2012 MOTORESS Rolling Ahead Continuum of Motorcycling for Women!

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!

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 International Female Ride Day 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 AMA Women and Motorcycling Conference is scheduled.

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 news and MOTORessence for details!)

The industry at large will continue it's interest in the female rider demographic- 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 – today’s woman is not seeking ‘empowerment’ 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!

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!) 

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! 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? 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! 

MOTORESS promises to continue thrilling you in 2012!

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!"

Looking forward to riding with you once again throughout 2012!

TRACK DAY GROOVE

Can’t believe its one month since the last time I’ve written in my blog. I could use the ole' "time flies when you’re having fun" cliché because the past weeks I've spent planning some great stuff for the track day (this past Sunday) which has been, yes, enjoying near all my attention.

It was a superb day--rewarding for me to see so many people, riders of various styles having a blast on the track. The first component is weather, and we had it—on the warm side in the afternoon, yet heat, dry, sun equals track day fun, warm tyres and grip. There were those who were more expert such as Peter Marcelli from Team Suzuki OTSFF Pro Supermoto competitor and those such as Shana and Lis who had not yet experienced track life. Even though I was not able to ride my Ducati 1098S—I fed off the exhilaration and excitement of those who were able to. In addition, my focus was to assist, aid, and in any manner possible add to riding experiences.

It's amazing how much can be seen by observing. In fact when I took the California Superbike School, 3 day camp in Almeria Spain, I’d already been racing for 5 years. Their video camera pointed out quite some sit position and body input factors that needed adjusting. Once known I could address it and boy were there improvements!

As an instructor there are many things I can see by watching riders. When they roll off before a corner, when they apply braking, at what point they turn in, what line, body positioning in a corner, where they look, elbows, steering inputs acceleration points, shift points, how the suspension reacts, much to examine. So even though I wasn’t out there myself I was able to coach. Riding on the track is fun; more fun however is leaving it a better rider, an improved rider than when you arrived.

No matter the level, there’s always something to work on, something to challenge yourself to. I like to get riders focused on a goal and am renowned for this even during my European race weekends. I’d ask my race colleagues what their plan was for this race—I think the guys (90% of my competitors were men) really didn’t being prompted--I caused them to think! Those that didn’t have a plan always replied “to go fast and win” whereas I worked on the entire week prior on specific corners that I had challenges with where with different tactics I could reduce seconds in; thought about suspension changes that might affect handling in specific areas. How could I knock off seconds and where.

When a rider goes to a track day (first timers excluded), having a plan or an idea of what needs work, improving, is a good thing. Track time is expensive and limited. Sure, you might say it’s a day to play, yet isn’t part of the fun the new stuff you learn taking you to yet another level of skill meaning more pleasure?!

We all had a blast! I personally enjoyed making the acquaintance of many wonderful riders and personalities--sharing the fun with TEAM KYMCO CANADA and having an exceptional bunch of people around me helping out. I’ll get the photos on the website shortly.

BLISS IN FEMALE RIDERS SMILES

Have you ever noticed how anytime a woman is photographed aside, on, or with her motorcycle bliss radiates through her smile? You sense the happiness, you feel it. The emotion comes directly through the camera's lens portraying excitement, pleasure, pride, and her love of the activity. Just have a look at the National Female Ride Day photos!

Here's one photo in particular, a recent favourite I captured of fellow rider friend Andrea Goodman. In the mirror is a happy, enthusiastic face. Even though Andrea is always positive and an incredibly good natured person with a contagious laugh, I caught her "havin' fun feeling" reflection in her own motorcycle mirror. This was just prior to moving off for the yearly WROAR ride (Women Ride Out Against Rape), 10 June Toronto. The photo also shows the background image of another female participant as she heads out to join the main group.

I’m reminded of one of my own photo moments while exiting famed seaside Dutch Zandvoort Circuit spring 1999 —after my very first race!

I had a Ducati 750ssc at the time and this picture taken on 2 May 1999 captured the true "high" I was on. Now so many racing years later, I recollect those 12 laps of sheer adrenaline induced motorsport pleasure!

The smile you see under my helmet was an uncontrolled product of numerous genuine feelings, not a pose for the camera -- the very day I became hooked on racing.

HAPPINESS IS . . .

. . . a post-box full of National Female Ride Day photo submissions from across Canada and the United States. Each photo portrays the delight and enthusiasm enjoyed in this activity ---motorcycling.

Not only that, the photo here was one submitted on the CD by Clare’s Cycle & Sports Ltd in Fenwick Ontario, showing the T-shirt they designed and produced especially for NATIONAL FEMALE RIDE DAY. The logo is incorporated ---brilliant!
How fortunate being the recipient!

KYMCO Scooter Received

Scooter life has begun! I received my new KYMCO Bet & Win 150cc scooter yesterday with custom MOTORESS design inclusive logo and star design--fantastic. It had but 2km showing on the odometer.

Convinced a friend of mine with his Vintage Honda 125cc scooter to join me on an urban, inner city "scoot". It was but 3 degrees Celsius, chilly--yet we explored downtown Toronto. We "scooted" and had many laughs as we cruised along downtown's' Yonge Street--its simply a fun form motorcycling. We went to the heart of Yorkville an upscale trendy area of the city. Zipping here and there, so easily done. TWIST AND GO. The scooter manner, being that you feel as though sitting on a chair with wheels. Your legs and feet snugly yet freely mobile behind the scooter front shield.

You may think in reading this that I've not ever been on a scooter before--not the case. I'd just not been on a 150cc scooter in, nor on one on the road for many years.

I tested its stopping power (emergency stop) and brakes are excellent, smooth, responsive--kind, not aggressive. A quiet ride as well, hardly hear the motor. I did however like the click sound the turn indicators made when in use. These you could hear and I felt this a bonus feature they remind you to if you've indicated or cancelled after use. Handling, turning an absolute ease.

Going to be a fun summer as a city dweller with my KYMCO scooter. Plus I filled the gas tank. The cost was $7.00CAD and gas is rather expensive right now $1.01 per litre. Parking in Toronto is free as well.
I did however keep pushing my right foot down each time I came to a stop--habitual street riding use of a rear brake :)

Testing Vintage with Michelle Duff

Fun ahead as I finished a telephone conversation with Mr. Hughes regarding testing his classic GP motorcycles on Shannonville Race Track tentatively 29/30 April—along with Michelle Duff!

Michelle has a busy year ahead—with one her highlights being returning to the Isle of Man for their 100th anniversary celebration! How exciting for her! Michelle of course wants to get some practise and training in. I feel so excited to think, to imagine, to anticipate that possibly I will share a track, do some rounds with the famous Michelle Duff--! And conceivably have the ability to follow her lines, to ride with such a truly amazing Canadian International GP racer! Wow! A happening I never thought would occur in my racing life—delirious I feel! Plus this will be my first time on a vintage racer. What an opportunity! Dave has two GP Yamaha’s -- a 1972 TR3 350 and the other a 1980 TZ350. We will also try his Honda RS125. Dave is known to the community for his restoration talents and mechanical skills —yes he too is a former racer. If the testing goes well and I’m able to fit with one of the bikes we intend to partner this year to race a few Vintage events! Exciting! Additionally, if you wish to see Michelle Duff riding—real time--in classic style I suggest you stay in touch here but plan now if logistics allow and get on up to Shannonville. This is something NOT to miss!