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!

LEAVE LIFTING MOTORCYCLE TRAILERS TO --DOLLY.

I’ve not written for a few weeks as I’ve had an accident and it’s been truly difficult coping.Three weeks ago while preparing to depart for my first Ducati Owners Club (DOCC) track day on Mosport race circuit, I attempted to lift my single axle fully loaded trailer. I needed to lift it and move it back just a bit to manoeuvre the dolly under to move it onto my trailer hitch.

On my third and last give-it-all attempt --- “SNAP …CRACK!” in my back, down I went to my knees, to the ground. It took my breath away, couldn’t catch it, excruciating pain. I thought it must be as when you stub a toe—crazy pain for a few moments and then gone. This wasn’t the case, I could not get up—hard to breath and nauseated.

As I was in an isolated area and alone, I heard the neighbour next yard over so I started yelling for help. He ran over and called 911—within minutes the firetruck followed by an ambulance arrived. I was surrounded by 7 (rather handsome) male paramedics and firemen in wonder about why I had even imagined I could lift SUCH a heavy, too heavy even for an able weightlifting competitor, trailer. The worse part was standing up to get lifted onto their ambulance bed—I was in pain.

So there I was, waiting in emergency on Friday just before lunchtime, with only my car/house keys with me, waiting and waiting to be attended to—the pain ever present. This happened at 11.30am and I finally received an x-ray at 18.45—the entire time I lay in a hospital bed, on my side, in excruciation pain wondering what I had done to myself.

X-ray showed I fractured a bone in my back—the pressure of the trailer against my spine was too much, it actually crushed and fractured the bone on the upper right side, L2 in the Lumbar section. I had to give it 6 weeks to heal. In that moment, all changed for me. Two of my dear friends came to my rescue and took me home. I could not walk very easily so I needed their support. The days that followed found me bed-bound and could only walk with the use of a cane.

Now 3 weeks later, with a visit last week to the orthopaedic surgeon verified the crushed bone L2 and informed that a 6 week period was needed (for the average person) for the bone to heal. No lifting, jumping, running--I understood this as I had such trouble just walking, sitting and standing. I’ve had to cancel track training days, motorcycle instruction --everything.
I’m able to walk now and since last Friday, carefully, drive my car so I am doing better.

It’s very difficult. The only way I’m able to cope is by avoidance—I evade thoughts of riding. Yes, it’s called living with the blinders on. The other coping method is denial, for I believe in 3 weeks the bone will have healed. I’ve been extra focused on enhanced diet, sleep, vitamins and mental power to ensure progressive healing.

National Female Ride Day-to-Remember

What a beautiful National Female Ride Day Toronto kick off last Friday May 4th under a glorious blue Friday sky at the Canadian National Exhibition entrance—the Princes’ Gates lending to a superb back drop and an easily accessed city location.

Women riders arrived from outside Toronto North, East and West to participate and share in the kick off. RTI (rider training Institute) management, also a sponsor of the campaign joined in. Then KYMCO Canada arrived with the team, the branded truck, their scooters. Bob Calwell, Kawasaki's Sales Manager arrived from Guelph en route to head office but stayed to join in the kick off as well. When I arrived at 7.15, City TV was already waiting to get this on film. Then Inside Motorcycles showed up and well we had a wonderful supportive group.

After the kick off we went on a city tour, very challenging on an early Friday morning—should have been called a city stop light tour as all we did was sit at traffic lights.
After the city riding we headed to the BEACH where we had breakfast. After, everyone dispersed going on required ways. I went riding around the city and stopped at a few dealerships. Ducati Toronto/Lamborghini who noted all the goings on this morning by Princes’ Gates. Then later by Cycle Canada where I spied the National Female Ride Day poster hanging in their entrance window. I spoke to a sales guy inside and mentioned it was National Female Ride Day today; he said, “Yes that’s right, I know all about it”.

A little later a phone call came in from Global TV saying they caught about 15 women pulling away from a stop sign and wanted more details of the day. Later I saw their TV bit on the evening news, they had captured and interviewed some members of the famous MOTOR MAIDS.

The Ottawa Citizen released an article on 4 May which enabled many females who still hadn’t’ heard about the day, to get out there on their motorcycles.

Many women riders enjoyed the day—their details including photos are arriving. Astounding to say the least. Some with a little story and many accompanying thanks for initiating such a day. I've even received a photo from Jackie, from the Ottawa area, of herself and her 1952 Harley—she had learned to ride in 1949. Brilliant!

Then there are the “VTwin Mama’s” in America who not only participated but also had members include a pink flower in their photo— terrific contrast. A delicate pink flower and the power of the motorcycle.

Yes very rewarding, the first National Female Ride Day a great success—awareness heightened, spotlight brightened as it shone on the varieties of women riders, all ages and all types.
National Female Ride Day also made obvious the numbers of women riders—those new to the activity and those who’ve been motorcyclists for most part of their lives.

One remark that's been shared in many of the emails is that next year should be international —this was always the plan so yes, International Female Ride Day 2008 May 2nd.