STILETTOS ON A SCOOTER

The other day while rushing from meeting to meeting in my Jeep I noticed a stylish looking young woman on her Vespa riding amidst city traffic--her footwear, black stiletto pumps. While awaiting a traffic light to change, a man in his car sitting in the lane parallel to her called out questioning her choice of shoes. He wondered how she managed to ride the scooter in high heels. She replied that for her it was no problem. True enough, we’re very capable in heels-- there’s even a "stiletto stampede" fundraiser race in several countries where women compete in stilettos!

Much controversy exists over what appropriate riding gear is for scooters. These two wheelers are superbly, safe, light weight and fun making urban transport ideal. It's because of that they're being used more and more to go to work and enjoy our urban social lives. Part of that pleasure is the fact of not having to wear extensive heavier motorcycling gear. Look at Italy’s scooter culture for one—women commonly ride around on scooters in the same daily wear on or off bike. But then again they ride amidst a conscientious culture unlike that of ours. In many European countries the scooter (motorcycle) is a respected, welcomed part of transport life.

Hopefully soon, we'll catch up with the admirable scenarios of other lands where we'll ride amidst an environment we need worry little about.

BIG NICKEL BIG HARLEY-DAVIDSON WOMEN’S EVENT!

Ever heard of Sudbury? It’s a Northern city in Ontario, and rather famous as it’s known for its nickel mines. Here you'll also find the worlds largest Nickel—a huge tourist attraction and must see! Sudbury is also the home of one of Ontario's premier Harley-Davidson dealerships called “The Shop”. A few months back I travelled to the "Great white North" as Canadians often jest, Sudbury, to take part in their grand opening ladies garage party (forgive me for not sharing earlier, its been crazy busy at my desk!) --a terrific event, regardless of the freezing rain which unexpectedly arrived that morning!

The women rider authorities of Deeley Harley-Davidson were in attendance—all of us bringing our enthusiasm and experiences to share with the hundreds of women attending (View Photo Gallery)—looking to get themselves into the life of motorcycling this year!

The Shop was a Harley-Davidson force unto itself-you don't see too many dealerships of this size. Amidst the Garage Party buzz of activities, and goings on I had the pleasure of hearing first hand from son Erik, the history of this "Kanerva" family business--"The Shop's" humble beginnings to now mega motorcycling enterprise. What a terrific journey they’ve enjoyed--most certainly one to be very proud of.

So if you’re visiting Ontario and head up to Sudbury, indeed, stop by The Shop and say hello! I guarantee you won’t be able to leave without buying something--they have it all!

Oh and if you’re lucky enough to use the upstairs bathroom you’ll enjoy washing your hands under a highly polished steel/chrome motorcycle tank with handlebar faucets!

WORLDWIDE WAVE OF WOMEN RIDERS ON INTERNATIONAL FEMALE RIDE DAY—THANK U!

Wow what a day it was! I’m still in the zone! We had a super kick off in Toronto and received so many messages from women across Canada and of their activities! Harley-Davidson Motor Company placed their New York and Milwaukee event kick off images on their website—brilliant all the women throughout the USA who rode! Women in Israel shared their pictures (check out the photo album!)—women in Kuwait, in Italy and even Gisele in Brazil celebrated while enjoying a training on the track.

Oh--I forgot to mention GUATEMALA! We saw pics uploaded just the other day! Women everywhere said this is our day and got on their motorcycles! I thought last year was amazing with participation! This year truly magnificent!

And though it’s not a lot to ask of you because you'll take any excuse to be on your motorcycle; to have you JUST RIDE your motorcycle on one day, in any manner you wish, your participation made this day once again a spectacular happening! A force of women and motorcycling presented in unison globally! It’s amazing don’t you think?

Thank you is probably not needed because it’s something you enjoy doing anyway—yet joining in on International Female Ride Day, well—appreciation goes to you because your taking part made it all it is!

Visualise this--we circled the world on just two wheels!

Cya next year-- 7 May 2010!

ENJOY YOUR RIDE ON INTERNATIONAL FEMALE RIDE DAY!

It’s our day! Friday 1 May—an entire day dedicated to women riders everywhere—and what fun we’re all going to have! It’s true; we don’t need an excuse to delve into the passion we all love so much, this thing called motorcycling. But today we’re role models and by participating in International Female Ride Day we demonstrate first hand the many women who ride and inspire others to take up this terrifically rewarding activity in all its forms and styles; for women of any age or culture.

I find it unimaginable that not too long ago women were not allowed to compete in motorsport—refused at tracks in Europe and other countries. And the famed touring pioneers Theresa Walloch and friend Florence Blenkiron during their amazing England to South Africa trek in 1935 were arrested by local authorities for wearing pants! Not today, women have broken barriers, moved borders and motorcycling is one activity that continues to make obvious our limitless abilities; as mothers, CEO’s, daughters, wives and partners.

Today on International Female Ride day, as you wrap your hands around your handlebar grips, know that in Poland, England, Israel, Italy, Australia, America, South Africa, Canada-all around the world, women will be suiting up with the same goal -- JUST RIDE!
A synchronized activity across the planet, in the language that needs no translation--motorcycling.

HOORAY! And from me to you--enjoy your ride!

Thank you for being part of International Female Ride Day!

JUST RIDE! ON ROULE LA MOTO! KOBIETY NAMOTORY! DEVI SOLO GUIDARE! GEWOON RIJDEN!

Yamaha R6

Yamaha R6

LAGERFELD’S’ FUR HELMET NOT REALLY WOMEN’S ANSWER TO STYLISH GEAR

If you’ve not heard, about a week or so again, during a Paris Winter Fashion 2010 preview, the ever entertaining Karl Lagerfeld, renowned designer for Chanel (my personal fav) and Fendi, debuted his new line of genuine mink fur covered scooter helmets—with built in iPod capability! Here’s the pic:

The helmet is of fine quality--covered with authentic, not faux, mink, you know, from those cute little creatures. The French luxury artisan helmet maker, “Les Ateliers Ruby” have created the helmet for Lagerfeld, for if you know of Ruby (article on MOTORESS shortly), you’ll be aware of its amazing high quality standard. Road ready, full carbon fibre shells with ultra soft burgundy Napa lambskin linings (poor little lambs). Apple also collaborated with Lagerfeld on this project ensuring the iPod hook up lets you pipe music directly to the inner earpieces.

Lagerfeld was quoted saying “Now everyone is on scooters, even chic women, so we had to do the helmet," he said.
Let me break it down for you:

• Fur is not aerodynamic or conducive to your riding comfort—prepare for major neck ache! You will experience great discomfort from wind force. Perhaps a huge windscreen would resolve.
• Mink will not hold its charm when you’re riding in a downpour
• Fur is not the choice of a modern day woman– we all opted for fun faux fur a few years ago to save the planets little critters!
• You’ll have a tough time removing insects from the fur that have collided with your helmet-do while riding. Perhaps purchasing a live mink that’ll do some instinctual preening and rid the dead or alive bugs collected.
• Lambskin lining instils a feeling of guilt.
• iPod should not be used when riding! A crazy notion--mobile phones, music nothing should be in your ears while riding except for of course, your ear-rings. You cannot afford distractions!
  

The only benefit I see for such a helmet might be when, say, hiding out in a forest where falling branches or say, dropping squirrels may be a hazard.
Then again, there is an added benefit of your head appearing to have quadrupled in size due to the added layers of fur--you’ll have a slightly better advantage of being seen in traffic.

No word yet on when the helmets will be available for sale or their price point. One thing that’s safe to say is they'll certain to be extremely expensive-in more ways than one!
Shame on Karl Lagerfeld for placing fur fashion before the real world of riding comfort & safety for women.

BEST WAY FOR A GAL TO SEE MONSTER ENERGY AMA SUPERCROSS/FIM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP—BE A FLAGGER!

This coming weekend, 28 March, venue Rogers Centre Toronto, I’ve signed up to be a corner marshal or “flagger" as it’s also known, for the exciting Monster Energy AMA Supercross and FIM World Championship! I figure, what better way to get in with the action, outside of being talented enough to compete, than being right down there in the dirt.And I’ve never been to an AMA Supercross before. So I’ll be able to share the happenings here at MOTORESS. This event is managed by the CMA (Canadian Motorcycle Association) the FIM sanctioned body in Canada--who have arranged all the flaggers.

In The Netherlands, I took the official "Baan Commissaris (BACO) opleiding" circuit marshal training course with the aim to better understand the language of the race track. On top of that add to knowledge/skills required when working, riding or running a race track. The MAC Club Zandvoort offered the course for its club members, during the off season, of which I was one. It was a super programme. I remember the good skills learned in extinguishing fires or in the case that a competitor caught on fire. I believe this stuff is valuable from visitor on up to competitor.
And two weekends ago I renewed my emergency First Aid certificate, something I need as a motorcycle instructor, yet skills everyone should have.

Here’s the special competition set up being built now for the fast and furious arriving to maintain their standings this Saturday!Hope to see you there amidst all the racing action!
Come to think of it, you’ve got a better chance of seeing me!