Ride Around Lake Superior on a Motorcycle- You Will Love the Roads!

Last summer I spent nine glorious days riding a Triumph Street Triple R around the complete perimeter of the greatest of the Great Lakes - 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.  

If you’re thinking of a tour to do this summer- it’s really one that will leave you satisfied on so many levels.

Here’s my ride story…

"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 "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald". 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 Great Marathon of Hope 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.

SAULT STE. MARIE, ONTARIO TO KEWEENAW, HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN

This was the furthest North in Ontario I had ridden…

…Read more

Thanks Jerry... for the Ducati 848!

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 KYMCO scooter 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. 

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 GP Bikes 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 - again! 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 GP Bikes for a demo bike.  Fingers crossed!

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!

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 GP Bikes has. But it seems Jerry does; providing a truly impressive investment for customer satisfaction.

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. 

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 Loyalist Parkway 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!

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. 

Now, about that 848… 

Visit GP Bikes and join them on facebook.

More Motorcycle Monkey Business for 2013!

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 Mosport race track and in a race sidecar motorcycle – I was the “monkey”!

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 VRRA (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?

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

As we ride into 2013, 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.

Take it from me, every aspect and form of motorcycling offers up its own unique sensation- more fun than a "barrel of monkeys" - you might say!

Happy New Year riding!

Thanks again VRRA, especially to Paul and Marie Whittaker!

These fabulous photos by Richard Coburn, 

Coburn Photography www.coburnphotography.ca

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sidecar Smarts (ala Wikipedia)

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.

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.

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).

Motorcycle Honeymoon Phase Over? Where to now?

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 "honeymoon phase".

In the honeymoon phase all is fresh and new. Inescapably 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?”

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!

Using my example, you've likely figured out the solution to keeping that riding flame of passion going -work on the intimacy of the relationship.  Get closer to motorcycling! It's up to you as to which extent you'll do that but here are a few suggestions to get you going! (Random order)

• Trade in your motorcycle for a larger size (cc) engine; the next size up.
• Change the style of riding i.e. cruiser to sport-bike or sport-bike to sport touring.
• Take a motorcycle mechanics course.
• Practise doing your own general maintenance–start with an oil change or understand your braking system by doing your own brake fluid refresh.
• Take an off road course.
• Enroll in a track day-learn circuit riding!
• Start racing or some form of motorcycle competition.
• Take part in a rally (KYMCO Mad B Scooter Rally).
• Try to beat a record i.e. Iron Butt contests.
• Start a motorcycle club or charity ride.
• Travel to a challenging destination i.e. Panama.
• Ride with new friends – join a new club.
• Become a motorcycle instructor.
• Take a month off and go for a four week tour.
• Take an all inclusive European motorcycle tour (Edelweiss tours).
• Modify/customize your motorcycle.
• Get a custom paint job for your motorcycle.
• Move to a climate where you can ride all year.
• Diversify your style of riding. Add an off road motorcycle or a scooter to your collection.

Once you move through these plateau’s and keep motorcycling interesting- ever increasing skills and knowledge, you'll result in an expanded intimacy for the activity! 

At this point in my life, the phase I fear most which inevitably accompanies ageing- the physical inability to ride! 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!  The romance may never last, but the intimacy never ends!

Passenger Safety Gadget Ignores Female Rider Friendliness

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.

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) 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?)

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.  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!

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.

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*

Note: for the record, I’m not convinced any form of passenger assisted grip works or does the job for the passenger.

Measuring Up the New Motorcycling Year – Tiny Changes Make For Powerful Outcomes!

Frequently during interviews I'm asked if motorcycling has influenced or changed my life. Questions asked to me namely by women, not men. Women aiming to link or underline the psychological benefits motorcycling may affect; defining this empowerment many women experience after learning to ride.

But it never was “empowerment” for me I always had a “no limits” approach to life right from a very early age. And as a young girl I think this propelled me outside so called gender boundaries. I enjoyed sports, building rafts, climbing trees – all that fearless stuff that the boys seemed to embrace! On top of that, I'm a pilot's daughter. I’d been speeding down farm field runways lifting off to the pleasures of being airborne in two or four seater aircrafts since I can remember!

Motorcycling for me was out-and-out “the” answer for my need to be thrilled, an activity providing me an outlet from my corporate life and one that equally challenged me. And getting back to this frequently asked question if "motorcycling has influenced or changed my life"-there is something that motorcycle racing opened my mind to. Something that I've been able to bring to daily life – and that is the understanding that just about everything in life can be altered or adjusted to make it fit for you; make it work for you!

It was racing which enlightened me to the fact that slight changes affected better performance. Just tiny transformations made for hugely powerful outcomes! Perhaps this sounds ridiculously simple. But trust me if you’re like me, one that’s never dabbled in custom bike or car building, or building wooden cabinets for that fact –this common sense is the furthest from your understanding.

It wasn’t until the end of my first supersport race season, I started to alter, fit and adjust not only my motorcycle, but my riding style. I had great resources within the race community to help me (and later years the full Ten Kate Honda team). I recall the success of simply repositioning my motorcycle rear-sets (foot pegs) -a few centimetres higher and forward resulting in a better body position to manoeuvre control. Then there was my decision to add a “quick throttle” to reduce the amount of travel my small female hand needed. I accelerated quicker with less wrist movement-this worked like a charm! Of course adjustments in racing are eternal and take into account the unique characteristics of each different circuit you're racing on. You can understand why it's so tough to become good at this sport-the constant adjusting is much about trial and error, experiments using up many dollars, on limited track time.

Sounds so simple doesn’t it?

So it’s thanks to motorcycle racing I'm a much better solution seeker. No matter if I'm loading up my trailer, finding extra space in my kitchen cupboards, improving students circuit riding techniques or working on personal relationships-I seek out the small alterations. Nearly 100% of the time I get huge results needed!

As you look forward to the year ahead and contemplate your plans and goals-try focusing on the simple and minute changes/alterations. These are easy and I’m certain you’ll find just as I have-  a little goes a long long way!

Cheers to the small stuff in 2011!

Tweet

Meet South Africa's First Black Female Motocrosser

Dolly Mdiniso, from Kensington Johannesburg South Africa had never ridden a motorcycle. She grew up in Soweto, the second of four siblings raised by a single mother, graduated from high school and got a job. But all she ever really wanted to do was ride a motorcycle. It's probably the dream of many but for Dolly it was a silent passion- until she came across an advert in a local magazine for a woman’s motorsport day.

At thirty three, older than most riders entering into motocross, she arrived at “Wild Thing Raceway” with little idea of what to expect, but convinced instructor Neil van der Ross that her passion to learn and ride bikes was genuine.

Neil took her under his wing from that day forward and patiently trained Dolly into a competent and able motocrosser, utilizing his own time, money and resources. Neil decided to approach Yamaha for possible assistance. They immediately saw it as a great opportunity to promote motocross, and motorsport in general, to the greater population of Southern Africa – and to women and couldn’t pass up the chance to support Dolly.

South African’s in Gauteng and within the motocrossing circuits are very proud of Dolly, for you see - she is South Africa’s first black woman motocrosser! Feeling very proud of the fact herself, she has big plans and wants to try hare scrambles, enduro, Supermoto and even circuit racing!

She’ll be a great influence to women in Johannseburg area.

Go Dolly!

NFL Superstar Players Pose on MV Agusta Motorcycles for New Nike Campaign

It’s a good tie in for sure, using the “Get Fast or Get Forgotten” NFL athlete catch phrase. Famed sports brand Nike chose MV Agusta as its partner for the new advertising campaign dedicated to the stars of the NFL. Five superstars from the National Football League posing on the new MV Agusta F4 - Steve Breaston of the Arizona Cardinals, Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions, Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans, DeSean Jackson of the Philadelphia Eagles, Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s a complete mix of power and speed that represents the connection between the most coveted sports bike in the world and one of the most popular sports on the planet. I think its rather cute as well, when you visit the website, you’ll even get motorcycle revvin’ sounds- how could you not? And notice their football uniforms have been transformed into look-a-like motorcycle race suits - including knee sliders! These NFL stars almost seem believable as motorcycle riders - so much so, it’s stirring up an interest in me to watch an NFL game …girls? Download the wallpaper here.

GPS Goggles Could Also “Transcend” to Motorcycle Helmet Visors?

This was exactly my question after reading about Zeal Optics and Recon Instruments new GPS technology placed into a set of ski goggles!

They call the product “Transcend”. There is a small computer which assembles information from a number of on board sensors to provide location, speed, altitude and temperature information to the wearer via a micro-LCD display inside the goggles! The image from the display is then virtually projected so that it appears out in front of the user! Exciting isn’t it?!

Transcends eye wear also provides the wearer with live performance information and details of their surrounding environment! A head mounted micro-LCD display inside the ski goggles shows real-time speed, altitude, vertical odometer, distance, location and temperature- as well as keeping track of the time and having a stopwatch and chronometer mode.

There will be two Recon/Zeal Optics Transcend lens options available. The retail price runs from USD 399.- 499. I'd say reasonable! And it's rumoured there's also an API app in development and download community in the pipeline! Details will appear on their website.

Seriously, this would be incredible technology to build into a motorcycle helmet visor! Recon/ Zeal? Could you please? We riders would settle for motorcycle goggles for now!

THE MOST SPECTACULAR MOTORCYCLING YEAR EVER.

Another year in our riding boots is behind us.

For many women, 2007's been a year of firsts. Perhaps the mastering of a new riding skill never before managed, standing on the podium as an achiever, or finally buying that dream motorcycle and taking it for a journey through adventures' roads--and for many taking the first step by learning to ride. For others there were experiences of the harder kind—perhaps the loss of a riding friend, or our own mishaps that changed the plans we had made for ourselves—yes, those things that make you stronger.

Reflecting on the past year; reflection, a great thing because when we recollect scenes or situations and the manner we handled ourselves amidst challenges or successes—we make discoveries.
It's in this reflection we can set out our goals and aspirations for the year ahead.

So I wish you time to reflect and that the riding roads you choose to navigate in 2008 lead you through a journey of new found glories giving you your most -- spectacular motorcycling year ever!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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 :)