Theft Rates and Crash Statistics

Thanks to Lawrence at Biker Diaries for giving me the heads up on this interesting blurb of information!

It seems that the folks at Progressive Insurance have analyzed their motorcycle claim data on theft and crashes and published their findings. Lawrence does an excellent job of talking about the top and bottom 10 of both crashes and thefts, so if you want to read his take on it, please check out his blog.

Naturally, I’m curious to see where the Springs ranks so I check out Progressive's full list. This is the top 100 of crashes and thefts of motorcycles of populations over 500,000. For population size, Colorado Springs ranks 79th. For collisions, the Springs ranks in at 20th and for thefts it is 40th.

I wasn’t surprised at what I found. Seeing that Honolulu is ranked number one for motorcycle theft is not surprising since I’ve had the opportunity to live and insure a bike in Hawaii. Yes, the premium is expensive! The other cities that follow are a bit surprising since the percentages don’t necessarily follow the population ranking. This is a handy reminder to remember to take precautions to secure your motorcycle when out traveling this summer.

The crash ranking was quite interesting. Since I’ve driven in most of the cities, the list makes sense.

What concerns me at the moment is that I will be riding when I go to San Diego next month. I was surprised to see how high it ranked in both lists.

Finally, this should serve as a reminder to always exercise extreme caution when riding and to be sure to secure your bike when parking.

Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean anything as my fellow rider friend Bland can attest to. His beloved motorcycle was stolen last summer. Ouch.

Stay safe and secure and as always, keep the shiny side up!

~The Rainbow Wahine

February Family Dinner Night

The Mountain Shadow Riders' Family Dinner Night was Friday night. It's always good fun to get together with everyone and eat and talk trash!!

Our get together was at Rita's Fajitas. We had the whole room to ourselves, which was a good thing since we tend to get a little (ha!) rowdy. At one point Karla was laughing so hard that she almost snorted an onion of of her nose. That's what got Kelly laughing....

Onion-snorting Karla is on the right

Kudos for riders Travis, Taunya, Sandy, Steve and Julie for riding. Temps were very cold! Julie has a new motorcycle so of course she HAD to ride (I would have done it too, LOL). She's on a very nice Boulevard C50!!!

Webmistress and Secretary

Hopefully next month it'll be warm enough to ride and we can all roll down to the next restaurant on our bikes. It's always funny when we do. Imagine, a group of twenty or thirty women (and a couple of guys too), all leather-clad, on motorcycles, pulling up to a local eatery here in town.

Okay, for some of you, it might be your wildest dream! It's still a bit of a novelty here when we go roaring down the street!

It's fun, though, as you well know. If you don't know.... then get on a bike and come down and see us!!

Keep the shiny side up!

~The Rainbow Wahine

What's In Your Saddle Bags?

It’s already started. The bitty bag noise. He he he. I knew someone would say something about it and it only took one day!

“Gee, those are some tiny saddlebags you have on your bike.”

Yes, they are. I happen to LIKE them!

If you didn't know, I installed my Saddlebags on my Harley on Saturday.

I don’t feel the need or have the desire to carry around the kitchen sink on the back of my motorcycle. In my typical female-ness—if I have the space, I need to fill it....to the brim.

So, what’s in my right saddlebag (feel like you are peeking into someone’s medicine cabinet when you use their restroom?)……

Rain gear, (top and bottom)
Sun block
Map book
Registration, proof of insurance, emergency contact card
Winter gloves
Gauntlets
Neoprene gloves
Ear warmer
Neck gaiter
Riding lenses (clear, yellow, bronze)
12-volt lead w/phone and iPod charging cable (I moved it from under my tank to my bag)
Ziploc bags
Couple of grocery bags
Small cosmetic bag—‘girl stuff’, couple of granola bars, Kleenex, baby wipes, bandaids, benedryl, extra contact lens, case, and lens solution, toothbrush, toothpaste, and tylenol.
Couple of tools

Left saddlebag:

Cargo net
Steel cable/lock
Bungee cords

My right bag is full, my left bag is basically empty. I can put my jacket liner, extra shirt and stuff I normally don’t carry as needed. I use the steel cable and thread it through my leather jacket arms and wrap it around the one saddle bag. It secures the jacket to the bike and locks the bag as well.

What else do I need?? I can’t think of anything else.

Besides, if I ever need to go somewhere where there is no place to buy anything, I’ll just invite my friend Karla along. She carries everything!!!

Keep the shiny side up!

Car VS Motorcycle...What It Is Like

I don’t know, but Dawn does. She’s a motorcycle rider in California. This is an amazing story and the video footage is incredible. You can read her story as well. She gives an amazing analysis on the breakdown. I won’t go into it since the story is readily available.

Just check it out. Luck, skill, intuition, karma….I hope that I do as well as she does if I’m ever in that situation.

It is not for the faint of heart either.

Frames, Saddlebags, Primer and Riding!

I rode this afternoon! Yipee!!!

I left the house early this afternoon; my thermometer said 34 degrees…

We had a high of 41. I’ll take it……..it was clear.

I didn’t go far….I made it to the Harley Store. I needed to get my saddlebags on my bike and have been putting it off. I needed the support frames and finally the dealership had them in stock. Of course, I could have ordered them in. Truth be told, I always found something else to buy instead!

Of course, the frames aren’t compatible with the quick-release sissy bar. Why is that so? Probably so I could be talked into getting something more expensive!

After tinkering around a bit, I figured out a work around. For once, it was a cheap fix. Cost me all of $1.50! Score one for the girl Harley rider in red!

My bags are really cool too. They are really, really, really old! They aren’t overly humongous either, which is a good thing for me. I carry a small handbag on purpose. The larger it gets, the more stuff I end up hauling around. So the smaller bag forces me to consolidate and keep it simple. The bags, being as old as they are—are also unique…I’ve never seen any like them!

I can now take the backpack off the back of my bike. I like it…it’s small and carries everything I need. Actually, I’ll move it to the V-Star.

I also got the primer on my engine guard. It’ll dry and hopefully in the next week or two I’ll get back to getting that leafed. Then again, since I got the rhinestones on my chaps, I want to put the rhinestones on them! Then again, we can always start with the primary cover *smile*.

It’s been a busy motorcycle day, which is time well spent, in my opinion. Got to do some home maintenance now, so I’ll close.

Keep the shiny side up!!

The next DIY project is….

Leafing my crash bar. I didn’t get the engine guard with my bike, but discovered that there was one hanging in my garage that fit! No, Santa didn’t leave it....it's a remnant of my ex. He and his bike are history.

Before you get your shorts in a wad, he doesn’t need it any more. He sold his bike and I doubt that it will look good on his Taurus.

It is pretty banged up and has road rash from a drop, but I think it will look cool if I leaf it in the same way that I did my primary cover. I’ve gotten the guard sanded and since we are up to 49 degrees today, I will primer the bar in a bit.

Primer, then sand. Apply bonding agent, then put the leafing material on. I’ll clear coat as well.

Well, off to prime….

March Madness

There’s a lot going on next month.

I’m headed out to San Diego to visit a friend and do some riding…so I HOPE it will be warmer. I’m really looking forward to the trip out. I’ve never been to San Diego before and everyone I’ve talked to says it’s beautiful.

We have a ride scheduled for March 11 after our Chapter meeting. We are going to head out to The Wonder Tower in Genoa, Colorado. No one I’ve talked to has heard of it, so off we go. We opened the ride up to the Colorado Springs Chapter of the Women in the Wind and to the Women on Wheels Colorado Gold Chapter as well. I hope the weather holds.

March 19th is the Polar Bear Poker Run. They are supposed to ride no matter what the temps are. We’ll see if I’m out there with those crazy people. Heck, who am I foolin’, I probably will.

On the 25th the MSR has an open house next month at Rocky Mountain Cycle Plaza to promote the Mountain Shadow Riders. It’ll be fun. I get to work the early shift and set up!! Been working behind the scenes with Jeanne (she’s been doing all the work, this woman is a dynamo!) and have a blurb to write on how to join our Yahoo Group. Being that I’m the group administrator, I couldn’t hand that one off, could I? I think we are doing brats. It’ll be interesting. I know it’s funny to watch men tend to fire….they are always messing with it.

A bunch of women…would they mess with the fire?? Hmmm…. I will say (and say it proudly and without malice) that we have some hard-charging Alpha Females in our group. I’m sure one of the Cartel won’t be able to resist poking at the fire. Heck, I’d bet on it *smile*…..

I’d work the show all day, but I have to be in Denver to catch Mama Mia at the Denver Performing Arts Center that evening. It’s a true biker chickie to evening-gown clad gurl. It’ll be fun. Too bad I can’t manage it on my bike….the CCT HOG LOH has their dice ride on Sunday and I’d be right there……sigh.

There’s a whole lot more going on, but I can’t be at all of them, so I’ll have to pick and choose. So many choices, so little time (and warmth at this point).

Somewhere along the line I have to do homework and laundry. And put together a ride. Ohhh…I get to pick where we are going!!!

Keep the shiny side up!!

I WANNA RIDE....WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

It's a whole 44 degrees outside!!! WOAH! It's a heatwave...break out the bikini!!!

I still have a lot of ice on my street so it's a no-go for me. I'd have ridden if I could have gotten safely out. I had to be satisfied riding down the road in the mom-mobile with my windows rolled down. Looked a little strange because it's a bit nippy, but hey, I'll take what I can get in these circumstances.

As I was headed down Research Blvd., a guy passed me on his motorcycle..............

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I wanted to turn right around and manhandle a motorcycle out of the garage and catch up with him. Of course, his tag caught my eye--he's on a brand new Yamaha and of course, had to ride.

Heck, I'd be doing the same thing if I could have!!!

Hopefully next weekend will be warmer...the forecast says for a high of 51 on Sunday. Let's hope the weatherman doesn't change his mind.

The Scooter Gurl Has INK!!!

I awoke to a record low of MINUS five degrees.....yikes!!!

The day was clear and calm....just cold....brrrrrrr.....

What to do on a Sunday that's too cold and icy to ride??

Go to the Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet at the Phil Long Expo Center!

My friends and I had planned to go today because rumor central reported that our Bergman rider, Kelly--aka Scooter Gurl, had woke up one morning with new ink and had to enter it in the motorcycle show tattoo contest.

Karla, Jeanne and I met up around noon and wandered around the Expo Center. We wandered around the booths, shopped and looked at the bikes. In the process we met our MSR Co-Director Wendy, Past Director Chris, Rodney....and Paul and the notorious Scooter Gurl. Yeah, we asked about the ink and sure enough, the rumor was true!!!

What a cool tat it is!! I like tattoos--as long as they are on someone else. The way I see it is that I have cellulite--and that's permanent enough on my bootie as it is....so I don't feel the need to add anything else-ha ha ha. I also got to check out her navel ring. Now, that's really cool.....

Not to mention that I have a gift card from one of the local tattoo shops. I managed to snag it in a prize drawing from one of our rides. Me, the girl who won't do ink gets a gift card to the tattoo store. Just my luck! Of course, I was eyeing her belly ring too...hmmm...maybe I can put that gift card to use after all *smile*!

Back to the subject--so we wander to the stage where the contest is being held and there's a very large amount of people crammed into a small room. The styles of ink range from really great to really bizarre. It's certainly entertaining to watch! We were even lucky to observe a man in his boxers...hmmmm....I could have made the day without seeing THAT!!!

After two long hours, it's time for Kelly to show her stuff. And HOW!! Yowza! This chickie ain't camera shy, that's for darn sure!!! And what a cute tat!!

I didn't stay around for the results, but at any rate...Scooter Gurl gets my respect because she stood up and strutted her stuff and had fun doing it!!

Really....isn't that why we ride???

Keep the shiny side up, chickie....you ROCK!!

Colorado Gold WOW Meeting

Three representatives from the Mountain Shadow Riders (Chapter Director Karla, Jeanne, and I) drove up yesterday to help support the Colorado Gold chapter of the Women On Wheels. They are in the process of reorganizing and re-starting their group up after a period of non-activity.

Our morning was a cold one—the temps were well below freezing and there was a large amount of packed snow and ice on the residential streets. Once we got on the major highway, it was clear. Still bitterly cold, but clear!

There were quite a few ladies that showed up for the meeting—I think about ten in all. I know there’s a pretty good population of women riders since Denver is a large city. Overall, the meeting was very positive and there was a lot of energy and ideas bantered about. We even had a few men. Of course..with a group of women bikers?? Yeah, the men are sure to follow *smile*!

They have a good bit of work to do, but if today was any indication of how they will do, then I think the group will be fine. We talked briefly about a camping trip with the three Colorado chapters. Can you imagine? A group of girls, on motorycles, camping?

LOL!! From my road warrior days, I pack light! I know that I will have no problem swinging the camping trip. For some of my sister bikers…well, that’s another story!!

Congrats to the Colorado Gold Chapter! I hope to ride with you soon!!

Keep the Shiny Side Up!!

The Future of Motorcycling

I had to put this in because it is just too cute!!!

My son loves my motorcycles…if I’m out wrenching he’s always bringing me the various tools that I need. If I’m polishing, he’ll grab a rag and go and polish the other bike. If I’m working on the V-Star, he’ll tell me “mom, I am going polish Mr. Chubbs so he’ll be clean too”. Or vice versa.

Of course, after the bike starts, it’s a different story. He’s still afraid of the noise. That will change in time and before I know it he’ll be on the back and then, eventually ride.

So right now, I enjoy him. I normally don’t post photos of my son but since you can’t see his face, I can’t resist. That’s my boy (and I’m darned proud of him)!!

It's Twenty Outside

I awoke to a brilliant, gorgeous day….and snow on the ground. I have no idea of the temps, but the weather channel thingy in my icon tray says 20 degrees, so I’m pretty confident that it’s cold outside!!

Of course, I had to step out to snap these photos of my front yard and yes...IT'S BLASTED COLD!!!

The Denver Chapter of the Women on Wheels is having their chapter meeting this coming Saturday. We were supposed to ride up, but it looks like it will be by the cages instead of by motorcycle. I was going to drive anyway, since I have my son that afternoon and he’s still too little to ride on the back.

Next weekend is a totally different story. We are supposed to be in the mid-50’s starting Thursday and it is supposed to continue through the weekend! I have to be motorcycle crazy if I’m doing the happy dance with temperatures in the mid-50’s!!!!!! If it is clear you bet your bottom dollar that I will be out riding!

Until then, I am anxiously awaiting the bazillion rhinestones I ordered. Not only are my chaps red, they’ll be SHINY!!! The red, shiny gurl…..yeah, that’s me!!!

As always, keep the shiny side up!!!

2006 Women in Motorcycling Conference, August 2006

We had our meeting Monday night at Howard’s Bar-B-Que and worked out the details of this conference.  The conference is scheduled for August 16th and 17th at the Elk’s Lodge in Cripple Creek, CO.  That puts it between Sturgis and the Cripple Creek Veteran’s Day Rally.  

The Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Museum is heading this project with the support of the Mountain Shadow Riders/Women on Wheels and The Women in the Wind Organization.  We are asking for input and help from the other motorcycle organizations around town as well.  

I’m excited about this; we have a lot going on.  Barb has been working on getting some really great keynote speakers.  She still wishes to have someone local come in and speak.  If not, then it’s to Plan B!  There will be seminars, skill building sessions and other activities planned.  Of course, there’s always riding involved!!!

I look forward to working behind the scenes for this project.  I can’t attend due to a scheduling conflict, but I do anticipate riding in on the Veteran’s Day Festival the following weekend.  I had the opportunity to ride it last year and was honored to ride in with a group of ex-POWs and disabled vets.  They took excellent care of me to ensure I didn’t ride off the side of the mountain.

This ride is really spectacular due to the scenery.  Riding the twisties is fun too.  

Of course, riding back in the rain and ensuing hailstorm was no fun, but that’s what makes the experience so great.  You just never know what you are going to get.

I should have more info on the conference in the next few days.  

Keep the Shiny Side Up!!

Sturgis '06

It looks like I’m going to go to Sturgis this year.  With my timetable, I’ll be there before the rally, which I honestly prefer.  The rally will be crazy and it would be great to see all the really cool motorcycles (and hot guys and girls), but I’m really more interested in riding that area.

I’m getting too old to party all night and be functional the next morning!  I know I could do it short term, but I don’t want to push the envelope when it comes to riding a motorcycle.  I don’t understand how anyone can do it, and I’m in no way, shape, or form in any position to judge.  I just know that I can’t do it and am not willing to risk it.  

So when the opportunity presented itself to do the ride outside the rally and I know I have a safe place to say (without costing me an arm and a leg)—it’s going to happen!!  Yippee!!!

I suppose I got to get those darned frames now…lol.

Keep the shiny side up!!

Sunday Morning Motorcycling

I did get out and ride today for a very short spin. It was early—around 9:30 am when I left and I decided to ride to chorus practice. I know it’s crazy to get out for such a short motorcycle ride and it takes so much to GET ready to ride, but I couldn’t resist. Besides, I need to put gas in my van and didn’t have time so I just took the bike!!

It was a spectacular day. The temps were agreeable and there was no wind and more importantly, no ice! I think I saw more yesterday and it was freezing! I think that had more to do with Tim’s service.

I did discover that my key won’t lock my forks. I’m getting up to the 7,500 mile service so I have to make sure and have the folks at Harley look at it.

I am looking forward to the motorcycle swap meet next weekend. Sigh, I know I’ll find something else I just need. Of course <smile>.

Keep the shiny side up!

MSR February Meeting

Wow! What a great turn out! I wasn’t late either <smile>…….and managed not to knock over various trays…..ha ha ha. I was late to January’s meeting and in my haste to get in and get seated, I knocked over the server’s tray.

I had too much ice in my cul-de-sac so I headed out to the meeting in the mom-mobile. Geeeez..it was really cold this morning!!

Barb filled us in on the status of the Women in Motorcycle Conference. They did secure a place, which is great. The next meeting is on Monday and I think I’ll take a run down to see what I can do to help.

No one rode in today (not even Sandy) and we cancelled our impromptu ride. The cold plus the ride out to Palmer Park for Tim’s funeral was on deck so we had a lot going on.

The Ladies of Harley are having their Leather and Lace Ball tonight. I have other plans, but I’m sure it will be the typical LOH/HOG party! You can draw your own conclusion—leather, lace, harley guys and gals……….<smile>.

I hear the weather is supposed to be clear and in the mid 50’s…..if it is I think a few of us are going to get out and ride a couple of miles tomorrow.

Keep the shiny side up (and stay warm)….

Snow and Goodbye

With the wind howling all last night, I wasn’t surprised to find the ground all covered in snow. Sigh. Actually, it was forecasted. I was hoping that the weather station would be wrong. Temps for tomorrow are only supposed to be in the mid to upper 30s. I know I shouldn’t complain, since the weather we have been experiencing has been mild.

Our monthly meeting for the Mountain Shadow Riders is tomorrow and if the snow is on the ground, I’m not going to ride. I can deal with the cold for a bit, but the ice and snow…no way.

One of the riders in our community passed away earlier this week. Tim Krueger has been a part of the motorcycle community here in the Springs for many years. He was well-liked and well-respected by everyone that met him. The Mountain Shadow Riders holds Tim in a special place in our group because of the support he gave us. He was always willing to take the time out and work with the group. From maintenance, basic wrenching, and our “ooops, I dropped it” classes, he was always ever so patient and helpful in supporting us.

He’ll certainly be missed. This rider knows that if the weather is clear and I can get my bike out and around the ice on the ground, I’ll be there on two wheels.

Keep the shiny side up.

Women in Motorcycle Conference

The Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame is sponsoring a conference for women in motorcycling. The conference is tentatively set for August, 2006. The purpose of the conference is to open a forum to discuss past credits, current issues and the future hopes of women that are involved in motorcycle riding.

Right now, the conference is in the planning stages and as the details become available, I will post them. The next planning meeting is next week and I should have a better idea on the size and scope of the conference as well a date.

I am constantly amazed by the scope of work done by the ladies in the various riding organizations. On top of the hours they put in for home, work, family, friends and community, they also manage to put an enormous amount of time and energy into promoting and supporting women in motorcycling. I’m honored that I can call them my friends and they allow me to be theirs.

Keep the shiny side up!

The HOGcast

This is really cool.  Seems that Winchester, VA Harley Owner’s Group broadcasts a Podcast on their goings on.  I happened upon Terry on Frappr! one afternoon when I was surfing the site looking for ways to e-connect.

Frappr! is a great e-community.  Someone here in Colorado told me about the Yamaha Group on Frappr!  It’s a large community and everyone is really helpful in answering any questions about Star Motorcycles.  

Out of curiosity I looked for a Harley Frappr! and there Terry is.  It has about 45 members and I thought it was a hoot that there were no women.  I gave him a shout out and get the designation of being the first woman in the group and Terry was kind enough to put a blurb in his Podcast about it.

If you have iTunes you can subscribe to the Podcast there and listen to it at your convenience.  If not, he has a blogger site.  You can get the feed from there as well.

Keep the Shiny Side Up…and Frappr on!!

Riding on Super Bowl Sunday

It was the February HOG meeting too. It was so blasted windy! The meeting was at 9:30 AM so I decided I needed to ride my Odyssey. I should have ridden in!

This was my first Harley Owner's Group meeting and I was surprised by the number of people I already knew. Small world!

Our 2005 Chapter Director of the Mountain Shadow Riders is the sole female Road Captain. Congrats Chris! She rides a beautiful pearl white Heritage Softail Classic.

I did ride later that afternoon....still windy and much colder. I don't mind the wind too much. Sand, I hate, wind--bearable. Actually, before I got my Harley I was repeatedly warned about the wind problems and the solid disc wheels on the Fatboy. Honestly, I can't tell much of a difference between my two bikes. I'm blown all over the road in any big gusts!

At any rate, I had two short scoots..one on Saturday and one on Sunday. I have the LOH (Ladies of Harley) meeting on Tuesday and the MSR meeting on Saturday. I think The LOH Leather and Lace Ball is Saturday night. I'll have to think about that one!

Oh, and the new owner of the Boulevard still hasn't stepped up. I was wrong in my guess. Okay, stop the presses, I admitted I was wrong. Whazzup with that?? LOL. So who's the new owner? That is the $64,000 question.

At 3:30 AM I am making no sense. I think I need to go to bed.

Keep the shiny side up!

A New Addition to Our Family

Rumor has it that one of our new riders is tooling around town on a brand spanking Suzuki Boulevard 800. Word on the street won’t identify her, but I suspect it’s a rider that hated her old bike and should have ditched it a long time ago.

Being a nice-sized bike for its class and the fact that it’s the only fuel-injected motorcycle in its engine size, she did good. I looked at them before I got my V-Star…and the salesman did his darnedest to talk me into it….but I had already decided on getting the Yamaha.

We are welcoming the new Suzi to our family…and as with any new baby…she’ll be full into buying as many new accessories as she can possibly stand (or her pocketbook anyways).

Go girl power!!

Keep the shiny side up!!

Winter Riding

It took me 30 minutes to get ready for a 20-minute ride.  Brrrrrrrrrrr.

Get suited up to crank Mr. Chubbs…no go, the Harley is dead.  Take time to put it on the charger.

Cranky started right up.  Hmmmm…thinking my V-Star is sucking the life force out of the Fatboy?   Not really.  The iPod adapter does it.

At any rate, the Crankster and I went for a ride….vrrrroooommmm..

Darn, it was cold!!!

Itch scratched for a bit.  

Red chaps—nice!!

It is a good day in this biker’s opinion <smile>.

Keep the Shiny Side Up

The HOG Meeting is Tomorrow

Jeanne and I are going to get up early tomorrow morning to go to the HOG Meeting. I doubt we’ll ride since the weather is still too darned cold….although I’d love to put those red-fringed chaps on and take Mr. Chubbs out for a spin. Which reminds me, I need to get on-line and get a pair of those clutch/brake lever wraps to put on my motorcycle. I love my heated grips, but my putting my hands on those ice cold levers...brrrrrrrr....

Being that it’s only 31 degrees outside and tomorrow is expected to be no better, I doubt it will happen. Sigh. The high is expected to be 46. The temps are supposed to warm up mid-week (just my luck, eh). We’ll see.

I’m ready for the warmer temps. Not only just for riding, but I’m ready to see the green grass, the trees leafing and the flowers blooming. Ride the twistys without freezing my you know what off.

Well, I need to shove off and work on leafing my crash bars (is that what they are called). They are going to get a leaf job like like my primary cover!!!

Oh, and there’s the football game. Go Underdogs…..yeah, that’s who I’m rooting for….

Keep the Shiny Side Up!

Colorado Gold Chapter—Women on Wheels of Denver

The Denver Chapter of Women on Wheels has struggled with trying to keep their group together. Last month, two of the representatives made the trip down to the Springs for our meeting and have decided that they want to pull their chapter back together.

The Mountain Shadow Riders have resolved to support these ladies and help them in any way possible. Anyone in the Denver or surrounding area that is interested in helping or joining this group is invited to come, socialize and eat a spot of breakfast with us! If you know anyone that lives in the surrounding area that rides or knows someone (face it, I’m not friends with everyone) that might know someone that could be interested; please pass the word on to them!!

The details are as follows:
When: Saturday, February 18, 2006
Where: Gunther Toody’s
4500 E Alameda Avenue
(Corner of E. Alameda and Leetsdale)
Glendale, CO 80264
(303) 399-1959
Time: 10:00 AM

If you are in the Colorado Springs area and want to ride up with us, please shoot me an e-mail and I’ll get you the details so you can meet up with us!

It doesn’t matter what you ride—what matters is that you ride (or want to).

Have a great day and Keep the Shiny Side Up!!!

Hey, It's Me!

Greg was true to his word…my pic is posted in his magazine….CycleCrossroads

If the link takes you to the main page, I’m under Departments—Bikes-Babes-Dude.

Made two of the three criteria:  I’m a girl and there’s a bike…

I could use a dude on occasion <wink>….

I’ll be there for a week…kewl beans!

There’s some pretty informative stuff in the pages, take a peek.  Oh, and sign up for the newsletter.  

I’m thinking I need a new pic.  Hmmmm…maybe in the spring (meaning when it warms up), I’ll get the gang of girls to get gussied up, clean the bikes, and take some new cool pics.  

Keep the shiny side up, all!!

Biker Chicks Eat At Joe’s

Friday Night. Joe’s Crab Shack. Thirty motorcycle women. Scary.

Our riding group’s monthly family dinner night was this past Friday night. Any excuse seeing my fellow Heaven’s Devils, eh?? LOL.

Okay, it wasn’t exactly thirty women…there were some of the male support members in attendance. Oh, and one slightly bewildered teenage boy………….I’m giving him a mention simply because he took some good-natured ribbing and wasn’t too embarrassed when the conversation went on the trashy side…

<Gasp> Women motorcycle riders talking trashy? Oh no, oh no, oh no…the image of the traditional biker chick reputation is forever ruined!!!! Actually, if we didn’t take the conversation south of PG-13, then something is definitely wrong!!

All right, back to the dinner. It was definitely a hoot! Joe’s Crab Shack has a balloon artist and it took him a couple of skeptical glances before he got the courage to ask if anyone might be interested in a balloon sculpture. I just felt the need for a hat, which I’m wearing in the photo at the top. Taunya got the princess model…with a twist. Intentional or not the balloon guy made her this cool hat and left about six inches of the pink balloon sticking up. So she got a cute balloon hat that looked like it had an errr….well, it was a guy and it was happy. ‘Nuff said. I guess it was a good think I had no pink balloons as I had them sticking out in every which direction, huh???

The jokes in there, I just gotta keep it clean for the google ‘bots. If you don’t get it, e-mail me and I’ll explain it to you.

The folks at Joe’s occasionally take a dance break or have a contest. The wait staff divided the restaurant up into four teams (we were our own team) and had a contest to the song of The Village People’s YMCA. My goofy hat and I were up in front dancing to the YMCA! I had to work that hat you know—Jeanne said she’d deny knowing me if I wore it to Southside Johnny’s. I don’t know why…..*I* thought it was a pretty cool hat. Besides, how many people you know walk around with latex on their head? Uhhhhhh…….never mind.

You know, them google ‘bots. He he he.

Sigh, I keep getting off track.

We had fun. Dinner was typical Joe’s fare. The thing that made dinner fabulous was our fellowship. I think we have a phenomenal group. There’s a lot of diversity—money, education, social backgrounds, cultural, religion--you name it…it’s there. The one thing that holds us together is our love for the motorcycles and the fact that we love to ride. We have a good time together. I can’t speak for them, but I have a good time when I see everyone. It was good to see some long lost faces—Rodney, Chris, and Don…and there were some members I had never met. It was fantastic to finally meet the live version!!!

Oh, we lost the contest. I guess we were disqualified when we started yelling “we want free beer”….I think we scared them away….either that or it was my awful dancing. Oh well, it was fun!

Sandy won the balls of steel contest. She and her friend were the only two that rode--in the cold at night with the ice and snow on the ground. You go girl!!!

Trouble on the Internet

I just had to blurb…my girlfriend and one partner in crime has her story featured in a new Women’s Motorcycle Magazine!! “Trouble” AKA Carolee is the Secretary for the Colorado Springs’ Mountain Shadow Riders. We are a chapter of the National Women on Wheels riding organization.

The magazine is called WomenRidersNow and is dedicated to women and the sport of motorcycle riding. The site is a source of news and an information network geared towards women. Check out Carolee's article. I think it rocks and kudos to her for submitting the article!!!

I think it's funny that her bike's name is Lucky. Lucky can rumble too..vrrroooommmmm. She's got quite a set of pipes on her *smile*.

You rock, girl and I’m thrilled that your article made the cut! You always work behind the scenes (as the ‘official’ photographer to our outings) so pics of you are a rarity! Not to mention that this is one hot babe!! Too bad she’s married…………..LOL.

Keep the shiny side up or Trouble’s gonna get cha!!!