tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76611192679539460172024-03-06T03:15:19.838-05:00MOTORessing by Vicki GrayMOTORessing – Motorcycling Life Fully Straddled.
Women and motorcycling, racing or otherwise, there's much to be said.MOTORESS Vicki Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17063842409277634982noreply@blogger.comBlogger146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661119267953946017.post-84149041756622840562015-08-19T21:12:00.006-04:002022-10-22T14:46:29.783-04:00MOTORESSING Has Relocated to MOTORESS.com <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: x-large;">My blog MOTORESSING </span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: x-large;">has moved to <a href="https://www.motoress.com/" target="_blank">my main website</a> MOTORESS.com </span></div>
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MOTORESS Vicki Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17063842409277634982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661119267953946017.post-26259986812490937022014-06-11T13:12:00.000-04:002015-08-19T21:10:00.415-04:00Ride Around Lake Superior on a Motorcycle- You Will Love the Roads!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">L</span>ast summer I spent nine glorious days riding a <a href="http://www.triumph-motorcycles.ca/bikes/speed-triple/2014/speed-triple-r-abs" target="_blank">Triumph Street Triple R</a> around the complete perimeter of the greatest of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Lakes" target="_blank">Great Lakes</a> - Superior. It was a brilliant experience – the combo of the bike’s performance,
the roads, the wilderness – made me ever more fond of Ontario’s North. The incredible
stunning freedoms we experience on these northern roads, on a motorcycle can
only be best described by experiencing it yourself. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you’re thinking of a tour to do this summer- it’s really
one that will leave you satisfied on so many levels. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Here’s my ride story…</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"The
legend lives on from the Chippewa on down of the big lake they called Gitche
Gumeeeee..."! Helmet acoustics are fabulous I thought to myself, and
continued to sing aloud Gordon Lightfoot's "<a href="http://www.northernontario.travel/algoma-country/why-gordon-lightfoot-s-classic-wreck-of-the-edmund-fitzgerald-is-the-best-song-ever-written-about-lake-superior" target="_blank">Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald</a>". Though a tragic tale
of loss, I enjoyed its catchy melody. I lifted my toe in sync with the song's
rhythm, tipping the Triumph into sixth gear and still further along the
wood-lined road to its hilltop. I rode on past the parking lot and along the
foot path to the monument's base. I turned off the bike, dismounted and walked
toward the towering one-legged bronze man, runner Terry Fox. It was here, 18
miles from Thunder Bay in 1980, his <a href="http://www.terryfox.org/TerryFox/The_Marathon_of_Hope.html" target="_blank">Great Marathon of Hope</a> ended. I walked over to the
look-out deck, and to the panorama of Lake Superior and Thunder Bay. I could
see from where I'd ridden and to where I'd ride.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SAULT STE.
MARIE, ONTARIO TO KEWEENAW, HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was the
furthest North in Ontario I had ridden…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">…<a href="http://www.northernontario.travel/algoma-country/legendary-motorcycling-ride-lake-superiors-coasts-of-diversity-and-adventure"><i><b>Read
more</b></i></a></span> <o:p></o:p></div>
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MOTORESS Vicki Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17063842409277634982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661119267953946017.post-30273347419726886252014-01-19T18:26:00.000-05:002014-12-29T22:58:39.203-05:00My Little "Hoek" Amidst Authors of the Great - "Continental Circus: Races, Places, the People and the Faces"!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For the past two years I’ve kept a secret. I’ve been editing a most exciting book project which was just recently published- <b>“Continental Circus: Races, Places, the People and the Faces"</b>. It’s a priceless assembly of images and their stories by Dutch photographer duo <span style="background-color: white;"><i><b>Jan and Hetty Burger</b></i> </span>and my close friend, well known Dutch motorsport journalist <i><b>Frank Weeink</b></i>.<b> </b>Frank transformed into words the tales accompanying Jan and Hetty's astounding photos. Truly an amazing collection! There’s no question it’s a<i> </i>“must have” for any motorcycle race enthusiast or racing fan.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2OQiabtjfH3LIsjlccAIM1Wam3w6GAo-GbaZzBdxMWpiK4FNAY914AxRDNpOgyJzve1fzsvSxDetFhRjoaHJjopK5USocxwsK5aFgNyEh6XIXibHnyUEj5TDYJisZN2lvWReNgLuN-_8/s1600/Continental-Circus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Continental Circus" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2OQiabtjfH3LIsjlccAIM1Wam3w6GAo-GbaZzBdxMWpiK4FNAY914AxRDNpOgyJzve1fzsvSxDetFhRjoaHJjopK5USocxwsK5aFgNyEh6XIXibHnyUEj5TDYJisZN2lvWReNgLuN-_8/s1600/Continental-Circus.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">From 1970 until 1976, Jan and Hetty Burgers were part of the so-called <b>Continental Circus</b> that crossed borders and travelled from race circuit to race circuit. Their pictures were published in magazines all over the world. Jan not only took excellent action shots but he and his wife Hetty were also fascinated by everyday life in the paddock. Their cameras documented the racing community which shared a passion for racing, but away from the limelight- paddock life could be tough and cruel for riders and their families. Jan and Hetty made friends and lost too many along the way. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">When Jan and Hetty left the <b>Continental Circus</b> their pictures were shelved in the attic and it wasn't until two years ago after meeting up with motorcycle journalist and TV commentator Frank Weeink, the idea for the book emerged - a book in which they wanted to not only portray the action on track but life around it. More than 6,000 photos, many forgotten but rediscovered, made it to the first selection and over 400 of them finally made it into the 192 page book. All-time greats like <a href="http://www.mvagusta.it/en/riders/giacomo-agostini" target="_blank">Giacomo Agostini</a>, <a href="http://www.philread.org/" target="_blank">Phil Read</a>, <a href="http://www.jarnosaarinen.nl/" target="_blank">Jarno Saarinen</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Sheene" target="_blank">Barry Sheene</a> are featured, as are more than 20 crowd favourites like Johnny Cecotto, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenny_Roberts" target="_blank">Kenny Roberts</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Findlay" target="_blank">Jack Findlay</a>, Tom Herron, Dave Simmonds and Teuvo Länsivuori. As they intended, the book also hails the often unseen heroes - the mechanics, the wives and the girlfriends while taking the reader on a tour to iconic tracks like <a href="http://www.spa-francorchamps.be/en/" target="_blank">Spa-Francorchamps</a>, the <a href="http://www.nuerburgring.de/" target="_blank">Nürburgring</a>, <a href="http://www.hockenheimring.de/" target="_blank">Hockenheim</a>, the <a href="http://www.salzburgring.com/" target="_blank">Salzburgring</a> and Montjuich. On top of that, the book features chapters on crashes, sidecars, Formula 750 racing and legendary bikes from MV Agusta, Yamaha and Suzuki.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This trio’s collective effort has made for a unique “Best of” motorcycle racing book painting a sometimes touching, frequently revealing, and always spectacular picture both on and off track -throughout the early and mid-seventies.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It was an enlightening works for me - I certainly learnt a lot (which is always the case when I hang out with Frank!) as will you when you get your copy. It’s a superb contribution to motorcycle racing’s history through the combined talents of Jan, Hetty and Frank.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A special thank you to Frank for getting me involved; and my sincere admiration for the combined talents of Jan and Hetty - and Frank's superb, always entertaining writing!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">...of course, I’d be lying if I didn’t feel terribly privileged in having my name noted in the book ...my <i>"little hoek (corner) amidst the great <b>Continental Circus</b>!</i>"</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.mastixpress.nl/continental-circus.aspx" target="_blank">Order yours here,</a> it really is - a treasure!</span></span></span></b></div>
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MOTORESS Vicki Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17063842409277634982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661119267953946017.post-37866837922002970582013-09-30T09:34:00.000-04:002013-09-30T09:34:15.249-04:00Ride Manitoulin - A Motorcyclist's Wonderland<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As any voyager knows, the secret to truly experiencing any destination is by following the lead of its inhabitants. This was certainly the case for the eleven of us, each on our own dual-purpose motorcycles, as we followed Ride Manitoulin’s adventure ride expert, Steven Fox-Radulovich. Steven lives on Manitoulin and has been riding a motorcycle on it much longer than any of us—in fact, all his life. He knows his way around. One brief turn off the main road and he leads us onto an entirely different landscape that we’d never have discovered otherwise. The feeling of being up on the pegs of my BMW F700GS, weaving the bike over the packed dirt road accented by sand, mud puddles and gravel, all amidst canopied woods --simply thrilling! And when the dirt road ended, opening up to a clearing, the surface changed to the island’s core of blackened limestone. We rode across it to Lake Huron’s edge and let the water lap against our tires. At this point, our cameras all came out–not one of us intended on missing this chance to record an incredibly splendid scene. “Yes, <i>this</i> is riding Manitoulin!” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The <a href="http://ridemanitoulin.ca/">Ride Manitoulin Rally</a> came about three years ago and right from the get-go it’s been given the double thumbs up by thousands of its attending motorcycle enthusiasts. Manitoulin is the world’s largest freshwater island, situated where the Niagara Escarpment meets the Canadian Shield, resulting in a ride environment unlike any other—and a terrain that satisfies all forms of motorcycle riding. So, if Steven’s Adventure Ride is not your preference, take a ride to Bridal Falls. Enjoy the sweeping turns along the way and a cool dip under the falling water when you arrive. Maybe choose the ladies’ Art Gallery Tour (men welcome) or take a ride to Gore Bay for lunch at <a href="http://www.buoyseatery.com/">Buoy’s Eatery</a> along the waterfront. Here, locally caught whitefish and famed freshly-made pizzas will more than satisfy… and certainly enhance the fit of your motorcycle pants! Be warned, appetites run wild here!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By the end of the event’s first day, Providence Bay’s usually empty football field has transformed into row upon row of motorcycles. It’s here, at the registration booth, that we first received our initial impressions of the event—a big, old-fashioned, “You’re part of the family!” welcome. It’s here that visiting riders meet folks like rider Lydia, a local school teacher, or Jenn, who had personally sewn each of the headbands found in the ladies’ ride goodie bags. Brian, from the Lion’s Club, and other personable volunteers from the community were also on-hand. And like these folks, at the heart of Ride Manitoulin lives a good cause: revenues generated are returned to the community and this year, will be given to the Manitoulin Family Resources Food Bank and CNIB Eye Van.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alongside the usual biker rally activities—poker runs and games, this event steps it up to include rider training, which can help to improve everyone’s motorcycle riding experiences. As it happens, this is how my attendance as a motorcycle and motorsports instructor came about. With similar goals to the Adventure Ride, my workshops and particular exercises were designed to partner with Manitoulin’s ride environment, enhancing the overall ride experience. The workshop on push-steering and off-set steering, for example, was a direct response to the island’s fast-sweeping corners, blind hills and wood-lined, visibility-challenged turns. Advanced braking technique sessions were also prompted by the inevitable encounters that one is bound to have sooner or later with the island’s dense deer population. Manitoulin’s roads offer a superb environment to hone all of these rider skills, which can in turn be utilized to provide for greater ride enjoyment in the future.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When the Ride Manitoulin rally is over, the sail back to the mainland on the <a href="http://www.ontarioferries.com/ontarioferries/english/">Chi-Cheemaun Ferry</a> provides a final dash of spark to the island’s unique charms. Standing deck-side with the motorcycle safely fastened in the ferry’s cargo hull, I gaze affectionately towards the disappearing Manitoulin over the ferry’s stern. It’s then that I feel not only revived but above all, satisfied—having experienced a ride that you just won’t find anywhere else. A place I’ve fondly named, <i>the motorcyclists’ wonderland!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.northernontario.travel/motorcycle-touring/best-kept-secret-of-the-motorcycle-season-an-insiders-guide-to-the-ride-manitoulin-rally">Visit Northern Ontario Tourism for this article</a> and a few more links/destinations.</span></div>
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MOTORESS Vicki Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17063842409277634982noreply@blogger.com0Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada45.7026471 -82.03717610000001144.9936071 -83.3280696 46.4116871 -80.746282600000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661119267953946017.post-6214626083272009592013-08-22T00:35:00.001-04:002013-08-22T13:51:58.854-04:00Thanks Jerry... for the Ducati 848!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Okay, so, I own this Ducati 749 Dark. I love it- yet I ride it less than I wish to. There are a few reasons for that one being that I've usually another bike in the garage which I’m test reviewing. Another is that I use my <a href="http://www.motoress.com/articles.asp?c=motoressence&s=KYMCOandtheCITY">KYMCO scooter</a> around town - a lot. The 749 is not an everyday motorcycle – it works well on the track. But then there are its running issues. It’s mostly the computer and immobilizer system. Sometimes it runs, but then at the next turn of the ignition, it doesn't. I’m anxiety stricken when I reach for the ignition key- will it run or will I be stuck here? Every summer I go back and forth to my special Ducati expert mechanic (GP Bikes) where each time a challenge is resolved until the next one presents itself, usually as early as on the way home. But those are the intricacies of owning a Ducati -though my earlier Ducati’s didn't behave this way; nor did they run controlled by processors. </span></div>
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On this one particular lovely Saturday, I decided to take it for a good run so I planned a meet up with a former motorcycle student and friend. Our rendez-vous was at <a href="http://gpbikes.com/">GP Bikes</a> about 45 minutes east of Toronto. The Duc started up and as always when I’m on it, I’m thrilled. I love the way it performs and the rumble in its ride. I was feeling incredibly happy. After arriving at the dealership, and getting our fill of sitting on numerous Ducati’s and Triumph’s - we went outside to get on our way. I turned the key of my Ducati, and … nothing. Nothing happened! Really?, I exclaimed - <i>again</i>! Fortunately I was at the shop – but the day’s ride was a bust. Seeking a solution I thought, let me ask Jerry (owner) of <a href="http://gpbikes.com/">GP Bike</a>s for a demo bike. Fingers crossed!</div>
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I found Jerry in-between customers- it was a usual busy summer Saturday all around the shop. I told him of the situation and before I completed the sentence surrounding my plea, he interrupted me asking...“what would you like… a Monster? Or maybe an 848?” …I was thrilled!</div>
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In Ontario, the avail of a demo bike is not a commonality. It’s a challenge for every dealership due to the stringent liabilities and insurances (the ‘SUE factor’ in North America). In Europe, taking any bike out for a test ride, including the one you’re about to purchase- is standard practise. Furthermore, it’s not common in Ontario that a dealership have a ‘demo fleet’ so to speak such as <a href="http://gpbikes.com/">GP Bikes</a> has. But it seems Jerry does; providing a truly impressive investment for customer satisfaction.</div>
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Though Jerry is aware of my activities in the motorcycle industry, I’m also just a plain 'ole regular customer. The immediate ‘no questions asked’ assistance extended to me gave me an overwhelming feeling of importance and trust. It had been a long time since I’d had such a terrific customer experience. </div>
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So I signed the waiver, took the 2013 Ducati 848 in matte black,- coincidentally the successor to my discontinued 749- and off we went. We rode along the <a href="http://www.loyalistparkway.org/">Loyalist Parkway</a> which follows a pioneer colonial route bordering the Northern shore of Lake Ontario. The area is full of winery’s and spa retreats and terrifically winding roads. We enjoyed taking a ferry across the lake and of course - I had great pleasure riding the - start every time - 848!</div>
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The day was saved by Jerry and GP Bikes, the motorcycle dealership who continue to give me all the reasons to never stop doing business with them. </div>
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Now, about that 848… </div>
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Visit <b><a href="http://gpbikes.com/">GP Bikes</a></b> and join them on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/gpbikeswhitby">facebook</a>.</div>
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MOTORESS Vicki Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17063842409277634982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661119267953946017.post-30940754068653982112013-08-12T15:39:00.000-04:002013-08-12T15:39:04.456-04:00International Female Ride Day – Stand up and Take a Bow<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Months ago, the 7th edition of <a href="http://www.motoress.com/femalerideday.asp">International Female Ride Day</a> (IFRD) rumbled across the world’s planet and it was –phenomenal! Women motorcycle riders on all makes and models got on their two-wheelers (and three wheelers), rode together, synchronized on one special day worldwide for the seventh occasion of IFRD. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It isn't until the morning of the day, that first Friday in May, when I’m about to turn the ignition key on my own motorcycle that I pause and find myself overcome by the reality of the day. This glorious moment hits me! It's International Female Ride Day - I’m overwhelmed with the reality. I imagine the ladies in Australia, in India, Cape Town South Africa, Yukon, Iceland, Russia, West to East coast Canada and all points America- doing the very same as me - gearing up to JUST RIDE. And to think I made this happen - yes, I did, I created International Female Ride Day!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As an advocate for motorcycling; for women and motorcycling, this event without a doubt allows me huge personal reward. It’s not been an entirely easy journey though, and I've had to deal with some incredibly disheartening challenges- so much so that on numerous occasions I've contemplated "throwing in the towel". The fact that I’m self employed and that this campaign is nearly a full time task but provides no income for me is a challenge all on its own- bitter sweet you could say. It’s exciting and motivating to steer while being incredibly taxing on my personal self and my company. Yet my drive proceeds - doing the best I can. Yes, I fall behind on tasks- designing the annual icon, making it available on line and in various languages, website updates, </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFemaleRideDay" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Facebook page</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> / group / event management, tweeting, responding to hundreds of inquiries, designing t-shirts, working with the industry and associations –policing; it's incredibly fatiguing, like this long sentence! All costs for the project are personal. But adding to it all are the battles I've faced from other women. Jealously, material theft, wordage and date disputes, copyright infringement; those who have attempted to work against the effort. These are a minority yet a reality. One year I recall many sleepless nights while I contemplated the actions I would take to protect IFRD from a powerful global brand who- since introduction - have done their best to re-brand and take credit for the event. On the other hand within guidelines, I've assisted the industry on creating special events to promote their businesses; manufacturers’ national campaigns- and assisted women’s clubs who sadly, ended up preventing other women (those who are not members) from participating in their arranged happenings. Yet, when I weigh it all out, IFRD is worth it and coincides perfectly with all the reasons my brand RaceGirl in the nineties was born, succeeded now by MOTORESS; purely for the women and motorcycling! Thousands of women around the world continue to take a role and inspire us all within this unified camaraderie. And isn't it amazing all this within a world continuously dividing us from each other? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I’m asked by friends and those in the motor-sport industry to stand up and take a bow for IFRD’s successes – it’s </span><b><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">purely from a place of privilege</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">.</span> IFRD has allowed me the opportunity to become acquainted with – and introduce make known to the planet - the most amazing women! It’s these women who’ve demonstrated by way of their ride day participation – IFRD resonates with them too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And me, well, I’ll be ok; I always seem to manage. And yes, next year the running’s of this world wide action will be the same- too few hours in the day, far too many demands, no sleep and budget anxiety. Yet would I trade it? Not in a million </span><i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">IFRD synchronized worldwide women’s ride day miles!</span></b></i></div>
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MOTORESS Vicki Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17063842409277634982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661119267953946017.post-39912391589994663322013-01-20T17:04:00.003-05:002013-01-20T22:16:16.013-05:00 More Motorcycle Monkey Business for 2013!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reminiscing over last years riding season, I can’t believe the number of new motorcycling experiences I was able to add to my list. Quite remarkable when considering I’m embarking on my 30th year as a licensed (and non-stop) rider. And I’ve got to admit, one of the rides ranking near the top of my list happened on Canada’s famed <a href="http://www.canadiantiremotorsportpark.com/">Mosport</a> race track and in a race sidecar motorcycle – <i><b>I was the “monkey”!</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The term "monkey" refers to the rider in the sidecar swinging from front to back to assist the pilot in steering. The opportunity happened with the Canadian <a href="http://www.vrra.ca/">VRRA</a> (Vintage Road Racing Association) during their Mosport festival race venue. In-between the days races the VRRA host a “try the sidecar ride” to most anyone who signs up (some restrictions and need to have full gear). The sidecar owners make their machines available and host a few laps around the track. It’s a generous opportunity, asking but a few dollars donation to the club. How could I refuse?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My pilot was a sidecar racing veteran - a husband and wife team - Paul and Marie Whittaker. In this case Paul was the bike’s pilot and Marie the monkey. Marie gave me the run down on the “monkey-business” - specifically the manoeuvres giving me some stationary practise in pit lane before getting out there. The “monkey’s” distribution of weight by laying down up front and low; then up to knees, shifting back and over the pilot’s passenger seat at the right time, are key to cornering the sidecar and to its corner speed. Teamwork at its finest and no walk in the park for the monkey – a lot of hard work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So off we went! I was totally up for the fun, but as Paul got up to speed, I continued to muff up most all corners we took- I just couldn’t get myself into position by the time he needed to turn the bike into the corner. Frustrating! Climbing forward, climbing back...gosh I needed a few more yoga classes or a more flexible race suit! The challenge of getting into position to coincide with each corner was tricky. I was not providing Paul any assistance to manoeuvre the corners! My lack of familiarity with the track was a further disadvantage. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With one lap behind me now I thought I’d certainly be better at the my role for the second lap. I started to watch Paul for indications such as when I should move - seeing if I could anticipate by his motions, again, as I didn’t know Mosport. At one point I raised up my hand so he could see it and waving to the right with my thumb pointed intending to say "right turn corner now?” Well, he took that as a signal to exit and that I’d had enough and wanted to go in. I suppose that was easily mistaken as we happened to be approaching pit lane and the exit of the track. Darn, I was disappointed! I wanted more and especially more time to get the job right. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I climbed off thanking Paul (and Marie) while Paul readied to take the next rider. The tingling in my arms lingered for a while and I felt as though they'd been stretched in length - you know, like a monkey’s! I was definitely not in shape for the task.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m so pleased to have added this to my motorcycling experiences. Though it wasn’t as thrilling to me as being the pilot or as racing on two wheels; the experience is incomparable to anything else motorcycling. Indeed, don’t pass up the chance if you have the opportunity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>As we ride into 2013,</b> I hope your year will be filled with ever more new motorcycling experiences. They need not happen on the track- some can be as simple as touring to a new region or taking out a scooter for the first time during a demo ride.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take it from me, every aspect and form of motorcycling offers up its own unique sensation- more fun than a<i style="font-weight: bold;"> "barrel of monkeys" -</i> you might say!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Happy New Year riding!</i></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks again <a href="http://www.vrra.ca/">VRRA</a>, especially to Paul and Marie Whittaker!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These fabulous photos by Richard Coburn, </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coburn Photography <a href="http://www.coburnphotography.ca/">www.coburnphotography.ca</a></span></i></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sidecar Smarts (ala Wikipedia)</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The sidecars are often classed by age or engine size, with historic sidecar racing often being more popular than its modern counterpart. Older classes in road racing generally resemble solo motorcycles with a platform attached, where modern racing sidecars are low and long and borrow much technology from open wheel race cars. In all types of sidecar racing there is a rider and a passenger who work in unison to make the machine perform, as they would be almost unrideable without the passenger in the correct position.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Road racing sidecars began to change away from normal motorcycle development in the 1950s with them becoming lower and using smaller diameter wheels and they kept the enclosed "dustbin fairing" banned in solo competition in 1957. By the 1970s they were using wide slick tyres with a square car like profile, the rider kneeled behind the engine instead of sitting on a seat and the motor of choice was generally a 500 cc two stroke. In the late 1970s sidecars began to appear with hub centre steering and later the engines moved to the rear of the rider, to lower the centre of gravity further still, making the sidecar very long. Sidecars raced in the world championship known as Superside are all hub centre long monocoque framed machines, the most common being LCR, ART or Windle, with 1,000 cc four-cylinder four-stroke engines, the most popular being the Suzuki GSX-R1000.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>These at club and national level are known as Formula One sidecars, as opposed to Formula Two. Formula Two sidecars are short front engined bikes, which must have a frame made of steel tube and have leading link forks as monocoques and hub centre steering is banned. Engines are 350 cc two strokes or 600 cc four strokes. F2 sidecars are raced in their own championship but are often on track at the same time as the F1’s, but competing for their own points. Since 1990 at the Isle of Man TT, the Sidecar TT has been solely contested by Formula Two sidecars as Formula Ones were deemed too fast, then lapping at 108 mph (174 km/h) average. By 2006 however, F2s were faster than this lapping at 116 mph (187 km/h).</i></span></div>
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MOTORESS Vicki Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17063842409277634982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661119267953946017.post-9045109744025744992012-12-27T15:58:00.004-05:002012-12-27T16:15:33.624-05:00Somewhere in California a Woman's Having Fun .. in Free Motorcycle Boots<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our MOTORESS commerce items are certainly going well in our <a href="http://www.shopmotoress.com/" target="_blank"><i>online shop</i></a>! I get such personal pleasure in being able to provide terrific products which I've either created or used myself. It’s not often you’ll find items for women in motorcycling / scootering endorsed by another woman. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">About a month ago we had a very determined shopper - Ms Colette Jue of San Francisco California who purchased a gift certificate. It took her three credit card attempts where the third card finally went through. The others were declined. She purchased one of our gift certificates in the amount of $250. How nice, a gift which would certainly make someone very happy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next day Ms. Luan Nguyen Thanh from Westminster, California went through our shop and purchased our new fabulous ankle high <i><b><a href="http://www.shopmotoress.com/drift-ankle-boot/" target="_blank">Drift boot</a></b> </i>by Exustar. She also purchased a few <a href="http://www.shopmotoress.com/lipstick/" target="_blank"><i>lipsticks</i></a>, our <a href="http://www.shopmotoress.com/mineral-icing-sugar-shimmer-powder/" target="_blank"><i>mineral bronzer</i></a> and shimmer powder- using the gift certificate Colette bought the day before.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Promptly and with pleasure, we shipped the boots and cosmetics. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then, a few weeks later, our online banking partner Moneris took back the $250.00 from our bank account (a charge-back). Evidently, the transaction was fraudulent and Ms Colette Jue never authorized use of her card.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After much debate and paperwork substantiating our actions to the situation, we were still not able to reverse the loss. As Colette did not authorize use of her card, nor did she receive the goods, there was little we could do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The loss, with shipping, cost of goods, etc. totalled $300. on our side.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And though frustrating; mostly in that our banking partner didn't stand behind our integrity and faulted us for processing the card – I didn't feel any anger at the fact of being ripped off by a devious crook.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No, I actually felt quite complimented - <i>as this person, a woman, so desired these motorcycle boots and our cosmetics that she went to great lengths to acquire them. For heaven’s sake, she committed a crime to have them!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That’s truthfully flattering in my books.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But mainly, I thought that she obviously needed them much more than we did.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course my business can’t afford to incur losses like these regularly. It hurt indeed, but lessons learned where now additional procedures are in place to avoid such an occurrence in the future.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And best of all, when I imagine this woman on her motorcycle or scooter, enjoying her fabulous <b><i>free motorcycle boots</i></b> along with her <i><b>Beauty Gear </b></i>accented lips and bronzed glittery face; a happy feeling takes me over- now <b style="font-style: italic;">...that can't be bought or stolen!</b></span></div>
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MOTORESS Vicki Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17063842409277634982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661119267953946017.post-38885980016800454422012-12-06T02:21:00.000-05:002012-12-06T22:03:16.702-05:00Riding a Motorcycle Japanese Style<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let me tell you – it is <i><b>pure</b></i> heaven to ride a motorcycle in Japan! And appropriately my first moto-voyage had to be on a Japanese brand –a Honda CB 400. The fact alone of experiencing Japan was awe-inspiring in itself. This beautiful culture of ancient standing and etiquette's; delectable special cuisines - all that and the addition of riding a motorcycle just moved me beyond anything I could have imagined. I really never thought it would be as fantastic as experienced. The roads are perfect. They twist, they turn, and they disappear through tunnels and climb to heights of spectacular views. They border coastlines of unbelievable tropical scenery. And when the scent of pine or coastal sea dissipates from the air, it's quickly replaced by incense or soya cooked food aromas arousing the senses –as only a motorcyclist can experience in the open air – </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">of Japan!</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the time of my visit, mid/end November the daily average temperatures reach 18 Celsius- perfect riding weather. In fact, in this climate most Japanese ride all year long –only when the snow stays on the roads in Tokyo do they park the bike or scooter. And even then, it’s never for very long. I imagine in summer though, when temperatures soar accented with high humidity, it would be less pleasant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The days shorten quickly; it’s dark in Japan at 17.00 just like in Toronto this time of year. And once the sun disappears behind the mountain tops, it becomes very chilly.The climate varies a few degrees here and there affected by its mountainous influence or surrounding coastal waters. The island is lovely and lush covered in a thick green blanket of forest; vibrant with reds as autumns colours begin to decorate its landscape. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before departure to Japan, many friends expressed their concerns about me riding within Japan’s “LHT”– left hand traffic system. Well, it’s not my first time and I had no troubles adjusting to taking up my lane positions etc. on the left side of the road. I’ve driven and ridden in England and when living in St. Maarten, I’d often visit neighbouring Anguilla – a British island using LHT (just a ferry ride from French St. Martin port). Though I admit, once in a while a prompt would come forward in my brain of confusion and question– “hey what are you doing on the left side of the road!?” One of those conditioned muscle memory thingy’s. On a plus note, the LHT system allows for some curb hugging sharp left turns. Much more fun than sharp right turns here in the RHT (right hand traffic) system.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The roads are narrow yet, really, I didn't notice as my years of riding (and living) in Europe, travelling through narrow village streets is common place. Road surface is well kept, clean and really quite perfect. There are no potholes, litter or junk on the road. The speed limit is lower, usually 80 km/h to 100 </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">km/h th</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">e expressways. You can imagine this is the part I found most challenging. Those perfect sweeping roads, little traffic or no congestion made it a difficult task to keep under control. Interestingly, the speed signs can be adjusted electronically and apparently there are cameras everywhere, though I never could seem to find one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Toll booths are common and frequent on Japan’s national expressways. They are expensive to use and are based on distance travelled. You collect a ticket when entering the expressway and then pay further along on a machine. Honestly, I would not have figured this out alone- thank goodness my Japanese good friend took care of this for me. Of course, residents can purchase an electronic toll collection.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To sum it up, I've been touched by Japan! What an incredible experience. Of course adding Japan to my list of motorcycle riding experiences is certainly any moto enthusiasts' dream. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Though the basics of riding remain the same, this Japan experience, the stage set by Nippon’s culture, as you can imagine, compares to none. I really can’t wait to return again, and I hope soon!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh yes, I really must tell you about the ride up <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Nantai" target="_blank">Mt. Nantai</a> along Lake Chuzenji! This was too incredible! Hideo-san, local friend (former motorcycle racer and Formula I test driver) escorted us up and down Mt. Nantai through chicane after mountain twist-crazy! He knew the mountain well and <u>could</u> <u>not</u> be kept up with on his big Triumph Bonneville.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think I’ll be sharing quite a lot of Japan here for the next while –but for now ...<i>Sayonara!</i></span></div>
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MOTORESS Vicki Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17063842409277634982noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661119267953946017.post-69133443031168097862012-12-02T14:24:00.004-05:002013-02-25T11:54:47.623-05:00Riding Lake Temiskaming on Harley-Davidson Road King Classic<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This past August I took a four day ride on the mighty <a href="http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_CA/Content/Pages/2012-Motorcycles/touring/road-king-classic/road-king-classic.html" target="_blank">Harley-Davidson road King Classic</a> up North [of Toronto]- around Lake Temiskaming. The tale of this exploration starts like this …</span><span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"the fragrance of fresh birch and pine was invigorating! Golden rod and wild grasses along the road’s shoulder leaped forward with a punch of colour. The road shone..."</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></i></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and this just one scene within this special ride. The full story continues </span></span><a href="http://www.northernontario.travel/motorcycletouring/feature/44-general/352-riding-lake-temiskamings-shores-of-brilliant-reflections" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you enjoy touring on a motorcycle and being surrounded by a simple quiet setting, I'm certain you’ll enjoy the <a href="http://www.northernontario.travel/motorcycletouring/feature/44-general/352-riding-lake-temiskamings-shores-of-brilliant-reflections" target="_blank">read</a>. And just as the article affects me, I hope it will do the same for you- prompting memories of great summer rides.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gosh even now on this on cold and raining December day, and just looking at this picture- I can feel the sun on my face! And as I look to the bike, I can feel the warmth the bike's seat has absorbed as I set myself into it readying to ride away. Mmmm... reflections, the next best thing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the route, definitely a must to ride if you’re planning to visit Ontario!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0000ee; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><u>http://www.northernontario.travel/motorcycle-touring/riding-lake-temiskaming</u></span></div>
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MOTORESS Vicki Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17063842409277634982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661119267953946017.post-83730557807797120212012-10-29T22:35:00.001-04:002012-10-29T22:35:39.143-04:00Don’ts for Women Riders- A List We've Never Known<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Though this has little to do with motorcycling... I found this article not only incredibly amusing but rather parallel to the issues women have faced with regard to motorcycling.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The article appeared on <b>June 21st of 1895</b>. The "Newark Sunday Advocate" ran this alarming story —syndicated from New York World —about a recent gathering of the Unique Cycling Club of Chicago; an event that saw two lady riders publicly punished/shamed for having the nerve to turn up wearing short skirts- over their bloomers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Many of the </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">don'ts</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> are outrageous. You’ll certainly laugh aloud as did I! It's astonishing how women of that era were to behave.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank goodness, truly, times have changed. But sadly, in far too many countries we're still <i>peddling up hill-</i> so to speak on women's issues for equality and freedom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>DON’TS FOR WOMEN RIDERS</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t be a fright.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t faint on the road.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t wear a man’s cap.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t wear tight garters.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t forget your tool bag</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t attempt a “century.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t coast. it is dangerous.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t boast of your long rides.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t criticize people’s “legs.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t wear loud hued leggings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t cultivate a “bicycle face.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t refuse assistance up a hill.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t wear clothes that don’t fit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t neglect a “light’s out” cry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t wear jewellery while on a tour.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t race. Leave that to the scorchers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t wear laced boots. They are tiresome.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t imagine everybody is looking at you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t go to church in your bicycle costume.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t wear a garden party hat with bloomers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t contest the right of way with cable cars.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t chew gum. Exercise your jaws in private.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t wear white kid gloves. Silk is the thing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t ask, “What do you think of my bloomers?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t use bicycle slang. Leave that to the boys.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t go out after dark without a male escort.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t without a needle, thread and thimble.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t try to have every article of your attire “match.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t let your golden hair be hanging down your back.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t allow dear little Fido to accompany you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t scratch a match on the seat of your bloomers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t discuss bloomers with every man you know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t appear in public until you have learned to ride well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t overdo things. Let cycling be a recreation, not a labour.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t ignore the laws of the road because you are a woman.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t try to ride in your brother’s clothes “to see how it feels.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t scream if you meet a cow. If she sees you first, she will run.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t cultivate everything that is up to date because you ride a wheel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t emulate your brother’s attitude if he rides parallel with the ground.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t undertake a long ride if you are not confident of performing it easily.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t appear to be up on “records” and “record smashing.” That is sporty.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>View the original newspaper article <a href="http://www.motoress.com/BLOG/Dontforwomen_VickisBlog.jpg" target="_blank">here</a>.</i></b></span></div>
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MOTORESS Vicki Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17063842409277634982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661119267953946017.post-52513748129123150282012-10-08T20:33:00.000-04:002012-12-18T01:16:34.238-05:00The Summer of T-shirts & Shorts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He passed me when I was in my car. We were on the city ring highway. He was on his cruiser wearing a beanie helmet, t-shirt, light cargo pants and –sandals. He was going about 110 kilometres per hour. His face had a happy freedom expression on it, or perhaps he was stoned because you’d have to be delirious to get on a high-powered motorcycle in rush hour urban traffic dressed like this!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpBPYf7G6pzIUW_R3lYQHAp-_2Nfl9WcYG-erYes45I1yRE4hspqJaYX3ezJ0viLYuUA97z7dO0mIX7BH3Wzv0DId9R7RYBKgSKjDt2iRZVs7M1iR4ZIaaw-c72WafM2uDpC2RA6dvGAC/s1600/Tshirtssumr_1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img align="left" alt="Motoressing Vicki's blog" border="0" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpBPYf7G6pzIUW_R3lYQHAp-_2Nfl9WcYG-erYes45I1yRE4hspqJaYX3ezJ0viLYuUA97z7dO0mIX7BH3Wzv0DId9R7RYBKgSKjDt2iRZVs7M1iR4ZIaaw-c72WafM2uDpC2RA6dvGAC/s1600/Tshirtssumr_1.jpg" title="Summer of Tshirt and Shorts" width="382" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ve named this past riding season as the summer of<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <strong>T-SHIRTS & SHORTS</strong></span>.</span> Sadly, this was the common choice of motorcycle gear among this city's motorcyclists. Actually, I’m going to refer to them as “riders” as these types are not deserving of the prestige title –<span style="color: #444444;"><b>MOTORCYCLIST<i>.</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>THE TERM IMPLIES PROFESSIONALISM</b></span>. Opting not to wear motorcycle gear, a jacket, pants, gloves, boots proper helmet, the whole package is not the act of a pro or anyone serious about long term riding for that fact.
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No doubt, this was the one of the hottest summers on record making it often unbearable to ride. Factor in a blazing hot motorcycle on scorching hot roads, often intolerable. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em><span style="color: #444444;">But the weather has never stopped accidents from happening</span></em></strong>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Motorcyclists always need to be ready. This summer Toronto alone had its highest incidents of motorcycle crashes I can ever remember. Did the heat have something to do with it? When you consider that on average, motorcyclists make up <i><b><span style="color: #444444;">one per cent of traffic but 16 per cent of road fatalities</span> </b></i>– something’s not working. <br /><br />In earlier years it seemed motorcycling was taken more seriously. Well, in Europe there’s no discussion – gear is worn. Perhaps in cities such as Milan, Italy where traffic is respectful of scooter and motorcyclists you’ll find slight variations. In most Euro cities, drivers actually look out for the safety of motorcyclists unlike in North America. The training curriculum hasn’t changed and gear actually has become lighter, better qualified for safety with armour, Kevlar’s and available. <br /><br /><span style="color: #444444;"><b>GEAR ISN'T JUST IN THE CASE OF MISHAP - </b><b> IT'S ALSO FOR YOUR COMFORT</b></span>. When you’re not comfortable, you’re distracted. Distraction means focus is absent from the road and this equates to error and poor skill execution. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Here’s a question</em></strong> – if you’re in the middle of a long ride say six hours, and within the first hour your boots begin to cause you pain will you enjoy the ride and give full concentration to the road?<br /><br />Operating a motorcycle is <b><span style="color: #444444;">SUPER FUN</span></b>– it's also very serious business. It requires all your focus, all your skill all of the time- yes, every single minute. It’s for expert minds and coordinated bodies. It’s for the thrill seeker who respects its risks. And when the unexpected happens you’ll be ready. The t-shirt and shorts composition will not ever prepare you.<br /><br />In my network, we see it this way…<b><span style="color: #444444;">THE MOTORCYCLIST IN FULL GEAR ACTUALLY HAS THE MOST FREEDOM </span></b>to ride and takes motorcycling seriously possessing incredible riding ability and skill. A properly fitted rider is a sign of professionalism. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />At the end of the day, it’s the riders’ choice. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And it falls right in the same categories as say, ….choosing to smoke or not during pregnancy; to drink and drive, or not to; to practise safe sex or not.<br /><span style="color: #444444;"><i><b>Yes, making the choice to wear protective motorcycle gear is really a difficult one to make.</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Do visit Britt</span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">a</span></span><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">ny's website <b><a href="http://www.rockthegear.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"ROCK THE GEAR"</a></b> if doubt remains about wearing proper motorcycle gear. </span></b></em></span></span></h2>
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MOTORESS Vicki Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17063842409277634982noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661119267953946017.post-35277608218180412452012-08-16T03:59:00.000-04:002012-10-08T20:05:52.113-04:00The Road Was All Mine!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What a lonely road this is - isn't it? It's really the motorcyclists dream. No cars, no traffic lights, no interference - just the road and the ride!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Recently I took a fabulous road trip on the bike. It seemed to really unfold its adventure a few hours north of Toronto, once I crossed onto the Bruce Peninsula. I was off to explore the Georgian Bay Coastal Route. I couldn’t believe I’d not been on these roads until now! The nature and superb riding conditions could not have been better! Oddly, and I believe I'm timing this perfectly -on the anniversary of the classic film "The Wizard of OZ" (12 August 1939) - one of the films many and special messages kept rolling over in my mind ...<i>"you need never look further than your own back yard"</i>. True enough Dorothy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's the full story - <a href="http://www.northernontario.travel/motorcycletouring/itineraries-to-go/41-general/326-make-your-own-discoveries-ride-georgian-bay" target="_blank"><i>"Make Your own Discoveries- Ride Georgian Bay"</i></a> - I hope you'll enjoy it and venture to the area to make a few of your own. <i>And be sure to give me a call so I can join you. ;-)</i></span></div>
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MOTORESS Vicki Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17063842409277634982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661119267953946017.post-31466150671370510772012-06-25T13:16:00.002-04:002012-12-18T01:34:19.757-05:00Off Road Motorcycle riding fun – the dirt speaks for itself!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Yesterday I headed up North to enjoy my other favourite form of motorcycling, off-roading! It's as simple as that, getting off the street and riding on trails, off the road. Riding through the woods, sliding around loose dirt corners and accelerating over jumps is incredible fun! <i>And it's the jumps I personally can't get enough of!</i> It's the kind of motorcycling which is full of fearless fun and gettin' dirty!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Off road riding never requires good weather or roads; in fact the worst conditions are usually sought accenting the - <i>challenge!</i> The bike gives you lots of feedback as it shakes and wiggles beneath you. The handlebars move around constantly from the terrain and sometimes, as is in my case, the seat comes up behind you and whacks you a good one on the rear!(riding over a log for example) You relax your grip and let go of all that mental jibber-jabber visualizing that it's you, you are the "being" with the knobby tyres riding over those chunky rocks!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It was when I moved to the Caribbean I started riding duo sport and off road motorcycles. There really was no other choice as a paved road was a challenge to find. The island of St. Maarten was accessed namely by gravel roads or dirt - not conducive to the usual fun sought on a sport bike. On the French side of the island, St. Martin, the motorcycle club built a track on the beach it was all sand- <i>deep sand!</i> I tried it often but seemed to always get buried - too challenging and heavy for my abilities- then. There was a lot of local rider talent to be found on that island! I recall the president of the bike club (I was also a member) could </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">literally </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">ride the entire island on the back wheel of his Honda XLR500 – the longest wheelie I've seen- to date!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It’s a given in dirt riding that you fall, pick yourself up and do it again. And here's where I like to bring into play “guy” mentality -minimal thinking, more doing. It's that mindset of fearing a fall that creates a mental set back. Of course the bike can get out from underneath you and yes you are not free from danger. It was two years ago now I fell wrong and the handlebar went into my ribs resulting in two small fractures. But it's the spills which are great fodder for laughs and <i>a<span class="st">près</span> </i>off road stories! The bikes are designed to take abuse as is the special moto-gear required - you'll not see a rider without full gear. It’s a rough and tumble sport that’s super fun, physical and totally skill enhancing! I've always likened motorcycling to skiing-and off road riding even more so. As in skiing (or snowboarding), when you fall, you learn. I’ve had some days though, where I fell so repeatedly, it was exhausting! It's hard work especially as the day moves on- picking up that motorcycle!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Getting dirty is such a fun part of it –so I challenged the women riding with me with a prize for the rider who ended up being <i>the dirtiest! </i>Stipulating language didn't count!<i> </i> The prize went to Nancy who lost it in a corner and in the midst of a huge puddle! In my case, the day was evident when I removed my helmet - a <i><b>dirt </b><b>brown moustache!</b></i> (Sweeping in back of the group ensures eating a lot of dust!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ah yes, my moustache, mud covered boots and a few bruises - the proud souvenirs of an exhilarating day where not just riding through challenging terrain and improving 'trick riding' skills is enough - it'</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">s the fact of getting dirty- the proud tell-tale signs of a day spent <i>off-roading! </i>Come join us next time!</span></div>
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MOTORESS Vicki Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17063842409277634982noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661119267953946017.post-59315765455701994992012-06-03T20:00:00.001-04:002012-06-04T16:03:41.963-04:00Motorcycle Honeymoon Phase Over? Where to now?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;">Remember how exciting it was when you started riding a motorcycle and then bought your first bike? You felt on top of the world with your newly discovered passion! You’d get butterflies in your stomach and your heart would beat a little faster at the thought of sharing time with your "sweet" motorcycle. The two of you attached in adventure, performance and safety- the "<i>honeymoon phase".</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">In the honeymoon phase all is fresh and new.<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Inescapably</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;"> </span>you will hit an eventual pleasure plateau. Motorcycling, perhaps comparable to life- your career, personal relationships all level off. When the honeymoons' over you’ll feel as though you’ve “been there done that”; as you ready to ride you'll find yourself saying “where to now?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">When I started riding, it was the same- you couldn’t remove from the seat of my bike. I’d find any excuse to be on my motorcycle. During the week I’d hurry home after work, skip dinner just to get a few hours of riding in before nightfall. It didn’t matter where I went as long as I was riding- the quality of the ride or it's distance was not relevant. But then it changed. I started to weigh out the trouble of getting the gear on and the motorcycle out to the quality, time and distance of the ride. The rides became predictable. So I started to explore other areas of motorcycling. I became an instructor, took mechanics courses and even left the country and moved to a tropical Caribbean Island just so I could ride all year long! Motorcycling has given me now twenty nine years of intimate sporting adventure and taken my kicks to so many different plateaus!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Using my example, you've likely figured out the solution to keeping that riding flame of passion going -<b><i>work on the intimacy of the relationship</i></b>. Get closer to motorcycling! It's up to you as to which extent you'll do that but </span><span style="font-size: small;">here are a few suggestions to get you going! (Random order)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Trade in your motorcycle for a larger size (cc) engine; the next size up.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Change the style of riding i.e. cruiser to sport-bike or sport-bike to sport touring.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Take a motorcycle mechanics course.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Practise doing your own general maintenance–start with an oil change or understand your braking system by doing your own brake fluid refresh.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Take an off road course.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Enroll in a track day-learn circuit riding!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Start racing or some form of motorcycle competition.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Take part in a rally (KYMCO Mad B Scooter Rally).</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Try to beat a record i.e. Iron Butt contests.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Start a motorcycle club or charity ride.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Travel to a challenging destination i.e. Panama.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Ride with new friends – join a new club.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Become a motorcycle instructor.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Take a month off and go for a four week tour.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Take an all inclusive European motorcycle tour (Edelweiss tours).</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Modify/customize your motorcycle.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Get a custom paint job for your motorcycle.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Move to a climate where you can ride all year.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Diversify your style of riding. Add an off road motorcycle or a scooter to your collection.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Once you move through these plateau’s and keep motorcycling interesting- ever increasing skills and knowledge, you'll result in an </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">expanded </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">intimacy for the activity!</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">At this point in my life, the phase I fear most which inevitably accompanies ageing- the physical <i>inability to ride</i>! Though I've still many years ahead (counting my blessings!) it is unlikely I'll surrender gracefully, if at all, to this reality. But perhaps it will then be time to outfit myself with a motorcycle and side-car!<i> The</i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i> romance may never last, but the intimacy never ends!</i></span></div>
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</div>MOTORESS Vicki Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17063842409277634982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661119267953946017.post-87801031856905089542012-02-11T16:50:00.001-05:002012-02-11T16:58:32.237-05:00Sometimes You’ve Got to Turn Thinking Off To Turn Motorcycle Skills On.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.motoress.com/BLOG/Motoress_pushleft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.motoress.com/BLOG/Motoress_pushleft.jpg" width="273" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">It is not uncommon for us to think too much, and it seems to curse many of us more often than we’d like. Our thoughts and imaginings can be our own worst enemies - even when we’re trying to learn a new motorcycle operational skill!<br />
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One of my own </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>"over-thinking-it"</i> experiences comes to mind during my first attempt at snow skiing. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">My excitement and impatience found me at the top of an advanced hill! I stood there for a very long time, starring down the hill and wondering . . .how? How did I get way up here and how do I get down there? Finally I surrendered and pushed off! Though my form left much to be admired, I managed relatively well. It was super exhilarating inclusive the snowy cushioned fall! But I won’t forget those thoughts, the ones which kept me frozen in place - thinking about it too much!<br />
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<b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When it comes to motorcycling</b>, the same is true. We can prevent ourselves from moving forward by over-thinking what we’re doing. Of course, there's a difference between that and the good accumulation of thought (information) learnt/needed to create that second nature motorcycling mindset for success. With guidance and the good schooling of an officially recognized instructor, there’s little to distrust or question. And most motorcycle schools utilise methods of training evolved through the years which result in best practises. Personally, there’s nothing more thrilling for me than the success achieved in teaching someone a motorcycle operational skill which advances their riding experience!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">That said, I had that very opportunity recently to <b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">assist a rider</b> with a skill causing them challenges. It was <b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.motoress.com/readarticle.asp?articleid=629&c=technique" target="_blank">push-steering</a></b>. With further review of push-steerings' science, accompanied with a simple riding exercise; success resulted! The major factor(s) with mastering push-steering is in simplifying the mind (focus) and the exercise. It was super to receive her email filled with ecstatic enthusiasm in the joy of discovery! Being proficient in steering your motorcycle with push-steering is huge for rider confidence! (<i>Yes, she had already graduated from a motorcycle safety course and went through the push-steering exercises but, like many, wasn’t quite grasping the technique</i>.)</span><br />
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This also reminded me that we didn’t have a detailed article on MOTORESS about push-steering. That’s changed - <b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.motoress.com/readarticle.asp?articleid=629&c=technique" target="_blank">READ MORE</a></b>! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">And here a note of appreciation for the terrific resource available to complete the MOTORESS push-steering article because all that physics can be just <b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>too much to think about!</i></b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span> </span></div></div>MOTORESS Vicki Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17063842409277634982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661119267953946017.post-49678417476882414972012-01-08T23:26:00.002-05:002012-01-20T12:16:52.747-05:002012 MOTORESS Rolling Ahead Continuum of Motorcycling for Women!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Very best wishes of the New Year! I hope amidst usual attentions to family and friends, you are eagerly planning your 2012 motorcycle journeys, vacations, races or motorcycle bike purchases! There is nothing better than the excitement that comes from planning a motorcycle riding adventure! And if you are like me, you’re currently in the midst of a cold weather season which makes it all the more filled with anticipation! </span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As a woman rider and motorcycling advocate – or better yet, complete fanatic- (everyone should be on a motorcycle!); the year ahead appears exciting for women riders! The upcoming 6th <a href="http://motoress.com/femalerideday.asp" target="_blank">International Female Ride Day</a> on 4 May is not long away! A world of women riders is expected to once again take part! And later on in the year, the <a href="http://motoress.com/readarticle.asp?articleid=620&c=news" target="_blank">AMA Women and Motorcycling Conference</a> is scheduled.</span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2011 gave women motorcyclists more firsts in motorsports, race wins, touring mileage achievements and certainly individually measured attainments than years before. Congrats to all (see MOTORESS sections <a href="http://motoress.com/news.asp" target="_blank">news</a> and <a href="http://motoress.com/motoressence.asp" target="_blank">MOTORessence</a> for details!)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The industry at large will continue it's interest in the <i><b>female rider demographic- </b></i>the last under developed riding frontier- along with today’s youth. They’ll be creating ever more ‘buzz’ in our direction as they continue to market to women and place strong media spin toward our gender. The boomer has fizzled out – <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">today’s woman is not seeking ‘empowerment’</span> </span>but new experiences- as has been the case for most of the past decade! Even women of the late 1800's /early 1900's were then also thrilled to ride a "powered" bicycle. Today's women also seek adventure, mental challenge/growth, distractions and plain ole'- fun!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.motoress.com/BLOG/2012_WEREOFF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="375" src="http://www.motoress.com/BLOG/2012_WEREOFF.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">From there to here it's not been easy - a financial struggle through the challenges our economy has given us. MOTORESS remains “unstoppable”, fuelled by the growing demands of our readers/visitors- you! And we’ve got the industry's best partners! (Visit our partners next time you’re on the site- click their banners!)</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This year marks my 29th celebration of the year I discovered motorcycling; became a licensed motorcyclist! I personally have so many riding plans -still, including a few races this year! <i>Would you believe I’ve never during all these years given up motorcycling or taken a pause from it including- not owning a motorcycle outside of a few months when I relocated continents? </i>And three decades later, I continue to work for the day when women are no longer a phenomenon in motorcycling but the norm or even the dominate gender! And I think we're getting closer!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">MOTORESS promises to continue thrilling you in 2012!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The MOTORESS New Year's resolution: to ensure MOTORESS continues providing the best product (content), support (education) and service (information) to our readers /customers while maintaining our core guidelines of "Connecting Women with Motorcycling!"</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Looking forward to riding with you once again throughout 2012!</span></span></div></div>MOTORESS Vicki Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17063842409277634982noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661119267953946017.post-62435227726876566482011-11-10T14:06:00.007-05:002011-11-10T23:40:24.199-05:00Season of New Motorcycle Riders Reaches Finale<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">This weekend, I’ll be instructing the basic motorcycle riding course to newcomers for the last time in 2011, but oddly, unlike seasons before, I feel unusually sentimental. My 26th season as an instructor is closing. It’s probably the combination of PMS – no not that the female thing - “parked bike syndrome”. Yes motorcycling is closing down for the season and I’m rejecting it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Students often ask, “Doesn’t this teaching ever get tiring? - no, not for me it’s eternally rewarding. My instructional experiences have taken me to training folks in the Caribbean and throughout Europe right back to Canada where it all began. I fondly remember when I took the licensing course and learned to ride- 1983, Dartmouth Nova Scotia. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>(*photo below shows me on rented Kawasaki 440LTD from Mic Mac Cycle.This is the first bike I took on the real road! Notice the helmet tied on? I took a male friend of mine for a ride! He was a tall fella, 6' 2" my first passenger.) </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://www.motoress.com/BLOG/VickiGray_firstRide_1983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.motoress.com/BLOG/VickiGray_firstRide_1983.jpg" width="265" /></a></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>I doubt any rider ever forgets the time they learned to ride.</i></b> I recall my instructors; not their names but their faces. They were great folks and one was a woman. To me this was normal, a woman instructor/rider. We had a blast! Instructors are urged to bring the ‘fun’ factor into training. I’m sure we’ve all said “are we having fun yet?” Humour greatly reduces stress or anxiety which some students may have. Then again, instructors are characteristically fun loving, adventurous nutty folks! And that week in Eastern Canada within the parking lot of that training course my life changed; I took to riding like a mermaid to the sea! Would you believe I was the one in the class who was consistently hollered at from across the parking lot - <i>“<b style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Vicki! Slow down”! </b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">A good instructor continues to hone one’s own self knowledge and riding skills in order to bring the best to the student. This fits perfectly with the passion – the advancement of knowledge! I recall when I first started teaching which wasn’t that long after I became a rider- I discovered the absence of mechanical know-how. I’d never ‘wrenched’ before. Immediately I enrolled into an advanced motorcycle mechanics course. It worked! I was able to bring even more shared knowledge to my students and engage better discussions with my, mostly male, peers. Plus, I could interject if hey were talking nonsense- as often guys do! *wink*. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(pictured below, though poor quality, is me riding over the 'teeter-totter" part of rider training back then!)</span></i></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.motoress.com/BLOG/VickiGray_learntoRide_1983%281%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://www.motoress.com/BLOG/VickiGray_learntoRide_1983%281%29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">No matter the character, culture, age or mindset of the student, my enthusiasm for bringing a learner into the total realm of motorcycling is nonstop! And my specialized focus to women riders, as a woman who has gone through the rungs in a ‘male directed sport’- transmits a broader (no pun intended) language for proficient, confident motorcycle operation. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">So... here’s to the motorcycle training course finale of 2011!</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span>Here’s to the students, the newcomers this weekend who too, will make the very same discovery, motorcycle riding which to this day has continued to thrill me and give me “kicks” beyond …expression!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> Yes, thank you God for motorcycling!</span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>MOTORESS Vicki Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17063842409277634982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661119267953946017.post-76088046893514891482011-10-27T01:49:00.004-04:002011-10-27T01:54:39.342-04:00Barred as Offensive Aprilia Motorcycle Advert Objectifies Women<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong></strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>It’s</strong> still, yes, still a man’s world and even more so, sadly, in the motorcycling sector. Though a reported 86% of household spending is decided upon by the woman of the house- this doesn’t seem to inspire motorcycle advertisers to do better. Furthermore, the fact that women riders represent over 25% of rider populations still doesn’t encourage good advertisements depicting women as riders over objectifying us.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://www.motoress.com/BLOG/Arrecife_apriliaadvrt_1.JPG" width="320" /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Here</strong> is an advert placed in the Spring of this year by Italian motorcycle manufacturer <a href="http://www.aprilia.com/en-US/Default.aspx">Aprilia</a>. The adverts’ life wasn’t long as it was forced deletion following complaints from the Women’s Institute of Spain, whose advertising monitoring sector considered it to be sexist. The ads' translation: “The Arrecife Range: Now several sizes smaller” literal translation “scale Reef: now several heights less”.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://www.motoress.com/BLOG/Arrecife_apriliaadvrt_2.JPG" width="320" /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Arrecife literally translated as a noun meaning: </span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>1. Causeway, a road paved with stone; mole. (m)</em></span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>2. A reef, ridge of hidden rocks lying close under the surface of the water.</em></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Masculine noun 1. reef Arrecife de coral -> coral reef.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>It</strong> could further be their ploy to play us against our own gender, to create that competitive desire by seeing “us” in their adverts – the object of desire. In the aim of attracting the simple(r) minds of men but all the while playing on our female to female pecking order and hunger for rank above each other. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Nonetheless,</strong> I don’t approve and am thankful the advert was pulled- it is crude and terribly demeaning. An open mind I proudly possess yet the degradation and objectifying of women in media prevents our advances for equality and respect.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Thank you</strong> Women’s Institute Spain- you caught this one fast for us!</span></div></div>MOTORESS Vicki Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17063842409277634982noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661119267953946017.post-86063040069833734252011-09-13T01:52:00.003-04:002016-08-01T13:46:41.736-04:00My Own Piece of Motorcycle History<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Any chance the name Treen might be familiar to you? If not, don’t worry because when I mention the word most draw a blank. Then again maybe you ARE one of the few in North America who recognizes the name? </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Well, I’ve got one and it still fits and to this day, occasionally, I wear it. It’s a cherished collectible made in Canada by former - <b>Treen Custom Leathers </b>made-to-measure leather motorcycle race suits.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Treen produced excellent high quality leather riding suits which were identified by their gold background embroidered label accented with a bright red maple leaf. It was a name synonymous with an exciting era in Canada’s motorsport history.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.motoress.com/BLOG/Treen_VGBlog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.motoress.com/BLOG/Treen_VGBlog.jpg" height="300" nba="true" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I wondered what happened to Treen so went online and found a Treen Custom Leathers in Edmonton. I telephoned the company and the employee I spoke with had no idea of the Treen history but referred me to Lawrence Busenius, pronounced like “business and genius” he told me, an employee who has worked with the company through its change of ownership for over two decades. Indeed Lawrence confirmed I had found the original Treen!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The company was started by Brian Treen’s father Gerald in 1949. During the 70’s and 80’s Brian was the driving force behind the motorsport manufacturing area. The company designed racing suits for flat track, drag and road racing disciplines – and of course for everyday riders such as me. Many a Treen was created for our Canadian (and USA) amateur and professional competitors. They designed suits right up until the mid- 90’s yet, due to the change in race suit materials and dynamics, Treen felt they couldn’t quite keep up. The company was then sold to its current owner Bob Dale Gloves, whose focus is entirely on high quality motorcycle gloves – the very item Treen started with. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Edmonton born brand had a few Treen agents across Canada working through motorcycle leather shops. I can’t remember the Toronto address, however I do recall the day I went into the shop to get my first made-to-fit-me motorcycle suit! The sales guy took my measurements and I recall he asked me if I needed the extra knee and elbow protection/reinforcements for racing. My response was no, as I had no plans for racing (it was inevitable I would race!) And really, that was in the 80’s - kudos to this chap for thinking I... a female, was going to need the suit for racing! Treen, of course, provided the whole service, including lettering as I naturally had to have my name added on the jacket, just... “Vicki”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Since my return to Canada, and perhaps from sheer sentiment of years gone by, my Treen motorcycle suit has become more important to me. I’ve had nine made-to-measure race suits since then. My Treen suit however gets the eternal “first place podium”!</span></div>
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MOTORESS Vicki Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17063842409277634982noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661119267953946017.post-85994850018380262252011-08-31T14:05:00.009-04:002011-08-31T14:18:32.274-04:00Passenger Safety Gadget Ignores Female Rider Friendliness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_oz90oh="832" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div closure_uid_oz90oh="354" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span closure_uid_oz90oh="379" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The motorcycling industry at large cannot be faulted – good intentions exist to ensure women are considered now in motorcycling, at all levels. But as women riders move forward there are still many steps taking us back. </span></div></div><div closure_uid_7fsyxy="311" closure_uid_oz90oh="347" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span closure_uid_7fsyxy="373" closure_uid_j8ayfq="311" closure_uid_oz90oh="397" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was apparent when I first caught sight of the new “Passenger Safety Accessory” called the “MotoGrip”. The pictures typically depict the "man" as the motorcycle rider and the woman as the passenger. But this time it was the entire design of the harness which had me twinging! The design (pictured below) </span><span closure_uid_oz90oh="397" closure_uid_yh6hkj="311" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">if worn by a woman, lies directly across the breast area and appears incredibly unsuitable and uncomfortable for a female. (Could the straps even adjust to fit various chest sizes?)</span></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_oz90oh="2164" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.motoress.com/BLOG/Grip_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.motoress.com/BLOG/Grip_1.jpg" width="270" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_oz90oh="1289" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.motoress.com/BLOG/Grip_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.motoress.com/BLOG/Grip_2.jpg" width="212" xaa="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><div closure_uid_oz90oh="2200" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div closure_uid_u9jwch="320"><div closure_uid_7fsyxy="348"><div closure_uid_p0ucb7="311"><span closure_uid_4b6v64="321" closure_uid_oz90oh="396" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Funnily enough, there are vast numbers of women riders who have children, teenagers and of course partners who enjoy riding on the back of their motorcycles. The MotoGrip may actually be a product for Mom’s which could provide additional "peace of mind" (MotoGrip Junior) when riding their youngsters around. </span><span closure_uid_j8ayfq="313" closure_uid_oz90oh="394" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Many marketers are still not concerned with women riders. In this particular case, it would be as simple as introducing a female version of the item (which I'm fairly positive they'll implement if this manufacturer reads this blog!) Or demonstrating in their promo material how a woman could wear the item - which likely would be on the outside of a very thick jacket to avoid the anticipated discomfort!</span></div></div></div></div></div><div closure_uid_oz90oh="1380" closure_uid_u9jwch="322" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><div closure_uid_p0ucb7="313"><a href="http://www.motoress.com/BLOG/grip_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://www.motoress.com/BLOG/grip_4.jpg" width="200" xaa="true" /></a><span closure_uid_oz90oh="2202" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It continues to strike me as unusual, that with women steering our global economy's; controlling 80% of all household spending, are still often not counted.</span></div></div><div closure_uid_oz90oh="1067" closure_uid_u9jwch="323" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span closure_uid_97jlgf="312" closure_uid_oz90oh="392" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then again, there may be another factor at play… I know any passenger I’ve taken on my motorcycle for a ride, has never had any qualms about- holding on! *wink*</span></div><div closure_uid_u9jwch="324" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><div closure_uid_7fsyxy="374"><span closure_uid_oz90oh="384" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em closure_uid_oz90oh="391"><u><strong>Note:</strong></u> for the record, I’m not convinced any form of passenger assisted grip works or does the job for the passenger.</em></span></span></div></div></div>MOTORESS Vicki Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17063842409277634982noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661119267953946017.post-67238675281348730922011-07-28T02:17:00.006-04:002011-07-28T02:23:55.987-04:00Motorcycle Instructors Need Training Too<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the end of May Canada hosted the <a href="http://www.erts.ca/2011-erts-program.php">ERTS</a>- <em>European Rider Training Symposium</em>. This was staged and implemented by the <a href="http://www.fim-live.com/en/">FIM</a> recognised CMA (Canadian Motorcycle Association) and the <a href="http://safety-council.org/training/motorcycle-training-program/">CSC</a>–Canada Safety Council. A few instructors were selected, myself included, to present specific modules during the event aimed at assisting the attendees. The delegates were my peers, motorcycle instructors from around the world looking forward to new training experiences and viewing the levels of instruction riders receive in Canada. </span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.motoress.com/BLOG/Erts_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://www.motoress.com/BLOG/Erts_3.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As North America is the home of the great cruiser- Indian, and Harley-Davidson, there was indeed a cruiser module offered. Also an impressive police demo module using Harley-Davidson police motorcycles. We also presented a scooter module sponsored by KYMCO; dirt bike course (with an additional focus on training kid/ youth) and my module, advanced rider training using BMW Motorrad Canada's fleet of motorcycles.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a stellar event with an added bonus for me due to the attendance of the <a href="http://www.knmv.nl/">KNMV</a> (Royal Dutch Motorcycle Association) instructors! I knew and had worked with most of them in The Netherlands.</span> </span> It was very much like a reunion for me and you can imagine how I enjoyed being able to use/speak Dutch with the fellas!</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="http://www.motoress.com/BLOG/Erts_1.jpg" t$="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My only complaint about the event, was the fact that while busy teaching the continuous rotation of groups, I had no opportunity to experience the other modules. I would have enjoyed the police bike challenge, you know, small turns on a huge wide bike! But I did manage to grab a few rounds on the race track (Toronto Motorsport Park) Friday after completion on the <a href="http://en-us.spyder.brp.com/showroom/Spyder-RS/overview.aspx">Can Am Spyder</a> by BRP. And also to ride through the off road module.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Teaching your peers also required a cross over in method from training learners and intermediates to coaching those rather well trained- and motorcycle instructors at that. Personally, I’m accustomed to this while teaching on the track.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.motoress.com/BLOG/Erts_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.motoress.com/BLOG/Erts_2.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Though these folks had to finance the trip (travel from EU, <span style="font-family: Verdana; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Guatemala</span>, Germany, Belgium, etc.) and symposium fees themselves, you’ll likely agree with me, it’s important if you’re serious about your motorcycle training profession. Like anything else, you’ve got to ensure your skills don't expire and are up-to-date with training methods. Furthermore as an authority, one needs to be well versed with up and coming trends in motorcycle safety and instruction. As an example/reference - ABS (Anti Lock Braking Systems) will by 2017 be mandatory on all motorcycles. ABS has existed for a number of years yet many instructors in North America have not yet tried ABS on a motorcycle. Quite the opposite when comparing to Europe where most have it on their motorcycles already!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We’ve a long way to go regarding training basics in most categories. And as my Dutch colleague Frits Lindeman, an expert in motorcycle accident causes stated- a decade ago the focus [in The Netherlands] was on skills. Now there’s a higher importance placed on risk assessment. It is recognized that most riders only ride as fast as their skill level permits. When these skills are improved upon, it was discovered that this simply created faster riders. By evaluating riding techniques an instructor is now able to coach and teach the rider how to recognize the potential dangers surrounding them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As instructors, you can rest assured we are eternally evaluating, advancing and bringing to you better concepts, tactics and methods to ensure security while you motor along enjoying motorcycling!</span></div></div></div>MOTORESS Vicki Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17063842409277634982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661119267953946017.post-11381499670327553722011-06-11T23:34:00.000-04:002011-06-11T23:34:26.659-04:00Hit the Ground Riding – International Female Ride Day Spring Board to Season<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.motoress.com/BLOG/hitgroundrunning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.motoress.com/BLOG/hitgroundrunning.jpg" style="cursor: move;" t8="true" unselectable="on" width="246" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Too fast! Time is speeding by. How is it that just over a month ago I was out there riding, enjoying the sensations motorcycling invokes; while women riders from all parts of the globe did the same. It was during the celebration of International Female Ride Day. And now, I look back and my personal photos of the Toronto specific rally are still not on my facebook page nor are the photos sent in by other women rider participants. We’ve not posted summaries of the exciting events around the world. It’s all because, after the first Friday of May we “hit the ground riding” – full on with motorcycle season!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As women, we tend to have a ‘super heroine’ outlook and mindset that we can do it all. Yes, add more to our days, pile on the tasks, the commitments and push forward in constant productivity. And on top of that when it comes to motorcycling we passionately <span style="font-size: large;">WANT</span> to do it all particularly in this location where the season is super short. We have the pressure of the long winter which will be here all too soon! Furthermore, multitudes of events occur every weekend - I know of half a dozen happenings right now that I would enjoy partaking in!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lately, it seems things can’t get done fast enough. And when things don’t, I take comfort in knowing women relate because that’s how we all live our lives- all of us. Giving, doing, and sacrificing while pushing ever forward. But we’ll get there – as will the photos from <a href="http://motoress.com/femalerideday.asp">International Female Ride Day</a>.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nonetheless and most importantly is the fact that – we did it! Women riders - we succeeded! We rode together on 6 May with a force and presence synchronized around the world – a world that took notice!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And when you look at it – all that really matter’s is the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">here and now!</span><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><i></i></b><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See you again on <span style="font-size: large;">4 May 2012</span> – oh and yes with your photos in our new photo gallery – coming soon! ;-)</span></div></div>MOTORESS Vicki Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17063842409277634982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661119267953946017.post-90913703566273114222011-05-05T22:10:00.002-04:002011-05-09T21:22:27.619-04:00Enjoy Your International Female Ride Day Women Riders!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s here again, the <strong>5th</strong> year where we all get on our motorcycles or scooters, together, and JUST RIDE! Did I know 5 years ago this idea would be global? Did I believe it would be embraced by women around the world? Absolutely, YES! That was the whole idea from the get go!</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You see, International female ride day was created by a female rider- yes that would be me. It was created from the heart of a woman, passionate about motorsport and with women’s best interests in mind. Five years later, it may be difficult to believe with the manner this events expanded global strength; that it is not a marketing ploy. Indeed the industry supports it as they do the woman rider segment; and yes there are industry leaders that would like to make the campaign their own <em>(and believe me, what you don’t see is the fight, my fight and the work involved to ensure this action remains as full ownership to women riders. It’s by no means an easy task!)</em> But it is <strong><em>purely about women riders</em></strong>– all ages, all skill levels, and all forms of riding styles! Women agreed with the concept, its freedom and it's <u>very simple</u> request - JUST RIDE.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.motoress.com/photos/albums/userpics/10001/normal_20133_1310868204523_1015141502_978115_1629846_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" j8="true" src="http://www.motoress.com/photos/albums/userpics/10001/normal_20133_1310868204523_1015141502_978115_1629846_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Triumphantly International Female Ride Day has unified us across numerous cultures, in motorcycling- riding together on this first Friday in May! And now, after the prep and promotion is complete, I have the chance to reflect and while I do, I imagine women in Moscow, in Yellowknife, Cape Town, San Jose, and Montreal who are on their motorcycles/scooters this very same day. Emotions stir –it’s really remarkable! But you must feel it too!? I remember the first photos I received in 2007– every woman in each photograph donned the biggest smile! That’s what motorcycling does!</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This campaign is for women who enjoy riding motorcycles. It’s about creating awareness, inspiring others and simply showing we do it; we always have and we’re darn good at it. There is no fee, no subscription, no cost, simply be on a motorcycle. Women riders are still the minority – for many reasons be those choice, perception, culture, and social values. In earlier years there were larger hurdles such as not being permitted to partake in racing. But those who ignored the rules and competed, often won, without a podium, trophy or acknowledgement - simply because they were women. But over recent decades motorsport boundaries are being broken and "firsts" captured by women again and again! </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’ll be riding with you today as we show ourselves in force around the world and share in our<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">camaraderie</span> </span> for the activity, the thing I love most in life, motorcycling. I’ll especially think of “Bikerni” India’s young women rider enthusiasts. They’re still faced with challenges and cultural restrictions such as not being permitted to ride to work or respecting evening curfews. But they worked it out and will all JUST RIDE because really, <em>it’s all we simply want to do!</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">From my motorcycle to yours, thanks for </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">riding along!</span></div></div>MOTORESS Vicki Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17063842409277634982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661119267953946017.post-44202834071427270872011-04-02T23:53:00.004-04:002011-04-02T23:56:49.126-04:00That’s The Way Love “Rolls”<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I confess, and it’s no secret that <span style="color: red;">I’m in love</span> with motorcycling! Nothing else to date has succeeded to top this passion. You can’t break us up and in fact I’ve a license as a full endorsement of the relationship – a marriage license of sorts! We’ve shared thousands of kilometres between us and stayed together through the “rough patches” and catastrophes such as crashes on the track. We’ve moved to different continents and adjusted our methods through different variations of the bond. The day we first met is still a perfect memory. It was in Nova Scotia while stationed for a short term business position. I was shy and excited by a somewhat intimidated perception but it seemed so powerful and oh so intriguing! After the initial introductions and we got to know each other better, we partnered up, hit the road and never looked back except to check blind spots!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I thought I’d see where others stand on the matter although I pretty much knew most would share the same passion that I do. I decided to use my social network on facebook which is 95% made up of motorcyclists to see what others really felt. I posted an update status question that asked: <strong>Would u say you have feelings of 'love' for your motorcycle?</strong> <strong>Would you say it has a life or personality of its own with an anthropomorphic tendency for your ride?</strong> The responses were overwhelming! One reply stated <em>“It sure does. It's a part of me. I talk to it like it’s real and feel bad during the winter and it sits all by itself in the garage!”</em> Another expressed <em>“I definitely feel like there's a connection between me and my bike! I talk to her, pet her... and I "feel" her when I ride, especially at the track! She becomes part of me and me a part of her!”</em> There was <em>“YES!!! I love riding” and “I love love love my bike!!”</em> and then just a simple response of <em>“I do. I do. I do!”</em> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All of us remember the moment when we officially purchased and then picked up our first motorcycle and when it really becomes ours! We also remember and for some too many occasions of regret at situations when we had to sell a bike or trade it in for an upgrade. I’ll also bet that every rider has at least one photo of their motorcycle in their smart phone! I still have the key to my first sport bike. I told the person who purchased the bike from me I had lost the spare key just so I could keep a small memento! It was the key from my 1987 Honda Hurricane CBR600. I had to sell it because I was moving to the Caribbean. The other motorcycle “divorce” that still causes me pain, was my recent move to Canada. Customs would not allow me to bring my 1995 Ducati 900SSE due to emission and engine issues.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.motoress.com/BLOG/Vicki_Gray_Motorcycle_Woman_BLog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="http://www.motoress.com/BLOG/Vicki_Gray_Motorcycle_Woman_BLog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Motorcycling seems also to make love happen. So many friends I know met their partners during a motorcycle trip or event of some sort. The shared camaraderie removes a lot of social barriers that normally stand between everyday potential casual encounters. The renowned “biker’s wave” already symbolizes our kinship with each other. Could you imagine what reactions would occur if we waved at every one else in an auto?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The best motorcycle love story I’ve heard was shared with me during my Daytona Bike week and while filming our TLC biker girls show. We were co-hosting the largest “biker wedding vow renewal ceremony”. Motorcycle couples had gathered in the hundreds aiming to set the new record for this special ceremony. Our view from the stage was thrilling and overwhelming from the energy emitting from these ‘in love’ motorcycle married couples. It was after this ceremony I met an elderly couple in their mid/late 60’s. They had been together their entire lives. The wife and passenger said to me, “If we had had to speak to each other all those years, we would never have stayed together!” I guess not having to converse is another benefit of motorcycling.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Motorcycling is definitely my ultimate passion - the way I see it, anything that “starts my heart” in such a manner - must be <span style="color: red;">♥love</span><span style="color: red;">!♥</span></span></div>MOTORESS Vicki Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17063842409277634982noreply@blogger.com1