JOINING FAST

When you reside in Ontario or Quebec and you’re looking to improve your Sportbike riding skills or get a race license, there is but one school--Michel Mercier’s FAST school—and this year I’ve joined as one of their instructors!

The school is owned and operated by Canada’s renowned--Michel Mercier--25 Canadian National titles in four different divisions of motorcycle racing. This includes five Canadian National #1 plates in ice racing and three Canadian National #1 plates in road racing- this with an 18 year career. I am very excited to hang out with one of Canada’s greats! Michel started the school back in the late 80’s and has made a most amazing success of it--in fact its so popular you often have to book a year in advance to get a spot.

As part of my “instructor-in-training” I attended the Phase 1 course, observing and learning the teaching methods Michel has developed over the years. The race licensing training and various track/race academy courses I’ve taught with in Europe each use their own unique language yet the science is pretty much the same. I needed to understand Michel’s methods. One impressive observation was that Michele personally headed up each lesson! Huge added value if you ask me—students get to learn direct from the talent himself. When I took the 3 day camp of the California Superbike School in Almeria Spain, I wanted nothing more than to be taught by Keith Code himself—who wouldn’t? Keith often traveled to Spain to run the course, yet the camp I booked, unfortunately not—sigh (Keith Code in my books is the Guru of road race training). So it’s an extreme bonus for FAST students to be under the training of Mercier himself.

I’ll be teaching a few courses this season as I ease into FAST’S tightly run team. Two of the other instructors I met had been with the school for over 18 years! FAST is partnered with Suzuki, Yamaha and Kawasaki who provide riders with superb machinery in the 600 cc range to learn on. FAST supplies all the kit when you enroll --Arai helmets, leather over-all race suit, boots, gloves and even ear plugs if you forgot yours—“Fete de complete” as the saying goes.

DESMOSEDICI SEDUCED

A few weeks ago “REVS” Toronto, the downtown Ducati dealership held a fun fashion and 2008 model unveiling (even though we had the chance to see during earlier motoshows) --promo night for all its clientele, media and Ducatisti (part of the Ducati North America synchronized fashion nights). I accepted my invitation happily, looking forward to mingling with like minded motorcycle passionals and enthusiasts. An evening to enjoy Ducati’s 2008 latest motorcycle fashion style and get closer to the 2008 models--inclusive the star of the show--a real live Desmosedici RR.The event did not disappoint and it was super great to see fellow motorcyclists. Part of the festivities included a staged photo shoot—where you, with the object of desire, a Desmosedici RR could be captured. Most everyone without a second thought, stood in front of the camera as did I--well, you know I've never been camera shy. This Desmosedici was not for sale —it graced this dealership simply on route to its new owner, a young (lucky son of a gun) local Canadian Doctor who added it to his collection.

Earlier in the evening, before the photo shoot the ‘doctor’ (I’ve forgotten his name—yes, the bike overshadowed any attention its new owner may have been due) ignited the Desmosedici and provided all of us a sensation of power translated through its sound—decibels of some familiarity I’ve had the fortune to be around during former European MotoGP’s. Fair enough, there's none so seductive a rumble as of this Race Replica Ducati MotoGP bike. It was heaven for most of us as this double L-Twin 4 cylinder 322 kph (200 mph) engines' sound vibrated piercingly through the heart and soul of each Ducatisti present. Now then, if I could only ride it!
If you’re not uptodate as to what this amazing machine is all about I invite you to read my Desmosedici info on the MOTORESS technique/technical section—you'll truly be impressed.

WOMEN’S MOTORCYCLE RIDE DAY KICK OFF COOLNESS

Last Friday on International Female Ride Day, there were many locations and cities and countries that enjoyed much fairer weather than we did during the Toronto city kick off at Princes’ Gates. The weather called for rain and high winds, yet I kept the faith, as did many hoping it would change at the last moment. It didn’t—it was cold, foggy, wet and windy. Certainly expecting women riders, any motorcyclists to travel into the city on such an unpleasant weather day was unrealistic—I didn’t expect a great attendance. There were a few dedicated enthusiasts, who upon arrival were treated to a lovely warm coffee ala Bob of Kawasaki Motors Canada and Darryl of the Toronto Motorcycle Shows. Yes, men [too] arrived in support, in cars—as did other women, again the weather was not a pleasant invite to ride.After our kick off we dispersed—those of us on bikes to enjoy breakfast in a warm cosy coffee-flowing diner while sharing fun and stories of riding.The photos arriving at MOTORESS depict more fortunate ride day pleasures—even Newfoundland, where ice and snow are still on the ground, enjoyed a day warm enough for a small ride. For my finale of the day, a day that I thought I’d join many rides happening around the Toronto area, I spent the evening with the ChicRiders. We shared dinner and celebrated a final close of the day while making fair weather plans for the riding days ahead.

Good weather or not, we did it! We all joined in, together, gaining attention, highlighting our numbers --endorsing this activity, motorcycling enjoyed by women everywhere! And I know we certainly inspired a few others to take the handlebars and just ride!