I am shamefully behind in getting this post written...this particular ride was a memorable and fun time and since we don't often get to meet our blogging pals, it was especially nice.
For those of you who haven't read Ronman's blogs, please go on over to http://www.ridesroadsandronman.com/ and meet Ronman.
On May 14th, I met Ronman first by being passed on the road and saluted...Ronman on his bike and me driving Maxine toward her final stop for the night. Unless you drive a truck for a living and are also a biker, you wouldn't maybe understand what that kind of exchange is like, but I will say that Ronman later more than made up for reminding me who was on 2 wheels and who had 16 wheels too many!!
Ronman knows where my fuel stop is and he of course got there ahead of me and parked "Doll Baby" in front of my fuel island. (see pic) If you've ever wondered who takes Ronman's pictures...he does. I had my digital with me, but he opened up his saddlebags and in just a minute, we were all set for pictures. Tripod set up, timer set up...all done in a flash. This is a guy you would want to travel with...he had tools, extra glasses, extra helmet...and you can guess where the extra helmet led...LOL
I squeezed Maxine into the last parking space and to be honest, though I would rather not, I knocked a driver's spot mirror loose on his truck while I was backing in...not something I have done in a hundred years, but I did it. Woke the poor guy up and there was me, "Doll Baby", and Ronman, who makes me look like a little woman and believe me, I am not...so this nice man says "Hey, no harm, I'm not going to ruin your night over a mirror." I gratefully gave the guy all my info in case he had a morning change of heart, but he didn't, so not only did I meet a good blogger friend that night, I ran across a truly kind driver.
Ronman's home is in the area where I was born and raised and our ride took us through as much of it as he could manage for a late night ride. I didn't recognize any of it...it's been a long time. It was really great riding at night with no traffic, knowing my pilot was at home anyway on this no longer familiar territory. After about a hundred miles, I got a little wiggly...I'm not used to riding "bitch" and the passenger seat got a little confining for me...I was tired and I found out what it's like to almost fall asleep on a motorcycle. Ronman's a lot younger than me, but ladies, I will say this_the scenery directly in front of me was quite nice for a woman who's not accustomed to riding behind a 10 foot wing span.
Ronman's been really patient in waiting for me to give my own version of this trip first...he's a real gentleman and I did very much enjoy meeting him and I enjoyed our ride immensely.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Panic...It Happens
I was reading the comments and there is one from my friend Paula (see the pic of her with her lovely "Ruby") reminding me that I drove right through her fence while we were learning to ride on her little farm.
I completely panicked and held the throttle wide open, ran through the fence, fell down...it is funny when we talk about it now, but I was never so scared. It taught me a lesson about myself, though, so I do something that is probably a big NO_NO, but it works for me. I tighten the throttle on my bike and I then have to make the bike slow down and through muscle memory, it's an automatic thing now when I get into a quick stop situation. When I first started riding, it seemed like throttle forward should be GO and back should be stop, when of course, it is the exact opposite. I'm not even going to get into how long it took me to learn to back up a tractor-trailer...lol...we just have to do what works for us, I guess.
Oh, and when I made my next circle around after crashing the fence (on Paula's bike), there was Paula, calmly nailing the fence back up with me shouting 'Don't stand there!!!" and she only laughed and said "You won't do it again..." and I haven't done that particular thing again, anyway.
I completely panicked and held the throttle wide open, ran through the fence, fell down...it is funny when we talk about it now, but I was never so scared. It taught me a lesson about myself, though, so I do something that is probably a big NO_NO, but it works for me. I tighten the throttle on my bike and I then have to make the bike slow down and through muscle memory, it's an automatic thing now when I get into a quick stop situation. When I first started riding, it seemed like throttle forward should be GO and back should be stop, when of course, it is the exact opposite. I'm not even going to get into how long it took me to learn to back up a tractor-trailer...lol...we just have to do what works for us, I guess.
Oh, and when I made my next circle around after crashing the fence (on Paula's bike), there was Paula, calmly nailing the fence back up with me shouting 'Don't stand there!!!" and she only laughed and said "You won't do it again..." and I haven't done that particular thing again, anyway.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
..Thanks Russellville Marina!
Well, that big $200 deposit came back to me in the mail, today along with a nice Thank You card. I did enjoy my stay there and hope I can go back again. A week wasn't long enough to ride all the good trails in Arkansas.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Back to the Grind
Did I ever drag my feet getting home today!! I stopped at every wide spot in the road to enjoy the sun and talk to other riders. It was a great trip, though, and I'm thankful to have had no real problems.
I'm spending the night on my little sailboat tonight to get my "float on" before going back to work. If I had to decide between a boat or a bike...I'm telling you, that would be one tough choice for me.
This morning I read an article about people living to be very old and the base of the article was that people who manage stress live longer, healthier lives. This week's trip should give back what the past few months have taken away.
Thanks y'all for riding along and giving me encouragement along the way...it was my first "solo" trip, but it
I'm spending the night on my little sailboat tonight to get my "float on" before going back to work. If I had to decide between a boat or a bike...I'm telling you, that would be one tough choice for me.
This morning I read an article about people living to be very old and the base of the article was that people who manage stress live longer, healthier lives. This week's trip should give back what the past few months have taken away.
Thanks y'all for riding along and giving me encouragement along the way...it was my first "solo" trip, but it
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Should I?...or Should I not?
Yesterday was rainy and cold and even so, I wondered all day if I could just stay one more day...when I checked in with work, they said they wouldn't need me til Monday sometime. This morning, I dragged my feet about packing up and even as I was loading the bike, I wasn't committed to leaving...my already paid for reservations did include tonight, but then I got to thinking about all the things I need to do before going back to work. Exciting stuff...like laundry, etc...lol...so I went ahead and checked out and after a few miles in the sun, it was all good again!
I said in a previous post that I would say whether I had taken too much with me...I could have gotten by with less if I'd been willing to take time and go wash clothes...I was having too much fun.
Lake Dardanelle State Park is a beautiful, convenient, clean park. There's a lot of car traffic going in and out, but the Park Rangers are visible all day and night and I didn't see many people speeding. The visitor center has a lot to see, according to the park website
http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/lakedardanelle/
but there were school buses full of kids there every day that I was there, so I'll save that for the next time I visit.
Last night, the camping spots filled up with RV's and tents and it was cold and I could hear people talking and laughing til late. I felt sorry for the tenting people...no way they got much sleep.
The only negative thing I have to say about the accomodations has nothing to do with the actual cabin or park. They were fine...clean and safe...but Arkansas has a hefty "Lodging tax" (I paid $67 in tax) and allows the hotel/motel/lodging people to charge a damage deposit up to a maximum of $200 (which I paid) and that is above and beyond the actual lodging charge and I am now waiting to have that returned to me. I'm sure that whole thing is necessary...some people can always screw things up for the rest of us.
If you're interested to know where I stayed the web address is: www.russellvillemarina.com I didn't have much interaction with Ted and Brandy, the operators of the Marina, Cabins and Boat Repair...but that's okay...I enjoyed the peace and quiet and I'm sure they were happy that I didn't turn out to be some wild partier.
I'm in the last little Arkansas town before Memphis and will roll on toward Athens, AL tomorrow. There's a truck stop across the street and tonight my ears will re-adjust to the sound. The interstate driving has been okay, but tomorrow's trip is all US Hwy 72, a road I am familiar with, not so much fast traffic...and it's the road that goes home.
I said in a previous post that I would say whether I had taken too much with me...I could have gotten by with less if I'd been willing to take time and go wash clothes...I was having too much fun.
Lake Dardanelle State Park is a beautiful, convenient, clean park. There's a lot of car traffic going in and out, but the Park Rangers are visible all day and night and I didn't see many people speeding. The visitor center has a lot to see, according to the park website
http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/lakedardanelle/
but there were school buses full of kids there every day that I was there, so I'll save that for the next time I visit.
Last night, the camping spots filled up with RV's and tents and it was cold and I could hear people talking and laughing til late. I felt sorry for the tenting people...no way they got much sleep.
The only negative thing I have to say about the accomodations has nothing to do with the actual cabin or park. They were fine...clean and safe...but Arkansas has a hefty "Lodging tax" (I paid $67 in tax) and allows the hotel/motel/lodging people to charge a damage deposit up to a maximum of $200 (which I paid) and that is above and beyond the actual lodging charge and I am now waiting to have that returned to me. I'm sure that whole thing is necessary...some people can always screw things up for the rest of us.
If you're interested to know where I stayed the web address is: www.russellvillemarina.com I didn't have much interaction with Ted and Brandy, the operators of the Marina, Cabins and Boat Repair...but that's okay...I enjoyed the peace and quiet and I'm sure they were happy that I didn't turn out to be some wild partier.
I'm in the last little Arkansas town before Memphis and will roll on toward Athens, AL tomorrow. There's a truck stop across the street and tonight my ears will re-adjust to the sound. The interstate driving has been okay, but tomorrow's trip is all US Hwy 72, a road I am familiar with, not so much fast traffic...and it's the road that goes home.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Found an Internet Hookup Finally!!
Well, I 've been keeping a log offline on my computer and this morning I got on my bike, rode over here to the Flying J truckstop. I'm having a nice breakfast while I upload what I have saved for you. I'll get back online Saturday on my way home. The weather is going to be just right and I'm looking forward to the ride.
Thanks to you all for your comments and support on this trip. RONMAN, just hang in there til your vacation...SISTERS...y'all have been your usual Fabulous selves...I knew I could count on you for encouragement.Note to Self….
Sunday, April 13, 2008
8:18 PM
don't forget sunscreen!!! When I got up this morning, my cheeks were so red and I looked like a raccoon where my sunglasses had been.
It was cooooolllldddd riding today, but I stayed in the saddle for longer stretches than yesterday…it seemed the miles just raced by, possibly because I was on the interstate and totally focused on the traffic around me. Moonlight will get up and get on by any slower vehicle…and in just a second or two!! Most of the day, I kept it to the speed limit of 70. The wind was rough again today, but coming head on and I didn't take such a beating from it. This trip will keep me from ever having the thought again of selling my Road King and buying a cheaper, lighter bike. I like to travel…she sticks to the road in some awful wind and the 412 miles cost less than $30 in gas. I got a real feel for the new 6 speed today…the bike gets quieter and clearly more fuel efficient. It does need to be at 70 mph at least to be quiet…I could hear some complaint from her if I stayed in 6th and let the mph drop any.
The trucks were considerate in passing and being passed, for the most part. I'm guessing they cut me a little more slack for being dressed in pink leather…lol…really, the pink is not a fashion statement (my SOTF sisters will say different-I'm known for being a closet "girly girl")…in my experience, pink is not a color drivers normally see on the road and I believe they look…and then LOOK AGAIN…and that's what I want…I want to know they see me.
I'm tucked away in a nice little cabin on the Arkansas River and will have to Wi-Fi from somewhere else during the week. Tomorrow will be short hop to the Grocery and wait for the weather to warm up just a bit…after all, this is a vacation…I did the endurance run to get here…not gonna do it all week. At the end of this trip, I will place a link to the nice place where I am staying.
MONDAY April 14, 2008
Still a little cold and windy today, so I only got out to get some groceries and try to get my bearings. Russellville, AR is a nice place…everything a girl could need is only about 5-10 miles from where I am staying. There is a HOBBY LOBBY here…wonder what I can do without going home…lol…it’s fun to shop knowing my packing space is so limited. I just kept telling myself “Oh, I’ll get that next time!” All the people here have been friendly. I’m planning to do some cooking while I can…I am really tired of “road” food. Breakfast was Waffle House and that was fun because the girl who waited on me rides a Dyna Wide Glide, so we just chatted away. She couldn’t believe I was on an “alone” trip…she says she rides with her husband…In reality, it is safer as far as visibility to ride in a group, but there is the danger of becoming accustomed to being a “follower”…it could have happened to me and still could if I don’t pay attention.
“IF you’re SCARED…say You’re SCARED…and then get on with it!”
It took a long time to get to sleep last night…I’m used to being in different places at bedtime, but not used to a different bed and I don’t think I had realized how safe I feel with Maxine…all closed up in my little space. Clearly it was time to get away and challenge myself a little bit.
I’m looking at the weather for the rest of the week and it is supposed to get better everyday. The roads here are just right for some pleasant riding. US Hwy 64 runs parallel to I-40 and what I’ve ridden so far has been surprising short on red lights and stop signs.
TUESDAY April 15, 2008
Went out and got myself some new freckles today…lol…the sun has been shining and the temps are going on up. Lake Dardanelle is muddy right now from all the recent storms, but there are lots of “pull offs” on the nice highways that run right alongside the lake/Arkansas River that make nice rest stops to enjoy the sun. It’s still a little cooler than I would like…tomorrow is supposed to be warmer.
OH>>>>this is one of those states where No Helmet is required for a rider over 21 (I think that’s the age)…I’m wearing my helmet, anyway. Maybe I’ll try riding by the lake without it tomorrow, but no way I’m hauling ass down I-40 without one. My luck…I’d get hit by a bug going 90…lol
It’s been wonderful…the quiet…and strange, too…my truck is going to sound like a 747 leaving the ground when I get back to work. She always seems loud after a weekend at the sailboat…I can only imagine after a week off. I’m still waking up at the crack of dawn, but that’s okay…I do love to have coffee while the sun comes up.
WEDNESDAY April 16, 2008
AWWWW what a beautiful day it was today…I rode and rode and no sunscreen can stand up to all day in the wind, so I got a little sunburned, but it was so worth it…the first time this year I could tuck my leather jacket into a saddle bag, shuck the chaps, and enjoy riding without thinking about being cold. I did stop by the lake about 4 miles from here on the way in this afternoon and took off my helmet for the short ride back…y’all can ride bareheaded if you want to…I don’t need the worry and I know my hair would be just as messed up…or worse…than it already is with the helmet hair.
I look just as “alien” as anybody else with a helmet and I do support your right to ride without one if you want to. The ride is for me and I don’t fool myself into thinking that’s an elegant picture…me astride an 850 pound rumbling machine…but it’s my own thrill and I don’t want to be distracted by trying to look “cool”.
Got some calls from my girlfriends today and to be honest, the conversation was most welcome. I don’t think I’m lonely and my whole working life has prevented me from being a “Miss you” kind of person…but some girl talk after several days of basic silence has re-energized my enthusiasm for the rest of the trip. Of course, knowing that the weather is going to be Perfect for the trip home hasn’t hurt anything, either…
Tomorrow I will go over to the big truck stop by the interstate and hook into some internet…I have turned my head whenever I have passed a truck stop in the last few days. The price of diesel is going to hurt my feelings when I get back to work and I have avoided thinking about that this week.
Thanks to you all for your comments and support on this trip. RONMAN, just hang in there til your vacation...SISTERS...y'all have been your usual Fabulous selves...I knew I could count on you for encouragement.Note to Self….
Sunday, April 13, 2008
8:18 PM
don't forget sunscreen!!! When I got up this morning, my cheeks were so red and I looked like a raccoon where my sunglasses had been.
It was cooooolllldddd riding today, but I stayed in the saddle for longer stretches than yesterday…it seemed the miles just raced by, possibly because I was on the interstate and totally focused on the traffic around me. Moonlight will get up and get on by any slower vehicle…and in just a second or two!! Most of the day, I kept it to the speed limit of 70. The wind was rough again today, but coming head on and I didn't take such a beating from it. This trip will keep me from ever having the thought again of selling my Road King and buying a cheaper, lighter bike. I like to travel…she sticks to the road in some awful wind and the 412 miles cost less than $30 in gas. I got a real feel for the new 6 speed today…the bike gets quieter and clearly more fuel efficient. It does need to be at 70 mph at least to be quiet…I could hear some complaint from her if I stayed in 6th and let the mph drop any.
The trucks were considerate in passing and being passed, for the most part. I'm guessing they cut me a little more slack for being dressed in pink leather…lol…really, the pink is not a fashion statement (my SOTF sisters will say different-I'm known for being a closet "girly girl")…in my experience, pink is not a color drivers normally see on the road and I believe they look…and then LOOK AGAIN…and that's what I want…I want to know they see me.
I'm tucked away in a nice little cabin on the Arkansas River and will have to Wi-Fi from somewhere else during the week. Tomorrow will be short hop to the Grocery and wait for the weather to warm up just a bit…after all, this is a vacation…I did the endurance run to get here…not gonna do it all week. At the end of this trip, I will place a link to the nice place where I am staying.
MONDAY April 14, 2008
Still a little cold and windy today, so I only got out to get some groceries and try to get my bearings. Russellville, AR is a nice place…everything a girl could need is only about 5-10 miles from where I am staying. There is a HOBBY LOBBY here…wonder what I can do without going home…lol…it’s fun to shop knowing my packing space is so limited. I just kept telling myself “Oh, I’ll get that next time!” All the people here have been friendly. I’m planning to do some cooking while I can…I am really tired of “road” food. Breakfast was Waffle House and that was fun because the girl who waited on me rides a Dyna Wide Glide, so we just chatted away. She couldn’t believe I was on an “alone” trip…she says she rides with her husband…In reality, it is safer as far as visibility to ride in a group, but there is the danger of becoming accustomed to being a “follower”…it could have happened to me and still could if I don’t pay attention.
“IF you’re SCARED…say You’re SCARED…and then get on with it!”
It took a long time to get to sleep last night…I’m used to being in different places at bedtime, but not used to a different bed and I don’t think I had realized how safe I feel with Maxine…all closed up in my little space. Clearly it was time to get away and challenge myself a little bit.
I’m looking at the weather for the rest of the week and it is supposed to get better everyday. The roads here are just right for some pleasant riding. US Hwy 64 runs parallel to I-40 and what I’ve ridden so far has been surprising short on red lights and stop signs.
TUESDAY April 15, 2008
Went out and got myself some new freckles today…lol…the sun has been shining and the temps are going on up. Lake Dardanelle is muddy right now from all the recent storms, but there are lots of “pull offs” on the nice highways that run right alongside the lake/Arkansas River that make nice rest stops to enjoy the sun. It’s still a little cooler than I would like…tomorrow is supposed to be warmer.
OH>>>>this is one of those states where No Helmet is required for a rider over 21 (I think that’s the age)…I’m wearing my helmet, anyway. Maybe I’ll try riding by the lake without it tomorrow, but no way I’m hauling ass down I-40 without one. My luck…I’d get hit by a bug going 90…lol
It’s been wonderful…the quiet…and strange, too…my truck is going to sound like a 747 leaving the ground when I get back to work. She always seems loud after a weekend at the sailboat…I can only imagine after a week off. I’m still waking up at the crack of dawn, but that’s okay…I do love to have coffee while the sun comes up.
WEDNESDAY April 16, 2008
AWWWW what a beautiful day it was today…I rode and rode and no sunscreen can stand up to all day in the wind, so I got a little sunburned, but it was so worth it…the first time this year I could tuck my leather jacket into a saddle bag, shuck the chaps, and enjoy riding without thinking about being cold. I did stop by the lake about 4 miles from here on the way in this afternoon and took off my helmet for the short ride back…y’all can ride bareheaded if you want to…I don’t need the worry and I know my hair would be just as messed up…or worse…than it already is with the helmet hair.
I look just as “alien” as anybody else with a helmet and I do support your right to ride without one if you want to. The ride is for me and I don’t fool myself into thinking that’s an elegant picture…me astride an 850 pound rumbling machine…but it’s my own thrill and I don’t want to be distracted by trying to look “cool”.
Got some calls from my girlfriends today and to be honest, the conversation was most welcome. I don’t think I’m lonely and my whole working life has prevented me from being a “Miss you” kind of person…but some girl talk after several days of basic silence has re-energized my enthusiasm for the rest of the trip. Of course, knowing that the weather is going to be Perfect for the trip home hasn’t hurt anything, either…
Tomorrow I will go over to the big truck stop by the interstate and hook into some internet…I have turned my head whenever I have passed a truck stop in the last few days. The price of diesel is going to hurt my feelings when I get back to work and I have avoided thinking about that this week.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
It Feels SO GOOD!!
Well, I got off to kind of a bumbling start this morning...I went off and left my cell phone on the sailboat and had to go back after breakfast to get it...luckily I was only 7 miles from the marina when I realized I had forgotten it. I gave a brief fantasy thought to leaving it...lol...but my daughter and friends would panic if I was unavailable by phone.
My little dock neighbor, Sweet Miss Maddie, who thinks me riding that big bike is the coolest, was there fishing with her Daddy and I got a picture of her sitting on my bike for luck and then gave her a lady rider patch...I don't know which one of us was most tickled...the picture is down and to the right. She looks like I felt...like a kid about to have a big adventure!
Lots of sunshine and no rain today, but oh my, the wind was tough all day...I was truly grateful to be riding a heavy machine. It started cooling off about 3:00 and I stopped and layered on all my leather. The only minor aggravation I had was a big truck (I know, shame on me for complaining) pulling half a mobile home and the wind was so hard, he was leaving chunks of insulation...not so bad, just blowing everywhere...and pieces of gutter that were easier to dodge, but more dangerous. Whoever was waiting for that half a house got only about a quarter of it.
Coming into Memphis, I took the "scenic" route (US72/Poplar) through Germantown...lots and lots of gorgeous old brick ivy covered huge homes and a zillion red lights, but it popped me out right at I-40 at the Mississippi River bridge. It was fun to just blow right by the weigh station on the Arkansas side. I'm in West Memphis all snugged into a nice room for the night.
Tomorrow it's all interstate to Russellville, which will be my base for the rest of the week. I'll put the Road King in 6th gear and enjoy the quiet overdrive...I wasn't anywhere today to get out of 5th...it takes at least 70 mph to need the 6th gear. I used to wonder if that was the "go to jail gear" LOL
All in all, it was a beautiful easy day. I put in 223 miles today and only have 160-something to do tomorrow. You regular riders will know what I mean by this...that place where you settle into the ride and relax and start breathing...it took 140 miles for me to get there today...I really needed this trip!
Thanks for checkin' in on me and I'll keep you posted on the rest with more pictures.
My little dock neighbor, Sweet Miss Maddie, who thinks me riding that big bike is the coolest, was there fishing with her Daddy and I got a picture of her sitting on my bike for luck and then gave her a lady rider patch...I don't know which one of us was most tickled...the picture is down and to the right. She looks like I felt...like a kid about to have a big adventure!
Lots of sunshine and no rain today, but oh my, the wind was tough all day...I was truly grateful to be riding a heavy machine. It started cooling off about 3:00 and I stopped and layered on all my leather. The only minor aggravation I had was a big truck (I know, shame on me for complaining) pulling half a mobile home and the wind was so hard, he was leaving chunks of insulation...not so bad, just blowing everywhere...and pieces of gutter that were easier to dodge, but more dangerous. Whoever was waiting for that half a house got only about a quarter of it.
Coming into Memphis, I took the "scenic" route (US72/Poplar) through Germantown...lots and lots of gorgeous old brick ivy covered huge homes and a zillion red lights, but it popped me out right at I-40 at the Mississippi River bridge. It was fun to just blow right by the weigh station on the Arkansas side. I'm in West Memphis all snugged into a nice room for the night.
Tomorrow it's all interstate to Russellville, which will be my base for the rest of the week. I'll put the Road King in 6th gear and enjoy the quiet overdrive...I wasn't anywhere today to get out of 5th...it takes at least 70 mph to need the 6th gear. I used to wonder if that was the "go to jail gear" LOL
All in all, it was a beautiful easy day. I put in 223 miles today and only have 160-something to do tomorrow. You regular riders will know what I mean by this...that place where you settle into the ride and relax and start breathing...it took 140 miles for me to get there today...I really needed this trip!
Thanks for checkin' in on me and I'll keep you posted on the rest with more pictures.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Road Trip!!!!
Hi to all my Sisters in the wind and Sisters on the Fly ( http://www.sistersonthefly.com/ ) ...
I'm headed out this weekend on my first long trip since I got single and I'm really looking forward to the trip and the time off from work...there's a picture of me and my truck "MAXINE" on this page...I thought she should get her picture in here since she's paying for this trip...lol...This won't be the first long trip I've taken on my motorcycle, but it will be my first trip by myself. Actually, it won't be that expensive...even at the price of Premium gas and a thousand miles round trip, it beats towing the bike with my old Lincoln Town Car, and I can't even think about what it would cost to take Maxine on a thousand mile trip (diesel) just for fun.
For my Sisters on the Fly, who so courageously pull their little vintage trailers all over the country, you may be surprised to know that your truck driving sister is the most anxious one about sharing the road with big trucks, whether with my trailer or on my bike. I'm sure it's because I am so aware of how big, how heavy, and the limitations on getting stopped because I live with it all on a daily basis.
It's amazing how much "stuff" I was able to get packed on the bike. Rolling my jeans and shirts made room for probably more clothes than I really need...will let you know at the end of the trip if I could have done with less than 5 pairs of jeans and a dozen shirts. My laptop takes up almost one whole saddlebag, so I am using 2 travel bags strapped behind my seat and I found that to be pretty comfortable...not enough weight to feel top heavy. I do remember the days, though, when a bar of soap and a bottle of shampoo would suffice for any trip...OMG the stuff I just had to have in my shower bag this trip...a sign of my age I guess! When Maxine and I are working, I have this big rolling bedroom with cabinets and a closet and don't have to condense my things down to what will go down the road comfortably on two wheels.
My trip started this morning in Guntersville, Al and since we are having terrible weather today, I just waited for the hour and a half gap I needed to get to Athens, Al, to my little sailboat "Ama" where I will spend the night and start off toward Arkansas in the morning. I made a "rest stop" at the Harley dealer in Huntsville and had a cup of coffee, watched the bikes come and go for a while and then set back out into the wind. As I'm writing this, the Civil Defense Alarm is going off because we are under a Tornado watch this afternoon. Boats move in a storm...houses don't...and I feel as safe as is possible here.
More tomorrow night. God Bless You and thanks for taking this trip with me!
I'm headed out this weekend on my first long trip since I got single and I'm really looking forward to the trip and the time off from work...there's a picture of me and my truck "MAXINE" on this page...I thought she should get her picture in here since she's paying for this trip...lol...This won't be the first long trip I've taken on my motorcycle, but it will be my first trip by myself. Actually, it won't be that expensive...even at the price of Premium gas and a thousand miles round trip, it beats towing the bike with my old Lincoln Town Car, and I can't even think about what it would cost to take Maxine on a thousand mile trip (diesel) just for fun.
For my Sisters on the Fly, who so courageously pull their little vintage trailers all over the country, you may be surprised to know that your truck driving sister is the most anxious one about sharing the road with big trucks, whether with my trailer or on my bike. I'm sure it's because I am so aware of how big, how heavy, and the limitations on getting stopped because I live with it all on a daily basis.
It's amazing how much "stuff" I was able to get packed on the bike. Rolling my jeans and shirts made room for probably more clothes than I really need...will let you know at the end of the trip if I could have done with less than 5 pairs of jeans and a dozen shirts. My laptop takes up almost one whole saddlebag, so I am using 2 travel bags strapped behind my seat and I found that to be pretty comfortable...not enough weight to feel top heavy. I do remember the days, though, when a bar of soap and a bottle of shampoo would suffice for any trip...OMG the stuff I just had to have in my shower bag this trip...a sign of my age I guess! When Maxine and I are working, I have this big rolling bedroom with cabinets and a closet and don't have to condense my things down to what will go down the road comfortably on two wheels.
My trip started this morning in Guntersville, Al and since we are having terrible weather today, I just waited for the hour and a half gap I needed to get to Athens, Al, to my little sailboat "Ama" where I will spend the night and start off toward Arkansas in the morning. I made a "rest stop" at the Harley dealer in Huntsville and had a cup of coffee, watched the bikes come and go for a while and then set back out into the wind. As I'm writing this, the Civil Defense Alarm is going off because we are under a Tornado watch this afternoon. Boats move in a storm...houses don't...and I feel as safe as is possible here.
More tomorrow night. God Bless You and thanks for taking this trip with me!
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Lady Biker Pictures with Music
Check out the videos to the right...I put them here for you because I enjoyed them...tons of women on bikes and some incredibly inspirational music. Click a picture and the video will open up right here and you won't have to leave my page if you don't want to....enjoy!!
You'll see the Chrome Divas logo featured in some of the videos. It is an International organization...free to join...I have been a member since I learned to ride. I've placed a link to the National website on this page to the right. If you are in Alabama and interested in joining a local chapter, please contact me.
You'll see the Chrome Divas logo featured in some of the videos. It is an International organization...free to join...I have been a member since I learned to ride. I've placed a link to the National website on this page to the right. If you are in Alabama and interested in joining a local chapter, please contact me.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
My First Post
Hi to all who found my page while searching for Lady bikers or Lady Harley riders! I've found a lot of inspiration and useful information in the blogs and websites of adventurous and courageous women and feel I have some encouragement of my own to offer. I will also be linking to the pages of some great sites posted by other women.
At 47, I decided I wanted to learn to ride a motorcycle...the impetus for that came from my Florida friend Paula, who had inherited a beautiful old Triumph Bonneville and at the same age as I was, felt she should learn to ride it. So we got together and put the poor Bonneville through a couple of rough days with us falling and crying, and getting each other back up and on the bike until we got past our great fear of falling...and then we pretty much stopped dropping the bike and started to learn to ride. She was a much faster, more fearless learner than I was. I drive my own truck for a living and have driven for 30 years...I felt completely and overwhelmingly exposed on a motorcycle.
Here's a bit of advice about buying your first bike-Get the bike that fits you, whether it is a Harley, Honda, Yama-Zuki...whatever...don't make the mistake I made and buy one because it's pretty or exactly the right color...or you think you won't be intimidated by its size (my biggest mistake)...lol...Go to a Motorcycle Safety class, get a feel for what a motorcycle actually does, and then decide before you buy what kind of bike you need. I'm a big tall woman and I bought a gorgeous yellow Harley 1200 Sportster that never fit me, no matter what I did to modify it, moving the controls, etc. I bought it because I thought a smaller, lighter bike would be easier. I kept her for six months and took a real beating trading her in on my '07 Road King that I love and fits me perfectly. I'm not hardcore Harley, though...as a woman I believe you need the bike that is right for you and I have ridden some awesome Hondas and Kawasakis since learning to ride. Believe me, a woman riding a motorcycle gets enough positive attention and it's really never about the bike...it's about you.
At 47, I decided I wanted to learn to ride a motorcycle...the impetus for that came from my Florida friend Paula, who had inherited a beautiful old Triumph Bonneville and at the same age as I was, felt she should learn to ride it. So we got together and put the poor Bonneville through a couple of rough days with us falling and crying, and getting each other back up and on the bike until we got past our great fear of falling...and then we pretty much stopped dropping the bike and started to learn to ride. She was a much faster, more fearless learner than I was. I drive my own truck for a living and have driven for 30 years...I felt completely and overwhelmingly exposed on a motorcycle.
Here's a bit of advice about buying your first bike-Get the bike that fits you, whether it is a Harley, Honda, Yama-Zuki...whatever...don't make the mistake I made and buy one because it's pretty or exactly the right color...or you think you won't be intimidated by its size (my biggest mistake)...lol...Go to a Motorcycle Safety class, get a feel for what a motorcycle actually does, and then decide before you buy what kind of bike you need. I'm a big tall woman and I bought a gorgeous yellow Harley 1200 Sportster that never fit me, no matter what I did to modify it, moving the controls, etc. I bought it because I thought a smaller, lighter bike would be easier. I kept her for six months and took a real beating trading her in on my '07 Road King that I love and fits me perfectly. I'm not hardcore Harley, though...as a woman I believe you need the bike that is right for you and I have ridden some awesome Hondas and Kawasakis since learning to ride. Believe me, a woman riding a motorcycle gets enough positive attention and it's really never about the bike...it's about you.
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