Motorcycle Misadventures

Join the live podcast today at 7pm Eastern THE AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE GIRLS

Today at 7pm Easter (that's 4pm for you west-coasters), I'll be joining the motley crew at Sidestand Up Radio. I'll be interviewing longtime motorcycle journalist, author, columnist, and songwriter, Chris Sommer-Simmons. She's collected photos of women riders for more than thirty years and created the new book, "The American Motorcycle Girls:" A Photographic History of Early Women Motorcyclists.

A Video Interview with Jessica Prokup

HelmetHairMagazine.com asked Jessica to turn the camera on herself to share how her latest efforts as the marketing voice for the Motorcycle Industry Council are connecting women and young people to the sport. Excellent job, Jessica!

Get 15% Off Motorcycle Rental for Women & Motorcycling Conference

EagleRider announced today that they're offering a 15 percent discount on motorcycle rentals for AMA members who attend the Women and Motorcycling Conference this August. The discount is valid at any of EagleRider's 63 United States rental locations.

If you're flying in, you might want to take them up on this offer. The conference is in Keystone, Colorado near some of the most scenic riding in the country. This is one event where you'll love being able to ride, whether you experience the roads on your own or join one of the guided tours.

Use the promotion code available in the "Members Only" section of AmericanMotorcyclist.com. Make your reservations now through the EagleRider website or contact EagleRider's Central Reservation Team toll free at (888) 972-4537 or email rent@eaglerider.com and mention the AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference.

The AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference in Keystone, Colorado opens on August 19 and runs through August 22nd. Registration is $165 through Aug. 3, which includes a commemorative t-shirt. Registration after Aug. 3 costs $185. Register now on the website or by phone by calling (800) AMA-JOIN.

Oh, you're not a member of the AMA? Well, now's the time to sign up because you also get free roadside assistance for your motorcycles and all your vehicles with membership. And I like the new, redesigned AMA magazine that comes in my mailbox every month. Here's where you sign up.

Werkstatt Wins 2008 Best Motorcycle Repair in Bay Area

I just recommended Werkstatt motorcycle shop to someone in a forum who needs a used bike checked out before its first long ride. Navigating to the site I was happy to see that they won Best Motorcycle Repair in the Bay Area. Congratulations, Werkstatt! They specialize in Japanese motorcycles from about 1970 to present, and BMW airheads from 1970 to 1995, (which has covered it for me except for the Enfield). And, they are really good about same day turnaround on most jobs, which is kind of amazing, in my experience. And (yes, another and), they are very conscious about using environmentally friendly chemicals. And (yes, again an and), they are women owned and operated. You can follow owner Jennifer Bromme on her blog, which is always a fun and informative read. She also maintains a very nice travel blog.

International Female Ride Day, May 1 2009

International Female Ride Day is May 1st, 2009, along with Labor Day in a lot of countries, I guess. So if you're not laboring, ride!

GearChic has a new forum!

Joanne Donn, the founder of GearChic, has created a forum for women to discuss motorcycle gear. It's brand new, and I started out by asking for advice on hot weather gear for Morocco. Share impressions, photos, buy and sell gear in the For Sale/Wanted thread, find meetups, and get answers at http://www.gearchic.com/forum/. Thanks Joanne!

Female Mechanics 2009 Calendar Release Party in SF Saturday

Drop by if you can! Sarah Lyon, the creator of the Female Mechanics Calendar, will be in San Francisco for an event this Saturday at Luscious Garage. More info.

What:  2009 Female Mechanics Calendar release party, San Francisco
Where:  Luscious Garage, 459 Clementina Street (near Folsom and 6th)
When:  Saturday, December 13, from 4 to 7pm

Free event
Calendars for sale $20

Cycle World International Shows: Ladies 1/2 off on Friday

Go shopping. Try on all the new bikes. And if you're going to the San Mateo show December 12th, come by and say hi. I'll be doing some talks on motorcycle travel and signing books.

October 31-November 2, 2008: University of Phoenix Stadium Phoenix, AZ

November 14-16, 2008: Dallas Convention Center Dallas, TX

November 21-23, 2008: Reliant Center Houston, TX

December 5-7, 2008: Long Beach Convention Center Long Beach, CA

December 12-14, 2008: Qwest Field Event Center Seattle, WA

December 19-21, 2008: San Mateo County Event Center San Mateo, CA

January 2-4, 2009: Rock Financial Showplace Novi, MI

January 9-11, 2009: Washington Convention Center Washington D.C.

January 16-18, 2009: Jacob K. Javits Convention Center New York, NY

January 30-February 1, 2009: I-X Center Cleveland, OH

February 6-8, 2009: Donald E. Stephens Convention Center Chicago, IL

February 13-15, 2009: Minneapolis Convention Center Minneapolis, MN

February 20-22, 2009: Carolina First Center Greenville, SC

Class: Motocross for Street Bike Riders

Learn Motocross: 1-day clinic by Adventurous Sports in the Sacramento, California area.

This advanced course for experienced street motorcycle riders (co-ed) will start with a review of gears, mounting, bike controls and how to manage braking, speed adjustments and turns.

You'll quickly move into coursework for figure-8s, weaving at slow speeds, riding over small obstacles and hill exercises of U-turns, K-turns and hill traversing.

At the end, you get to ride the trails!

"Quick Change Artist" layers for under your motorcycle gear

It's pouring outside and so I'm doing some shopping online. I love these Danskin tights for warmth and as a "quick change artist" layer. Just peel your motorcycle pants off and slip on a miniskirt for a fun, flirty look with boots. 

I have a little fleece skirt that I always pack. They look great with my Specter Road boots. (Unfortunately that company went out of business May 2008. But here's a nice looking motorcycle boot .) There's a cute camo miniskirt here, plus more fun fashions in all kinds of materials.