POPCYCLE PURPLE NOT PINK FOR FEMALE RIDE DAY 2008

In creating the poster design for the 2008 International Female Ride day campaign, I came across a perfect background graphic that I wanted to incorporate with the traditional woman’s face silhouette (you know the one) now characteristic of Female Ride Day. The graphic was perfect, but pink--or as I like to call it POPCYCLE from Popsicle) purple-- striking and worth using.

Personally, I don’t do pink--maybe because the colour just doesn't seem to suit me. Its been so overused and widely incorporated regarding anything remotely feminine. Certainly it is symbolic--pink is the universal colour of the "female", the colour of breast cancer, the colour that states "I am not a man”. The colour many women enjoy donning in motorcycle gear--"don't you dare mistake me for a man" statement. I went through a pink stage in the late 70’s and the colour continues to make its comebacks in fashions’ history.

The graphic was so perfect and looked so appropriate that it was the right touch needed. And the 2008 poster had to differentiate itself from 2007's. It needed a strong colour, one that when hanging in the local dealership shop window or display; would be seen—an identity. So there it is--the look for 2008! Pretty in "popcycle" purple, not pink.

And on that design note, we're having a big contest here at MOTORESS just after FEMALE RIDE DAY—we want you to design the poster from now on! There will be a competition for the best design 2009. Submissions will be displayed and then voted upon. The design with the most votes will become the poster campaign model for 2009—with mucho credibility and honours. This design will also be incorporated into the souvenir pin and t-shirt graphics etc. Yes, stayed tuned! And hope you enjoy the new 2008 colours of International Female Ride Day.

GUILTY CUSTOMS STEAL MOTORESS HORSEPOWER

I suppose it goes without saying what a compliment it is when custom chopper bike builders steal your article, word for word, about horsepower as these guys did --right off the MOTORESS website.

The company, GUILTY CUSTOMS, are custom chopper builders located in Orlando Florida. I suppose it doesn't matter if they don't know how to explain horsepower as long as they can figure out how to make it--but then again, maybe choppers really don't require much get-up-and-go? They just look good, art, you know.

GUILTY CUSTOMS--GUILTY of theft.

I will give 'em credit --they did write about National Female Ride Day 2007 in their blog--I think it was this event that lead them to find our horse power article.

PS--just so you know I did email them back in November but no response. Felt a kudos to MOTORESS contributors is but minimal courtesy for the crime don't you?

GARAGE PARTY CALGARY MOTOSHOW WOMEN ONLY

It was a few days before Xmas when Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada asked me to be their [mini] Garage Party host for Friday evening, 4 January in Calgary. I embraced the opportunity.

“The Harley-Davidson® Garage Party™ is an intimidation-free zone providing provides an inviting environment for women to learn more about motorcycling and to meet other women who are interested in riding. Party guests can expect activities that will be both entertaining and informational with topics including a review of the basic motorcycle controls, how to customize a motorcycle's ergonomics and how to choose proper riding gear.” *source HD website

In doing my Harley-Davidson preparation, over Christmas I discovered some very interesting factors about HD—one is that next to the tattoo “Mom”, the tattoo Harley-Davidson “shield and bar” is the most common inked emblem/design. On top of that my dear friend Michelle Duff upon hearing I would be assisting HD informed me (statistics/facts surveyed) that the top three words known around the world, in any language are: “OK”, “Coca-Cola” and “Harley-Davidson” — interesting.

The women attendees of the mini Calgary Garage Party were very interested, enthusiastic and fun loving! We enjoyed many laughs and camaraderie. During the second sessions' presentation most women were already licensed riders but believe their interest was to discover more about Harley-Davidson. Same as in the first session, the ladies impressed me with their seeming friendly, easy going attitudes as compared to the often sport-bike “something to prove” attitude (personal observation).

When I wasn’t busy with the party, I hung out in the HD booth and with interest sat on many bikes and spoke with various show visitors---men and women. They did have the new Buell 1125R on display—I'm interested in giving that bike a run.

HD provided me one of their stylish clothe jackets, a shirt and a t-shirt with logo outlined in reddish sparkles — tres femme. One branch of their MotorClothes called FXRG (Functional Riding Gear) have some terrific features and benefits--only good things to say! Really impressed with the quality of materials and attention to details--and don't forget style.

Its' been indicated to me that when riding season arrives I’ll have the chance to try out the Buell 1125R--I’ll let you know how it handles!