Body and Machine

I knew the minute I met this lady that she was unique, special and meant to cross paths with me. We were riding motorcycles cross country. She was excited to ride her scooter up Pikes Peak. She had an unfortunate run in with another motorist on the way up. Robert Pandya and I were right there behind her and were able to help her out after she went down, thanks to My Medic!! Her main concern was getting her “snow girl” to the top of pikes peak for a photo. I was happy to make that happen for her. She thanked me with a ride bell. I know that ride bell kept us safe on the rest of our over 7500 mile journey. Thank you Madella, your friendship is a blessing. I love the friendships you make while riding motorcycles.

Some people you meet and you just automatically know there is a reason why this person is in your life. You don’t chalk it up to just a coincidence, you know better. You know there is a bigger force behind it all. You probably don’t know what that force is, or have figured any of it out, but you just know.  There is a reason, and you take peace in knowing that someday, the reason will be clear to you.  It may be later that day, maybe later that week, or maybe even later that year, but it will come, and it will all make sense to you.

I had that feeling the night I met Marjorie White and Lisa Niner in Springfield, Massachusetts.

We were on the Sister’s Centennial Motorcycle Ride, honoring the cross country route that Adeline and Augusta Van Buren had bravely ridden by themselves a century earlier aboard Indian Motorcycles trying to prove their worth to the United States Army.

I was working and had my video camera with me when Lisa made a comment about my Nike SFB boots. I myself did not serve in the military, but being engaged to a man that served, I was introduced to some of the best gear to work and play in.  Lisa had served, and served an amazing career in the Army.  We instantly had a bond going and she made me smile. I ran into her again at the opening reception party for the ride and this time she had Marjorie White with her.  I have no idea how the subject even came up, but Marjorie and I were soon talking about personal family moments and we were both in tears, and at that point I knew we were going to be great friends and share something special on this journey we were about to take part in. We were leaving to ride cross country on motorcycles, for 3 weeks.    The days were filled with beautiful landscapes and interesting historical places of significance.  The nights for me were filled with editing into the early hours of the morning, but for everyone else they were filled with bonding over great moments from the miles ridden that day.  We tried our best to ride with as many different groups as we could, there were over 68 women riding from coast to coast and we kept picking up more along the route.

As always, some of my best times and memories come from letting things happen organically. I have to at some degree do some planning when journalism and photography and video are involved, but I really do try my hardest to just let things happen and be ready to capture the moments that present themselves.  That proved to be the case this day. We were leaving Ely Nevada to ride into Carson City. We thought we knew what we were going to do, but as the morning progressed, I found myself in the parking lot with Lisa Niner and Marjorie White.  I asked if they would mind riding with us so we could grab some footage and spend some time together.   They accepted and we were off.   Watching them ride down the road reminded me of the scene from Easy Riders when Wyatt and Billy are just blasting down the road enjoying the freedom of the ride. I could see the heavy burdens we all were carrying with us start lifting, we were all open to that feeling of just being in the moment, like time almost standing still.  We rolled into a small town to get some fuel.  Marjorie was heavy with thoughts of her son and brother who had both passed away.  We gave her the time she needed and decided we would ride up the street to a very neat looking, old run down store to hang out and take some photo’s.

Marjorie was pulling around, hit some sand and dumped her bike, Lisa started cracking up and grabs her phone snapping shots of her friend who is on the ground with her motorcycle!  I’m thinking “What is going on?”   I run over, they are both laughing and ask me to get in the photo. This was tradition for them, when one falls over they take pics and laugh, after making sure the other is ok of course.  We all laughed and got ourselves picked up off the ground.

We shared some more time talking about our lives and the challenging times we all have had to face. We were all using this ride as a way to find some healing in our own personal ways. I think anyone that does a long ride like this ends up finding some personal healing and or growth, even if they are not open to it.

Our delay pushed us back even further when we found out Marjorie had bent her shift lever. A little side of the road repair and we were back out on the long, lonely roads of Nevada.

We were planning on stopping at the official lunch stop of the ride, to meet up with the rest of the group, but with our delays we decided to stop at the next town we rolled into. Austin Nevada.  We found the coolest old Country store/restaurant/bar and walked in.  There was a young girl having a conversation with the older women behind the counter.  The three of us looked at each other, we were just so impressed with the conversation this young girl was having, she sounded so mature.  She started talking about riding her dirt bike, so we joined in the conversation and told her we have been riding motorcycles for the last few weeks and were traveling from Brooklyn, NY to San Fransico, Ca.  The young girl just nodded and said ‘Cross country riding, boy I bet that is just the most fun you could ever have.”  She was right.  Niner handed her a card that explained all about the sister’s centennial ride.  She looked at the card and repeated the word centennial a few times. She then pointed out that the “T” in centennial had such importance, stating that is is the “Soul of the word, it carries all the spirit of that word.”   Again, the three of us were just shocked by the things this young girl was saying.  Her lunch order came up, she grabbed her food, thanked the lady behind the counter and said good bye to us.  I asked her name and she said her name was Chole, I asked her how old she was, “I’m nine years old M’am.” she responded as she walked out the door.

We all decided that young girl was supposed to cross paths with us, if it weren’t for all our strange delays on the ride that day, we would have never met Chloe.  Marjorie was convinced she was an angel that her son Tom sent down to us.  Later I found out the meaning of the name Chloe,  it means  “new growth, or new beginning.”

I have to send a big thank you to Tommy for sending us that angel, she slowed us all down that day and reminded us that on our journey through life, we will never stop learning, never stop experiencing challenges, and it’s all because we are meant to continually grow through life.  Thank you Chloe, for showing us it’s ok to start a new journey, and more importantly it’s ok to have the “T” the “cross” in our life, for the cross will help carry us through those tough times awakening our soul and spirit.   By the way, Nine is a number of spiritual awakening and the color meaning of white is purity, wholeness and completion.  Thank you Lisa NINER and Marjorie WHITE for sharing this journey with me. We will forever be friends and we will forever share our stories of growth from next journey’s.

After reading over 60 submissions, we narrowed our entries down to the final four. From the final four we had to make our decision. This was a tough year, as usual, but it appears the contest is growing and the submissions are piling up. Leah’s story of overcoming challenges while riding alone touched all of us. It’s one thing to deal with these challenges with your group of riding friends, it’s an entirely different scenario when traveling solo.
Unfashionable and Unsafe- B.A.B.E
An adventurous soul and bucket-list goals lead me to some serious touring across the United States; and ultimately my need for a biker makeover. I bought a brand new motorcycle and headed into the great unknown. The roads took me from coast to coast through high winds, forest fires, hail, tornados, and many thunderstorms. In the 17,000 miles I turned this past year; I literally wore holes through my riding gear. My worn out gear is unfashionable and unsafe which is exactly why I need a biker makeover, especially after the events on Lookout Mountain…
My rain gear was essential weathering many storms. One storm in particular made me realize how much I needed a biker makeover. I suited up for a forecasted day of rain and riding. Zipping up my rain gear; my zipper broke. Just my luck! As I continued down the road sprinkles fell from the sky and I felt my right leg dampen. Oh no, I burnt a hole through my rain gear onto my muffler! My shiny new muffler was now decorated with pink rain gear. ‘What else can go wrong today’, I muttered to myself.
Perforated rain gear doesn’t do much good so I stopped at an under-pass to made a quick repair. Improvising in the situation, I rolled my pant leg up to keep the loose pieces from burning further onto my muffler. I took electrical tape from my saddle bag and wrapped a few loops around and around my leg to secure the loose ends. As I pulled back onto the road I looked a little B.A.B. (Bad Attire Biker). My jacket flapped like bat-women in the wind and I wore an electrical taped garter around my leg as I continued down the road.
When I reached my hotel I patched the hole in my pink rain gear with a higher quality patch; red duct tape! I was now upgraded to B.A.D.T.B. (Bad Attire Duct Tape Biker). In that moment I wondered if I should be concerned with my appearance. As a solo women rider traveling thousands of miles across the United States people frequently stop to ask me about my travels and gear. My duct tape gear wasn’t fashionable, but they were functional.
My fashion issues turned into a safety issue; which is why I need a biker makeover. After a fresh drizzle of rain on Lookout Mountain I slowed to stop at an intersection to make a descending right turn down the mountain. I lost my center of balance when I crossed the slick white paint. I put my foot down to stop, but the worn out treads were too slick and my foot slipped from underneath. I laid down my new motorcycle spraining my ankle. I took off my boot and realized I had a hole worn right through the sole of the shoe. ‘No wonder I lost my footing, I could have prevented if I had functional gear’, I thought to myself. My head hung low, I looked at my new motorcycle with scratches running across the pipes decorated with pink rain gear.
My gear is not only unfashionable but unsafe which leads to my biker makeover needs. Appropriate riding gear is a MUST in riding safe. In 2014, over 92,000 injuries resulted from motorcycle accidents. Functional riding gear is essential to prevent accidents and keep motorcyclists safe. I’m asking for a new pair of heels to get me back on the road and keep me safe. Please help me be a B.A.B.E… ‘Better Attire Biker Eventually’!

As the years go on I find myself more concerned with practicality and comfort in my clothing choices. I like clothes that function when I’m working, and when I’m not working, I need clothes that are comfortable, nothing more. So that leaves me wearing cargo pants and leggings. When I spotted GoGo Gear LA riding leggings I had to order a pair and see if they would be a comfortable and practical pair of riding pant. I asked Desiree for help in choosing my size, and was told not to freak out when she suggested size 10 would be the size I needed. She informed me their sizing runs a little small. She nailed it! I gave her my dimensions and size 10 fit perfect! I got to wear these riding around up in New Hampshire for Laconia Bike Week. The leggings are comfortable, and more important the quality is outstanding. These riding pants are made of 100% Dupont Kevlar fibers. Thankfully I didn’t have to put these to the extreme test, but have read testimonials of others who have, and they were able to make out unharmed. The leggings feature CE-approved removable knee protector pads, and also have two inside pockets for hip protectors, though the hip protectors are not included. They do have 2 outside front pockets, but no back pockets, which is something I found I really need. When I ride, I carry a wallet, it’s just easier for me to keep track of those important things. Riding around the white mountains of New Hampshire I got to put these through cool days and blazing hot sunny days. I stayed warm when it was cool, and I didn’t feel overheated when it was warm. I will mention, I tried to avoid direct sun as they are black.

I’m currently riding cross country with an amazing group of female riders on the Sister’s Centennial Ride and I noticed another rider sporting the GoGo Gear leggings. I asked her for her opinion on them. She was pretty pleased with them, and we both acknowledged that sometimes it felt like the knee pads were slipping down, but we both choked that up to “short girl” problems and agreed a belt would help that issue. As the days on this journey go one, I’m seeing more and more riders wearing these leggings and all these ladies are giving them a thumbs up.
If you have been looking for a great pair of comfortable and protective riding pants, do yourself a favor and check the GoGo Gear LA leggings out, we all agree they are a great addition to our riding gear!

We woke up in Brooklyn, NY this morning and rode up to Springfield, Mass. The sisters ride started in Brooklyn to honor the official start of the Van Buren Sister’s journey, Adeline and Augusta began their ride by attending a motorcycle race there. The track they attended is no longer here, but Alisa (ride organizer) was determined to stay true to the sisters official start. The borough of Brooklyn was so welcoming to the Sister’s Ride they set a proclamation and determined July 3rd the “Sister’s Centennial Ride Day” of Brooklyn. As we rode along beautiful,winding New York and Connecticut roads I couldn’t help but picture those two girls doing this on 1916 Indian motorcycle’s with power plus engines. what was the top speed? What were the road conditions like? I thought about those two girls all day today, on this day we celebrate our independence, and I couldn’t help but feel admiration for their dedication to our country. If they were alive today, I know I’d be hanging out with them. Thank you, Adeline and Augusta, you are still inspiring women today, a century later.

July 03, 1916: 2 sisters, Adeline and Augusta Van Buren embark on a cross country trip on two Indian Motocycles (yes, that is how they were referred to back then) to prove to the United States Army that women were in fact capable of serving in the military. This was all part of the National preparedness movement taking part before WWI.
July 03, 2016: 100 years later The Sisters’ Centennial Motorcycle Ride , will honor and celebrate these female motorcycling heroines of the past, as the ride promotes the growth of women motorcyclists and the motorcycling community.
Garage-Girls are proud to be taking part on this amazing journey. Follow along as we embark on this one of a kind tribute to two very courages moto enthusiasts.

How would you like to score a case of Spectro Oils full synthetic motorcycle oil for your ride? You can along with tons of other prizes for YOU AND your motorcycle if you enter the Garage-Girls Ultimate Biker Makeover.

HURRY deadline to enter is June 29th, 2016 Click here for rules and regulations and how to enter!

https://garage-girls.com/ubm-rules-regulations

How would you like to score some gear from Klock Werks for your ride?  You can along with tons of other prizes for YOU AND your motorcycle if you enter the Garage-Girls Ultimate Biker Makeover.

HURRY deadline to enter is June 29th, 2016 Click here for rules and regulations and how to enter!

https://garage-girls.com/ubm-rules-regulations

How would you like to score some gear from S&S Cycle for your ride?  You can along with tons of other prizes for YOU AND your motorcycle if you enter the Garage-Girls Ultimate Biker Makeover.

HURRY deadline to enter is June 29th, 2016 Click here for rules and regulations and how to enter!

https://garage-girls.com/ubm-rules-regulations

How would you like to score a brand new Mustang Motorcycle Seat for your ride? You can along with TONS of other gear for you AND your motorcycle if you enter the Garage-Girls Ultimate Biker Makeover.   HURRY deadline to enter is June 29th, 2016 Click here for rules and regulations and how to enter!

https://garage-girls.com/ubm-rules-regulations