General

Busy Busy Busy

I'm on City #2; Greenville, South Carolina. Next stop Washington DC!!

Can I just say I LOVE this city? The show has been busy nonstop, I'm working all day, all night. That's why you haven't seen the January newsletter yet. Wah. I hope to have time when I get back home this week.  It's just been so insane.  If you are planning on attending any of the motorcycle shows between now and February, (Wash DC, NYC, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Chicago), you MUST come by and say hi at the Women's Center!

I know, I know. Women's Center.  It's so, I don't know, woman oriented. Yes and No.  We have local women's motorcycle clubs/groups, women's gear to try on (but not buy!), and seminars.  The seminars are NOT for women only.  They're actually really freaking great; Right Bike for Right Now, Dirt Riding, Picking Up Your Bike, The Right Gear for Right Now, and MORE!

As a female rider, you know how hard it is to find gear. You also know how hard it is to find Information. Especially from your fellow female riders. We're there to give you answers to everything and anything related to riding.  We're not just sportbike riders, not just cruiser riders, not just dirtbike riders.  We're everything riders.  I've been lucky enough to work with Sue Slate and Gin Shear, of the Women's Motorcyclist Foundation. These two women have ridden anything and everything, anywhere and everywhere.  I've learned so much from them and having a couple of travel buddies makes the job that much more FUN.

My role at the women's center is really simple. I'm there to help you FIT.  It's really apparent to me that many women have no idea how to shop for gear.  Real Gear, gear that's protective and fit for riding is such a different type of garment. It takes a lot of work and is not as easy as shopping for jeans and tshirts.   Many times I've had to explain the fact that when you stand up straight and put your shoulders back, the zippers will have a really hard time meeting.  Of course you're going to give up zipping if you don't let them actually touch and say hello to one another.  So what do you do? Well, first of all stop pulling your shoulders back.  Bring your shoulders forward, bend over a little bit and let your torso pull inward so the zippers can actually touch.  I PROMISE you, if the zippers actually touch, then they WILL zip. I repeat, they WILL zip.  You are NOT as large as you think you are.  You are not really an Extra Large or an Extra Extra Large.  Too many women give up as soon as they try to zip the jacket up.

Well ladies, remember that the fantastic jacket you're trying on is made for RIDING your motorcycle, not standing in front of the mirror wearing it!  Of course it's going to be difficult to zip up when you stand up straight with your shoulders back.  Give yourself a chance and remember that these jackets are not cut for relaxing position, sitting on the couch position, or laying around position. They're made for your MOTORCYCLE.

If you haven't already, click on the link on the left of this post and download my Shopping Guide or click here to download this pdf.  Read it, then go shopping. I promise you it'll make the experience even easier.  Or if you have questions and need suggestions for types of gear/brands to try, email me, I'm happy to send you a note back.  Or even better, come to the motorcycle shows so we can get you a fit assessment!

I still need volunteers as well, please Email Me so I can meet you so you can hang out in the center with us, talk to women riders and get in the show for FREE.

SideStandUp Jan 5, 2010

4pm PT/7pm ET http://www.sidestandup.com

Tonight's show is going to be an update from the Int'l Motorcycle Shows 2009-2010, as well as what I'm doing at the shows through the end of February. I'll also be reporting on what I've seen so far and what I think is worth checking out as the shows make it to your city.

http://www.motorcycleshows.com

I'll also be talking a little bit about the new Snell 2010 helmets that are coming out and what it might mean to you.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/snell-2010-standard.htm

And I hope to touch on the subject of body armor and why you need it, some options to consider when purchasing gear.

I hope you have time to tune in!

Volunteers, IMS 2010

Well, it looks like I'll be coming to a major city near you. A new feature of the IMS this year is the Women's Center, which is to promote women and motorcycling, socializing with fellow female riders and chatting with other women about riding.  For some women, asking what can be perceived as 'dumb' questions  can be intimidating and difficult.  Learning to ride is an amazing thing, and should be met with excitement, curiosity and without hesitation.  I'll be giving my Gear Seminars at every Women's Center on the tour between Jan 1 and Feb 22 in 2010.  So if you're planning on attending any of the shows in these cities, I hope to meet you in person:

Novi, MI Jan 1-3 Greenville, SC Jan 8-10 Washington, DC Jan 15-17 New York, NY Jan 22-24 Cleveland, OH Jan 29-31 Minneapolis, MN Feb 5-7 Chicago, IL  Feb 19-21 (There's a Daytona, FL show, but not sure if I'll be there yet!)

I'm looking for volunteers to work the women's center and basically talk to other women about riding! Whether you're from a club, organization or just a fanatic rider, I want to hear from you and would love for you to hang out at the Women's Center with me and a few other volunteers.  Ideally you'll be available for at least 2-3 hours for the show in your area.  We'll also be able to get you into the show for the day you volunteer. You don't have to be an experienced rider with more than XXXX miles under your belt.  If you've just taken your MSF class and you're looking to meet other women riders, or simply talk about your experience as a (new) rider, we want you at the show!

Please email me with questions and I'll fill you in from there.