General

Missing my motorcycle

It's been a week since I was last on my bike, and that was riding to work. Sadly I became too sick that day to ride home, and I haven't been riding since then. I've been battling this constant state of feeling woozy and drowsy for the last week. I get spurts of energy, like sitting at my desk for a half hour only to be incredibly sleepy afterwards. All I want to do is lay down. This is something I've been through twice before, each instance taking 2-3 weeks for me to recover. It's only been a week yet I feel like it's been 1 year. I always feel horrible when I go more than a few days without riding, and this week is no exception. I also feel horrible when I go a week without writing, and I think I've gone about a month, which is making me feel even worse! Unfortunately I had to take a full time job back in April and since then, my time to write seems to have fallen by the wayside.

Tomorrow is the first Tuesday of the month, so I'll be doing a brief segment again on the 2WheelPowerHour. I'll be revisiting helmets again to clarify some information that I incorrectly provided on the June show. I hope you'll tune in.

GearChic's Guide to Shopping

Just in time for the San Mateo IMS this weekend. I've put together a quick handout that will help anyone (men AND women) go out and shop for protective motorcycle gear. Most importantly, I've included the 5 GearChic Rules that MUST be followed at all times:

  • RULE #1 ALWAYS judge proper fit ON a motorcycle, or in riding position.
  • RULE #2 If it's too comfortable, it's probably too big.
  • RULE #3 Fit then Budget
  • RULE #4 Try on Everything until you find the right shape
  • RULE #5 Leather should always start out snug so it can stretch and break in comfortably.

My list includes everything you should be wearing when on your motorcycle: Full face helmet, jacket, gloves, pants and boots. It's like having me right in your back pocket! I've also included a few tips for each type of item to help you make your decisions. Whether it's at the show or on your own at your local shop, I hope this will help you make a well informed decision on what to buy and how to shop for it.

CLICK HERE to Download the Handout!

(You'll need a PDF reader to view the attachment)

I'll be at the IMS this weekend, mostly hanging out at the Women's Center booth giving gear seminars. I'll be tweeting my whereabouts, if you would like to know where I am! If you still need discount tickets, use Christina Shook's promo code "COB" online through the IMS website. Thanks Christina!!

And finally, don't forget to tune in tomorrow, Tuesday November 17th at 4pm Pacific to listen to a special local edition of SideStandUp with me and Carla co-hosting the show with local Bay Area guests!

Hope to see you there.

Can't ride, Can't write.

Why yes, that is a Designer Series Snuggie in Leopard Print. You know you want one.  I wish I were wearing mine right now.

This not riding thing is killing my motivation to write. It'll probably be another couple months (not sure, my hand surgeon won't give me a definitive answer, which I guess is his job) before I'm back on my beloved bike. Until then, I guess I'll know what it's like to live somewhere that you have to 'store' your bike for winter. How do you people do it? I also hate NOT having my own method of transportation, not having to ask anyone for a ride to get somewhere.  Losing that kind of independence, especially if you're a motorcyclist can be tougher than it sounds. I deeply value my ability to ride wherever I want, whenever I want.  Just having to think about it makes me want to scream.  As a result, I feel totally disconnected from the riding community. I know for many of you it isn't a big deal. But for me, it is. Riding every day is pure joy to me. It makes me so happy and motivates me to express my thoughts, feelings and emotions about riding through my blog. And finally having a bike that I absolutely LOVE to ride makes it that much harder. I feel like I've finally figured out what riding is all about, in terms of why I want to do it. It's not just a hobby, or a recreational activity. It's a real part of me and having to give it up even if only for a short time has been far more depressing than I thought it would be.

This month is going to be a tough one. So I'm going to ask some friends to help out. First, my wonderful friend Linda is going to submit a ride report from her trip to Alaska on her DRZ! She's sexy, smart and fun to be around. I think her ride report will inspire many of us out there to just get out there and RIDE.

Check out this recommendation of Icebreaker Wool products that my friend Rain Hayes submitted to me recently. If you're looking for a good option for winter baselayers, they're worth checking out. The features seem particularly useful for riding as well.  Thanks Rain!

**** Just wanted to let you know about some IceBreaker merino wool products, if you don't know that brand. They make several 1/2 zip shirts in various weights- 190 is thin, 240 medium, 360 heavy,etc. I love this brand of clothing like no other. In fact, I express the weather in terms of what I'm wearing from them. "Cold out. 190 AND 360."

I like their shirts because the neck comes up high enough to keep me warm, but not so high it bunches under the chin. They have thumb loops, and are cut longer in the back, perfect for leaning over on the bike. Some also have great in-seam pockets that point toward the back so you're not scrunching over your wallet.

They also make a pullover neck scarf called a chute. I never leave home without it during the winter. It's double layered, awesomely warm, and not too bulky. (Their scarves are of the same double-layered fabric; I buy one, cut it into 4 chutes, serge the raw edges and give away to friends.)

The best thing about IceBreaker is that it's Merino wool, which in my opinion is the best garment fiber on earth. Warm in winter, cool in summer, breathes, doesn't get smelly like synthetics, and lasts forever.

Lombardi's carries a large selection and has frequent sales. Twice a year or so, they have a party with the IB reps. If you get on the mail list (they send coupons via text message), you get a special invite, free socks, and 30% off all IB products. And some good Australian wine.

No, I don't work for them. But it's a great brand.

www.icebreaker.com www.lombardisports.com (local SF shop) ******

Gear Works

  • Arai Quantum
  • Racer High Ends
  • Revit Ignition
  • Olympia Pro Max
  • Daytona Ladystar

My hand and neck are a little tired so I'll elaborate in another post in a couple days.

I was rear ended on my SV while at a red light the other day. I've been staying off my feet since it happened, except for going to the doctor twice. I hurt all over and found muscles I never knew I had.

Sometimes speed has nothing to do with gear.