International Female Ride Day – Stand up and Take a Bow

Months ago, the 7th edition of International Female Ride Day (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. 

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!

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, Facebook page / 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? 

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 purely from a place of privilege. 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.

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 IFRD synchronized worldwide women’s ride day miles!

Riding Lake Temiskaming on Harley-Davidson Road King Classic

This past August I took a four day ride on the mighty Harley-Davidson road King Classic up North [of Toronto]- around Lake Temiskaming. The tale of this exploration starts like this …"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..."   and this just one scene within this special ride. The full story continues here.

If you enjoy touring on a motorcycle and being surrounded by a simple quiet setting, I'm certain you’ll enjoy the read. And just as the article affects me, I hope it will do the same for you- prompting memories of great summer rides.

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!

And the route, definitely a must to ride if you’re planning to visit Ontario!

Full Link: 

http://www.northernontario.travel/motorcycle-touring/riding-lake-temiskaming

Motorcycle Instructors Need Training Too

At the end of May Canada hosted the ERTS- European Rider Training Symposium. This was staged and implemented by the FIM recognised CMA (Canadian Motorcycle Association) and the CSC–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.

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.
It was a stellar event with an added bonus for me due to the attendance of the KNMV (Royal Dutch Motorcycle Association) instructors! I knew and had worked with most of them in The Netherlands.  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!

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 Can Am Spyder by BRP. And also to ride through the off road module.

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.

Though these folks had to finance the trip (travel from EU, Guatemala, 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!

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.

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!

Overdue Kudos to Only Woman Rider Winner of National Harley-Davidson Contest!

It’s been over a year since I judged Canada's National Harley-Davidson "Show & Shine Contest". I find winners are ageless. Once you win you're always termed "a winner"...so on that thought, I don't feel that badly, just slightly ashamed, about finally giving this overdue mention to the only female winner of the contest - Keeley Ward!

A while back I received an email from Keeley that stated - “You made particular mention that you were the ONLY female judge ...well I was the winner of the Sportster class and I was the ONLY female winner!!!”

So here a HUGE shout out and acknowledgement to Keeley! Good going! If you want a refresher about the contest here is the article on MOTORESS.

Suppose I was very busy with announcing the winners and honestly the name Keeley didn’t seem a typical woman’s name so no bells rung for me at the time.

As judges we were not informed of any details about the contestants which as you can imagine, makes good sense; -no preferential slants in our choices. We make our decisions without favourtism. And you know in my case I would have absolutely been influenced to the fact that Keeley's entry was female owned!
Keeley sent in her winning picture, shared with you here. She expresses that this photo was taken the day of the show where she was selected by Mackie Harley-Davidson in Ontario. She states there was no award trophy just a gift card and unfortunately hasn’t photos of when she later received her National Prize.

Keeley congrats to you yet again!

Keep an out for Keeley- she's (quote)- “a real estate agent by day! and biker by night!!! LOL”.
Thanks Keeley for setting things straight!

BIG NICKEL BIG HARLEY-DAVIDSON WOMEN’S EVENT!

Ever heard of Sudbury? It’s a Northern city in Ontario, and rather famous as it’s known for its nickel mines. Here you'll also find the worlds largest Nickel—a huge tourist attraction and must see! Sudbury is also the home of one of Ontario's premier Harley-Davidson dealerships called “The Shop”. A few months back I travelled to the "Great white North" as Canadians often jest, Sudbury, to take part in their grand opening ladies garage party (forgive me for not sharing earlier, its been crazy busy at my desk!) --a terrific event, regardless of the freezing rain which unexpectedly arrived that morning!

The women rider authorities of Deeley Harley-Davidson were in attendance—all of us bringing our enthusiasm and experiences to share with the hundreds of women attending (View Photo Gallery)—looking to get themselves into the life of motorcycling this year!

The Shop was a Harley-Davidson force unto itself-you don't see too many dealerships of this size. Amidst the Garage Party buzz of activities, and goings on I had the pleasure of hearing first hand from son Erik, the history of this "Kanerva" family business--"The Shop's" humble beginnings to now mega motorcycling enterprise. What a terrific journey they’ve enjoyed--most certainly one to be very proud of.

So if you’re visiting Ontario and head up to Sudbury, indeed, stop by The Shop and say hello! I guarantee you won’t be able to leave without buying something--they have it all!

Oh and if you’re lucky enough to use the upstairs bathroom you’ll enjoy washing your hands under a highly polished steel/chrome motorcycle tank with handlebar faucets!