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Wednesday, May 25, 2011

"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

Monday, May 16, 2011

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