Ducati Bellevue

Ducati Upgrades

April 4, 2014 By Carol Carpenter

Ducati Rims I had the unfortunate luck of getting geared up one day (in fact it was the warmest we had in a while) only to have my bike not start. Have you ever had one of those days? The worst part was it was Monday so no shops were open and the frustration was due to having the bike on a tender which should have guaranteed a start right? Wrong! The battery was less than a year old, in fact it had a sticker bearing the words “NEW 5/26/2013” so was I one of those lucky Ducati owners with a bike that had character? After messing with it for about 3 hours, I gave up and called Troy, my boyfriend, to discuss the issues I was having and a quick text to Fuzzy in Seattle Ducati to confirm that the symptoms amounted to a dead battery. Come Wednesday I was pretty cagey and unhappy, I called Ducati Bellevue and inquired about batteries and their opinions. Not sure why I do that, I am gonna do what I want regardless of what anyone says…I know you gals know what I mean ;)! I was planning on getting a Shorai battery, since my stock was a Yuasa and I sure as heck was not going to do that to myself again. Let me tell you this battery feels as light as a feather in comparison to the Yuasa being a lithium-ion battery. I was told that it will require getting a special charger for it, but I’m hoping that this years riding weather won’t require it since I will be riding all the time. This battery change got the ball rolling for all the parts we already had, but needed a good reason to take the bike apart for upgrades.

Ducati Battery The list of things we did included new tires, SBS sintered brake pads, Vortex rear sets and of course the new Shorai battery. The battery is smaller and lighter than ordinary batteries and if you ask the shop it also requires a bit of rethinking when starting your bike…normally you’d just fire it up, let it get to temp, then go. With lithium ion batteries I was told by John in Ducati Bellevue that you needed to turn bike on, let the cells wake up, even turn on the brights for a minute then fire it up. Shorai comes with foam which you pack around the battery (see pic) to fit the area your old battery used to be, the first thing you’ll notice is that the bike even fires up differently there seems to be a more deliberate delivery system as it doesn’t cough and choke. If you are in the market for a new battery, give them a try (and no I am not sponsored by them or get kickbacks, just a very happy owner of a bike with a little less character now).

Ducati I was fortunate to get a set of Dunlop Q2’s and went from a 180 in the rear to a 190 (had to check the measurements to make sure they would fit). Thanks to the village it took to not only get that rear wheel off (torque spec is 130 ft lbs), had to borrow a breaker bar, get Barry from KFG to balance rear tire (the Axle is bigger than most and requires a special size cone to correctly balance the tire) and lastly buy a torque wrench that would allow us to tighten the rear wheel to 130 ft lbs. Taking it to a shop to have it done certainly sounds way better now huh? With the tires off, the calipers were easy to get to and replace the brake pads (although mine were only slightly worn, Troy swore by them and said I would never go back once I got a taste of them). Then came the rear sets which stock has always been too low and too far to back for my small frame.

Ducati Bike The adjustable nature of the vortex ones allowed me to raise them up and forward to get me in a nice aggressive and comfortable stance while riding. With everything in pieces it was the perfect time to really clean all the nooks and crannies on the bike and the wheels which I normally can’t get to. I used Silkolene’s Pro Prep to clean the wheels and Silkolene’s All in one to clean and polish the bike’s hard surfaces (see pic). With the bike all put back together, it was time for a ride to determine if anything needed tweaking, my absolute favorite part! So off I went heart racing as I felt the tires and took the first turn in them, felt the brakes and how progressive they were and the comfort of being able to sit in a much more aggressive and comfortable position. Had to be careful of course, new tires on cold pavement could lead to a bad day…with going up in the tire size, the rear felt really stable and secure on the road, turns were not a problem and the brakes are amazing! Interesting side note having the lighter battery was obvious to me in the weight near the front of the bike, not sure why, but I really do like the feeling. I have ridden two more days after the test ride and both were equally enjoyable. If you haven’t fired up your baby, it’s time to start getting her ready for the upcoming great weather (being positive her) and track days! Feel free to comment on this post and ask questions, hope you got the chance to enjoy the few days we had that were dry and mild. If not, be ready for the next opportunity! Vixens Ride!

Importance of Tires

March 4, 2014 By Carol Carpenter

Ducati Bellevue put on a tire seminar and invited Misty Johnson of Dunlop Tires to share her knowledge and passion for the sport we all love…motorcycling. While we tend to spend money on gear and aftermarket parts on our bikes, we tend to overlook the importance of the two things that keep us anchored (or not) to the road. I don’t know about you, but I love my bikes and to see them sliding down the road due to my ignorance would just devastate me as I am sure it would you too. I know most people would say that tires are expensive, but it is cheaper than replacing parts and pieces on your downed bike and a hell of a lot less expensive than that trip to the ER. I’m not gonna lecture you about this subject, you all know how important it is, but lets just say that it irks me when I see someone spend loads of money on their bike and then cheap out when it comes to tires.

Tire pressure, usage (application) and construction of the tires all play a role in either enhancing or endangering the safety of your ride. Not all tires are created equal and it will matter greatly on what you intend to use those tires for, so do your homework. If you are track riding and want a sticky tire, you are going to get a softer tire which will break down quicker, but you will stick to the asphalt better. If you are looking for longevity and are commuting then a harder tire will give you more miles, but you will give up slightly on the degree of stickiness it provides. Tire pressure also plays a huge role in the safety of your application, so if you don’t know what the suggested tire pressure is for the ones on your bike ask your dealership or check on the forums, but make sure to get the information from a trusted source. Bear in mind temperature can also play a role in the stickiness of your tire and if you plan on trying to rip around leaning off your bike in 30 or less degree(street tires)…don’t, your tires never get warm enough to actually stick to the road and you will chance having a bad day.

Download Dunlop’s 120 Safety Tire Tips

I know it’s not sexy to talk about tires, I’d rather talk about the sound of Akro’s and Termi’s, rear sets, levers, cool gear, etc…but tires are important to the safety of our ride and for keeping our behinds upright so it is worth mentioning. The technology is ever changing and the tire manufacturers are using that to their advantage to produce tires that will hold up to more miles, varying conditions and usage. Truth be told tires are the cheapest insurance you will buy for your bike and your body. Hope to see you all out there real soon if you haven’t brought your babies out of hibernation yet…Vixens Ride!

Happy New Year

January 17, 2014 By Carol Carpenter

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!

End of Season

October 3, 2013 By Carol Carpenter

After the call from MJ of Ducati Bellevue on Sunday that the track day was cancelled due to the weather, I got calls, texts and emails about whether or not there would be rescheduling. Judging from the drastic change in the weather…from hot and muggy to cold and rainy in the span of what seemed was overnight, I would be extremely surprised if it was. However, I will keep you all posted should there be a freak warm spell and Mark lets me know he is putting one on (he’ll get cabin fever and call Rod I’m sure). I will post on Facebook if and when it should happen (keep those fingers crossed) so like MotoVixens and you’ll be the first to know!

Speaking of Mark, not only is he the owner of 2 Fast, he is also an amazing racer, my mentor and a friend. I tend to be self sufficient and stubborn, but when I needed him to show me lines and help me improve, he was always there. This last year Mark was the #1 plate holder and even without racing every race this year he earned a spot as the #3 plate holder for next year! I have enclosed the rankings of our top racers in WMRRA should you wish to check it out.

I know many of you are disappointed with how this season ended, but truth be told it might of been for the best since the weather would have been a factor of many a crash. I know we all hate to discuss crashes, but the rainy day track days tend to cause a great deal of them and I wanted a beautiful day with dry, warm pavement where we could all really enjoy ourselves and get to push the limits a bit more while expanding our knowledge. Next year we are discussing track days with the women’s school in the months we know tend to be sunny, in fact, I am hoping to discuss a combo school where we can do a co-ed school for those who wish to bring spouses, significant others, boyfriends/girlfriends or even friends. Stay tuned as we figure out the details.

The weather is turning, but you’ll still see some crazy broad out there riding…that’d be me! I suppose once you’ve developed crazy it’s hard to be cured, just be safe…it’s all about tires (make sure you have ones for the wet weather), check that tire pressure and most of all be smooth. If you are putting your baby up for the winter remember to winterize your bike so it’ll be ready to go when you feel like it. Check out Winterizing for Modern Motorcycles in our archived blogs and I will let you know should we do another winterizing/maintenance event. Vixens Ride!

WMRA Standings

PeachesMag.com

September 4, 2013 By Carol Carpenter

I recently had the privilege to write a post for www.peachesmag.com about my mission for MotoVixens. Palmer Davis, founder of peachesmag.com, was at the last Ducati Bellevue Women’s track event and did this brief video about our day. Peachesmag.com is a sexy site for women by women and their main focus is to empower women in every aspect of their lives. The following is the article I wrote:

A year ago, the idea of racing around a track would have seemed completely absurd and truth be told not even on my radar. Yet, here I am today not only racing in my novice year, but just getting my head around all the details of what it takes to be competitive. My introduction into motorcycling has been fairly current and it started as an escape, doing something that I feared, yet I knew would be empowering should I ever find that “zen” place so many motorcyclists speak of. There was something mysterious and intriguing about that and I started my journey only to seek that place of peace. Motorcycling was my escape from hardships I was facing, personal struggles that required and sucked every ounce of energy I had, it was the one place I could be that required full focus and concentration and forced me to leave all that “stuff” behind and be in the moment. Motorcycling helped me reconnect with myself and allowed me to see things differently, with more clarity and patience, it made me a better in every way.

I started with taking an MSF course, which I strongly suggest to anyone who wants to learn to ride, this will give you the “basics” of riding. However, those basics will only get you so far and won’t prepare you for the road conditions you face on a daily basis. I also encountered difficulty in finding gear and spent a great deal of time surfing the web and buying/exchanging items to find gear that actually fit. There are a few brands that carry gear for women, but they vary drastically depending on your body type and sizing is confusing. Male riders can pop into any shop and try things on, but women don’t have the same luxury since many stores don’t tend to carry much women’s gear, making it a challenge to find gear to try on for sizing purposes. Helmets tend to be easier, but boots and gloves are also an issue as most stores are limited in the sizes and styles they carry. Since I advocate all gear all the time, I bought whatever fit when I first started, but have since found which brands fit me best and tend to stick with those manufacturers. However, sizes do change from year to year, so what fits this year may not necessarily fit the next model year. Being female in a male dominated industry definitely does have its downsides. In my frustration, I decided to start a website for women riders, www.MotoVixens.com in hopes that uniting women riders would allow for us to one day have a larger voice in what we demand from manufacturers, schools, dealerships, etc.

I started the site as an educational resource with links to sites I found particularly helpful and had great success with in terms of gear, linked schools for continuing education and blogs pertaining to riding. I worked with Ducati Bellevue in hopes to open up an avenue for women riders to learn how to ride more competently and with more confidence. Since starting my website, we have been fortunate enough to collaborate with some of the best companies in the Pacific Northwest. Ducati Bellevue welcomed the idea with open arms and has been instrumental in hosting Women’s track schools in conjunction with their track days as well as clinics to educate women about their bikes. 2 Fast Motorcycle Instruction and Track Days has been responsible for the performance school provided by Ducati Bellevue for the Women’s Track Event. WMST is an instructional school that provides MSF, cornering classes, intermediate and advanced motorcycle training and I have since been certified as an On Street instructor (classes for women to be announced next year). In addition to the educational aspect of riding is also the technical and mechanical portion we tend to take for granted. Women riders face a greater range of issues from physical height and weight issues to not fully understanding proper maintenance of a motorcycle. We are only on two wheels, it is even more important for us to make sure those stay in contact with the road. Suspension is key to a secure ride, whether on street or on track. I would suggest that you have your bike setup to you to make your ride not only more comfortable, but safe. There is a resource page on my site that lists various companies that accommodate whatever needs you may have, take a moment to check it out and feel free to call them with your questions and concerns, they are always willing to help you any way they can.

My mission is be a strong voice for women riders, bringing their issues and concerns to those who can make the difference. This is why partnering with Ducati Bellevue and 2 Fast to provide a track school was so important…I hope in bringing events like this to women riders they walk away learning more than they could’ve imagined, sign up with their girlfriends, make new friends, gain confidence and feel empowered. The beauty of this event is that you can sign up as many times as you like and walk away with new knowledge every time. There is so much information being taught you couldn’t possibly digest it all in one day. I continue to learn something new every time I get on my bike, new ways to do things differently and more efficiently…turning, gear selection, positioning, etc. Take the school as often as you like, it can only make you a better rider and what can be better than that?

2 Fast Track Day at The Ridge

September 4, 2013 By Carol Carpenter

In preparation of the race weekend, I signed up for 2 Fast on Friday, August 30th to get some laps in and to have some fun before the races. There were quite a few gals, which I love to see and one gal in particular who has attended a few track days who I’ve come to know…such is the nature of the sport, you start to see the gals who love riding so much that they start to become regulars at the track. I hope that women riders know that this setting is far from intimidating, it is an incredible opportunity to learn and ask questions you may have about riding, gear, etc…

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Track days are not about racing, it is about riding your own ride and improving your skill set, gaining knowledge and getting to go as slow or fast as you wish to your comfort level. Speed and skill come with time and that is something that just can’t be rushed without consequences. There is a wealth of information to be sought in the pits alone, caveat being not all information is good information, that being said everyone is extremely willing to help all you have to do is ask. Also, if you have never ridden two up with one of the guys, take the opportunity to do so. It will teach you how hard you can actually break, show you better lines around the track and give you pointers on gear selection, it will really open your eyes!

Sullivan has a track day coming up on Thursday, September 5th at Pacific Raceways and currently has openings and OPRT has one coming up on September 9th at the Ridge where I will be instructing. Also, don’t forget Ducati Bellevue has their Women’s Track School coming up on September 30th, sign up for the first time or again, you will learn something new every time. Come on out and join us track rats!

Why I Advocate Track Training

July 18, 2013 By Carol Carpenter

I recently bumped into some individuals who became members on my site and asked why I was purely a track related website…I had to correct them that this site was created to inform and be a resource to all types of riders. I only use the track as a training tool and heavily advocate track training purely because outside of MSF courses and even specialized on street courses, there is no where to really up your confidence at real life speeds. MSF courses are fantastic and teach you safety and maneuvering, but at very low speeds and as all riders know it is not realistic when applying it to everyday situations. It is like getting your graduation certificate and then getting that smack on the ass to say, “Good luck!” Scary as hell when confronted with a situation at speed and have to recall the training you received at say 20 mph. Having the confidence to know you can avoid these situations, corner with confidence and educating yourself (as you would in any endeavor) can only be a benefit to you. That is why I post so many track days and track school events, education and hands on learning are the only ways to improve your riding abilities and to gain the confidence you need to apply to your everyday street riding.

I have teamed up with 2 Fast Track school, Ducati Bellevue, OPRT (where I will be one of their new rider instructors) and WMST to continue my quest to educate and empower women riders. I hope that you take the opportunity MotoVixens tries so hard to provide when we bring these special events to you at discounted prices. Every time you sign up, you show the schools and dealerships you are serious about learning and they will continue to give us the opportunity to provide these events for you. Track days and events are not just for racers, many individuals sign up to hone their skills and new riders sign up to gain the confidence they need to street ride competently. I commend those individuals because they take their riding seriously and quite honestly most who try track days get hooked, they get to go way above speed limits and not worry about getting ticketed as well as not worrying about some car coming at you unexpectedly. If you never have tried a track day, join us (look in the event section) and if you have, I won’t have to twist you arm you already know it is a blast. In August I will be receiving my certification for On Street training and will be able to help you ladies in the future through WMST and possibly through private instruction. I will notify you of the details and hopefully see you out there with me soon. Vixens Ride!

June 10, 2013 Women’s Track Event

June 13, 2013 By Carol Carpenter

I could never have imagined that a simple idea and dream of sharing my love of riding could open an opportunity to bring this love to other women. This idea has blossomed into partnering with Ducati Bellevue, 2-Fast Track Days and Instruction and WMST to bring you events, instruction and clinics geared toward empowering women riders. Monday, June 10th was MotoVixen’s first Women’s Track Event and I couldn’t have asked for better weather, people and track to be on. It was an amazing and exhausting day. Mark DeGross of 2 Fast led the classroom sessions and his instructors (special thanks to Steve-O, Scott, Davey and Jason) took 2-3 gals under their belts to guide them around the track like ducks in a row. It was reminiscent of those ski schools we went on as little kids behind the lead instructor, remember those? I had fun going around the track to break in my new ride to come up on the tail group and watch them, pass and come up on next group and so on. Throughout the day, I watched each gal improve, not only with their skills, but with their confidence as well. I saw the excitement in their eyes and some were so bouncy from it you could tell that they were going to crash on the way home once that adrenaline wore off. Luckily they all heeded my suggestion in having Ducati transport their bikes (which they did for free) and drove to the track so they wouldn’t have to ride home after a long day.

I took some pictures but not nearly enough, however, there were plenty of cameras and videos being taken so I knew we’d be covered. In fact Jason Tanaka took professional pictures (which he says will be linked to his website at www.jasontanaka.com on Friday) and there are some videos that will be posted on youTube in the next week from other track participants. I will try to get as much information as I can and relay it as I get it. If you have pictures or videos you would like to contribute to the site, email it to me (caroltcarpenter@motovixens.com) and I’ll see if we can include a special section on the site to include all of them. The one thing though that the pictures can’t capture are our ear to ear smiles in our helmets, the feeling of accomplishment and the excitement pinging from every fiber of our being. There is nothing like riding on the track, if you haven’t, please try it. Just do it with a reputable company and not an open track day at a track where it is a complete free for all, that is where most crashes happen. We are just so fortunate to have the support of the best companies in the PNW behind us and a curriculum that has been proven to work.

The day was so successful that there will be an announcement on Ducati’s website of another Women’s Track Event coming up on September 23, 2013 with a new rider’s clinic on September 19, 2013 to be headed by Mark DeGross and myself. I am looking forward to some returning ladies and many new ladies, spread the word. We will perfect this program for both returning and new ladies, you will not be disappointed, ask any of the gals that attended. If you have comments, concerns or suggestions please leave them here, I want to hear everything from complaints to raves.

2 Fast Performance School for June 10, 2013

April 5, 2013 By Carol Carpenter

Vixens, for those of you signed up for the track day on June 10th at The Ridge (Women’s Track Event in our Event section), you are in for a jam packed day of information, sweat and adrenaline! Mark DeGross, owner of 2 Fast Motorcycle Track Days and Instruction, fills the day with an immense amount of learning combined with track time and has a staff that are at the top of their game. You will be learning from the best so make sure you are well rested and most importantly hydrated (I typically have a rule of hydrating a few days before a track day and avoid alcohol if you can the day before, it does make a difference). To keep your sanity, make a check list of things you need to bring such as your gear (riding suit of two piece zip togethers), boots (socks too), gloves, helmet and some type of back protector and get it in the car the night before. Also, don’t forget to bring water (they have it, but it’s always good to bring some of your own) and snacks in case you are not able to eat what is being served. I am a vegetarian so most of the time I just bring my own food since they typically serve hot dogs and hamburgers at the track. Note: It is really cold in the morning, wear layers so you can stay comfortable and if you are new to riding suits, wear some type of compression gear underneath or it will be impossible to get your leathers off after you start sweating, getting that suit off to pee will be a challenge.

As some of you may know, I have been writing about my crazy introduction into motorcycle racing. It has been an enlightening experience, scary as crap and also where I’ve felt most accepted into a community than I have ever felt possible. Every individual I’ve come into contact with has been nothing but genuine and open to sharing their knowledge and if asked, provide advice. Mark DeGross, my mentor (in this nutty adventure), has been a wealth of information which is why I chose him to be my guide through this overwhelming process in order to get ready. I am told that eventually this will all be second nature, but for now, I do feel like a minnow in an ocean of sharks. 2 Fast is an amazing performance school which I had the opportunity to attend as part of my Novice Racer curriculum. Everything I learned, you will learn, our class was just more entailed and had simulations of what we would encounter on race days. Before you come, make sure your bike is in good working order, have decent tread on your tires and nothing is leaking or it will be a lousy day sitting in the pits (unless you can bribe one of the Ducati guys to ride one of the demo bikes, then it will be awesome).

Your Schedule will be:

7:00am Registration and Tech Inspection, have bike taped (mirrors, if not removing and lights)
7:40am Complimentary track ride around in trucks (highly recommended)
8:15am Mandatory Rider Meeting (Rules, Flags and Passing)
8:45am Performance School Orientation for students
9:00am Session 1: Body Positioning
10:00am Session 2: Turn 9 Experience
11:00am Session 3: Relaxation & Fear Management (This one is big!)
12:00pm Session 4: Lunch Break
1:00pm Session 5: Scrubbing Speed – The Art of Slowing It All Down
2:00pm Session 6: Powerband Management
3:00pm Session 7: Vision – What You See & Where You Are Looking
4:00pm END OF DAY

Please understand that this day is not about speed, this day is about learning. Sure you can push yourself, it is natural and encouraged, but don’t be a hazard to others because you want to prove something. We all play a part in being responsible and respectful of the other riders on the track. Ask loads of questions, the staff is an invaluable source of information and they are generous with their expertise and advice, listen and learn. Don’t let this be your only track day, sign up for as many as you can and just keep improving. Rome wasn’t built in a day, so why try? Also, visit 2-fast.org or ducatibellvue.com for full listings of their track days, prices and videos. If you are still on the fence because you think your cornering isn’t what it should be and want to get some extra instruction before, we have a class that is being offered by WMST on Sunday, May 19 from 9am – 5pm (check the events section for more details). If you can’t make the class, don’t worry, we will all be there to help you at the track. This is about empowering you so take full advantage of it, they want to see more women on the track and no one is going to judge you. Truth is they have respect for any woman that has the balls to come to a track day, so let those bad boys swing Vixens ;)!!!!

Street Riding vs. Track Riding

February 23, 2013 By Carol Carpenter

I’ve been told it is irresponsible to be a motorcycle rider on more than one occasion and my reply is the same every time, “What an ignorant statement!” Most of the time, their comment is based on the fact they don’t ride, are intimidated with riding (even though they secretly wish they could) and/or know someone who has been injured from a motorcycle accident. This usually leads into a debate in which I have a rebuttal for each of their reasons why I shouldn’t, but typically what I find out is fear is the driving force for their comment. Riding a motorcycle to me is like art in motion, but it is also a practice in restraint, when you turn over that engine it is almost daring you to test it’s limits. Egos come into play and I’ve watched many men turn it into a dangerous competition on the streets just to one up each other and it almost never ends well. Sadly, it is always the “big talkers” that cause these problems, the ones that talk about themselves as if they were AMA champion racers themselves. I prefer to ride as far away from these guys as possible because typically they are just that, all talk. Whether you are on the track or on the street you will encounter at least one of these in every group, don’t become buddies with them, don’t try to educate them, stay as far away as you can from them, they are trouble and can end up not just hurting themselves during the course of the day, but you as well. You can’t save everyone, I concentrate on helping people who really want to learn, not just show off.

Starting out as a street rider was scary, trying to navigate the streets while learning how to competently ride a motorcycle was a joke. Here I was trying to shift, brake, start from a stop (without looking like a tool and stalling), remembering to turn off my blinker after a turn, etc. all while dodging cars and white knuckling it through traffic. Thank goodness those days are long gone and my seat time has afforded me more attention to really enjoy my rides. That all did come at a price through and one that I would highly recommend for other street riders who want to use their attention on really enjoying the day, either by themselves jamming to their tunes in their helmets or in a group on an all day ride sharing the scenery and stories of corners mastered with big ole smiles on your faces. The only way you can really enjoy riding is like everything else, putting in the time (sorry no easy way out of this). But I’ll take it one step further, I believe that in educating yourself, through books (not all of them are worth reading) and taking classes (again not all of them are worth while) you can gain the knowledge required to really be able to ride confidently. Street riding is fun, sure it can be dangerous, but I think that is part of the reason we may be attracted to the sport, it keeps us alert and present. We must be aware of our surroundings every second, watching for distracted drivers, hazards on the road, weather, etc. it forces us to detach from the day (good and bad) and focus. I consider it therapeutic, it is my chance to forget about everything and just be, it is very zen-like in that way.

Riding on the track is very different and depending on whether you decide to start on a track day or actually sign up for a track school, you will learn more than you ever imagined. It wasn’t until I took classes at a track school that I honestly learned that I wasn’t even riding to a fraction of what I am capable of because of fear and not having the knowledge necessary to make well informed decisions. Gaining knowledge lead to gaining the confidence I needed to improve and advance to the next step, it was exhilarating! The thing about riding on the track is that during the day you learn the track, the turns (the same ones every lap), where you should be focused for decreasing speed, turn points, rolling back on, body position, etc. You can try to perfect those turn points each lap, it is exactly the same turns every time, you can increase your speed as you realize you can do it without anything happening, heck we are all going the same direction and there is not one car in sight to distract us from the task at hand: Riding. Track riding is all about having a place to test your bike and your limits in a safe and controlled environment. It is also about restraint and not riding over your ability, pushing your limits is one thing, riding over your head is another. I recently read in “Motorcycle Trackday Handbook” by Kent Larson, Pat Hahn, Jason Bishop and Max McAllister about a t-shirt one of the authors had printed which read “Know Fear” on the front and “No amount of BRAVERY can substitute for SKILL and KNOWLEDGE” on the back, think about that when thinking about riding. Track days help us to have a place to ride and push those limits without the risks of doing so on the street, it also helps us to really learn how to corner well at speed, learn the limits of your bike, learn how far out of your comfort zone you are willing to go, take principles learned in class and implement them on the track and to help us tame that naughty speed demon beast. I admit to being guilty of that from time to time.

Don’t forget that the Ducati “Women’s Track Event” is coming up on June 10th and it would be a perfect opportunity for you to sign up (www.ducatibellevue.com) and see what track days are all about. Hope to see you guys out there, 2Fast is a great track school and I know you will walk away amped up and ready to go to another one as soon as possible. Be safe out there Vixens and just ride!