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Ride Confident, Hard and in Control

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Throttle Control

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A lot can be said about throttle control and how crucial it is in riding and cornering.  As riders we have the ability to make it easier, harder, smoother or scarier based on how we control our throttle.  I learned from an instructor in an MSF class that you should treat your throttle like “Barry White” (SMOOTH) and you won’t be surprised by a choppy and unpredictable ride.  This also rolls into rider input, the fact that if we do not relax our hands and arms, it can lead to disastrous results.  Today’s machines are so perfectly balanced that if you let go and just rode, the bike would right itself, we are the cause that things go wrong when we ride.  Try it and see, don’t death grip your bike, gently roll on and off (the bike immediately responds), push on the bars (gently) and see how easily it turns?  You have so much more control and it required way less effort.  The trick is being confident in your abilities and to relax, but to relax we need to have confidence in our abilities, yeah it is always a catch 22 isn’t it?

When coming off a stop I personally like to be in that friction zone, that place where you can pull in the clutch a bit to roll back and if you twist on a bit of throttle you will roll forward, either way it keeps you from stalling your engine.  This is so important when you are stopped on an incline, so mastering that technique is important.  Then there is the turning the key hand position so as not to fatigue your hand.  If you hold your hand as if you are turning a key in a door your hand doesn’t get tired and cause you to reposition it often and have an unpredictable position on your control that requires adjusting often.  Your hands should have a firm, but gentle grip on the throttle (relaxed) and it should be easy to engage and release the throttle with little to no effort.  This will allow you to ride for lengthy periods of time without your hands going numb or tired, it is all about a light touch.

Cornering is where throttle control can cause you to either panic and have that “Oh Shit” moment or that feeling of absolute exhilaration as you hit that throttle and nail that corner.  Cornering is something we all want to be confident in and be able to take confidently at speed, but many of us can be intimidated by it.  Just seeing that turn up ahead can cause us to tense up and then give the bike way too much input.  Just relax and loosen your grip on the bike and know that you can do this, practice, practice, practice.  Taking a class with a racetrack school where everyone is learning how to corner and corner well is a safe place to learn how to corner precisely and gain that confidence you will need for the street.

I distinctly remember an “aha” moment at a school I was attending where the individual who was reviewing my video of my laps asked why I wasn’t cracking on my throttle earlier?  I remember thinking, “I don’t know, I think I may run wide?”  He was quick to say that I would run wide only if I didn’t crack my throttle on early enough.  He made it very basic for me, he said upon entering a turn you brake, that breaking creates instability for your bike which you need to get it into position to turn. Once you have gotten into the lean position (which should have started before you entered the turn) and are in the trajectory you intend to go, you hit the throttle to stabilize your bike to complete that turn.  In every corner crack on the throttle as soon as possible (not too early though as it will cause you to run wide) and keep a light acceleration through the middle of the turn with the most aggressive turn on at the end to exit.  It was at that moment, I realized that my own fear was keeping me from initiating and completing that turn smoothly and precisely.  It was all about throttle control, when and where to apply it and how much.  Once you get throttle control mastered or at least partially mastered, you can ride knowing that you have the skills necessary to take on any situation and that is powerful.

Throttle control is the key to enjoying your ride, so master it and you will find out how much more enjoyable your riding experience will be.  For some reading during the off season, try Twist of the Wrist and Twist of the Wrist II from Keith Code or get the DVD’s and brush up on your techniques before the season starts again.  Please check out the forums under riding techniques where I will be posting some subjects to discuss.

Healthy and Happier You

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Ever hear “listen to your gut”?  Well, maybe we should listen to it more since there is scientific proof that your gut is directly connected to your health.  The stomach is a complex organ that houses an independent network of hundred of millions of neurons (more than the spinal cord).  It is so complex and important to our bodies that it is sometimes referred to as “the second brain.”  It is not only in charge of the digestive process, but your gut’s lining is the core of your body’s immune system and defends you from viruses and bacteria.  The cells within the gut lining also produce 95% of the serotonin in our bodies (with functions ranging from stimulating nerve-cell growth and sending messages to our immune system of invading germs) and the rest of it occurs in the brain where it regulates your mood.  Serotonin connects the gut and the brain constantly sending messages back and forth.  When we are stressed, scared or nervous, our brain sends a message to our gut and our stomach gets upset as a response so it is safe to say that if our digestive tract is off, our brain (which affects our mood) gets that message from our gut and our mental state for that day can be greatly altered.  Essentially a healthy gut means a happier you…

In a healthy gut good bacteria should outnumber bad, but what’s going on in that head of yours can greatly affect the balance.  Emotional issues influence what lives in your GI tract and being under stress, depression and anxiety could change the way your bowel contract and how your immune system functions, then changing the type of bacteria in the small intestine and colon.  For example, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is a disorder that causes abdominal pain (and other symptoms we all know but I won’t list) are accompanied by gas & bloating (so lovely) and sometimes by anxiety and depression (good Lord, it’s a trifecta) and all of this can be related to an overabundance of bad bacteria in the small intestine.  And if women aren’t already blessed with enough, we seem to be more susceptible to this.  What is know is stress is a factor, so stress less ladies!

The use of antibiotics and our affinity for junk food contributes to the imbalance in our guts and there is a link between the bacteria in our gut and the rise of food allergies and autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s and rheumatoid arthritis.  Increasing the number of good bacteria in our GI tract by taking probiotic supplements and eating foods that contain probiotics can help combat these health issues according to scientists.  There is new research that these good bacteria could alleviate mood and anxiety disorders as well.

So the solution is to eat more fruit and veggies and cut back on processed foods, animal protein and simple sugars (what we hear over and over again) which feed harmful bacteria and allow them to thrive in numbers.  Choose foods that have probiotics (milk, sauerkraut and yogurt), prebiotics (bananas, whole grains and veggies like onions & tomatoes) which feed the good bacteria in our bodies.  If you choose a probiotic supplement look for formulations containing Bifidobacterium or strains of Lactobacills with a dose of 1 billion to 10 billion colony forming units.  Avoid unnecessary medications like laxatives and NSAIDs (i.e. aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen) as well as antibiotics which wipe out both good and bad bacteria.  If you take antibiotics, take probiotics for twice as long as the antibiotic prescription to prevent nausea, diarrhea and stomach cramping that they can cause.  Cut back on alcohol because research has shown that as little as one drink a day can increase your risk of an overgrowth of bad bacteria in your small intestine and cause GI distress.  But sometimes a girl needs to just have a drink to de-stress, it is all about moderation ladies!  And lastly exercise, it is mainly for stress management and a 30 minute daily sweat session helps your gut keep things moving.  Squeeze in a walk, jog or even some yoga and take a few minutes each day to just relax.  It is not only good for your mental health, but it is also good for your gut and we all now know that what happens in your gut can affect your whole body and your state of mind.  Here’s to a happier and healthier 2013!

New York IMS Show

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With John Ryan in Greenwich Village

With John Ryan in Greenwich Village

 

What an exhausting and exciting show New York was to be a part of! I had heard that New York would be busy, but I had absolutely no idea that it would be so crowded that you couldn’t walk up work your way up an aisle without having to shove your way through. It had been about 20 years since my last trip there and the energy of the city keeps you going even though your body is screaming at you to stop. I met so many new people there and caught up with people I hadn’t seen for a while, this community (once joined) is so like family, I just love that.  Meeting East Coast gals are awesome, no nonsense and very nice (unlike what you’ve heard), we spoke about MotoVixens and growing it nationwide as an online resource for all women riders.  Not just with articles/blogs, but with a forum to communicate and to also have a classified section to allow riders to sell their motorcycles, gears and parts as well.  If you haven’t checked it out, the forum and the classified sections were put into place just before the New York IMS Show.

With Trevor from CA Superbike School on last day of show

With Trevor from CA Superbike School on last day of show

The individuals I met were so diverse, authors, consultants, artists, photojournalists, instructors, doctors, lawyers and an opera singer (yeah, that one surprised me too, she was a young blonde, totally threw me for a loop) and too many more to even name.  What was so amazing is we share this common passion for our sport, we all love riding and that one common interest bonds us and makes us family in many aspects (how many drivers do you know would stop and help a fellow driver on the side of the road?).  Knowing what we know about IMS shows, when potential customers see ladies working booths they think you are there to just sell and don’t ride (many don’t).  It is so funny to watch how people treat you upon meeting you and assuming you don’t ride to talking to you and finding out you do, their expression and enthusiasm changes as they tell you about their bike(s).  We know talking to someone who doesn’t ride is a bit like banging your head against a wall, you must be a rider to understand why we love the sport so much.

I worked with Rick Mayer of Rick Mayer Cycle and for you unfamiliar with him you should really check his website out www.RickMayerCycle.com, he makes custom seats for every bike.  In fact I am considering riding down there to have one of my seats customized this spring/summer, just need to find something big enough to carry all my stuff I need (a girl still needs to look good off the bike).  I had the privilege to meet John Ryan, a long distance rider who loves to break records, he went from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Key West, Florida (5,645 miles) in 86 hours and 31 minutes, beating the record by 9.5 hours.  He is part of the Iron Butt Association, an organization which breeds members with incredible discipline, mental and physical endurance and challenges you to test your limits.  I also met Melissa Pierson, the author of the book The Man Who Would Stop at Nothing: Long-Distance Motorcycling’s Endless Road, which is about John and this incredible journey.  What is remarkable is that John is a type 1 diabetic and has to check his blood sugars regularly, imagine doing that and riding these types of distances.  What it comes down to is determination and passion…I suppose that is why I love being a part of this slightly dysfunctional family, we may be quirky, but we all love the same thing.

It is winter, but I hope to see some of you out there, I’ve been doing it even in the freezing fog (not a shining moment as I questioned my sanity).  So stay warm Vixens and just ride!

WMST – “More Cornering” Class

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For those of you who want to really hone your skills before your day at the track or if you just want to learn to corner better…WMST has heard your cry!  Full details about the class are at www.gowmst.com.  The dates for the classes are May 12, June 16, July 21, August 18 and September 22nd.  Obviously if you want to take the class before the June 10th track day, May 12th is your only option and I am considering sitting in on this class, so I hope to see some of your guys there.

The cost of the class is $165, but if you are a member of my site, your cost will be $125.  Please call WMST at (360)435-1600 to sign up and mention “MotoVixen” for your discount.  Vixens ride!

Under Armour Outlet – Reduced prices

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Just a reminder for those of us crazy enough to ride in this weather, Under Armour has lowered it’s prices in it’s outlet. Click onto the UA banner on the right side of the website and start shopping, there is free standard shipping for all orders over $49 and free next day on orders over $150.  Look for great deals to keep you warm in this frigid weather, I know I couldn’t live without my cold gear and UA Base gear (3.0 is great under your cold weather protective gear). I was out with my compression UA cold gear leggings and UA Base 3.0 1/4 zip top under my riding pants and jacket (yes they are also insulated) and while I felt a little bit like the michelin man, I was nice and toasty.  As long as you prepare, you can ride year round.

I guess I should also state though, if it starts snowing and you are on a sport bike, it is time to high tail it home and drive.  Stay warm and just ride!

Women’s Track Event

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Ladies! We have a date! We will be a part of Ducati Bellevue’s 2nd track day on Monday, June 10, 2013 taught by 2 Fast and WMST. The curriculum will be classroom time followed by track time at the :40 of every hour, it will consist of 7 track sessions (20 minutes), trust me gals this is plenty and you will be tired (physically and mentally) by the end of the day. The cost will be $250 for the day and transportation for your bike will be provided for the first 15 ladies who sign up by Ducati Bellevue (you just have to drop off your bike on Saturday, June 8 at Ducati Bellevue). Bikes will be transported back to Ducati Bellevue for pickup on Wednesday, June 12,2013.

Event Schedule is as follows:

7am-Tech Inspection and registration

7:40am-Track Ride around in trucks

8:15am-Mandatory Riders’ meeting & Explanation of Rules

9am-Classroom (every :40-Women’s session rides, i.e. 9:40am, 10:40am, 11:40, 12:40, etc.)

12pm-Complimentary Lunch

Riding sessions continue throughout the day

4or 5pm-End of day

Some of us may want to spend the night in lovely Shelton so you don’t need to make the early morning Monday drive, in fact I highly recommend it from someone who has done that early drive, rode the track and had to drive home. Go to www.ducatibellevue.com for a list of hotels in the area to stay.   If this track day proves to be successful and we get a fair amount of women who sign up, a future “women’s only” track day will be discussed. Seeing however, this will be Ducati’s first foray into this, they would like to see how well received this event will be before committing to a full day.  So let’s show them that women really are serious about this and want to learn these techniques to become better riders. Signups can start anytime, you just need to either call (425)882-4300 and ask for MJ or email him directly to register (michael.jordan@ducatibellevue.com).

Also, if you are interested in taking that “more cornering” class with WMST, please let me know. I am asking Chris if women do want to sign up for this before they go to the track, what dates they would be and the price. I will keep you posted.  Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Emergency Card

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As I was filling out my forms to become a novice racer with WMRRA this year, one of the forms included a full medical information page which needed to be in your leathers in case of an emergency, I realized I needed to update my “In case of emergency” card I keep in my wallet while riding.  Not that we are tempting fate, but in the event that something should happen you should have this information handy for medics so they can get you proper care.  I am sure we all carry our ID when we are out riding, but all that changing from our everyday wallet to our smaller riding wallet, sometimes we forget, right?  I know there have been times when I got home after a ride and realized in my rush to get out the door or even being distracted by the kids, I had been riding without my license, oops!  It happens, life happens, so let’s be realistic and be prepared.  The card just provides the basic information, your name, DOB, blood type, address, phone numbers, physician, emergency contacts and a spot to put your insurance information.  I’ve included the document for you to print out, please fill it out and keep it with you in your riding wallet as well as your membership to the AMA (if you haven’t become a member, do, they are a great organization), they will tow your bike in the event something should happen.  It is that reminder from my girl scout days to “Be Prepared”!!!

It’s been chilly out, but I hope to see you all out there!  Vixens ride!

In Case Of Emergency

Happy New Year

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'04 Yamaha R6

My new track bike!

It has been a hectic holiday season for myself and so many others, so my sincere apologies for not posting a blog last week.  On a last minute decision, I left town on a trip that would span 3 states and 2375 + miles (40+ hours of driving) to pick up a motorcycle trailer my brother gave me as a Christmas gift.  On Christmas morning he sent me a text picture of it and said “Merry Christmas” and after discussing timing (it is rare he is even in town, he travels constantly), bit the bullet and told him I’d make the drive down to pick it up.  There was also my mother’s china which I had the privilege of owning for so many years and had been waiting to become a part of his family.  The china was too delicate to ship and would require me physically bringing it to him for it’s safe arrival so I could kill two birds with one stone.  Mike’s birthday was on December 30th and I spoke to Kelly, my sister-in-law, in having a get together for him to celebrate.  The timing of this trip was perfect in every aspect and I was looking forward to the solitude after such a tumultuous year.

It was an amazing visit with family, old friends and new, I got to ride with my brother for the very first time while test riding the Yamaha R6, my soon to be track/street bike (this was the memory I will treasure the most), through the streets of LA splitting traffic (he was very careful not to do it too often knowing it is illegal here). I knew that trailer was not coming back empty, my gut told me that I would find one while I was down there.  Getting to spend time with Devon, my niece, and Kelly  just talking and catching up and then learning everything there is to know about the trailer I now own.

I know my brother was concerned the first time I climbed on a motorcycle, he saw what every guy in my life saw, a little gal trying to control a beast of a machine.  What was so empowering was the process, the knowing I could do it and not only just do it, do it remarkably well.  The bonding moment I had with my brother that day is something I will remember for the rest of my life, the sheer joy we both had riding the streets together, watching the child come out in him as he popped wheelie after wheelie, the protective nature as we split traffic to make sure I was OK in his mirrors, it was exhilarating.  Ending the year with this experience was very special to me.   My brother and I have become closer through motorcycles, it is something we both love and can talk about, it is something we can share for many years to come and for that I am thankful.

Happy New Year everyone!  I hope that this year brings everyone much love, happiness and good fortune.  The new year symbolizes a fresh start, a clean slate to accomplish whatever you want and a chance to make amends.  It is what you choose to make of it, so make it great!

 

 

Need a Christmas gift? AMA memberships are perfect!

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If you are currently not a member of the AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) and have been considering to join, click onto the logo on the site or go to resources and click on the bullet “American Motorcyclist” to get you started.  Memberships start at $49 and if you love our sport, the AMA fights to reserve our rights as motorcyclists and overturn unjust laws aimed specifically at our sport.  MotoVixens has registered with the AMA to be a provider so click on the link on our site and get started.

Why should you join?  They are an active participant in the war on distracted driving, AMA members get 24 hour roadside assistance (for no extra charge) on your motorcycle(s) and all the rest of your vehicles, discounts on rental cars, hotels, gear/parts, GPS systems, AMA Supercross and Arenacross tickets, fighting for our rights to ride in the HOV lanes, making sure we can’t be denied coverage for injuries resulting from a motorcycle crash, opposing the discriminatory practice of motorcycle-only traffic check points, improve motorcycle safety through conducting a national study on the causes of motorcycle crashes, keeping restricting laws about modifications to our bikes at bay, protecting our right to ride, etc.  This is only a short list of things that they do to protect our rights as riders and the benefits that they offer.  Join the AMA or renew your membership before December 31, 2012 and you will automatically be entered to win a 2011 Husqvarna TC449!

If you have a rider in your life who presently isn’t a member, click on the link and buy them a membership…it will be a Christmas gift they will thank you for.  In the meantime, stay warm and dry, ride frequently and enjoy the holiday season with your loved ones.  Wishing everyone a Happy Holidays!

Carol T. Carpenter

UnderArmour Cold Gear $10 off + free shipping

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It’s that time of year gals, it’s cold and maintaining our body heat while riding in the cold and wet is crucial to our safety.  Click on the Under Armour link to check out the ColdGear available…$10 Off Select Under Armour ColdGear Styles + FREE Shipping. Ends 12/22!

Vixens Ride!