About Me
Why am I here?
I currently live in San Francisco and try to eat, sleep and breathe motorcycling. Aside from running GearChic, I work part time as an MSF RiderCoach and at Scuderia West, a KTM/Aprilia/Kymco/Victory dealer in San Francisco, selling apparel. As of September 2011, I quit my day job to pursue motorcycle related projects full time. I highly recommend it! I freelance as a research recruiter and pick up any project managing/assisting work I can.
In 2007, I noticed that there were plenty of websites for you to go and purchase gear. But, no one had any information on how to find it, where to find it and how to shop for it. So I started my website, wholly dedicated to the issue of protective motorcycle gear for women. You already know how to buy things, I’m not here to tell you where to spend your money, so much as HOW to! I’m here to provide reviews, tips and insights on all things related to what you (men and women) should be wearing while riding your motorcycle or scooter. If you’re just starting out and don’t know what to wear, how it should fit or where to get it, I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction.
Consider me a virtual personal shopper, someone who has done a lot of the homework so you don’t have to.
My dream is to have a MGU, or a Mobile Gear Unit that I could drive all around the country, fitting and sizing women with as much Real protective gear options available to them. But since I can’t feasibly do that, I try to do it virtually via email or facebook or my forum. Traveling with the shows, I saw how difficult it is for women to find gear when the dealers around them can’t afford to have it available to them. It’s a cycle that I’m working very hard to help break. Although women only make up 15-20% of the motorcycling market, I’m confident that in 5 years that number will hit 30-40% and then 50-60%!!
Dealers, I’m here for you too. If you’re dealer trying to figure out what kind of gear you should have in your shop, or have never sold women’s gear and need help selling gear to women, let’s chat!
My Motorcycles
Articles
Asphalt and Rubber – Contributor
First article – Yamaha Zuma 50F Scooter Ride Review. Gear Reviews to come!
BlackGirlsRide Magazine - Contributor
May 2011. I’ve just recently been asked to become a contributor to BGR, which is not only a magazine, but a movement, “an inclusive celebration of all women of color who live to ride”.
City Bike – Contributor
Corazzo 5.0 Jacket Review
Examiner – SF/Scooters
August 2010 – December 2010
Work
Motorcycle Safety Foundation
RiderCoach, San Francisco, CA; April 2005 – Present
Scuderia West
Part time, apparel, April 2007 – Present
Speaking
Progressive International Motorcycle Show (IMS)
“Women Ride” and “The Hub”, 2009-2010 and 2010-2011
As a resource center for women riders (not for women only), our sponsors provided gear to try on and get fitted. I did my best to help women find gear that fits, and help them understand what size/fit/body type they are so they can find better options. If the options they needed weren’t available in the center, then I gave them specific options that existed outside the show, at their local dealers or online. At both The Hub stage and in the WomenRide feature, I gave 2 seminars, “Gear for your Ride” and “Right Bike for Right Now”, courtesy of the Women’s Motorcyclist Foundation.
BMW Motorcycles, San Francisco
In May 2011, I spoke at the first women rider appreciation event held at BMW San Francisco and gave my Gear 411 presentation. If you’re shopping for a BMW, I highly recommend visiting Larry and his team.
Interviews/Press
Long Beach Press Telegram
December 12, 2010, Interview for the Long Beach motorcycle show.
Cleveland Plain Dealer
January 8, 2011, Interview for the Cleveland motorcycle show
Her-Motorcycle.com
Read my story featured on Her-Motorcycle.com
Urban Moto Magazine
This interview was for Urban Moto Magazine’s last women’s issue, in April 2009.
Podcasts
The Pace - December 2011 – Present
A weekly podcast about all things moto. Mostly sportbike/touring/adventure riding oriented. I may be making regularly scheduled appearances, so stay tuned for more episodes.
12/12/2011 Ep 95: My first interview with Chris and James. I chatted about my website, the current struggle that dealers and customers are experiencing with the lack of gear choices in some cases and what we can do about it.
12/18/2011 Ep 96: All about the Cycle World Italian Adventure when I went to EICMA and visited Spidi and Leo Vince in Milan.
1/22/2012 Ep 99: I share my Shopping Tips for all riders, when it comes to shopping for gear. How is your gear supposed to fit anyway?
2/6/2012 Ep 101: This time we chat about gloves. Why do you need them? How much should you spend?
Two Wheel Power Hour - March 2010 – Present
Since March, 2010, I’ve joined Larry and Roy to provide gear tips and information to their listeners. Join me on the first Tuesday of every month at 3pm Pacific. You can download past shows here.
Just Gotta Scoot, May 2009
David from JustGottaScoot and I have a great conversation about why wearing gear on a scooter is just as important as being on a motorcycle.
SideStandUp
Between March 2009 and January 2010, I shared my insights on a monthly basis. You can download or listen to these interviews through the talkshoe website or via itunes.
1/5/2010 Episode 135
Body Armor; what to look for and a couple recommendations.
3/10/2009: Segment starts in at 00:20:00 (20 minutes in). This is the first episode that I make my appearance on SideStandUp, being interviewed by Denise Maple of VaVaVroom.
4/7/2009: Episode 79
Segment starting at about 00:34:00 (34 minutes in). My first segment on SSU all about the Daytona Ladystar boots, and why they’re one of the best boots for women in the market.
5/5/2009: Episode 83
My segment starts at about 00:15:00. (15 minutes in). On this episode, I give my tips for buying gear if you don’t have the luxury of having a local apparel shop that’s knowledgeable about gear, or you just don’t know where to start in terms of finding gear.
5/12/2009: Episode 84
My segment starts at about 01:00:27 (1 hr, 27 minutes, towards the end of the show). This is the Mother’s Day special where all the guests featured were interesting and cool women sharing lots of different perspectives on riding.
6/2/2009: Episode 87
This segment starts at about 00:33:00 minutes in. It can be quite difficult to find the right helmet, especially when it comes to fit. Even if you’ve been riding for 5-10-20 years, you need to tune in and check to see if you’re wearing the right helmet. If you haven’t been riding for very long, then you want to tune in so you can find the perfect helmet.
7/7/2009: Episode 92
This segment starts at about 00:10:00 (10 minutes in). On this segment, I review the REV’IT! Ignition Jacket, for men AND women. Don’t forget to check out my review.
8/4/2009, Episode 96
This segment starts at about 00:16:00 minutes in. On this segment, I cover gloves; why you need them, how to shop for them and more. Also check out the follow up post I wrote on my blog with recommendations.
9/1/2009 Episode 100
All about Boots. We’re discussing why you need them, what to look for in a real pair and a few recommendations from me as well. Related blog post.
10/13/2009, Episode 115
Winter gear recommendations for warm, protective jackets! Related Blog post.
11/13/2009 Episode 118
More winter gear recommendations, this time we discuss overpants.
Related blog post.
11/17/2009 Episode 120
Listen to the special San Francisco edition of SideStandUp, featuring Crystal Gurr/Scuderia West, Jennifer Bromme/WerkstattSF, Carla King/Miss Adventuring and special guests; Larry Saenz/BMW Motorcycles SF and Gabe Ets-Hotkins/CityBike Magazine.