General

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) ******

SSU Podcast, Winter Gear Part 2

Now that winter has come for most of you, I'm sure you may be looking for good overpants that are warm, waterproof and protective. A couple things to consider while shopping for pants:

  • When the zippers don't extend past the knee from the ankle, then they're meant to be worn AS pants. When the zippers do go up to the knee and hips, then you know they're meant to be worn as OVERpants. If you want to buy pants that are meant to be worn as pants, then buy them one size larger so you can wear them over your jeans/streetclothes.
  • Some pants have multiple liners (insulated + windproof/waterproof). When trying on multiple liners, keep in mind that you may not wear them with all the liners all the time. Think about how you'll likely wear them the most and buy them in that fit/configuration.
  • Always try them on the bike!

1) Olympia ProMax Pants $199.99

  • Read my review here. These are one of the best options for a winter overpant, especially if you commute, given the hip to toe zippers.

2) FirstGear HT Overpants $161.96

  • FirstGear also makes the TPG pants, however, they do not have a hip to toe zipper. If you don't care about this feature, then you may want to consider these instead, since they gave .
  • I had an older version of these and they worked really well for the 2 years I had them. I never needed the liner, although I rode in windy and rainy conditions. I would say they aren't as warm as the Olympia Pros though.

3) REV'IT Mistral Pants $239.99

  • Remember that Rev'it makes their pants in Short, Standard and Long sizes!
  • These have a removable waterproof/windproof liner but no insulated liner so a solid baselayer is key

4) REV'IT Zip Pants $139.99

  • These are a lighter weight overpant with no removable liners. The shell is waterproof/windproof
  • These are not vented at all
  • These have unisex sizing (XXS to 3XL), however Short sizes can only be ordered in Small(backordered) to 3XL. I've tried on XXS and they fit me pretty good. I'm normally a US 4 in pants. However, if you're cursed with a short torso like me then you'll find they ride up rather high when standing. They don't bother me in riding position, but for me personally, it was a little too much when the seams reached my bust area.

5) Fieldsheer Mercury 2.0 $143.99

  • These also have 2 way hip to toe zippers!

IMS San Mateo and Long Beach

Well I've been trying to get back on the IMS show circuit this year, but was only partially successful. I am thrilled to announce that I'll be working 2 booths at the San Mateo show this year, the 'Women and Motorcycling' and 'Club Connection booths. As in previous years, Friday is half off for ladies only! A coupon will be made available on the link below, so keep checking the IMS site. I've also been asked to go Long Beach to work the 'Women and Motorcycling' booth there as well. I'm so excited to go to the largest IMS on the West Coast!! So if you're going to be in either city, come see me at this booth where I'll be giving Gear talks and chatting about motorcycling to everyone who stops by. I'll also be available to answer all your gear related questions!

The Hub will also be presented again as last year, but this time the IMS decided to give us ladies a much larger booth and the ability to give our own seminars just for US!  Sometimes, women like hearing these things from fellow women riders. Otherwise, it can feel like just another man telling you what do. ;)

SAN MATEO: Fri 11/20 6pm-9pm: Women and Motorcycling

Sat 11/21 1pm-4pm: Women and Motorcycling 4pm-8pm: Club Connection

Sun 11/22 12pm-3pm: Women and Motorcycling, giving gear talks

Info about San Mateo: http://www.motorcycleshows.com/SanMateo

LONG BEACH Women and Motorcycling booth: Fri 12/4 6pm-9pm Sat 12/5 1pm-4pm Sun 12/6 12pm-3pm

Info about Long Beach: http://www.motorcycleshows.com/LongBeach

And, if you're looking for a coupon that's good for $3 off ANY Cycle World International Motorcycle Show this season, then you've come to the right place! I'm giving out coupons left and right. If you're lucky enough to see me in person, just ask me and I'll whip em' out. But if you don't live nearby and would still like coupons, simply sign up for my newsletter, and then email me with an address to send them to and how many coupons you need (limit 10 per person). Each coupon is also good for one (1) free gift when you present it at the show. And the coupons have a discount code that can be used for online ticket purchases too!   Each coupon is only valid with the purchase of one (1) day adult ticket.

I only have a limited number of coupons, so the sooner you sign up, the better. See you there!!

Scuderia Fall Open House! Sat. Nov 7.

It's time for Scuderia's annual fall open house! Looking for gear? Just getting started and interested in buying a scooter? Maybe you've never heard of KTM or Aprilia and want to see what all the fuss is about. If you're just getting into motorcycling or scootering and you need real protective gear but don't know how to go about finding it, then you'll want to come in and see us at the open house. We'll have vendors on hand as well, to answer all your questions about the latest and greatest in protective gear.

Come in for your chance to win an Aprilia Scarabeo 100cc Scooter, among other fabulous prizes that will benefit Riders for Health, an AMAZING organization that helps those who need medical care the most in areas that can't be reached by traditional methods of transportation. Read all about what they do and how they do it here.

Other than supporting what Riders is doing, we'll also have a HUGE surprise in store, especially for those of you who are Aprilia fans. ;)

So come by for the free bbq, say hi and check out all the new gear making its way into Scuderia including but not limited to New Arai and Shoei helmets for 2010, Racer, RS Taichi and more!!