Monday, September 27, 2010

Good Riding Karma

New Tire

I've been riding for 12 years now, somewhere near 100,000 miles. I have never had a break down while on the road. Yeah I lost a radiator fan in the Black Hills of ND, but I was able to continue on. I even suffered a cracked transmission case on a Yamaha, but that was in my garage. So I was long over due for a flat tire, lucky for me it was a leak and not a blow out. But either way I found myself on the Maine turnpike with a tire that was not holding air.

This has long day written all over it
Now many of my well intentioned facebook friends told me all about plugging a tire or some such thing. I guess if you had such things with you you could use that. I had a phone with me...I used that. Thankfully I was still in cell coverage land. But hey, I have good riding Karma.

Motorcycle Maintenance
With the little tool kit that lives tucked in my tail fin, I was able to get the rear tire off. Upon its removal, I discovered a broken spring on the disk brake, see it's good I had a flat, I wouldn't have known about the brake problem.

Hanging Around
It was a fabulous day to hang around waiting for help. 3 nice folks did stop to offer assistance, including an ADV guy.

Sustenance
I was in a spacious, safe Irving Station, so I was able to keep my strength up. See my new helmet?

The Bill
Now there were much closer places to take my tire but my friends and I decided to throw the tire in the trunk and head on down to Max BMW. And why is that? Because some of the other places couldn't find customer service in the dictionary. Max's on the other hand could teach a class on it. You're on the road? You're in next. Great people to do business with.

Gas Station Foliage
So my original intention was to ride to my friends house and enjoy the foliage. Seeing as I was cooling my heals at a gas station, I looked around and spotted a teeny tiny bit of color.

Not the day I thought I was going to have, but a good day none the less.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Woman Riders of Note

Women Ride, and get all dirty.
Lady Like?

Male, female, what does it matter when it comes to motorcycling?

I'd like to think it doesn't, but I'd be in the minority. The riding world continues to be male dominated. And there are plenty of women willing to play onto the stereotype. So as I come upon "serious" woman riders, I start to take note.

I've been thinking lately about the woman of substance in the riding community, the internet has made learning about, and following their adventures possible.

If you don't know about these women, I think you may enjoy stopping by their sites. We have a lot to learn from each other.


Anna 'Excessivelocity,
Blanca Scanlon-Sharpe,
Cecilie Hoffman,
Marilyn Elmore,
Carla King,
Jacqui Van Ham,
Heather Mikael Rafferty,
Judy Mirro,
Melissa Holbrook Pierson
Moto Adventure Gal (could not find her real name),
Sheri Jo Wilkins,
Voni Glaves,