NFL Superstar Players Pose on MV Agusta Motorcycles for New Nike Campaign

It’s a good tie in for sure, using the “Get Fast or Get Forgotten” NFL athlete catch phrase. Famed sports brand Nike chose MV Agusta as its partner for the new advertising campaign dedicated to the stars of the NFL. Five superstars from the National Football League posing on the new MV Agusta F4 - Steve Breaston of the Arizona Cardinals, Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions, Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans, DeSean Jackson of the Philadelphia Eagles, Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s a complete mix of power and speed that represents the connection between the most coveted sports bike in the world and one of the most popular sports on the planet. I think its rather cute as well, when you visit the website, you’ll even get motorcycle revvin’ sounds- how could you not? And notice their football uniforms have been transformed into look-a-like motorcycle race suits - including knee sliders! These NFL stars almost seem believable as motorcycle riders - so much so, it’s stirring up an interest in me to watch an NFL game …girls? Download the wallpaper HERE.

Meet South Africa's First Black Female Motocrosser

Dolly Mdiniso, from Kensington Johannesburg South Africa had never ridden a motorcycle. She grew up in Soweto, the second of four siblings raised by a single mother, graduated from high school and got a job. But all she ever really wanted to do was ride a motorcycle. It's probably the dream of many but for Dolly it was a silent passion- until she came across an advert in a local magazine for a woman’s motorsport day.

At thirty three, older than most riders entering into motocross, she arrived at “Wild Thing Raceway” with little idea of what to expect, but convinced instructor Neil van der Ross that her passion to learn and ride bikes was genuine.

Neil took her under his wing from that day forward and patiently trained Dolly into a competent and able motocrosser, utilizing his own time, money and resources. Neil decided to approach Yamaha for possible assistance. They immediately saw it as a great opportunity to promote motocross, and motorsport in general, to the greater population of Southern Africa – and to women and couldn’t pass up the chance to support Dolly.

South African’s in Gauteng and within the motocrossing circuits are very proud of Dolly, for you see - she is South Africa’s first black woman motocrosser! Feeling very proud of the fact herself, she has big plans and wants to try hare scrambles, enduro, Supermoto and even circuit racing!

She’ll be a great influence to women in Johannseburg area.

Go Dolly!

Overdue Kudos to Only Woman Rider Winner of National Harley-Davidson Contest!

It’s been over a year since I judged Canada's National Harley-Davidson "Show & Shine Contest". I find winners are ageless. Once you win you're always termed "a winner"...so on that thought, I don't feel that badly, just slightly ashamed, about finally giving this overdue mention to the only female winner of the contest - Keeley Ward!

A while back I received an email from Keeley that stated - “You made particular mention that you were the ONLY female judge ...well I was the winner of the Sportster class and I was the ONLY female winner!!!”

So here a HUGE shout out and acknowledgement to Keeley! Good going! If you want a refresher about the contest here is the article on MOTORESS.

Suppose I was very busy with announcing the winners and honestly the name Keeley didn’t seem a typical woman’s name so no bells rung for me at the time.

As judges we were not informed of any details about the contestants which as you can imagine, makes good sense; -no preferential slants in our choices. We make our decisions without favourtism. And you know in my case I would have absolutely been influenced to the fact that Keeley's entry was female owned!
Keeley sent in her winning picture, shared with you here. She expresses that this photo was taken the day of the show where she was selected by Mackie Harley-Davidson in Ontario. She states there was no award trophy just a gift card and unfortunately hasn’t photos of when she later received her National Prize.

Keeley congrats to you yet again!

Keep an out for Keeley- she's (quote)- “a real estate agent by day! and biker by night!!! LOL”.
Thanks Keeley for setting things straight!

Edelweiss/ MOTORESS Womens Motorcycle Tour a Fantastic Ride!

Everywhere we went, bystanders and other riders exclaimed with surprise - “all women riders!?” Folks couldn’t believe that the fourteen motorcycles (fifteen including tour guide) pulling into tank stations and roadside stops were piloted entirely by women! We were an admired spectacle to local communities visited during the recently completed Edelweiss Alps and Lakes women’s only tour with MOTORESS!

Sauerkraut, Apfelstrudel, Chiemsee- King Ludwig’s castle, Salzburg truffles- beer gardens, full moon evenings on roof top terraces, historic spots and so much more. All of this accented days filled with superbly ridden roads through German and Austrian picturesque countrysides! We were a group of women who really hadn’t met each other prior to this holiday. Canadians plus one American, Diane from Miami!

Each day started with a typical European breakfast buffet followed by a riders meeting discussing our route and its high points through the area’s we’d visit. For me and as host of the tour, it was a pleasure to observe first hand the enthusiasm of women that had not yet explored EU roads or mountain hair-pins, characteristic of Alpine roads!

We were not without challenges as is often the case when travelling-particularly more so by motorcycle. Kate’s Ducati Monster stopped working so she rode the rest of the day on the BMW with me. I sure enjoyed having her as a passenger! —her laughter and fun loving spirit so infectious. She kept her helmet camera rolling so I’m sure she captured great footage! She ended up getting the BMW F650GS for the remainder of the tour and thoroughly enjoyed it!

Then the weather gave us days of damp downpour rain. And in Italy (while I was at hospital with our fallen rider) the group encountered not just thunderstorms but hail! But it was Laura who by exclaiming she’d rather be riding in the rain on these fantastic adventurous European roads than on a dry one in Canada; moved dampened attitudes to an appreciative light.

Yes the unfortunate mishap of one of our riders-second last day of the tour where she had a hair-pin encounter. It resulted in a couple of broken fingers. The hospital in Jossnitz performed surgery right away and with the support of the group she arrived back in Canada and looks to be on the road to riding again very soon!

We were a group of passionate motorcycle enthusiasts -women of ideas, abilities, resolve and determination- and yes camaraderie! We enjoyed supporting each other, sharing great roads, tales, laughs, tips and support. It was a fine experience, yes a fine one indeed!

We’ll be offering another womens only group next year-not sure where but will let you know when!

PS: greetings from The Netherlands!

Precious Metal A Woman's Motorcycle Themed Playground

Once again I had the fortune to attend this years’ Toronto Harley-Davidson Garage Party extraordinaire the “Precious Metal Gala”! It’s a concept inviting women who don’t ride yet but have contemplated learning, to get a taste of the motorcycling lifestyle according to Harley-Davidson; to entice them further. This is the whole focus behind Harley-Davidson’s Garage Party programs and they work!

So here I share a cute picture taken at the event which was a souvenir for all (individually); superimposed on the background of "DOLCE VITA" - Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, making it seem we made the cover of this glossy publication! Here you'll see two of my rider gal-pals and I, pictured on a one of Harley's chrome steeds. Of course three up is just not realistic but it was a great idea for the photo, if you imagine we just pulled up on the red carpet and are striking a pose. How fun!

The evening featured dancers, fashion shows, the classic bike lift workshop, and clothing/gear to try out- even a cute TV commercial reading with a handsome leading man sponsored by the cosmetic brand "Balm Shell"! The food was delectable, the drinks “Sex and The City” styled - an all round fun time.

This all hosted in Toronto’s famed Distillery District, in what’s called the Fermenting Cellar. This downtown village within a city is one of my favourite areas and that of Harley too for this is the same location they held their 105th bash. At that time I was testing their Night Train —love that bike!

It was great to chat with Karen Davidson at the Precious Metal party once again-flown in to host an evening of chromed amusement.

I trust they’ll be another one next year and I’ll hope to participte. The entire evening's proceeds, with tickets at $75.00 per person all went to Rethink Breast Cancer charity.

Oh did I mention there were buff "Calvin Klein” type young male models wandering around selling … tickets? For the charity?

Girl’s night out thank you Harley-Davidson – bout’ due for another one!

Women Satisfied Need for Speed @ FAST Motorcycle Track School

Perfection- full sun, a dry sticky tarmac, high performance sport bikes and a full day ahead to ride fast on a race track! Could there be anything better?

It really goes without saying, the reward I get out of teaching, especially on the track. Once again “girl power” was in high action within our recent “women’s only” group at the F.A.S.T. training day on Shannonville race circuit (east of Toronto). It’s so gratifying, beyond words, observing the progress these riders experience throughout the day!

At F.A.S.T., for years, riders are given the right environment and equipment to move their riding technique to the next level. The progress is a real reward to see—especially when you witness first hand the moment the “fever” takes over! That’s the point where you know, as an instructor, you’ve succeeded. Skill, technique, and then rider assurance-the fun expands!

Do these women want to race? Yes some do, but most want to improve skills and try out track riding; moving technique to the next level. What I like to say is add some more ability and options to your “basket of skills”. Of course just the experience of the track, riding without obstacles, stop signs or traffic signals, only lovely corners is just the greatest kick!

At the end of course, I have the challenging task of deciding who gets the “top rider” award. Never easy, as each of these gals achieved top performance and moved their skills up quite some notches. But there can only be one, and that went to an excellent young rider who has had some challenges on the road that stifled advancement. I believe those hurdles have disappeared!

I'm at it again next week- see you on the track!

Training Wheels on Scooter Keep you Balanced.

Not ever in my nearly three decades of riding have I seen, considered or thought of training wheels for a motorcycle. But what a great idea!

Recently, when visiting the Scooty website located in India, and having a look over their product line (see article here) I discovered a scooter featured in their line with -‘training wheels'. As you can see in the pictures below, the wheels are attached onto the centre stand- a very interesting concept! I suppose these small wheels and brackets wouldn't really be that difficult to design and it all makes perfect sense. Naturally very handy and useful for the learner who has not had any experience balancing a two wheeler, namely a bicycle.

I frequently encounter this very challenge in rider training —students with no prior bicycle riding experience. Unlike when training someone to ride who has not ever driven a standard stick shift car, training a new student to ride when they've not yet learned to be stable on two wheels is much harder. They need to not only balance on two wheels but at the same time manage/cope with the additional weight of a motorbike.

I think the big question here is however —do the training wheels work? They really don't appear that strong. Nevertheless, I'm certain this manufacturer wouldn't provide them if they didn’t do the trick. And remember, this scooter is 80cc and similar to many smaller scooters, are not that weighty.

The wheels and their small attachment can be removed once the rider is safe to ride alone. Personally, I think these training wheels a great idea! And you might already know this--I'm for anything that'll help someone learn to ride and enjoy motorcycling!