The Summer of T-shirts & Shorts

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!

I’ve named this past riding season as the summer of T-SHIRTS & SHORTS.  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 –MOTORCYCLIST.

THE TERM IMPLIES PROFESSIONALISM. 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.

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.
But the weather has never stopped accidents from happening.

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 one per cent of traffic but 16 per cent of road fatalities – something’s not working.

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.

GEAR ISN'T JUST IN THE CASE OF MISHAP -  IT'S ALSO FOR YOUR COMFORT. 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.
Here’s a question – 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?

Operating a motorcycle is SUPER FUN– 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.

In my network, we see it this way…THE MOTORCYCLIST IN FULL GEAR ACTUALLY HAS THE MOST FREEDOM to ride and takes motorcycling seriously possessing incredible riding ability and skill. A properly fitted rider is a sign of professionalism.

At the end of the day, it’s the riders’ choice.
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.
Yes, making the choice to wear protective motorcycle gear is really a difficult one to make.

Do visit Brittany's website "ROCK THE GEAR" if doubt remains about wearing proper motorcycle gear.

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!

Montreal Moto Show

Last week at this time, I departed for home from the 3 day Montréal Moto Show. What a delight to experience the moto culture of Canada’s French city from the very busy Ducati stand. Not much different from the Toronto shows—I did sense a greater attendance and appeared, to me, there were far more females—female riders. I did expect this as Montréal has a greater rider populace.

One of the major highlights for me was meeting my Ducati 1098S for the first time—to actually climb on board. Exciting! He has that Ducati fit and feel and now, most anxiously I want to ride! A few more weeks and I’ll have delivery.

The show shared three days of great atmosphere, super pleasant people who spoke English most willingly (I did do my best to speak French) --familiar industry faces and a Sushi restaurant in the congress centre for lunch each day!
Yet one thing that’s left me puzzled — during Saturday breakfast, I was reading the Montreal Gazette newspaper (English) I came across the advert for the very moto show I was working. Within this advert, within the ad itself, bottom right hand section, a notation, stating that there will be two blood donor clinics so please donate. How strange. In the midst of promoting motorcycling, the start of season 2007 —spring around the corner and here an ad, a plea for blood donors. I think you’re with me on this one—odd ja? How can we affect the image of motorcycling while we have Canada’s show leaders / organisations allowing such an association with the activity we are so passionate about? What’s next? Funeral service promotions? I understand the logic and admittedly, I’m a realist so I get it—but come on-- is this appropriate? Picture this, family breakfast “hey honey lets go to the motorcycle show---oh, but wait a minute, give blood? Hmm, let’s go to the movie matinee with the kids instead”. Motorcyclists accept higher risk factors that go with riding—we do pay attention when we hear of bike accidents--learn from others theory. Perhaps we are more sympathetic, hence quicker to part with our haemoglobin. Was that the intent of this association? Are they playing on our empathy—our camaraderie? I sit on the fence on this one. Nonetheless, the show hosted happy, energetic attendees awaiting the end of winter to roll out on to the streets and ride.