February and SNOW SNOW SNOW

Not to complain, especially with the unusually and unseasonably warm weather we've been having.  So the blizzard of '12 happened.

Not really, but it was enough that my kiddo had a snow day yesterday. Lucky him.

The Mountain Shadow Riders did have their first chapter meeting of '12 in their "new"home--in the meeting area of Pike's Peak Harley Davidson.  It was nice to see everyone and it was great to not have to worry about the riff-raff of finding a new place to meet. The folks at the dealership were very generous in offering their space and I know that the chapter is grateful.

After the Perkins restaurant closed last year, it's been a challenge to meet.  It was fine when the membership was small, but since the chapter has grown, it's getting difficult to find seating for upwards to 100 people. We thought that we found the ideal place--the iHop restaurant on Powers and Stetson Hills, and we were able to meet for a few months.  However, the regional manager felt that our group meeting on a Saturday was not as profitable as it could be, so they quit reserving the space.  One one hand, I understand, but on the other hand I really don't.

What I do know is that I won't be taking my business to iHop any longer.  It's my choice.

We looked at other places, but it just wasn't working, so when the folks at the dealership extended the offer...hooray!!!  My thanks to the dealership and the wonderful folks of the HOG chapter that allows us to use their space.

Which made the January meeting a success.

Lots of new stuff going on.  Planning on the 2012 BCA run is already in place.  The chapter was gifted a motorcycle and I am currently working on the title paperwork.  Evidently, a participant and breast cancer survivor had a motorcycle that they found in the trash.  Can you imagine?  Someone putting motorcycle in the trash??

So they pulled it out and rode it as a neighborhood bike for a number of years.  After attending the ride, they decided that they would donate the bike to the chapter and perhaps we could fix it up and auction it off for the 2012 run??

Sounds good to me!!

So the story will be told of the little 250 Rebel.  I think it will be fun!

It's December and No, I'm NOT Riding!

I'm sure it's been a bazillion years since I've posted...but rest assured, I'm still out here! 

This year has been interesting--I've done more riding than in past years--but not as much as I first did.  Let's face it, I've become a fair-weather rider.  Once in my life (like it's a different century or something), I would have not thought twice about hopping on the bike for a quick scoot as long as the roads were clear.  Now, not so much!

The Iron Butt some years ago was what took my enthusiasm out of the "joy" of the ride--in cold temps.  Something about having to thaw out by taking a shower or bath just doesn't appeal to me.  My 'ol bones don't like it either!  Having to navigate automobiles that really are not aware that there may be a motorcyclist on the road does not appeal to me either.

The last ride of the season was with an old friend for a Sunday afternoon scoot.  The temps were about the mid 50's..not terribly cold but not terribly warm.  Being Colorado, if the sun was shining, it was perfect.  Unfortunately, the clouds rolled in..and yes, it was nippy.  I had my cold weather gear, but it's just not the same.  We got about 75 miles in and my friend, who was leading, asked me where the next stop would be.  My response was "home"!

He laughed and admitted that he was thinking the same thing!

It was nice 75 miles and I'm sure that the bug will bite when the weather warms up.  Until then, the bike is on the tender. 

Of course, I've been looking at the new BMW 1600 and yes, with heated handgrips and seat, I may have to rethink the whole cold weather riding!  That's another story for another day and I have to finish grad school first!

Ya'll keep the shiny side up!

~The Rainbow Wahine

As The Leaves Turn

Well, it's now or never for the ride out to see the Colorado fall colors.

So it's now.

This morning, it was a cooooolllll ride up to Cripple Creek.  At 9 am, it was a warm and balmy 50-something degrees.

Did I mention that I haven't done any really cold weather riding since...uhhhh...March??

Today was just a small front, it will be back to "normal" Colorado 80's tomorrow.

However, today's ride was spectacular.  The aspens are changing and the yellows are just brilliant!  It's quite different from the yellows/reds/oranges of the midwest/east, since the contrast are greens and yellow here and moving to gold and then...

Falling off!!!

It was nice to get out and ride, but still too nippy for me!!   However, it was fun to ride the twistys up to Cripple Creek.  However, the weather wasn't nice enough to stop for lunch.  Rather, it was a quick scoot home!

"High On The Hog" by the MeanStreet Riders

The MeanStreet Riders, a group of motorcycling friends that also happens to be a band (or is it a band that also happens to motorcycle?) are releasing their debut CD and I'm one of the lucky ones that get the opportunity to preview their debut album High On The Hog.

The MSR (the band, not the Mountain Shadow Riders), formed back 2008.  This group of songwriters that have a passion for riding realized they had an opportunity to share their stories and experiences through song.  High On The Hog does just that!  All the band members contributed to the lyrics and were able to give their own perspective to the riding experience.

The track 129 is about their experience riding Deal's Gap.  Located on Highway 129, Deal's Gap, or The Dragon, is an 11-mile stretch of highway in Tennessee that has 318 turns.  I've never done Deal's Gap by motorcycle, but I do remember doing the ride in my car many years ago.  I could easily relate to the track!!

The other tracks relate to motorcycling--destinations of "over there", Strugis and other places motorcycle.  The dream of just hopping on and letting the wind blow, enjoying the ride, and momentarily escaping the realities of life.  The reminder that friends, family, and country are important and not to take life too seriously.

High On The Hog is what American Rock is all about.  Harmonic and full of guitar riffs, this is an album that I can hear in my mind's eye while rolling down the highway.

Like any ride, the album came to an end quickly.  My thanks to the members of MeanStreet Riders for sharing their memories in song.  Ahhhh.....I want to go for a ride!!

You can find the MeanStreet Riders on Facebook or at their website.  You can preview their album at their website.  Look for it for general release sometime in June!

Keep The Shiny Side Up!

~The Rainbow Wahine

Mountain Shadow Rider's Open House #1 and Racing at PPIR

Every spring/summer, the MSR puts on at least one open house to meet and greet with the motorcycle community and raise money for our Breast Cancer Awareness Run.  Our run is held the first Saturday in October and this year it's on October 1st.

This year, we have two open houses scheduled--one was this past Saturday at Rocky Mountain Cycle Plaza.  The folks at RMCP are wonderful for hosting us and we always have fun talking to the customers coming in and out.  Of course, the smell of brats, burgers and dogs cooking are helpful!!!

Our food is all donated by the membership and proceeds are put towards our BCA Run in October.  I'm not sure how much the open house brought it, but it is always fun to get together and just do what we do!!

I didn't do the whole day--instead I headed down to Pike's Peak International Raceway for the MRA Races.  It's always fun to watch the sport bikes race!!  And a beautiful day to boot!!  PPIR is a small track; I'm not sure if the racers like it, but for a spectator, it's great since I can see the entire track!!

Next race day is June 11.  Next MSR open house is still uncertain, but might be in June. 

Keep the Shiny Side Up!!

~The Rainbow Wahine

Colorado Springs Touring Club--El Paso County Search and Rescue

I awoke to a cold and dreary day!  Brrrr.....

The high was supposed to get up to the mid 50's, but I do not think it made it to the day's high.  I was not planning on doing the ride since my son was in tow--we were just going to go down to the end stop and meet everyone.

Instead, we went down and registered and then headed out to run errands.  In the car.

Yeah, I got flak about it, but hey, my days of riding in the rain are about over.  I know I can do it, but if I don't have to.....

Unfortunately, with the weather being so cold (and this is the second time in 20+ years that the weather was uncooperative), attendance was down.  It's unfortunate, because the El Paso County Search and Rescue group is not funded by tax payer dollars.  Probably doesn't mean too much except if you get lost in the mountains, EPCS&R are the folks that get out and bring you in.  Which gets to be mighty important if it's you or a loved one that has gotten lost or fallen off a cliff.

Nonetheless, it was a fun day and the CSTC did raise some funds for the EPCS&R.  We won door prizes too!!  Not to mention having a good time laughing and carrying on with my friends. 

Next weekend is a race weekend.  Boyfriend Joe is racing at Pikes Peak International Raceway.  The weather is iffy for rain, but hey that's what he has raingear for!!!

The Mountain Shadow Riders are also having their Family Dinner Night on Thursday and and open house.  The MSR usually has two open houses--one in early spring and the other one in late spring.  If you guys are in the Colorado Springs, come out and check out the ladies of the Mountain Shadow Riders.  We'll be at Rocky Mountain Sports Plaza starting around 10 AM. 

That's all the motorcycle news for the day.  Didn't ride....well, not on two wheels anyway!

Keep the Shiny Side Up!

~The Rainbow Wahine

Dang It's Cold Out There!!

Saturday morning was the local HOG Easter Egg Fun Run.  It was certainly Easter and it was fun.  But it was COLD!

We set out for breakfast at 8:30.  Skies were overcast.  Not too windy.  Temps...colder than I liked.  Looking up at Pikes Peak...snowing.  Oh boy.  As I ride down I-25, I am wondering if any of the stops are up in Woodland Park.  I roll into the restaurant and head in.  I find my group of friends and as the spot me, they burst out laughing.  Something about the expression on my face.  I talk to one of the HOG members and ask if the route was going up the mountain. 

Of course!  We talk about the snow and my friend declares that we may just have to skip the stop.

After breakfast we head out to the dealership.  I commented to dear BF that those wonderful crashbar covers I received for Christmas would be most excellent to have today.  Except I don't have them because they didn't fit and he took them back.  The dealership didn't have the correct ones, so I have just done without.  Not a big deal since I don't do much riding.  However, today would have been a good day!

However, BF is wonderful and checked the dealership inventory.  They had some that work so now have engine guard wind deflectors!

There were two stops up the mountain and we made the executive decision not to go up the hill.  Note:  snow is not fun and dangerous to ride in unless you are on a Ural or trike.  I have neither!

The other stops were parks around the surrounding area.  I know that the idea is that it's an Easter Egg run and that involves Eggs and Parks.  Unfortunately, the weather wasn't being cooperative so there wasn't an opportunity to warm up. 

The end stop was at Frankie's Too in Fountain.  I was soooo happy to be there!!  Finally, something warm to drink and food.

A note about cold weather riding.  If you are going to do it, make sure you have sufficient fuel in the tank.  Yes, the motorcycle, but also the stomach.  It's important because the body will need the fuel to stay warm.  It's also important to make sure your bladder is empty because it take additional energy to keep urine warm--I know I want the heat to keep me warm, not my pee!

One of the prizes was a "golden easter egg"  Since the stop up the mountain had the egg and there was no brave soul ventured that way (except the HOG members that were running the stop), the egg hunt ended up at the restaurant.  I spotted the egg and won!  Yay me!!  Got a few Harley bucks to spend at the dealership.

It was cold riding home and my solution to warm up was a nice bath.  As I was running the water, the sun came out.  Gee, talk about Murphy's Law, eh??

Well, it was good to get out and see friends...so a good ride overall.  And a reminder of how much I do not like to ride in the cold.  Of course, why am I living in Colorado then??

Keep the Shiny Side Up!

~The Rainbow Wahine

Ride Like the Wind?

I can definitely tell that it's springtime in the Rockies!  My son Alex and I rode down to the April Mountain Shadow Riders meeting.  Wow, a lot of new people!  Which is great!  And it's always wonderful to catch up with my friends.

The ride after the meeting was to Pueblo.  I wasn't feeling it since the wind has been bothersome so some of us decided to break off and head north to Franktown.  My son had another activity scheduled, so I got to ride without him.  Truthfully, I would not have gone riding if I had him--anything out of town has him complaining that his legs hurt.

While it was only 45 or so miles, wow.  The wind was beating up on everyone.  I had the fabulous task of leading--although I don't understand why since I'm the one that is directionally challenged.  Fortunately, I knew where the Stagecoach was, so all I had to do was lead five other motorcyclists.

Unbeknownst to me, one of the riders was new.  Well, I knew that he had a new motorcycle--a new to him Harley Davidson V-Rod.  He hadn't ridden in a number of years, but that doesn't mean anything--I had taken a riding hiatus for twenty-something years.   I started riding again on a Yamaha V-Star 1100, which is still a large motorcycle then moved to my Harley.  So, in my book, anyone riding a V-Rod should know what they are doing.

I was wrong.

The wind was beating us up pretty badly.  I have a windshield, but Mr. V-Rod did not and while he had a full-faced helmet on, I know how exhausting it can be trying to ride in 40+ MPH wind gusts.  I did lecture him before we headed out that I expect all riders to ride their own ride and be comfortable.  However, I did not anticipate that he would do 5 miles under the speed limit. 

That creates another type of hazard.  I typically ride 5 miles over the speed limit and will ratchet it down some if necessary but I like to stay over the speed limit.  I do this because most cars aren't doing the speed limit and I don't want to create a dangerous situation where cars are trying to pass motorcycles on twisty Colorado roads because they get impatient.  There were several occasions that I looked back and the group is a quarter mile away!

Yikes!

I know he's struggling, but since we are out, we don't have much of a choice but to press on.  I cut my speed but am conscious of the traffic behind our group and when a few cars build up and the road is passable, I move to the right to let the cars by.

Over all, it's an exhausting ride.  Not just from the wind, but the process of ensuring that riders stay safe and ride within their means. 

Mr. V-Rod ended up dumping his bike later in the day and breaking the shift linkage, but overall, he did very well.  Hey, there were a couple of uh-oh moments when the wind is gusting me around, so my hat's off to him.

Keep the Shiny Side Up!

~The Rainbow Wahine