair limps toward her with a crooked, toothy grin. His first words were, “That’s a really nice bike. I remember my first bike when I was 15…” His was a love story of his first bike and the impact of riding throughout his life. I leaned on my bike and listened to the whole thing – wasn’t in a rush. I soaked in his every eye-twinkle, chuckle, and gesture. That could be any of us x years from now. Everyone has a unique and beautiful story, motorcycle-related or not.

What do you do when you’re not riding? I run, mountain bike, and kayak… oh, so West Coast! My business recently launched an initiative called Moto Leadership which brings relevant leadership development to professionals who ride motorcycles, although it’s also open to non-riders. The first event is slated for June 2014 in British Columbia, so there’s plenty to keep things hopping. And, as always, there are extended trips to plan!

34 years and Counting

Today hubby and I celebrated our 34th Anniversary! It has been an incredible adventure together. How’d we make it this far? Love.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT)

We don’t always get it right, but we don’t give up. It is worth it!

34 years and counting!!

Next ten years or last ten years?

My husband showed me this quote by Gary Vaynerchuk and thought it worth sharing.

Quoted from Gary Vaynerchuk

Sure challenges me to look in my heart and dust off a few dreams. Not sure where it will lead, but hopefully to living my life more passionately. How about you?

Source of image

Change your words. Change your world.

Happy Friday friends!

The Odd Couple

This video is a few years old, but it hasn’t lost its charm. Tara and Bella BFFs forever!