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Impact Safe-T Armor, Part 1

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jenn-2014-back-templateIn my search for more comfortable and protective safety gear that actually fits, I was introduced to the owner of Impact Armor, Mike Braxton, through my boyfriend, Troy Cook.   Troy has raced in Impact Armor for many years and crashed several times while wearing their chest and back protectors…he swears by them for comfort and safety.  Last season I wore a Tryonic Feel 3.7 Race back protector ($199.99) which did not have kidney protection and had a Dainese chest protector ($69.95) of which I could only wear one on track since it was too bulky to wear both. Jenn-ls-chest-fitting-template Not to mention how uncomfortable and distracting either of them were to have on while riding.  The purpose of protection is safety and what good is protection when it is uncomfortable and a distraction?   Impact Armor changes all that!  While filling out the custom armor form it became very clear I was going to have to discuss my body type with Mike to make sure the armor would fit accordingly.  As we all know, women come in all shapes and sizesElena-Myers and that comes with serious challenges when trying to purchase things off the rack.  Mike believes protective armor will only work if it fits, doesn’t distract from the task and the individual is confident it will function as needed.  I believe the list of clients on his website are a testament to his dedication and success in his endeavor to protect us all in our chosen sport.

I have negotiated a special deal for both the women and men that are members of my site.  While it will be easier to fit the men, the Lisa-Fitzgerald-2013-chest-protectorgals will need to add some extra measurements, send pictures and stay in contact with Mike during the process of the development of their protective gear.  Impact’s female chest and back protectors are made to measure.  And as such,  your input during the design phase of the chest protector Kats-chest-protectorprofile (in particular) is essential.   It is also important to note that this process can last a month (during off season) or more should racing season be in progress as protectors are placed in order of urgency.  Racers that require protectors before a certain date will need to tell Mike that they have a deadline.  Mike will ship to tracks, hotels, where ever needed Jenny-Besaw-chest-protectorto make sure individuals receive their order when needed.  Impact Safe-T Armor can withstand multiple crashes, however should their be a question sending a quick text or email will allow Mike to determine if they are still usable or require repairs and/or replacement.   Please be aware these are not just for racers, they are made for various applications shelina-Moreda-chestincluding street and track day riders.  If you are unsure which one to order call Mike and he will guide you to the one that best suits your riding needs. The offer is as follows:

1.  5% off chest or back protector only

2.  10% off the purchase of both a chest and back protector

3.  Shipping and Handling capped at $17 for template and final product

CODE:  Enter MV119 at checkout

Visit Impact Armor for details about his products and to see more pictures of his amazing product line!

More pictures and details of the process to come, stay tuned!

Happy New Year

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I realize this blog is a tad bit late, but us vixens can be excused our little slip ups.  I hope everyone had a wonderful new year and that it has gotten off to a great start.  Many things have been happening since I’ve last posted including traveling abroad,  the redo of my track bike (check out the pictures), getting sponsors for the upcoming season, getting coached for voice overs (and headed into studio for my demo soon), working out the details of my involvement with different track companies (2 Fast, OPRT, Ducati Bellevue and a newbie) and working with the newbie which you will hear about very soon.  There is always opportunity knocking and it just requires finding the ones most beneficial to making us successful…look for some changes in the new year and the ability to purchase MotoVixen apparel at track events.

The redo of my track bike has been a bit of a challenge as we found that my subframe was cracked, my front master cylinder was gone, body work was just trashed and the poor thing is in the need of a good service and some tender loving care.  My forks and rear shock are in at KFG Racing to get cartridges and a rebuild so we can really push limits and gain some major speed.  A new front and rear sprocket with less teeth (I had a stunter sprocket) and a new chain, new rear sets since my last crash literally bent it over forward onto itself and a rebuild on the steering dampener should all make me and my bike way happier this year.  I also had the opportunity to sign up for a 2 day class down in Fresno at Rich Oliver’s Mystery School to really learn how to slide a bike the first week in March and am so excited to get dirty and beat up.  The knowledge I will gain from that class will give me the confidence to translate that to my racing and my street riding.

For next year’s track days there will be some fun changes which we will divulge when we confirmation, I know you guys/gals will love it!  As you can see the event calendar is riddled with copious days to get your adrenaline high, so save that for the track and don’t be a total tool on the street (I didn’t say don’t ride fast so don’t start bombarding me with angry comments).  I tend to be a bit heavy on the throttle too so who am I to judge?  I do look forward to many more women joining in on track days and if I can count on all of you to spread the word and let me know I can organize a full session (minimum participants will need to be met) just for women of all levels.  The boys won’t know what to do and actually it would be a win-win for the track companies since where there are gals, there are tons of boys 😉 just saying!  As always, chime in with suggestions I am open to hear and relay them confidentially to the track companies they always want feedback.

As always Vixens, just Ride!

Visibility

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Even for the skilled rider visibility is always a concern, as riders we are constantly faced with being seen by drivers. It is however, our responsibility to make our presence known by doing a few things to ensure our own safety. As many a street riders knows, riding on the street can be dangerous if you go in with the mentality that drivers are aware of you, big surprise, they don’t. You must be able to make yourself visible, predict scenarios and keep yourself away from potential danger and deal with hazards if and when they occur. Riding on the street was once described to me as being in a real life video game and I do have to admit, it truly is. This is even more important as the weather changes and the daylight hours decrease, having the knowledge in making your presence known is paramount to your safety.

Being visible is the most important part of your riding strategy, from the moment that helmet goes on, it should be your main mission. “See and be seen” is the common phrase most schools will use and is the most important part of any riding strategy. The most common comment by motorists about motorcycle accidents is that they didn’t see the motorcyclist until it was too late. Motorcyclists being smaller than cars can make it harder for drivers to judge their speed and truth be told we are small enough that the brain (when looking in the mirrors) may just see us as part of the background and not as a potential hazard. This coupled with technology and drivers being distracted by their smartphones can lead to disaster, so ride aggressively by letting your presence be known…(i.e. not riding in blind spots, with high beams on, signaling when changing lanes, lane positioning, using a horn should the driver drift in your lane, flashing your brake light before stops, etc.).

Always wear protective gear, whether it is bright, light, whatever…just wear proper gear. That gear will save you in the event of an accident, so don’t think that just because you are going around the corner for a quick ride nothing can happen, it can and probably will so just be prepared. Riding with your headlight on high beams during the daytime can help, but remember to turn it off in the evening hours so as not to blind drivers. Also, use your flasher at night if need be to let your presence be known, drivers may not see you and the brief flicker will get their attention pretty quickly. Communicate your intentions clearly, don’t be wishy washy, know what you are planning to do and execute it precisely so there is no confusion to the actions you are about to take. If you are changing lanes or turning always remember to signal and cancel them after (talking to those of you who leave those blinkers on). If you are stopping, a quick little squeeze of your brake before you fully brake will let drivers know you will be stopping. Use your horn if necessary, but honestly most drivers can’t hear our horns over their stereos so avoidance is a better strategy.

Scanning is our best line of defense when it comes to safety. Seeing the things that might affect you is key to your best defense and that requires scanning, not just the things ahead of you but surrounding you as well. Never let your attention be fixed on any one object for more than a split second and the general rule is to scan a 12-15 second path of travel, meaning that you need to see ahead to an area it will take you approximately that time to reach. If you are traveling at a higher rate of speed, you will cover a lot of ground and you must be able to maneuver your way around hazards that much more quickly. Gathering information about road conditions, traffic ahead, behind and beside you as well as vehicles that can cross your path of travel are especially critical, not to mention pedestrians and animals. Checking your rearview mirrors and physically turning to check blind spots are all essential when changing lanes, turning or stopping. Determining what is important during a scan involves practice and experience, but the basics are the same. Focus on your intended path while maintaining a nice cushion around you (we have the benefit of speed so use it), if you feel squeezed in then get around the obstacles and provide yourself a safe cushion around you so your attention can be used on road hazards vs. cars surrounding you. Check your rearview mirrors often and what is beside you, as they will not always be aware of you being there and make sure to stay out of drivers blind spots (moving within the lane, lane positioning, helps drivers know you are there). Keep your eyes up, don’t look down or your response time will be cut dramatically. Getting good visual information is very important for riders because everything that follows involves decisions is based on that information.

Riding a motorcycle is complex and involves perception which uses our senses (the reason we all love to ride). From the information we receive in our brain we have to quickly weed out and determine what is important and what isn’t in seconds. Bad decisions are made when we are impaired and unable to correctly process this information, which is why you shouldn’t ride when you are under the influence, emotionally impaired or are sleep deprived, as your reaction time is greatly reduced or you just end up making inappropriate responses that can lead to a harmful event. Always look where you want to go, yeah we’ve all heard this a million times, but it is true. Always look where you intend to go and your bike will magically follow where your eyes take you, ok it’s not magical but it does. That is why you don’t want to target fixate, where you focus on an object for longer than your should, your body tenses as it sees it as a potential danger and before you realize it, you are headed for the object you had ever intention to avoid. Look past it and be aware of it, but focus on where you want to be and you will end up on the path you are focused on. It takes practice and confidence in your abilities and if you are riding with the hair on the back of your neck standing on end, sweaty palms, racing heartbeat or even a death grip on your bars, you may be riding well above your means. Riding involves all of your senses, use them to your advantage, but stay relaxed and with smooth steady movements (your hands should be nice and slow). If your arms or hands are tired after every ride, you are too tense, learn to relax and give less input to your bike, it will thank you for it and you will enjoy the rides that much more. Seat time is the only way to feel more comfortable on your bike so get out there often and practice. Be safe and see you Vixens out there!

Metabolism Facts

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All this talk about metabolism made me curious so I did a little research about it so I could give you the facts of my findings. Metabolism is the process by which the nutrients in the food we eat are broken down in our cells to produce energy for our body. Most of the time when people talk about metabolism they are actually talking about BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) which is the number of calories your body burns over a set period of time. Your metabolism is controlled by the thyroid gland in the neck which is controlled by the hypothalamus. The speed of your metabolism depends on the complex chemical messages sent from your body to your brain telling it how much it needs to keep going. Body size and composition determine how much food you need to produce energy so the heavier you are the more energy your body need to consume to keep going, so you actually have a higher metabolic rate. Think of it like a big luxury car vs. a compact car, it takes more fuel to run the big car than it does the small car, same applies to people.

As unfair as this is, men have a higher metabolism than women. Men have more muscle and since it is more “metabolically active” than fat, it burns more energy, even at rest. Although a large man may actually have a slower metabolism than a slim woman with more muscle tissue. Age is also a factor, as it slows down slightly with age due to loss of muscle tissue as we get older. Making it that more important to stay physically active the older we get. Exercise and increased activity levels can increase your metabolism because you breathe harder and your heart rate increases, which in turn causes a demand for more energy. Although, it needs to be vigorous to make a significant difference and your metabolic rate goes back to normal as your hear rate recovers. Regular exercise, especially strength training (free weights, weight machines) all build muscle and the greater your muscle mass the higher your BMR.

The thyroid is always the villain. Having an underactive thyroid must be the problem if you are gaining weight right? Not always, it would require an extremely under active thyroid (clues would be extreme fatigue, depression, dry skin and hair, and a loss of sex drive) to be the cause. Taking a look at what you are eating and portion size could be the issue, but if you have any of the symptoms listed, check with a doctor immediately. People swear by ephedrine which can speed up metabolism and decrease appetite, but it increases heart rate and blood pressure which could be dangerous so it is best to stay away from it. Caffeine and red chilies can raise BMR briefly, but the effects are too small to bother with and the side effects are the same as ephedrine so you are better off saving your money, eating a little less and going for a brisk walk.

So you want to know how many calories to consume every day? Here’s what you need to know when figuring how many calories you should be ingesting daily http://www.caloriesperhour.com/tutorial_need.php:

1. You Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) http://www.caloriesperhour.com/tutorial_BMR.php accounts for 70% of the calories you burn just to stay alive (in order to keep breathing, making sure your heart beats and blood pumps around your body)
2. Around 12% of your calories are used for thermogenesis  – what you need to keep warm, digest food and respond to stress.
3. The rest are burned doing daily tasks or more strenuous exercise.

Slim for Life

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In a recent discussion with a girlfriend of mine, we reminisced on how wonderful it was to not have to worry about weight when we were younger. How we just seemed to metabolize so efficiently even with little sleep, excessive drinking and minimal exercise. Seeing that time has come and passed I must resort to the good old fashioned way…exercise, eat well, less stress and get more sleep. In fact it was right about then we ordered a second round, mostly to numb our brains from continuing down that road the rest of the night ;).

I ended up coming across an article in Shape a week later that was related to our discussion which I found interesting and educational and wanted to share it with you. I am not naturally slim, nor do I have a great metabolism, I have to work at it and it does seem to get harder by the decade. But that being said, if I hadn’t been as diligent I know that I would not be in nearly as good a shape. So it is promising to know that just a few tweaks here and there can help us from sabotaging our health and waistline for many years to come.

In your 20’s your muscle mass is at its peak and it requires more energy for your body to maintain it, this is when our metabolism is at it’s highest. If you have put on a few pounds and decide to crash diet or juice fast you are eating at the muscle mass you are presently naturally blessed with and that will end up backfiring on you by slowing your metabolism down. This can also mess with your thyroid which will slow bodily functions and end up making you gain weight. A better solution is to just eat healthy most of the time and splurge on occasion (i.e. a small bag of chips or a cupcake) so you don’t deprive yourself. Also don’t forget to count those liquid calories in coffee drinks, soda and alcohol which can significantly add to your daily caloric intake. If you haven’t been active, now’s a good time to start a fitness routine and at least get 30-60 minutes of moderate aerobic activity 5x/week or vigorously 3x/week. Strength training 1-2x/week is also a good idea.

In your 30’s your metabolism starts to drop 2-5% per decade and after menopause it drops even faster. Meaning you need to burn at least an extra 40 calories a day or risk gaining at least 15 pounds of fat every 10 years. Most women in this age group are juggling parenting, work or both and this may mean skipping meals, stress and not enough sleep which start those love handles into making their not so welcome appearance. It is important to eat regularly to keep our hunger and satiety hormones in check. Eating protein (eggs, nonfat yogurt) paired with a slow digesting carb like whole grain toast or berries for breakfast is a top priority. For snacking: nuts, veggies with hummus or crisp breads with a lowfat cheese help curb your hunger and keep you sharp throughout the day. Get more sleep! Skimping on your sleep can actually alter your metabolism and affect your hormones that control your appetite. I consider that a serious double whammy. This is also an important time to incorporate strength training to avoid muscle loss. It’s important to keep that muscle mass up to keep your metabolism on high so sneak in cardio whenever you can at least 3x/week. If you are looking at losing weight and boosting your metabolism make the most of your 20-30 minute workout with interval training. One minute of intense activity (jogging) with 1 minute of recovery (walking) and you will burn 10-20% more calories than if you had worked out at a contact pace.

In your 40’s stress is a major factor (between work and family) and it increases the production of cortisol, a hormone that increases blood glucose levels, which in turn can break down your muscles. Excess cortisol can also lead to insulin resistance, keeping glucose in your bloodstream instead of moving it into the cells which will make you tired and hungry. Here’s the icing on the cake…our ovaries also start to produce less estrogen and our testosterone also decreases which distributes the body weight to new areas we never had a problem with (from the butt to the gut), oh and let’s not forget to add that we are still losing lean muscle mass (causing our metabolism to be even slower). Here are some solutions to this depressing list of items…if you feel the need to munch, wait a few minutes or brew some black tea which has been shown to cut cortisol levels or green tea which contains theanine, an amino acid that keeps mood swing in check and can keep you calm. It also has been shown to help maintain your metabolism, research says 5-6 cups a day is the magic number. Get more fiber, it slows down the digestion process, 25 grams a day means you’ll absorb 90 fewer calories. Relax! Try yoga it lowers cortisol levels and many different poses actually build muscle. If yoga isn’t your thing, increase strength gaining to 3x/week and push yourself, sculpting more muscle can boost your resting metabolic rate by 7%. Continue with interval training and if that is getting boring try high intensity circuit training for as little as 14 minutes per session. It involves 2 to 3 7-minute circuits that include vigorous moves (jumping jacks, stair climbing) doing each one for 30 seconds, pause for 10 seconds between them and then repeating the circuit.

In your 50’s your metabolism takes the biggest hit after menopause which typically occurs around 52. Due to the hormonal changes, you don’t absorb protein as well and your muscle loss accelerates (whereas you were losing 5 pounds of muscle per decade, you are now losing up to 10). It is even more crucial to stay active and it will help with keeping you in good shape as well as keep back and joint pain at bay. Low-impact activities like swimming, cycling and brisk walking can help alleviate joint and muscle pain. Varying your cardio routine daily will help with overuse injuries which can happen with repetitive motion. Stick to strength training 3 times a week if you want to stay strong. To stay slim, find ways to eat less at every meal (like extra serving of veggies and half the amount of pasta or potatoes, cook with less oil and butter, eat 3 fewer bites). Extra protein is also important to fending off those pounds (multiply your body weight in pounds by .7g to figure out how mud you should be consuming each day). Protein load after workouts, you have a 30 minute window when your body will absorb the most amino acids, which are the building blocks of muscle. Aim for around 20g right after your cool down to see the best results.

Staying active and being fit allows us to enjoy life, friends and family and most of all the sport we all love. Let’s stay lean and mean Vixens!

Passing of John Ryan

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As many of you may know, I recently lost a friend of mine…it has been a tough week or so and it has made me reflect a bit on why so many of the road racers I now choose not to ride on the street.  While I do not share this sentiment, I understand their choice and respect it completely, especially since John’s passing. http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20131018/NJENT01/310180042/John-Ryan-former-Melody-Bar-bouncer-dies-motorcycle-crash.  He was a very accomplished rider which you can see on this Utube video :  [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9Fbuozapts[/youtube].  John Ryan did his most famous ride from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Key West, Florida in 86 hours and 31 minutes breaking the previous record set by Billy Ray who did it in 96 hours.  He truly had an Iron Butt!!!  While he is no longer with us and we are sad at his passing, he did it doing what he loved, which is more than most of us can say.  There is something about that that at least brings me some peace.  Our thoughts go out to his family and loved ones.

Please Vixens, be careful out there…and ride C.H.I.C.

 

 

 

 

Get Outta Your Head

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Now that the busy season has passed, it is time to move on to things that may have been put on hold.  But before you go trying to conquer the mess that has been piling up, remember not to stress…take a page from the guys here (no offense boys), make a decision and don’t look back, good or bad can’t change it now, so roll with it.  You may find that this happy-go-lucky attitude may help you learn to love life again!

As women, we tend to be overly critical of ourselves…must be inherent in our nature, but we can retrain ourselves to be more accepting.  We over think and pick apart things to over think them even more…is it any wonder we drive ourselves crazy?  We instinctually know what to do, yet we recount what we’ve done and wonder if it was the right decision.  Sound familiar?  Yeah, we all do it to some degree, but learn trust yourself…you made a decision you felt was right and pondering over it will not change the outcome, so accept it and move on.  (I am assuming here that you aren’t some evil twisted person, but generally a good person with a heart)  Having more time to make a decision is not necessarily a good thing…mulling it over can lead to more opportunity for error and will distract you from other things that may require your attention (possibly your kids, hubby, significant other) which can only lead to more stress.

Decisions, having too many is exhausting, having too few can feel confining…where is the happy medium?  In certain areas of your life keep things constant so you can put them on autopilot, like brushing your teeth, breakfast, workout time so that when you have to make important decisions your mind isn’t cluttered with stuff that still requires an answer.  Most of us hit a point where there is so much that requires us to make a decision that when it comes to making one as simple as what to make for dinner, we cave and go get take out because we are so overwhelmed by the day.  Making lots of little decisions throughout the day can exhaust our minds and make it darn near impossible to make big ones when they arise, that is when we lose it and those close to us think we’ve snapped.  Thinking constructively is great, but it is a fine line before you cross into toxic thinking.  Do you replay the scenario in your head with several outcomes?  Yeah, well I’m talking to you then, STOP IT!  Analyzing it won’t change it and you’ll probably alienate all your friends as you recount it over and over or we’ll all become raging alcoholics having to listen to you.  Learn to trust your instinct and decisions and move on…what is done is done so accept it and be ready to tackle your next challenge.

Take a break.  Simple, when things get really crazy, go shopping, see a movie or even go for a hike.  I used to think my brother was a few cards shy of a deck when things were so nuts and he just said “f it” and went out with friends.  It drove me nuts, how could things be left undone?  Well, turns out he taught me something, problem is still gonna be there, but maybe coming back to it later I’m better equipped to fix it.  Plus he tended to be happier as I was constantly stressed.  HMMMM, yeah you get where I’m going.  You can think better when you aren’t stressed, come up with better solutions and you are happier in the process.  Meditate, yeah I know, we’ve all heard this before…but meditation is just making time for yourself to clear your mind and focus your attention on something as simple as your breath.  But it could be riding a motorcycle, for others it could be a spinning class, running, walking the dog.  It is all about being in the present and focusing on that moment.

Make sure you are well rested.  Sleep deprivation is the root of all that ails us, not getting enough of it has terrible consequences on our health.  But did you ever stop to think what it does to us psychologically?  Fatigue makes it hard to make good decisions and then when we do make them in this state we wonder if it was right, then we stress and eat crap, don’t exercise, start to gain a few pounds, become critical of ourselves and then well, you get the picture, it’s a terrible vicious cycle.   Disconnect from anything electronic an hour before you sleep and if you can, keep it out of your bedroom, that way you can ensure a great night’s sleep.  Clear your mind at the end of the day, it is over and have faith in yourself that you did everything you could and it’ll all work out as it should.  No amount of wishing and hoping will change the outcome so fretting about it will only cause you to lose sleep.  Believe in yourself.  We are all amazing in our own right and celebrate that, stop criticizing everything you do.  Implement a plan, be flexible with it and see where it leads you.  Things work out the way they should, so mount up and enjoy the ride ladies!

 

Novice Racing

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I have recently been asked by several women why I chose to be a novice racer and is it something they can do as well? The answer to the first question is I’m a little whacko and truth be told spent most of my life trying to make others happy while neglecting my needs. Becoming a mother in my mid-twenties and having been a part of corporate America since I was 18, I knew the ins and outs of that world, thus I became a corporate wife (sort of). As my boys were growing up, my marriage was coming to an end and I needed to find myself again and this is how my journey with motorcycles began. Having always wanted to learn how to ride and it having this bad ass kind of feel to it that was incredibly empowering (should I survive) I was game, again this is where the crazy comes in… The BRC class was my first foray into the world of motorcycling and after 3 terrifying and exhilarating days I received my endorsement. Then came the search for continuing my journey, my next step. I found that there were intermediate classes offered but most were after you completed some riding time on the street (since riding in a parking lot wasn’t real preparation to riding in everyday conditions). Not helpful. Then in searching for schools, up popped “track training”, 😉 hmmmmmm what is that? Well, that ladies is how it all began for me…The California SuperBike School (http://www.superbikeschool.com) was the catalyst into finding out about track schools like 2 Fast (http://www.2-fast.org) and OPRT (http://www.optimum-performance.org). Being a gal you certainly stand out in a sport mainly dominated by men, but I believe that walking into racing completely unaware was a blessing, the fact that I was so naive and genuine, those guys took me in, taught and have helped me along the way. By no means do I even know all I should, but now I’m much more aware if what it takes and it’s been a journey that I would’ve taken many times over exactly the same way.

As for becoming a racer, it is actually fairly easy. Search for an organization in your area under road racing associations and if you live in Seattle it is WMRRA (http://www.wmrra.com), Portland it is OMRRA (http://www.omrra.com) and nationally there is WERA (http://www.wera.com) too, check your area for a local one near you. Visit their website, find out how to become a racer and start your own journey. There is one thing I wish someone would’ve warned me about though, it is that racing is great until you crash then it becomes expensive and a mad rush to get everything put together again before the next race. Be prepared to spend every free moment searching for parts, finding the right people to fix your bike and make sure you have great health insurance because everyone eventually will require some form of medical attention. Please be aware of the risks involved and don’t believe that you are exempt from falling, we all do and it happens so fast. There is risk in everything, but this allows us to race with controlled risk, every racer knows what they are getting into. We all have to go to work after the weekend is over, have families to return to, loved ones to care for so there is almost a gentlemen’s code that you don’t take out people intentionally, you race with dignity. Sure sometimes accidents happen, but when they do there is no hard feelings and it is funny at times to see one guy walk up to another and say, “Hey sorry about that man” and they shake hands and get busy fixing their bikes for the next race. This is the only place where I’ve seen one guy take out another and they will actually give each other hugs, yeah we are seriously twisted. I’ve found a place where I feel at home, where competition and camaraderie co-exist, feel like I’m a part of a huge extended family, part of a community…I finally found myself in this crazy place that I now call home.

The Frightening and the Beautiful update

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I met Heather at the IMS show in NY early this year and she has been quite busy as you can see, here is an update on what she’s been up to:

Hello Everyone,

Just a note to inform you all about my upcoming exhibition, “Mapping the Familiar”, a survey show here in NYC including work by all of the participants of the BoxoHOUSE Artist Residency program based in Joshua Tree, CA.

Most of you know that this past spring I rode my motorcycle to Joshua Tree and back from my home in Weehawken, NJ to participate in this program, and to create a project called “In Search of the Frightening and Beautiful” which entailed my dropping embroidered art works at sites around the country during my journey (described in the project Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TheFrighteningAndBeautiful, and in a blog at http://thefrighteningandbeautiful.blogspot.com). The work on view in “Mapping the Familiar” stems directly from this experience and includes the largest single embroidered piece I’ve ever made (check out the work in progress snapshot attached for a preview). Needless to say, I’m very excited about this show!

If you find yourself in New York within the next couple of months, I hope you drop by and take a look! The opening is this Saturday from 6-8pm at BoxoOFFICE, 421 Hudson Street (between Clarkson and Leroy Streets) #701, NY, NY 10014. The show is up through November 15 and open Thursdays through Sundays, 12-6pm. I will be in the gallery all day during the Saturdays of 10/12 and 10/19 as well… so don’t be shy.

And…stay tuned for further announcements about an artist talk and book launch event! The “In Search for the Frightening and Beautiful” book should be hot off the presses come early November…

Here’s to hoping I’ll see you all soon.

Cheers,
Heather

Heather L Johnson

heather@heatherLjohnson.com
917-499-4226

http://www.heatherLjohnson.com
http://thefrighteningandbeautiful.blogspot.com

Round 6 at the Ridge

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Nothing beats the excitement of the racetrack, the hoards of ez-ups, the smell of gasoline, the racers all lined up for tech inspections and the riders meeting to get the day started. Nothing can top visiting with friends, who are family at this point, as we all get ready for the upcoming weekend. There is a camaraderie that I’ve never experienced anywhere else, but we are all there to race fully knowing that your friend could be your stiffest competition. It is a strange dynamic, yet at the end of the day we all come together and recount the days events, the records broken and the personal accomplishments we conquered. The fact that you get the opportunity to be around talented racers who are more than willing to help you, loan you what you may have forgotten or even give you advice and encouragement is a plus coming into this as a novice this year. This was my last race of the season, I had made plans to get my bike fully equipped for next year so it was bittersweet. My goal was focused on coming in with a time I could be ultimately proud of and build upon that next year.

I started this year with a bike, minimal knowledge and a passion to do what very few women would attempt. My hopes were to show women just beginning or even those who had been riding for a while, that if you had passion, you could accomplish great things. I’ve had my share of spills, very lucky ones at that, but with those mistakes came a knowledge an understanding and respect for the machine that you man. Truth be told, your machine doesn’t make the mistake that causes you to crash, you do, whether it is a poor decision to pass, too much throttle, whatever it may be you are the reason…it makes you accountable each and every time. It is interesting to say that it translates to things in your life, I relive each and every crash in my mind for days to recount the decisions I made and what I could have done to avoid them. We are all in search of the perfect feeling…the lap around the track where everything seems to fall into place, where your body and the bike feel as if they are one and working in perfect harmony…it keeps us coming back for more.

Anyone who has had the opportunity to ride my bike has said it is a solid and happy bike and I tend to agree. I also understand that there are changes I must make on my bike in the off season to even be competitive, things that I honestly had no idea about until I took the leap to racing. Equipment, feel, knowledge, hard work and determination are key to being competitive and just the desire to race doesn’t make everything else work in your favor. However, having a trust and bond with your bike, as odd as that may sound, is very important. I’ve ridden bikes before that make me nervous (break out in a sweat), that you just get this strange feeling that something isn’t right and you can’t wait to get off of it. My little R6 has given me some very happy memories even before it came to the track and to have those to take into racing is an awesome experience, with that being said, my season ended with my best lap time to date at 2.01 with no upgrades made to it whatsoever. I have plenty to work on for next year as I came hoping to break under 2.0, but with the improvements I hope that I can do that within the first two races. Keep checking in this fall and winter as I will continue to post the improvements on the bike, the new design and sponsorships for the upcoming year. Come join me sometime next season at the races to cheer us gals on or a track day…I am looking forward to seeing you out there!