I haven’t been here, but if you live or are traveling through Albuquerque, NM you’ve got to stop at Tim’s Place!
Here’s a link to Tim’s Place. Do share if you’ve been there!
Posted in Life lessons
Tagged Albuquerque, dream, NM, support and encouragment, Tim's Place
I went back to the neurologist this week for another MRI and MRA. My sister came with me. She was very happy not being the patient 🙂 Well the verdict is no riding, at least for now. The left vertebral artery is healing, but still has a ways to go. The doctor doesn’t want me to risk another “event” especially since there’s no clear cause of the first dissection. I’m bummed, but when he spelled out the continued risk it was rather sobbering.
The same goes with exercising. I have to start slow and see how it goes. No crazy work outs for now. I also need to be careful turning my head or moving it up and down. Gentle movements.
The good news is I can stop taking the rat poison or as it is called by the medical community, Warfarin (Coumadin). I am thrilled to be off of that stuff so I can get back to eating green veggies!! I’ve lusted over a spinach salad more than once these past seven months. The neurologist has me taking one 325 mg tablet of aspirin every day for preventitive measures against a stroke. Stroke is still a risk, lower than before, but still a risk. I know what you’re thinking … some people have all the fun!
Put on your helmet, buckle up your boots, and zip up your jackets friends – take a nice ride for me!
P.S. I’d still like to feature female motorcyclists. Ladies? Any takers? Email me at pamela(dot)court(at)gmail(dot)com and I’ll send over the questions.
Posted in Good Health
Tagged exercise, Female Motorcyclist, goals, motorcycle, MRA, neurologist, support and encouragment, vertebral artery
Here’s a great place to start!
Posted in Life lessons
Tagged change, dream, goals, happiness, Life lessons, support and encouragment
I’m so excited to be able to introduce y’all to my new cyber friend Laurie (LB) from southwest Virginia! Laurie says she’s a novice on Twitter a.k.a. @LaurieOnTheBike so let’s welcome her with a follow. And she is a blogger!! Check it out, Life on the Bike and Other Fab Things.
Meet my new cyber friend Laurie!
How long have you been riding a motorcycle? 4 ½ years
How did you learn to ride? Officially, I took at MSF Class at a local community college, but I have also been mentored by a couple close friends. Meet “My Guys” over on her blog.
What was your first motorcycle? A 1983 Honda Rebel which I bought immediately after taking the MSF class. I rode my “baby bike” for 3 months / 1500 miles before moving on up to my next bike, a 2008 Sportster, 883 L; I rode my “middle bike” for 3 ½ years / 13,000 before moving on up to my first new bike, built just for me. My 2013 Softail Slim was such an amazing ride! 6500 miles of pure pleasure … until 4 weeks ago, when I was hit in an intersection. I always thought that would be my final bike. I’ll have a new one by spring.
How many have you owned? See above.
Why did you want to ride a motorcycle? I rode behind a boyfriend for a year and when that relationship ended, I knew that I had to continue riding. It is the wind in the face, the adventure, the adrenaline rush, the joy and the sigh.
Tell us about your riding. Commuter, pleasure, vacation, racing, or ? I primarily ride for pleasure and travel. I ride with friends and I ride solo. In fact, each year I take a week long solo trip. I explore new roads, towns, and states, and I take photos along the way. My blog is a space for my riding and my photography. I do commute to work, but not frequently (computer, coffee, lunch bag, purse). I’m working on it though!
What advice do you have for women who ride or want to ride a motorcycle? Take a class and then start with a bike that you feel comfortable with and that will allow you to learn. Buy a used bike, learn to ride, and then ride the heck out of it. Get comfortable and move on up as you gain experience.
What is the longest trip that you’ve taken on your cycle? 1300 miles in this year’s solo ride to Southern Maryland, Eastern Shore of Maryland, and Delaware.
Do you belong to any motorcycle groups? I’m a member of HOG, and am a regular rider with a large group of friends.
What do you do when you’re not riding? I’m a Women’s Health and Family Nurse Practitioner, as well as a Certified Menopause Practitioner; I’m an amateur photographer, have served on my City Council and am very active in civic and volunteer groups.
The riding season for me here in Minnesota is pretty much finished. I don’t have the gear to ride in the cold. Hubby and I were not able to do as much riding as we hoped. Looking forward to next year.
You maybe like me and winter is slowly descending upon you. You longingly gaze out at your motorcycle while bundled up in your winter woollies hoping for another sunny 50 degree day when a blast of cold air brings you back to reality. The optimist inside thinks it could happen it is only November. Sigh.
Here she is like a caged beast at the zoo, my Suzuki 650 VStrom.
Focus Pam … this is where I turn outward to vicariously “ride” through all the fabulous lady riders I’ve met! And send a call out to meet more! If you are a female motorcyclist and would like to add your story to my series Profile of a Female Motorcyclist shoot me an email at pamela(dot)court(at)gmail(dot)com < trying to keep the spammers at bay!
Your story, your ride, your experience are all unique! We – your fellow female motorcyclists – need to hear your story too. xoxo
Posted in Lady Riders
Tagged ATGATT, Blogger, endorsement, Female Motorcyclist, first motorcycle, happiness, motorcycle, sisters, support and encouragment, Suzuki, weather, women
I’m so pleased to be able to introduce another lady motorcyclist, Krista a.k.a. Bikermissus from St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada! Krista is also blogs over here, RideNewFoundland. And here’s Krista …
How long have you been riding a motorcycle? Since 2009
How did you learn to ride? When I was probably 23 or so my then-boyfriend had a CBR600. I bugged him to teach me to ride, and I did really well…until I popped the clutch and the front wheel came off the ground. I almost dropped the bike, and gave myself a bit of a fright. The next time I rode a motorcycle was five years later when I did the beginner course. It was a much better experience!
What was your first motorcycle? 2009 Yamaha V-Star 250
How many have you owned? I traded the V-Star on a 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Low, which I still own. I’ve since added a 1997 Yamaha YZF600R and a 2009 Suzuki Vstrom 650 to the garage. The Harley is going up for sale in the spring though. It’s a tough decision but I really don’t need three bikes.
Why did you want to ride a motorcycle? I’ve loved motorcycles for as long as I can remember, I don’t know why really. Maybe it was an image thing, or it seemed like the epitome of freedom. I always knew that one day I would have a bike. When I went house-hunting in 2008 I would only consider houses that had garages, and I didn’t even know HOW to ride at the time! It was always in the back of my mind.
Tell us about your riding. As long as the weather is co-operative, I use my bike the way other people use their cars. Commuting, running errands, going to appointments, picking up groceries. On the weekends I like to get out of the city for a day-trip or an overnight visit with family. Since meeting my boyfriend four years ago, we’ve been using our vacation time to tour Newfoundland on our motorcycles, which is absolutely amazing. He’s a bike fanatic too, which is necessary I think.
What advice do you have for women who ride or want to ride a motorcycle? If you have the interest, definitely go do the course. Don’t coerce your boyfriend into teaching you how to ride on his 100 –horsepower sportbike. Don’t let anyone discourage you by saying that you’re too small to handle a bike, don’t have the co-ordination, don’t have the nerve, etc. I’m a small woman, and I can’t even drive a standard car but I’ve ridden big, heavy Harleys and very powerful sportbikes. Once you learn the basics and gain experience, you can ride anything.
When you’re deciding what to get for your first bike, go with your gut. Only YOU know what you’re comfortable on, and if that’s a 250, get a 250. Get a bigger bike when you’re ready, beginner bikes are always an easy sell. Better to start off small and build your confidence than to start off on a bike that’s too big and scare yourself out of riding altogether.
What is the longest trip that you’ve taken on your cycle? Last summer for our vacation we spent 11 days going from St. John’s to St. Anthony (and many side-roads in between!) and back, a distance of about 3000km (1875 miles). It was a truly epic experience, and we’re planning a similar trip for next summer, with some off-pavement thrown in as well since we both own adventure-touring bikes now
Do you belong to any motorcycle groups? I used to belong to a riding association, but it got political and dramatic so I left. Right now I ride mainly with my boyfriend and our small group of friends. Riding in big groups makesme a little anxious actually.
I’m active in several forums online and in the motorcycle blog community. I love seeing pictures and reading about the rides that people have done all over the world. There are so many people doing amazing things to/with/on motorcycles, I spend my winters reading about them. It’s very inspiring.
Do you have a favorite riding story? Almost every time I head out on the bike for more than an hour I’m left with a story…which is a big part of why I started a blog. Right now my favourite story is our ride to Cape Pine, and the strange coincidences we encountered. Cape Pine is one of the most haunted places I know of, and I’m convinced that someone or something did not want us to leave.
What do you do when you’re not riding? I like to keep fit, and usually run about 50km (30 miles) a week. I’m not really competitive; I usually do only two races each summer. If I wasn’t so into riding I’d probably do more races…they cut into precious weekend riding time! I also love to read non-fiction, and usually have at least two books and two magazines on the go at any given time. To relax on the weekend you can’t beat good beer and good conversation!
Posted in Lady Riders
Tagged Blogger, Canada, Female Motorcyclist, first motorcycle, Harley Davidson, motorcycle, riding, support and encouragment, Twitter, women
Saw this on YouTube. It is an amazing view from the back of an eagle! No joke. Hope all is well with you my friends!
Hello friends! Hope all is well with y’all. I’ve been busy making lemonade out of the lemons life has been handing me. All is well and life is moving on. Now for some fun. I love sharing stories of lady riders and so excited to have another one to share!
My next guest comes highly recommended by Janet a.k.a. @BikerChickNews and catch her on her blog too, Biker Chick News! Without further ado I’m pleased to introduce Heather a.k.a. @harleygirl122! She does have a blog, but hasn’t been out there in a while.
How long have you been riding a motorcycle? Since I was 12 years old.
How did you learn to ride? Trial and error and then riding courses including a course with the police in the UK
What was your first motorcycle? Honda 250
How many have you owned? 10 in total. Mostly Harleys. Now own a 2013 Fat Boy Lo and a 2010 Street Glide Trike.
Why did you want to ride a motorcycle? I always tell people that the itch to ride started when I was 3 years old. My Granddad gave me a little red tricycle and it was my first form of transportation. I went everywhere on my trike. I was brought up in a remote part of Scotland where there were no concerns about kids being out all day and not coming home until dinnertime. From there I went to two wheels and then added a motor. Mostly inspired by my Granddad and the wonderful feeling of freedom and peace that riding on two wheels gave me. It was my independence and now it’s my meditation.
Tell us about your riding. I ride to work every day I can and take long trips across country. I’ve ridden in other countries with friends and any chance I get I will get on a motorcycle to really experience the country I’m in.
What advice do you have for women who ride or want to ride a motorcycle? Don’t give up! Take a course like Rider’s Edge and find a good dealer or female rider to support you. If people are honest it’s tough at the beginning. When I got my first Harley in the late nineties when I moved to the US I was the only women rider the dealer had dealt with. I was an anomaly and I was teased mercilessly but also well supported by the guys. They took me under their wing and many of them are really great friends today. But getting your confidence and going at your own pace is really important. Don’t outstretch yourself. Make sure you are comfortable on the bike. Take your time and don’t go too big too soon.
What is the longest trip that you have taken on your cycle? 5000 mile trip across the country to the Grand Canyon. Life-changing in so many ways.
Do you belong to any motorcycle groups? HOG and my friends and I formed a group called the IRG which was our answer to all the crazy clubs around that had rules, officers, dues and the like. We just wanted to ride..and not just bar to bar. So as a joke we formed the IRG and we had people at rallies coming up to us asking if they could join 🙂
Do you have a favorite riding story? Our trip to the Grand Canyon was so incredible and I still talk about it even though it was a couple of years ago. As we stood on the rim of the Grand Canyon to watch the sunrise having gotten up around 3am to ride up there…there was not a dry eye in the house. a bunch of leather clad bikers who were not only speechless but also highly emotional. Such a magnificent sight and one I will never forget.
What do you do when you’re not riding? I love spending time with my furry children Rufus and Hemi.
Posted in Lady Riders
Tagged Blogger, endorsement, Female Motorcyclist, first motorcycle, granddad, Harley Davidson, Honda, lady riders, riding, support and encouragment, women
Y’all have heard me sing the praises of social media. Well, I have another verse to add by the name of LC a.k.a. @SmartBikerChick from Atlanta, GA, but considers herself a world traveler. Follow her journey on Twitter.
LC a.k.a. @SmartBikerChick
How long have you been riding a motorcycle? I caught the motorcycle bug unexpectedly about five years ago.
How did you learn to ride? I took a motorcycle class to get my feet wet. Then, my fellow veteran riding friends taught me the real ropes through the mountains.
What was your first motorcycle? Go big or go home, right? I’m not one for switching around, so I went for what I really wanted. BMW F800ST
How many have you owned? I’m loyal… one!
Why did you want to ride a motorcycle? After riding on the back of a few bikes, I decided it was time to stop dating guys just because they had a bike and to learn how to ride for myself. Freedom!
Tell us about your riding. Riding is pure enjoyment; I ride for the fun of it.
What advice do you have for women who ride or want to ride a motorcycle? Do it! Ride ☺
What is the longest trip that you’ve taken on your cycle? Most memorable trip was 450 miles through heavy rains… it was quite an adventure! I have stories for life from that weekend.
Do you belong to any motorcycle groups? Off or online? I’ve been on twitter only a month, but I’ve really taken a liking to this motorcycle community. ☺
Do you have a favorite riding story? A guy, who was trying to impress me, started talking about buying a scooter to ride around the city. I told him I had a motorcycle. ☺
What do you do when you’re not riding? There’s life outside of riding??☺Okay, maybe there is. I have too many other interests to list here.
Posted in Lady Riders
Tagged Atlanta, BMW, Female Motorcyclist, first motorcycle, Georgia, license, motorcycle, riding, support and encouragment, women
Helmet or Heels: I'm comfortable in either! 