Tanya Figure 8 oct 8

This is Tanya/Vgirl...I tell ya, she is riding like a pro. She just got her liscence this summer. Unbelievable. Riding like a Pro!!! Even the Motorman says...Excellent!!

Pinkat MST PRACTISE

Once we got the Pinkat to the parking lot we figured it was time to go over what they do for the MST. We actually took her to the actual Motor Vehicle Branch parking lot.

Between Me, Mark, and Tanya we got things figured out. It had only been 6 months since Tanya had done it so that was a help.

Looks easy we thought and so did she. Piece of cake after what she has been doing with the RLAP. Just use those 3 techniques and you will ace it.... NOT!! Well not for the firt few times any way but each time she did it of course she got better. A few more times and it will be all good. We thought that she had to wait 30 days since her learners. We started this on 14 days exactly. She called me in pure excitement few minutes ago...

It's 14 days today, I can do it!!! Alrighty then, lets get this out of the way.. Then there is 30 days after that, that she can be fully liscenced before I leave for Mexico in Dec. Boy things are moving fast. I see another Shawnboy coming up.

So what I have decided to do is lend her the bike untill I return from Florida and she is whipping that bike around like nothing. Having the desire for MORE POWER!!

I just don't want to see here waste money going to a 750 and then wanting bigger in a couple of months.

Gotta love that Stinky Pinky!!!

Oh dear she just called again, and said they do do that this time of year, so now she has called Courtenay and they will call her for the next opening when it is not raining.

Her is a couple of clips of her practising. Excuse the big mouth in the background.

12ft Biatch!!!

Tany and Mark came by at 3:30 to the barbershop to tempt me to leave early.
It didn't take much and I was out the door. I didn't go for a ride as it was too cold so I took off to the parking lot with my 20 cones for that horrid 12ft offset cone weave.
I just watched the dvd before they got there and thought to myself... I can do this.. I watched it over and over and over. Especially the part where little Miss Docdonna aced it her first try. Motorman sayin...its's easy I have even drawn you a picture.... Ya right... Easy freeekin peasy!!
Okay so no one is around ...I keep trying... I keep failing.. My blood is boiling, it is freezing outside, but I am cookin.
These guys come by,... just what I need!! Hey Lady, you some kind of instructor, we see you out her all the time, and you are with people and taking pics, and I just wanna tell ya... you can ride.
That is a pretty nice Honda ya got to... what is it?? I look at him and say it is a Road Queen thankyou very much..
So he asks if he can watch, him and his buddies.. Im like....CRAP!! Sure, be my guest, and I went over to the figure 8 and gave him a sparking show...lmao
So away they go, and I am back on the 12ft..I can hear him...Motorman
You lost your friction zone Flo... Dig in your purse and find it!!!!!!!!!!
Docdonna... don't over think it girl, just do it!! If I can so can you.
Away I go........I aced it, but only one way. Okay..I did not ace it, if I aced it, it would have felt easy peasy, but it so did NOT!!
Have you ever tried to do an excericise with 20 cones and knock some down every time. It's work getting on and off the damn bike.
So just as I was packing it in, along came Tanya and Mark. I told them how damn hard it was.. What the hell is wrong with me??
She proceeds to tell me, she thinks they are 2 ft short entering the gate. Are you bloody serious?? Any wonders, I am damn near putting the bike down in a full lock turn with the big ass end I have...(the bike that is)
I don't know for sure but, I am going to find out tomorrow for sure....Enough of that for practise, it was time to go get the Pinkat.

Pinkat parking lot.

We took Pinkat out for a little scoot through town. Vgirl, Dr. Ruth, me and Pinkat. I booked off early in the afternoon, when Dr.Ruth arrived at the barbershop. The sun was shining and it was another gorgeous fall day. Business on the slow side and I couldn't resist. We went for a short ride, and ended up stopping at Vgirls to see if she wanted to ride, and of course was gearing up with the same thing in mind.
She doesn't live far from me so we all went to my house and Pinkat was just arriving. We decided to let her take the lead an rode back to her house. She was doing really great. So we let her lead to the parking lot. The four of us went the parking lot and the practised started.
Actually Tanya kinda took over looking after Pinkat as we had our photographer
there who was taking pics of Dr. Ruth on her bike. This is the same guy that stopped by my shop one day and took a picture of the Queen.
He also took some pics of me in the mean lean in the figure 8. Really hard to get the right pose as he is a still photographer.
Tanya took care of pinkat making sure she was getting her lessons in. It is great having her and Mark helping out.
We are getting brave now, taking Pinkat out on the busy streets. She can do her MST on the 14th of this month and then leaves for Florida on the 15th. I am hoping we can get her licence before I leave for Mexico on Dec. 10...Whoo hoo, I am getting that much closer to Florida myself.
I think she has about 12 hours under her belt now. She is paying attention and picking up everything we are telling her.
It gets cold really early and dark, so every hour counts now.

Mount Washington

I got to ride DH's bike as he is away. He was pretty worried and I must say, I was at first till I got going down the highway. It does have a whole lot of power. It has a 103 engine, what ever the heck that is. May have alot of power, but sure wasn't as comfy as riding the Queen. Slight little lean, and I was scraping. It felt so small.
Spydie, lettin all the gals go for a little burn on the Spyder. It is always so much fun having him around and you always feel safe when he is tail gunning us. Sweetie bought us lunch on the mountain.

This is my buddy Jippo. His bike insurance ran out, and I really wanted a couple people to ride as the weather was so good.

I told him he could be Queen for the day..lol

We were heading back from Mount Washington. He doesn't look very happy does he??

He Looked at me, and said...hey Flo, what color bringingback next time???....lol

Me Gazelle, Vgirl, top of the Mountain to ya. We got up there had a short visit and headed back down.

Cold and crispy for some. I myself was toasty warm with my electric vest. Beautiful fall day!

Spyderman-Grizz-Jippo-Ram

Spydie escorted us gals up for lunch on the mountain and later the other 3 showed up.

This was all the snow that was left.

I think I may have created a Monster!!

Burger Bus

Today was a beautiful sunny fall day. I went to work, but kept thinking about everyone gathering at Rosies burger bus for the last day of the season. I really shouldn't have left work as my new barber, I don't think is quite ready to be left alone.
The way I looked at it though, is how could I not! The sun was shining, it's end of season, there was going to be alot of bikes for sure. I needed some therapy, and the Queen kept calling my name as I saw her sitting outside the window.
Unfortunately, there never seems to be anyone up this way to often to go for a ride, as others work Saturdays too.
So I asked the boss, and she said go for it!! I'd have gone no matter what she would say, hoping that I would get fired anyway..lol.. It has been a rough week at work. Welfare week is not a pretty site at times, and I was full up to drunks first thing in the morning, and smelly ppl..
Fresh air, breeze to the knees... The new gal said it was all good for her, so off I went. Everyone is always so surprised to see me still there.
After I was have way to Courtenay, I realized, I was suppose to have someone stop by today.. Darn it.. I missed her... A biker friend I have never met before.
Anyway, I am sure there were over 20 bikes, and every one is just so friendly. We had a great time, met a whole bunch more people I didn't know before.
We had the photographer that took a pic of my Queen take some of 3 other bikes. It is phenomenal work. I am thinking we need to do a calender for next year or should I say 2010.
I rode back home around 3 and could feel a huge change in temperature. No fear though as I hit the parking lot and RLAPED..by myself. Something is wrong.. I fell like I am loosing it!! My consintration is gone. I keep loosing my friction zone. I can NOT do the offset 12 foot at all. It is just nutz, how I can break now and cry all by myself in a parking lot. Calm myself down and just go at it again, with a good attitude and it doesn't work. I can even hear Motorman, telling me what to do. But I am not gettin it.
The only thing I never have trouble with is the figure 8 and the intersection and regular offset. What the hell is going on!!
Tomorrow is another day. and suppose to be the same as today. I just thought of Pinkat, I'll bet she is itchin to ride. It will be a full day, a ride to Mount Washington and some parking lot.

I got out to the parking lot last night with Vgirl and Pinkat. We only have an hour after work these days to practise before it gets dark.
Pinkat is on about her 8th hour of riding. She rides it from my house to the parking lot, practises for an hour and then rides it back to the house. So she is getting about 10 miles of road time. One hour of practising. She is doing awesome and is really getting the cone weave and figure 8 down good, with a nice steady friction zone, and I am not having to tell her as much to snap her head.
She always has such a huge smile on her face and is always so grateful at the end. It makes her feel a lot safer having Vgirl behind her tail gunning. I was totally impressed how she can take off on the steep hill when she is parked without any troubles. Gaad.. how I hated that hill when I was learning. Definitely got a future pro on our hands
Actually.. that Tanya is going to be teaching me a few things soon. I can feel it. I have not been able to practise much because of my new clutch and then spending time with Pinkat instead of practising my self. It is nice to have her support. It just shows ta go you... I am so not a natural.
Yikers!! The slow cone... I need practise and that damn 12ft wench of an offset. Terrible, terrible I say. I was literally in tears as I couldn't get it. Now put me on that figure 8 and it is music to my ears.

I guess it is soon time to just let it go until I get down Florida way with the professionals. Being off for 6 months, I can't imagine how rusty I will be.

Frienship Ride #2

This clip is the #3.. After my brother made the first I thought how nice it was to put all the pics together in one place for everyone to enjoy. I have a bazillion photos from over the summer.
This one in particular has caused a ruckuss. I did not by anymeans put this pic first. When you own load to You Tube it does it randomly. Now with all the shit going on in the clubs. There was some offense taken. I say.... I just don't get it!!! If you take the time to look at the pics, how could anyone take it offensively unless of course they think I put this picture up first. This person was giving me the finger because I was always in his face with the camer or video.
Some times I get tired of being afraid to do something nice for fear someone will take it th wrong way.
I hope you take no offense to this :)

Friendship Ride 2008 #1 Pics.

These are some of the pictures put together from the Friendship ride this past weekend. It was organized by Dr.Ruth of SCRC 394. Members and non members from all ove the Island joined. Thee was about 60 bikes. just to remember what it is all about the ride. We are all just people enjoing the same thing. Doesn't matter what club you are from or if you are. Or even if you like the person riding behind you. To be continued.

Letter from a friend I have never met!

I have never met this woman in person, but have chatted lots over the years, I recieved this letter this morning. I believe she lives in Ontario!

Hi Flo,
I can see by the forums that something negative has been going on with some club members and I'm sorry to realize that. I see Dr. Ruth's camaraderie ride did much to dissipate any hard feelings and that is wonderful to see. I hope things turn around. We had something much the same happen here a year ago in our SCRC club, and everyone left the club. There wasn't one group event or ride this year, there is no group, although they haven't closed the forum down. In spite of all that things change and life goes on. Most people joined the CMC and I ride alone or with the hubby.I see also some people have said negative things, whether about you or what you are trying to do, or something said... I don't know and it doesn't matter. I just wanted to tell you that most of us have dreams and it is the right thing to work on fulfilling those dreams, regardless of what anyone says.

My first book reading is tomorrow night and my presentation is about you. I wanted you to know that (in case your ears get burning). You have changed so much and accomplished so much in your few years of riding. I remember you hitting the forums, I guess 3 or 4 years ago now, full of questions and anxiety and uncertainty. Today you are a remarkable, confident woman and I am proud to be presenting the story of your adventures to my friends and acquaintances. I imagine you can expect some more hits to your blog after tomorrow... hahaha

Anyway, I'd better get back to my article on stress... lol .. lots of that going around.
Happy RLAPping and I'll see you on the forums.

It is amazing really how many people watch and care what is going on. I never really realize just how much one person can affect so many.. Good or bad reasons. Obviously she could feel the stress way over in her own province. I will be glad when all this stuff blows over.
One thing for sure....I will always wonder... what the real cause was. Was it RLAPING...it couln't really be lack of interest. I have put 11,000 miles on my bike since I returned from the Conga, and rode with SCRC all over the Island. It just so happened, I was hanging down Victoria way with my new friend.
Is it because I post too much, well , if I got something to say, I need to say it. Especially if it is encouraging.
I think the one reason RLAP is so important to me, is because I was one of the most challenged riders out there. Any one who knows me, knows that. I am never afraid to share that, to make me look bad, it is to encourage others, that if I can, it is possible for almost anyone.
To buy the dvd is one thing, but I had the honor of being there one on one with Jerry Motorman Palladino and Donna Palladino. Even though I thought I could ride when I got to Florida I really couldn't. I couldn't do the cone weave for the life of me. The u-turns were as MM might say, the size of 2 countries. I did not know I had to SNAP my head to look where I was going.
So to have, been given that for free, and to return home with the one on one again from Motorman... I felt it only right to share it, with anyone else that wanted it. Like paying it forward.
It was never meant to brag.... I know I am guilty for getting too enthusiastic over things from time to time, and now its plain obvious, it can get me in trouble.
I never even realized that it was at all possible to come close to riding like the pro's.. When the Pallidinos watched and told me and encourage and critqued me... It was then, that I realized I wanted to share it even more.
Especially to woman. It is important to feel sure and safe on the busy streets. I am learning more every day myself.
We all have goals is right, and to hang up my scissors and take a passion into a job is a pretty good goal.
Keeping my fingers crossed that I can continue and figure out a way to have the first Canadian RLAP.

Pinkat rides in hail storm

Well .... she is for sure a biker!! I got off work early as she was so excited to get to the parking lot. By the time we geared up and got the Stinky going,...we looked towards the parking lot direction. The sky was black. So we decided no parking lot, just go for a little short ride to fuel up the bike. We went about 5 blocks and the skies opened up.. With hail, pinking in my face like pellets. They were good size and collecting right in the pocket of my seat... Not funny!!
So why was I laughing?? I was thinking about poor Pinkat and couldn't get her off the road as we were on a main drag with no turns.
Travelling very slowly and safely, and was praying she was okay. We got to the gas station and both got off at the same time... laughing our fool heads off.
The gas attendents came on the intercome and told us to come in and get warm.
They bought us a hot choclate while we wait for it to blow over. Everyone was laughing at us, and we were explaing that she had about 6 m iles or riding time on the road.
Hey that is good practise riding in sleet.. Pinky did not like it either and on the way back to the house died, or should I say took a good rest in the middle of a busy street.
I was so proud how, Pinkat, calmly got off her bike signaled to pull over to the opposite side of the road which I was.
We got it home and had some more good laughs and says that todays ride earned her 5 more hours under her belt...
She can't wait to ride tomorrow. What a trooper.

FRIENDSHIP RIDE 2008

This is our frieindship ride. Just what the Dr. ordered. There has been some political trouble in the local chapters. Today everyone put their differences aside and set out to ride!!!
This ride is for Spyderman who has struggled so long to prove that doesnt matter what patch you wear, or what you ride, or even if you don't like 1 out of 60 people, you can still ride!!

Pinkat's a Pro

Here we have Fancypants, Rocky and Dr. Ruth coming to the parking lot to support what's going on!! Got to love those VILR'S.

Here miss Pinkat is doing the figue 8.. By the end of it she was doing great. Some other VILR'S came up to support us, and were totally impressed how much she was learning in a very short time. Fancypants was shaking her head and said, I have been riding 3 years and I can't do that.

Guess what's in store for you in the spring Fancy???

Pinkat.... this is at 6 hours of riding around the parking lot.. Split up over 3 days. This gal learns fast. I sweart this little bike Pinky Stink has some good luck. Along with Docdonna's gloves and oh ya, I guess we will give Motorman some credit for the dvd and all his good tecniques and putting it together so well for us to follow. Almost like it was written for me.. pictures and all. This is Vmax/Mar, he was helping out today also. Marke used to intstruct so it is great having is support. And picking up the cones helps too.... lol
Today was a great day with Pinkat, I tell ya!! She is doing te 12ft slow cone.. It is crazy, they were farther apart, and I just snuck them together went over the ususal, you know, head and eyes.. Look where you want to go.. give it some throttle or your gonna go down,..of course SNAP... LOOK AT ME!! Poor ga!!

Then I would say... This one is for Motorman, as of course she is going to get critiqued by him!! All of a sudden she starts to do really good. I go off and talk to Ram for a while and she does her own thing... Thinks I am not watcing. She aced the dang thang, both freekin ways. I saw her SNAP THAT HEAD!

Kathy is a really gung ho anxious rider. Learning really fast. So I showed her the off set cone weave as ya know ya get a little tired of riding around in the same circle. I went throught it on my bike and then Stinky, and then said, not worry, it is a little early for you, I know that... Just wanted to show you try it using those 3 techniques and the butt dance..

She freekin ACED IT!!!! The friction and everything kept it steady.

It is amazing... bloody amazing, this is a brand new rider!! So I take her over to the hill and doing stops going up and down the hill... No problem!!

I knew she was ready for the road, just a little tour around a quiet part of town. Damn, this girl was smilin, doing everything right. So I went a little farther, and a little farther and farther, to her down a main street, busier neighbourhood, about 2 minutes on the highway at 80km..

If you could see her face you would understand why I love to do this!! She was screaching!!!

To be continued I am sure............

More pics of Pinkat click here

A great loss to the biker community.

It is almost the end of the season and is the end for alot of people. Their insurance has run out. I still have another month. I am thinking it is probably a good thing right now to let the local biker community settle down.
Things have not been so good lately in the clubs. Seems something huge has been lost. If people could just be honest, open, compasionate and up front with each other. What happened to talking things out!!
If someone has a problem, with someone, I don't understand why it can't be discussed before it explodes and distorts. We were all suppose to be friends.
The biggest loss in the Club is the Regional Officer stepping down. He has with out a doubt in my mind done more for the biking community that anyone possibly could.
People look up to him. He doesn't need us... We need him!!!
He strives so hard to bring all bikers together.. Regardless of what club, on non club you belong to. He is diplomatic in trying to solve problems and always tries to put friendship aside when making decisions.
I suppose there is another way to look at it. He will never give up riding or trying to do what was good for the riding community, no matter wether he returns as Regional Officer or goes off on his own just being who he is.
These are my thoughts only on this rainy day.

No Parking lot practise.

The weather is not on our side to get Pinkat on the bike. Hopefully tomorrow it will be better. I myself look forward to practising again. I was hoping to get her out around the neighbourhood by Saturday but it is not looking that way.
We could accomplish alot on Sat and Sun though.

Pinkat Figure 8

First time in Figure 8. This is kathy's second day, 3rd hour in which she had been riding. She is doing good, just a little timid of course. She was getting a little bored with the off set so we gave her some variety.

Pinkat in Parkinglot

Another great time with Pinkat in the parking lot on Stinky Pinky. She is doing really well and loving it. What an enthusiast gal. It is just a joy watching her learn and grinning away.
Vgirl and Vmax brought the bike down for us again today. Extra support is always nice too. It's great because Vmax used to instruct himself, so maybe I will learn stuff. Well actually I am as I am not an instructer and he knows of things to say that I don't. Team work! I am hoping to have Pinkat riding around the neighbourhood on Saturday afternoon.
It's funny it is freezing cold but we are not feeling it. She does have me picking up the pylons a fair bit yet. Not that I dont need the excercise.
It keeps me from over practising myself. I haven't had time to tackle the 12ft biatch off set cone weave. That's okay, my clutch is still resting.

pinkat Slow cone

Kathey is a brand new rider. She has been in the parking lot only 2 hours and is doing the slow cone, not knowing she was being filmed. I told her she had to show the bad with the good. Besides this is pretty dang good after 2 hours.

Flo Sparking

This was tonight, The figure 8 wasn't that great, as I was consintrating more on making some sparks than anything..

pinkat rlap First day in Parking lot

Today Kathy passed her learners and is riding.. Why wait for spring, do it now!!

PINKAT PASSES LEARNERS.

I have known Kathy a few years, but dont really see much of her until I ran into her on saturday and she told me how much she wanted to learn to ride. She was in CMS looking at bikes. I told here I would love to help her and I had a bike, and she couldn't believe it as she was thinking about spring time. Anyway, I sold her the dvd, she went home and watched it and I told her why not study the book and just go see if she can pass the test. If she failed, like I did 3 times she could keep trying.
Just at closing time, in she comes to the barbershope snapping her license with a big grin on her face saying.. I did it... I did it!!! Can we go to the parking lot today. ....Off we went.

Vgirl, and Vmax brought the bike down for me and away we went. With advice from me and Mark, she was on here way. I was happy Mark was there, as as I have said many times.... I am not an instructor....yet! I always prefer to help someone that already rides incase I forget to mention something. Yelling SNAP LOOK AT ME... is easy! I apologised to her for yelling so loud and she says,...no, I need that!! It is so easy to forget to not look down or at the curb you don't want to go to.
It didn't take long and she was riding!! She pays attention, got great posture, shifts good, didn't have any close calls, looked pretty confident.. We worked her hard for about an hour and a half.. It was so exciting to see how excited she was. I think we have another natural on our hands. I believe that is a lucky lady bike.

I get such pleasure watching someone succeed. It is hard to believe that I am actually doing it sometimes, when I think back to how difficult it was for me.

I can't wait untill tomorrow and neither can she! Whoo hoo another VILR!

Go With Flo RLAP #4

This is the day I took the Ride Like a Pro course in Hudson Florida, getting reaing to set off soon to ride my new Harley across America for the most amazing journey alone but never alone!!

Smilin

This is my first time in the parking lot with my Queen in Florida. I have been going through pics and couldn't help sharing this. Look at me....foot draggin bike straight up,serious look. And I was about to ride this hog across America. I was just damn proud of me for staying inside the figure 8.
Here I am with a serious lean going on, but a very serious look still. It is one of the hardest things I have strived to do while practising, is to smile. Always afraid I am going to dump her just one more time!! Now I think I am shooting for a record. Good thing I am a Pro at the pick up too.
Finally 4 months later when Doc and MM realized I was serious as the practising hasn't stopped, other than since I burnt out my clutch. The sent me the intructors shirt that they are confident that I will be using one day. Now I got the serious lean with the shirt and it helped me smile!!!

Turkey Run

A FANTABULOUS day, bikers from all clubs and non clubs enjoying each others company. I think there was about 60 bikes I have heard.
I met a couple people I had never met before and had only spoken to on the forums. That Bear guy!! he is a big bear... I'm like wondering who it is and have to look at his patch... Crikey, he is one of our Cabana boys on VILR, was great meeting him. Also met Ripper... love that name, nice friendly guy, I felt like a midget beside him..lol
Zeek puts on a great event and he even got free lunch ticket for a draw which my nefew won and bought us lunch. It was a $50 certificate. We had a moment of silence to remember what we were all thankful for.
We had a great ride on the back roads of Nanaiamo and Parksville. It was a nice crispy day, but dressed warm with electric vest, woolies and rubber gloves it was all good.

The ride back home with my nefew leading his aunt and uncs and Jippo and Tanya riding back..
We stopped at CMS, as Lobo needed to pick up his bling, and I needed a squishie from a Spyder.
Just a closing time in comes this gal that wanted to look at bikes, she wants to learn how to ride. Spydie says, thats the gal you need to talk to...
Crikey it was my sons ex girlfriend.. We got to talking and I sold her a dvd, she is going to write her learners, and I am going to teach her how to ride Stinky Pinky....Still got some insurance left som hopefully we have another VILR, SC, AND CMC member. Hee hee, I am thinking so.

yeah, yeah, yeah, I get to practise my RLAPING!!! Another new recruit to practise my skills.
Am I ever glad I bought that bike, heck this summer she will have taught 3 people to ride. Already makes it all worth it.
I had burned the clutch off my Queen, with all the practising and got a new one put in. I have been trying to wait 500 miles to break it in.. Now that has been a challengd. Today Motorman givs me the go ahead to practise even though it isn't 300. But cool that girl off once inawhile.
Today is sunny and I am hoping to someone shows up at the parking lot today. I am so looking forward to it!!

Flo 12ft offset Offset Biatch!!! Oct 8

I just had to post this to let you know I could not contain myself,I had to try it just once with my new clutch. I know I was suppose to put on 500 miles first. But anyway, it was not that good, but it will get better. I have POTENTIAL..Right Motorman??? Go on... make a commment!!!!

Flo at Palladino's Hudson Florida

This is day 2 at the Palladino's, getting to know each other, feeling like I have know them forever. Knowing that, I wanted them in my live forever. Wonderfull times by wonderful people. Getting ready for Conga #1
Next one will be learning to ride like a pro on the Queen from Hudson Florida. Soon to be Queen of the Road!1

More Parking lot.

I am finally getting to my pictures and some sort of order. I have tried time and time again, how to figure out how to make pictures into movies. Off and on for 4 months now, wanting desperately to have them organized in a storey book movie. I finally figure out how to do it.. not perfect but I am doing it. It is keeping me up late at night for sure. If I don't git er done, the one I have started, I will forget the order in which I am doing it. It is alot of sorting, going back and forth and omg, does it take persistence. I figure if I can do this, I probably can write a book. Which by the way, my time is coming near where a friend who has wrote a book has challenged me for Nov. 1.
Riding season is coming to an end as the weather is starting to get really cold. When I work till 5 , there isn't much time left before dark, and cold. Today was an awesome day, and I wanted to close early due to the weather but I stuck it out!!
Tanya/vgirl, is really enjoying the parking lot practise,and I have to say is getting really good. Crikey she has only been riding since this summer and can already ride better than some that have been riding for years. Man, she aces the frigging 12ft off set cone weave, which is my biggest dilemma these days.
I went out with her today, and she had the intersection all measured out and painted for an 18ft instead of 24.. Good job, and I'm thinking shit, that is going to be hard....
Actually considering, I wasn't allowed to use my new clutch yet, not for 500 miles, or I will ruin it and I had to replace it and also my brakes from all the parking lot practise. God, how I just wanted to tackle the bitch. I have to say, I did do it once, only once with my clutch and I realized, I better not. So anyway I went off to all the other exercises and tried them.
I am hearing the Motorman, saying, you can do it without, brake or clutch, it is harder, but it can be done, everything alot faster except your speed. I actually managed doing most of them with out, and will start to concentrate on that more. Not easy!!!
We put out the cones Tanya bought and all of a sudden, it was like these brick walls were put up. holy molly, they are just cones, but woaha.... they freaked me.. Now I can't even cheat a little bit!! I am sure it will perfect the skills alot faster and more proficient. I tell ya, it may have been cold but, not for long, I was sweating, and had to put on my lucky docdonna gloves.
It was a great practise, and I can't tell you how much I miss it when I don't get there, and how happy I was the weather was good.
I could have gone on longer but with not being allowed to use my clutch, I didn't like the limitations, but I was not ready to go home yet on a clear night. For some reason other than working in the parking lot, I had something on my mind that I had to do.

Go with the Flo-Woman Who Ride Conga #1

I finally figured out how to take pics and make a movie out of them and post them for the whole world to see. OMG, it took me all night for this one, but there will be many more to come. I have been home for 4 months now. This has been an on going goal for me, so it will be easy to share, and find. I hope you enjoy as much as I do. Picking the music is not easy. Well done of it is easy but well worth it to me. The next one will be more time with the Palladinos and at RLAP DEMO and the class of Ride like a Pro.

Flo with Bro's and Bikes

Jason Called

Today was my only day off. I only get Sundays off lately. Anyway, I have been waiting for a descent day to go for a ride. You all know I love to ride.. My problem is, I never have desire to go riding in the rain, or if you look out side, and it appears the skies will open up.
I'm itching to ride, I got me a new clutch, wanna slay the 12ft bitch that lives in the parking lot at the condemmed school even. I walk to the windo every hour and instead grab the broom and ride it around the house and do some needed house work.. What has happened to me.. I hate house work, not want to work, only because I have the wrong job. I want to ride, but the weather is not with me.
I guess if I was hard core I would be on it riding down Island dodging the rain. I hate rain, reminds me of the last day of the Conga.. I like to be reminded of the first day of the Conga and the Conga ll.
Okay, I am getting side tracked... Conga....Florida...riding...RLAP...
I got this cutest call tonight from the guy I met the other night....Jason from Florida, the one I met through my new possible barber..Elaina..The guy I sold a dvd to who just rode across america to Vancouver Island.. Okay he is still on the Island...leaving tomorrow.
He was suppose to come up this way before he left so I could take him to Mount Washington or Gold River, a couple of the nicest roads we have on our end of the Island. But... the weather sucked, he was tired, and was heading out, but just called to say Hey Flo.... guess what???
I say what Jason??? Sup my friend??? Nice hearing from you, and I am so sorry we never got to ride today..
Ya, he said... Me too, I am just gonna kick back and watch a dvd... Right on, my friend, relax have a good evening, and hopefully I will hear from you when you get back to Florida..
He says to me.... the movie I watched last night was so good girl, that I be watchin it again tonight... I say... kewl, what is it, maybe I should get it??
He says... GIRL!!! (I like the way the Americans say that) Girl... you sold it to me... I jist wanted to share that wit ya... you rock, I am now addicted... addicted girl... to RLAP..
I'm laughing... right on... I created anoter monster then? He said... omg girl, I got it bad.... I got my parkling lot picked out, I am going to be practising every night... All I want to do now, is get home...All the way to Florida... so I can ride like a pro...
I gotta say this....excuse my language. I was fucking laughing... omg..
I meet this guy on VI..he cant wait to get home to Florida to ride like a pro...
He tells me, I am signing up for the course, so you are telling me, that this Motorman dude and Doc, if I say Flo sent me, I want to sign up, but not till she gets here,.... they will know what I am talkin bout???
How freekin funny is that?? I said, yup... I do think the Motorman, and Docdonna will know when I am coming.
He told me he going to watch it every damn day till I get there..
Holy Crap!! send that off to HARLEY DAVIDSON

Palladinos asking for help!

Hey Everyone,
I need your help. Harley-Davidson understands that the biggest growing segment is women riders. We've been trying to get the attention of Harley-Davidson to let them know more or less how Ride Like a Pro has helped so many women become better, safer, riders.
So far, with negative results. The problem is trying to get thru to the right person up the ladder at the MOCO. What would be fantastic if we could get an email campaign from all of you, "women riders", that have learned how to handle your big bikes because of the Ride Like a Pro DVDs.
We'd love to have them see how women such as me, Flo, Marianne and ALL of you can maneuver your bikes with skill and confidence. How important it is for them to consider contacting us so we can perform our Rider Skills shows at their events around the Country, etc.
I think we found the right people to contact, so here are their email addy's. I thank you all in advance for taking the time to see if we can get this mission accomplished!
leslie.prevish@harley-davidson.com

jerry.wilke@harley-davidson.com
Thanks!!
Doc and Jerry


How can we not help when they have helped so many people myself included that it is not the size of the bike or the person but the riders skills by sharing their riding skills with the rest of the world making it a safer place to be as it continues to grow the amount of motorcycles on the road. Here is my response.

Dear harley Davidson
I am writing to you with a brilliant idea. I would like to ask Harley-Davidson to consider contacting Jerry and Donna Palladino from Ride Like a Pro, www.ridelikeapro.com so they could perform their rider skills shows at your National and State events. When you finish reading this email, you'll see why I feel so strongly that the thousands and thousands of HOG riders across the USA and Canada would benefit from seeing these ladies and the Ride Like a Pro team handle their big Harley-Davidson's like children's toys. In complete control, with total confidence and skill.
I understand that maybe Harley Davidson may have their doubt about just how important Ride Like a Pro is. I can not believe that it has not been jumped all over by Harley Davidson World Wide. Especially with all the baby boomers and younger, learning how to ride. Woman in particular, but believe me...... most men I have met since meeting the Palladinos and taking their course need to improve their riding skills even after riding 30 years.
I am from Vancouver Island B.C. Canada.Here is my story and why I think it is so important for Harley Davidson to take on Ride Like a Pro and show that their riding skills can improve riders old and new in 4 short hours and make the world a safer place to live.
Harley Davidson definetly has the bikes....but Ride Like a Pro have the skills on showing us how to handle those big gorgeous machines with out killing ourselves or someone. I have only been riding for 3 years.. I am 53... The reason I decided to ride... because my husband who had been riding for 30 years... totalled his big bike ..The second time on it after being fixed I was on with him... he put me down.... Too bad, he didn't know about how to Ride like a pro then. I am riding my own, because I did not trust riding with him.
Anyway, my goal was to have my own Harley Davidson... Road King which I would call the Road Queen. First of all I needed to learn how to ride like a pro... I didn't even know that, I just knew I was on the look for my Road Queen. I was also very apprehensive that I would ever be able to handle a huge bike like that. How fortunate I was to have found Donna & Jerry Palladino's Road King in Hudson Florida.
I had gotten to know Donna through her Woman Who Ride Forum which by the way is the busiest biker forum on Delphi. I had been a regular on that forum where they give advice on all sorts of things, and of course riding. They promote their dvd's and I ended up buying one of course, and thinking wow, how can those petite lady's throw those bikes around like that. I had listened to Donna on the forum, encouraging me and other woman, that it was not the size of the bike or the size person it was the rider and his skills. She had struggled to ride as well as Marian as she was not a natural, like myself. I remember when she MADE IT...The LIGHTS WENT ON! She would tell us all, if I can you can, it is only 3 simple techniques if you apply them and practise them you will get it..
She was my inspiration!! Still is.... Motorman is my Idol.. These 2 people and their team, know what they are doing.. The simple fact that they can take an average woman like myself and teach them to ride better than the average man who has been riding for 30 years or more. This has got to be worth something huge.
They have like 8 Harley's in their garage, and last year would not even think about letting me ride one other than the one I was buying. This year when I return to visit they have offered to let me ride one of their Harley's as they are confident I am a good rider.
Donna and Jerry have become very good friends of mine, and continuously guide me on my riding skills through video clips and U-tube where I post. I believe in Ride Like a Pro so much that am working hard at becoming a certified trainer my Motorman himself.
They have taken another simply average woman rider and trained me from afar to out ride any guy that I know... That is only that I know.. The men will admit it!
When it came time to have my bike shipped home, I had posted on her forum, that I had a dream I flew out to Florida took their course and road my bike home across America....Donna and all the ladies on the WWR Woman Who Ride forum convince me I could do that. That in itself is another whole long story.. Anyway, I did just that
When it came time to pick up my Road Queen, the Palladinos picked me up at the Airport, took me into their home, put me in their course, gave me private lessons on these 3 special technique of how to handle that man sized bike like a Pro. They were not letting me go across America until it was safe to do so. He even showed me how to pick up my bike in case needed.
A long story short, I would never have gotten home safely in just under 6,000 miles with out these 3 techniques going through my mind every moment I was on my big beautiful Harley Davidson Road Queen. I say I picked out the best name for that girl, as she certainly was Queen of the Road, getting me home safely.
There was times however, that I would call or email them along the way to say I was having trouble in certain areas. They were always there reassuring me, it would all work if I just continued to use those 3 techniques ... and it always pulled me through.
When I returned home to Canada to Vancouver Island all I could think about was how fortunate I was to have spent time with the Palladinos learning how to Ride Like a Pro.. I wanted to share this with everyone I knew that had interest in improving their skills and making this a safer world to live in with all the motorcycles out on the road, and the drivers that don't see us. How to be able to manoeuvre that bike in and out of situations.
I set up the exercises in the pamphlet that comes with the dvd's and started to continue to practise and share what I had learned. Through this summer I have had men and woman come to me and ask for help as they knew now, what I had been through and what I was doing and how I could now throw my big assed Harley Queen around better than most men I know.
I am asking you to please consider involving Ride Like a Pro in your Harley Davidson events, as it will most definitely benefit thousands. It will help people like myself realize their dream of riding any Harley no matter how big that they can do it.
Thanks for your time. I have attached some pictures and clips of me riding like a pro.
Flo

Strange day in the parking lot!

It was 4:45 and almost time to go to the parking lot before going home for supper. Just then 3 bikes pulled in, and I recognized Elaina the gal I met a couple weeks ago and cuts hair. I am hoping I can convince her to come cut hair for six months straight, while I go to Mexico and Florida.

She was with her girlfriend Sophia, and some strange dude, I had never seen before. A big dude on a Fat boy!! She came in to say hey... I will come in tomorrow she said. I met this guy on the ferry coming home from the Oyster run. He is from Florida, and has been traveling 2 months.........
I say ...WHAAT?? I already like this dude and had'nt met him yet. Great big burley guy with a southern accent. All of sudden, I was telling him my story, and he said he had heard part of it already. He said, any wonders you flew to Florida for that sweet ride girl!!
I would like to say it was more than 5 minutes but it wasn't before he had a dvd in his hands and buying it!! Poor man, struck by the Flo!! Anyway, I told him, I was heading to the parking lot if he cared to join me, and see what the dvd could do for him. The girls all agreed and were ... shall I say, going with the flo.
This man, had just done what I did....Traveled from Florida to Vancouver Island and was staying with strangers, but by this time were not strangers. He was from Sebastion Florida which is I believe on the other coast of Florida from my dear friends the Palladinos. I felt a closeness, like we were friends. It was amazing really. In such a short time, I wanted to make this guy feel as comfortable on Vancouver Island as I was made in Florida and all the other states.
He just smiled and said in his southern accent, I would love to see what this dvd will do for me girl. Off to the parking lot we go, and I told him, I would go through all the excercises first if he thought and if he felt like it, spend more time with him. As he now had all the instructions in the pamphlet on how to lay out the excercises. Damn, I hate being the way I am sometime, but he seemed to be really enjoying it, so I continued on.
He pointed out the intersection first and said... What's this one Flo? Well that be the intersection it is hard really and you should start over there, pointing at the slow cone. Ah, letme try it!! Crikey... give me 4 hours in the parking lot with this dude and he would be a pro in no time. All he was missin was me yelling....SNAP....LOOK AT ME!! OMFG.. I am cracking up as I write, as I must be such a freek, to the average person. I tell ya, he was loving it!! Stayin inside the lines, scraping already, just missing the head snap and the butt dance..
We do that for awhile.....and then I had to pry him off the intersection, over to the figure 8, SNAP, LOOK AT ME!!!
OK smaty pants, I thought in a fun way, we will take you over to the Texas Star, I did it first, and he went after me, as I was yelling SNAP...LOOK AT ME!!! (I need a new patch) OK, this one was quite a bit harder but he did it!! Told me afterwards... Whoa girl, that was really hard and my circles were 10 times bigger than yours... I said, ya but ya did it... He really was impressive, said he never been practising in a parking lot ever, but he already has one set in mind for when he goes home... LMFAO!
Okay so then it is off to the off set cone weave.. He did really good again for a newbie, lost the friction zone a couple times and forgets to snap his head if I am not yelling at him....lol
We have an audience by now... Tanya, Ram, Sophia, Elaina, Me and Jason, slayin the off set. He is loving it! We take a little break to cool down the bikes, and I told him to follow me,and we went through all the excercises again... Excellent!!
Okay.......Now for the best one, I told him...follow me... the DREADED 12FT OFF SET....Ha!!! I explained how to do it and to SNAP when I did and go through the gate.
I made it about half way through and he barely made it at all.... Pulls up to me and says...Girl..........that really is nasty!! I couldn't help it, but started to laugh and told him I was very sorry... Not to worry as I couldn't do it yet either but if he continued to watch the dvd more than once, he would get it, just as I would.
Tanya looked at me and said...omg,... that so was not very nice to do to him Flo!! I told her, I just could not resist!!
We ended up all going to my house for a visit and of course Florida came up and I told him he needed to go take the course, and tell them Flo sent him. He is going to come on the forum, says he will take the course, but wants to make sure I am there so I can yell at him....SNAP LOOK AT ME!!
It really was a great time... I gave him a RLAP hat and told him I do not just give them to anyone, and he said, no doubt, and I promise I will not wear it until I am riding like a pro.... like you!!
He said to Rob... That woman of yours knows how to ride man... Rob said, ya... why do ya think I can't go with her to the parking lot!!
I am hoping he will be back on Sunday so we can plan a ride to Gold River, one of the most beautiful rides on the Island and of course slay the parking lot once again. Also if it fits into the schedule and not raining too much take him to Mnt. Washington with the gals.

Tuesday Parking lot

I went to the parking lot for an hour or so. Tried to warm up on all the excercises before attempting the dreaded 12ft off set cone weave. I forgot to watch the dvd before I set out to do it, as Motorman had suggested. I have been off the lot for a few days while we traveled to the Oyster run. Even though I did ride around parking lots doing circles waiting for everyone to be ready.
I was there for half hour before Ram came along, as Mz Tanya didn't show. We seem to be the only ones left interested but that is okay. Wow have we got a great parking lot.
We have the SLOW CONE WEAVE-FIGURE 8-FULL INTERSECTION-TEXAS STAR-OFF SET CONE WEAVE 24 FT and the DREADED 12FT-18FT CIRCLE-21FT CIRCLE-24 FT CIRCLE, hooked up together which makes the SNOWMAN.
So off I got doing all these excercise with brake first and then with out brake... and then, listening to all the advice planted in my pea brain... Put on Doc's lucky gloves....and........nope...not all the way through.. 10 attempts again, starting to sweat!!
Along comes Ram, I tell him of my whoas and asks him to try it... Sounds really hard he said.....then aced it!! CRAP!!!! Well, pretty damn close anyway...
What the hell??? So we practised everything for a good hour and away we went... Tonight will be a different story.... I hope!!
Look to my left a little longer than I have been doing. Snap to the right, sit forward on the seat, crank them bars....and just DO IT!!!