Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Oyster Run Weekend.

We got back at 9pm on Monday morning from a great weekend at the Oyster Run. It was a first for me, and I woulD say it was a mini, mini, Sturgis. Of course I have never been to Sturgis but saw pics and heard stories. Probably not too much of a comparison, the more I think about it. But 20 thousand or so bikes was quite a site to behold. (HALF FOOT DRAGGERS!)

Me, Rob, Eric, and Shawn, THE FUHR FACTOR, and Stephen... We left CR at 10 am and headed to the Duke point ferry for Tswassin. The weather was unbelievable. Steven really wanted to go with us, but it was not possible, so he headed home from Nanaimo.
Brother Carl, had to back out because he had to work. We were all pretty disapointed but that is the way it goes. Shawn was really looking forward to traveling with his Uncs and Auntie... This was Shawns first trip on the Island on his new ride to. Into the US in Washington in Anacortes. The run wasn't until Sunday so we had lots of time to get there.
The weather was awesome and we did run into some friends along the way but got separated after we stopped at our hotel.
We get all settled in our room and have a good night, and are all excited about the ride in the morning. It took us a little while to get going as Shawn was having issues with is radiater fluid leaking out. Nothing a little un bolting couldn't fix.
Anyway the ride to Anacortes from where we were was about an hour of nice twisties. It didn't matter at what stop by this point, there were bikes coming at you in every direction.
It was really cool to see the smile on Shawns face and at one point, he just looked at me and said "I'm lovin it"
The scenery on the way there is beautiful, and the leaves are starting to turn colors.The water was sparkling along the coast, the smell of the farms and the twisties with the fresh air in the morning, was so invigorating.
As we were pulling into town, there were bikes EVERYWHERE!!! We just took a side road and parked out of the way, and started to walk around. Bikes of all kinds, people of all kinds. It was great people watching even though I dont normally like too big of crouds.
The bikes are just crawling up the mainstreet. OMG.... FOOT DRAGGERS!! From both sides.. Now normally I wouldn't have noticed this so badly, but after RLAPING so much it as unbelievable. If I sold a dvd to every footdragger I would have been rich.
We ran into a few people from the Island. The streets were jammed so it was hard to believe we would see anyone we knew. We went and had some raw oysters and a beer and listen to some head banging shit music and people watched, then it was time to get outa there.
The boys spent some money on leathers and then we watch the Cossacks Drill Team. That was quite the performance all the bikes riding in unisence and at one time 5 people on a bike. That was the highlight of the day for me. Thinking shit I wish I was younger I would try out for it.. Mind you the oldest guy was 73 and still had people standing on his shoulders.
We hung around people watched went for pizza and headed back to Bellingham.
All in all a great weekend, didn't want it to end because of the weather. I think we put on about 400 miles which isn't lot but better than nothing.
I have like 26,000 miles on my bike now, since I left Florida just over 10 thousand.
Oh ya... just had to stop at Trev Dealy Harley and buy another skull or two.. ;)

Man oh man, they were crawling, duck walking with there hand on the front brake while they were wobbling all over the place. Shyte, I so wanted to start selling dvd's. I found I had to shut my mouth, but then everyone else started noticing all the duck walkers on their big hogs.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Flo 12 ft offset

This is that dreaded 12 off set that I couldn't do and thought was impossible. I really did!! Talk to the Motorman, and of course what does he say??? HEAD AND EYES, FIRCTION, BACK BRAKE. I was finally getting it but I see I sure need to get the pylons to see it all better.

12ft Off Set Cone Weave

This is the unifom shirt that I recieved from the Pros down in Hudson Florida. Now I have to say.. I can start to visualise being a pro. When I talked to Doc, she said.. its yours Flo now go ride like a Pro. I was off to the parking lot to attack the dreadead 12 off set cone weave that Motorman gave me to do. I put the shirt on under my jacket and thougt no bloody way can I be caught wearing it., like a dope going through the gates of these 12ft spaces. This is the toughest excercise for me.
Tanya the gal that goes with me to the parking lot seemed to be having no problem or should I say very little problem. I was KILLING IT.. It was killing me, not to be able to do it.. I just couldn't see it being possible.. She is getting the look on her face... the same look that Sandy had way down in Death Valley when I said I can't do it... It is not me, it is the bike...
Then I hear the Whaaa Whaaa my bike wont fit shit... By this time... after about 10 attempts.. I sat back an looked at that thing, visualizing when I was suppose to SNAP my head.. I was sweating and it was very cold out side. I looked at Tany and took off my coat, with my Pro shirt on.... and I DID IT!!!!!
Not perfect but I can see it happening. She didn't make a mistake on the measurements. It was coming together.
I had to use every damn thing I was taught and double the time and dont forget not even one thing of it..
Lucky Glove, lucky shirt.... SNAP,..HEAD EYES, FRICTION,. BRAKE, BUTT SHIFT, REPEAT. as fast as you get it out of your mouth... Whewwww!!!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Flo-Ride Like a Pro Uniform!!!! :)

This is what I would look like as a paid instructor for RLAP. I recieved these in the mail today, do I look proud or what???? Believe me, the Palladinos don't hand these out to just anybody. These are their official instructing uniforms. I am totally 100% honored, and will wear them with pride.
They have more than one use to I might add. Nothing like a little bit of pre advertizing getting the word out, having people ask questions. You can't see because I am in the way, but the RLAP dvd is sitting on the window sill for all to see. There is a sign that says.... Do you want to learn to Ride Like a Pro for $35.00 Up above my mirrow I have DrDonna's lisence plate off the Queen. I did have my certificate of RLAP hanging on the wall, but some guy knocked it off and I have to replace the frame. Of course if you look a little harder you can see on the windsill my latest trophie of the Queen.
If you look a little closer you will see it is pissing cats and dogs outside. Normally I have the Queen parked outside the window and she has her own shelter. She is a real attention getter sitting outside the shop. I usually go to the parking lot from here for an hour which is a 5 minute ride away.
I am looking forward to getting back at it if the rain stops... Just so looking forward to attempting the dread 12ft OFF SET CONE WEAVE... NOT!!
What I am looking forward to do is getting it and showing Doc and MM that I am listening, that I can do it!! All these challenges...

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Parking lot- 12 Ft Offset Cone Weave

The last couple of days I have been going to the parking lot for a good hour. I was starting to get a little bored with the excercises so VGrl and I decided it was time to put a couple more down. You know you think you know it all! Ha!!! That is funny!
Anyway, Motorman has been telling me, I am getting pretty good so it is time to shorten up the length of the off set cone weave from 24ft to 12ft.. The Offset cone weave is my absolute favorite excercise, as I have managed to scrape good on both sides. It is like music to my ears ya know!!
So we get that set up and all of a sudden, the Off set cone weave becomes, my absolute worst excercise.. Omg, how can I not get this?? It is highly impossible, my big bike WILL NOT go through, not even 2 of them :( :( I swear I practised 10 times and it was not coming, where did it go.
I am SURE that Tanya measured it all wrong. We took the instructions down wrong!! It is all freekin WRONG!! I made her measure it over again, NOPE... not wrong.. Well something is bloody wrong.... I went from riding like a pro, to riding like a newbie..
There has to be a trick to doing it. I post to the Motorman and tell him of my whoas... Now I can see the smirk on his face as he is typing to me on my forum....
"My bike won't do that Whaaaaa...whaaaaa. nonsense. The techniques don't change, the bike is still the same, everything just has to be done faster..The techniques MUST be used to the extreme."
" I'll bet if you use head and eyes, the friction zone, and the rear brake, they'll be easy."
The Rotter I say!!!! (In terms of endearment of course!!!!)
So I am just itching to get to the parking lot today and it is pissing down rain and windy. So I will be watching the DVD tonight.... 3 SIMPLE TECHNQUES!!
My goal is to be freekin awesome when I return to Florida to work with Motorman next summer and get certified and get yelled at...lol I know I will loose some skills while I am in Mexico but it shouldn't take long to pick it up again, at tleast if I have them semi mastered by the time I get there.
We have also set up a Snowman Excercise and the Texas Star. I have lots to keep me occupied now on my one day off a week.
The weather is changing and the nights come earlier every day. Soon, there will be no parkinglot... Sunday parking lot day soon. Until of course the frost sets in.

Conga Bracelet!!

A very WyzWmn, asked my what a Conga bracelet was... These were the bracelets I had made on the Beach in Mexico for all the people I may meet along the way of the Conga. I just couldn't go empty handed with out a little something to say thankyou. I couldn't afford to buy a bunch of tshirts or nor did I have room to pach them all. Any way, as soon as I met someone that road with me I would tie one on them. Every one said they would wear them until I got home safely. This picture is one of my favorites and it wasn't even my idea. It was taken just before we Slayed the Dragon.
I had a peddler on the beach make 100 of them. His eyes lit up that day let me tell you. Okay so many people I know that were involved in the Conga still have theirs tied to the handle bars of their bike. I know mine will be there until it rots off. I still have about 50 left for the Conga Reuninon that I will take back and pass around.
My brother Bling had them sewn right over his pocket on the vest so I did it and so did my other bro. It looks cool.
There is lots of talk about the next Conga and it will soon be time to post on WWR!! It takes awhile to plan but a bunch of woman want to do it.. Now it probably wont be to escort me home, can't afford another bike, but hey one never knows at this point. The point would be to go have a Reunion with all the folk and bring more together to go around and ride some states together. Woman who have gotten to know each other on WWR FORUM and supported each other through triles and tribulations of riding and other things in their life.
I still have mine, do you have yours??? ;)

Monday, September 22, 2008

My Vest from my newfie friend Tequila Sheila.

This is the vest I recieved from a friend in Nova Scotia, Tequila Sheila. I had it given to me before I went to Slay the Dragon, and it was to put all my pins and patches on along the way.I have my Canadian flag on one side and American on the other. All the pins and patches from the coold stops I went and all the states I stopped in. Some were from friends and some I bought. Right along the top of the pockets I had my conga bracelet sewed above each pocket. There is also a VILR patch and a WWR patch sewn close together. There will never be club patches sewn on this vest. It is a memory of mine that is very near and dear to me of a trip of a life time, that brought so many women close together. Sheila if you are reading this, thankyou very much, and I do hope to meet you in person one day. Anything is possible I have found. You are a very kind and thought person to send a complete stranger such a wonderful gift, and I am sorry it took me so long. I just got all the patches sewn on today. Big hugs..
My next task is to order pics and fill up my lovely photo album I got from another friend, I have never met in person.

Flo Slow Cone Weave

I always seem to forget to go back to the basics. I added a few more dots, and found it quite a work out. I need to practise it some more as it was feeling really comfy.I wonder what the MOTORMAN will think?

Flo on the interesection Riding Like a Pro

This was a few weeks ago but I am just finding out how to post on a blog. Now that I have figured it out, I will be doing it regularly. Listen to the scraping left and right...Ha!!

Parksville Toy Run

More Winners! Slyboy!!Gibby-Bro Blingo
And the Winner is!!!

And the Winners are.... Flo-Kazz
Parksville Toy Run, was a great day.. We started out from my house with brother BigE, Me, Tanya, Mark, Ram. We were invited to join up with 394 SCRC in Courtenay. The weather was on our side. When we got to the usuall meeting place at the Cheveron there were probably a dozen bikes. I am sure by the time they all arrived there were at least 25 leaving for Parkville. Boy, Dr. Rut is a great road leader, she managed to keep us all together. It was a pretty exciting day for my nefew Shawn, his first toy run. He had some huge bug smiles going on. He is traveling with his two Uncs, and Aunty Flo.. Pretty darn exciting for me too. It is always a special day for me when I get to ride, but especially with my family. The Fuhr Factor.
The weather held out for us going down, but I could sure feel the chill in the air, and I will never travel with out my electric vest for the rest of the year.
We arrived in Qualicum at the Hut, there to meet the crew from PA... The coolest thing, is that it didn't matter if you were CMC or SCRC or VIR... VILR, or just a rider which would be a VIR.. Every one on the Island is a VIR... Just a rider who lives on Vancouver Island. The gal I met on my US trip last week, Straycatdi for instance, I told her that is where we were meeting. she was there first and the PA crew got there and introduced themselves to her as they had seen pics.
Absolutely wonderful to see everyone again. We are once big happy family!
Off we went to Parksville to register for the toy run. We hung around and mixed and mingled for awhile and then it was time to head out. I do have to say it wasn't very organized and the groups fell appart, and there were no road blockers, and we almost road back alone. But whatever, the weather was good, the cause was good, and we were about 25 bikes in our bunch. Out of 500 I would say, it was a tad disorganized. It really didn't matter we all got a ride in. And were probably safer that way anyway.
Of course Flo and the Bros and nefew had to enter our machines in the show and shine. Actually we had alot of entries with our group of people, and we had alot of winners too.
I sold a few WWR patches and a few VILR..Not near enough to ever cover the cost, hopefully in time. Silly me, I get these whims in my head that I think may work, and it never usually does. Oh well, just another learning experience.
I did meet a cool lady that came up and introduced herself to me, Elaina. I was talking about needing a barber. Long story short, she is coming in on Wed and Thurs to see if we can work something out so I can still go away for the winter and go back to Forida for the Conga Reunion and learn how to RLAP, with MOTOMAN. That is my goal, even if I have to close the doors to do it. So here is hoping Elaina works out.
After we said our good byes, we did get caught in the rain going home. We were NOT HAPPY... Memories of the last day of the Conga were coming back at me as I travel down the road with my bros and a couple friends making faces at each other. It was cold and rainy but not even close the last day of the Conga.
Crikey it has been almost 4 months and there has not been a day, that it has not been talked about. Or some result of the Conga (eg.....Shawnboy) doesnt stop touching me and others.
A book came out today... Wind in my face... I was asked to make an entry in it, so of course I bought my copy today. I really wanted to buy Motorman and Doc a book, but that girl beat me to it!!
One of the girls on VILR is giving me till Nov 1 and she is challenging me to write my book. She said if she can I can, and mine is a true story hers was out of her head. Crikey I sure hope that I have what it takes to do it!! Now there is something I do not have faith in myself about.. Writing... I mean really!! Physical is me, physical not mental writing shit. I can't believe I have managed to keep a blog since before the Conga. Maybe there will be a bookd two if every book one gets out.. Hell, Conga 1, Conga 2 Reunion, wouldn't that be something if every year, more and more woman pulled together and did the Conga... The longer the better, bring Canada and USA together to do the Conga. I want to get a lisence plate called Conga...then I start thinking and think it should be RLAP.. Something to think about.
Okay Flo is rambing got to go now!!!

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Shawn/El Lobo Figure 8

This is my nefew Shawn with 700km on his new vtx 1800. This is his second time in the parking lot practising RLAP. He is a brand new rider.I would say is a natural and is scraping floorboards on his second attempt! It did help however when I said MOTORMAN will be watching and critiquing you! He says he just wants to ride like his Aunty!! I tell you it wont be long!

Shawn Steven Parkinglot.

Shawn and Steven came up from down Island to do some parking lot practise with me. I had to work till 2 so I asked them if they wouldn't mind sweeping the parking lot and it had a big thick spot of gravel, and we wanted to draw out another exercise. They went at it for awhile, while I was working and then when I got off, they were still doing it only with a gas powered blower. Steven had rented it.. I gave them some money for paint to freshen it all up so that when we do clips Motorman can see it better if we are staying in the lines when he critiques us.
I never realized what a job it was, but I sure appreciate it!! So we had an hour to practise before they headed out. Ram was there also and we practised together quite a bit.
I was trying to do the offset, as Motorman said to narrow it down, but I sure don't think I heard him right when it comes to the measurements. Because it was so NOT working. I put the boys on their exercises the rest of the time.. The like it when I yell at them snap your head look at me..lol
Now for all those people that thought the VTX 1800 was too big for a brand new rider...They were so wrong. This guys has got it!! A freaking natural. I am sure Motorman would even say that.
He says, how come I can't scrape like you Auntie?? I said don't you worry, you will get there, just concentrate on staying in the 8... Keeping the friction zone, and don't even worry about your lean too much. Don't forget to look where you want to go and once that feels really comfy, worry about the scrape. From what I see anyway you are about an inch away from scraping.
This boy has no patience I tell ya.....Listens to everything I say....Goes in the 8...I said..okay, this one is for the Motorman.....I will give you 2 rounds before I start filming.........Crikey!!!!!!!!!!!!
Scrape...Scrape.......lean, head and eyes, friction.. The boy has got it!!!
The fear of the Motorman...lmao
Steven did really well too.. Still wants to keep his finger on the front brake so I am on him about that.. Just not quite in the friction zone constantly but I think he was tired out from the sweeping.
I am trying to get the clips on to UTube but it is not working.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Smiling :)

I went off to the parking lot for about 20 minutes... Sure not the same without having someone around. So I had to think of my friends in Florida. My mentorS, my teachers. I have to say.. I enjoy helping someone learn.. as much as I do learning more myself. I love to see their faces light up when they get it!!! I love to make them feel good. I love to take good pics of them. I love having conversation with them.
Wierd thing though, I even get nervous when I go to the parking lot alone, like someone is watching me to see if I am doing it good enough.
It is amazing, what goes through my head and then it starts going good in a short time. I put on my lucky Donnathedoc gloves, the smile comes , I hear Motorman saying.... I don't ever have to replace my clutch or brake, I hardly use it!!! So then my foot relaxes, so does my hand. I hear Doc say.... I swear Flo... if I can do it...you can!! But don't forget to relax your shoulders.... think of me and smile!!!
I'm smilin :0) Going with the Flo around and around, weaving back and forth, smiling, scraping, smiling more... Some boy comes in on his skate board, does a few of his whatever he does... Stops..... Watches....and says..."Hey Lady"... I say say yes, what can I do for you?? He says....You you are Good, you can handle that machine!!!
I said, well thanks young man!!! You are very good too , you handle that machine of yours really well too!!
I rode of smiling!!!!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

My Mentor

I had a great conversation with my friends in Florida Doc and Motorman. They are always so encouraging me about what I am doing and my riding. If I have troubles in any way. They know that my plan in the future is to have a RLAP Franchise, the first one in Canada. Now usually you have to have to have a Motor Officer to own one, but they believe in me and my skills so when the time is right, if I want to go it alone, it is possible! Now I just have to figure away to make that dream come true.
He figures I should be chargin already for what I am doing and he has watched the improvement of the riders that have spent time with me in the parking lot. That is not possible yet as I am not certified. There are people out there that would try and cause trouble FOR SURE!
I appreciate so much what they are doing for me, and always there handy with advice, and telling me how to correct a problem when something isn't working out.
Things are different here in Canada than the US. Just because Motorman certifies me, I am not sure I would be legal here. I so look forward to going back to Florida and getting more one on one with Motorman. To be fully trained by my Mentor. Surely that will have some pull when I have certification from a Motorman and can go challange the test, rather than going to school.
The problem is taking time off work now. Just need to do some more reserch.
I only practised for half hour, and had good conversation with Jippo and Ram that came out.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Parking lot therapy

I have been home for a day and back to the grind at work. Boy can things change fast. Life is good, you got it all figured out. Job the way you want it, get to go away for the winter and off to Florida to seem my buddies the Palladinos and ride with them and take the course again and get certified. That was the plan, not to mention, do a Conga reunion with all the WWR that helped me travel across America.
I come back and my partner whom, I sold have the shop to wants to move... No!! It was a very stressful day back trying to figure out in my mind how I would make this possible. More so Florida than Mexico even. I want to fufill my dream, of becoming an official intstructor for RLAP. They have offered me the franchise.. Imagine!! You just got to love these WWR ,VILR ,FORUMS. Anything is possible!! If I had never found WWR, I would never have found my bike, and would never have found my great friends the Palladinos, and had the pleasure of getting to know them personally and riding in their class, and finding my true passion. I mean, since the I started riding, I knew I loved it, but with out that trip, I would have never known what passion I really did have. If I may say so even some skill. If it were possible, I would throw away my scissors and just do it!!
To be told by a person like Motorman, that I have what it takes only makes me want to push harder.
Anyway today sucked in my head, so after working, I went to the parking lot and just started practising. It only took a couple of minutes and nothing mattered. All the anxiouty went away. I could hear Motormans voice in my head, saying you can do all these excercises without your brake. You are good now, try it!! It will seem wierd at first, but you can do it. I did it!!
I turn around after feelin like I really knew how to ride, with a smile at that, and could hear another bike.. Along came my bro on the Blinga, my ex. Now this boy is having major trouble finding the friction zone, and the old gal, her clutch is not comfy at all. I could see how bad he wanted to do it, so I told him, I was going to have to do some MM instruction. Long story short, he got it. Not perfect, I will admit she is a bit of a pig... even though she is beautiful and just won a show and shine.
This vtx, does not run smoothly like my nefews... I looked at my brother and said.... Hmm... might just have to fly to Florida and buy a police special when MM is ready to sell again. I am always into another Conga. Anything for my brothers.
He was feeling alot better when he left and it was only a half hour of practising. Vgirl also came out, and I felt bad, as we never really got time to practise as I had dinner commitment. It was great seein her there and she did get a little practising in.
Who would ever have thunk that a parking lot was good therapy???

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Riding 3 States.

We left forks and headed south to Randle to go to Mt St. Helens. We went through Oakville.
Okay now I have waited far to long to blog to remember the order of which things happened. It doesn't really matter anyway.
We got home last night and we traveled with the Straycat all the way. We had the times of our lives. This girl has only been riding a short time. She just upgraded from a 250 to her 750 Shadow, and now she was going on the exact same route I did 3 years ago on my 750. Of course I had to tell her all about RLAP and sell her a dvd and tried to give some pointers along the way. Once in awhile her name would switch to Slowcat, or Scaredycat.. Anyway she did just find and we would tell her to always ride her own and not to keep up with us unless she wanted. I rode behind quite aways so I could enjoy going at my speed. I remember how scared I was on esecially the RATTLESNAKE GRADE and HELLS CANYON. This time was totally different. With all the training I been doing, I was way more confident, not to say there wasn't a couple of imperfect curves that crept up on me.
We traveled 2250 miles in a week. Washington has the most amazing roads. We went to Idaho, Oregon, and a bit of Montana.
Hurricane Ridge, Mnt St.Helen, Columbia River, Rattle Snake Grade, Hell's Canyon, Highway 12, which was over 100 miles of twisties,Cascade Loop.
The weather was perfect!! StraycatDi, stayed with us the whole time and was glad she did as she was in awe at the different geography. Another new VILR. She will fit right in with the rest of us.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Trip to Forks Washington Sept 7

Today, we left Shawnboys, from Victoria to Port Angeles (Coho0) It was an hour and half, awesome ride on this ferry going out of Victoria Harbour. Really nice seeing different scenery that the regular Nanaiamo ferry. There was a lot of bikers going on. As usual everyone gabbing away to each other. I gave my VILR card to a few. The only one gal I didn't talk to came up to me at customs and asked if I knew how to get to 101. I told her no.... but hang on and follow us if she wanted when Rob came through. She was going to follow the 101 along along the coast to California. She was traveling alone. I thought to myself now there is one gutsy woman.
She asked where we were going and I told her HURRICANE RIDGE! It was suppose to be an awesome road.. I told her she could join us if she wanted and then head out on her own if she wanted. Seeings it was early she thought she would.
The ride was absolutely amazing!! It was only about 20 miles long, but one mile high. It was definetly a road you had to use all your skills on...Head and eyes, butt dance... pay friggin attention. Some switch backs like I couldn't believe. I was so happy that I had been practising so much because it was going great.
It was crispy cold but a nice cold, going through tunnels of trees changing colors and the sun shining through. I highly recomend that road to do again. And so close to home really. Just as you get off the ferry your heading in that direction.
After that, Cresent lake had some less dangerous twists just even push left push right, just gliding along, along side the water.
We pulled into Forks.. Stayed at the Forks Motel... and went to the Forks Cafe... They were short giving us a fork too...lol Now that place was a blast from the past let me tell ya. Including the people working there. I swear everything was original, with the booths, coffee cups and the waitress. Stuffin coming out of the booths Only thing missing was a juke box. The food was awesome though.
Back to the Stray Cat, Diana we picked up... She decided to travel with us if we would have her and go off on her own later. We all get along just fine, and I was having memories of the Conga thinking she shouldn't be on her own, unless of course she really wanted to. We were all having lots of laughs so why the heck not.

Lobo in Parking Lot-before first road trip


Aunty Flo-El Lobo begining of RLAP PRACTISE

After an hour ..check out the lean

The gang that came to get El Lobo home safely! The Hut in Qualicum.. Shawns new family. He was just gob smacked!

Flo and her bros!
Today, my nefew Shawnboy/El Lobo was going on his first group ride. Actually it would be his first ride on his new bike. Honda vtx 1800. He just upgraded from my Stinky Pinky 1981 cm400 that I taught him how to ride on. On his new vtx, all he had was about 3 miles to Uncle Blingos house and up to CR to RLAP with Auntie Flo. He was suppose to be here at 9 am. Now being Shawn is a very conscientious boy, and very reliable, I made sure I was there at exactly 9 am. Around 10:00 I start to get worried, where is he, as he really wants some parking lot practise before he make his venture home to Victoria on his new big Sweetheart. I think his uncles kept him up a little late putting on the bling on his new ride. As it turned out it was 10:30... Okay, I have exactly one hour to help show the boy how to RLAP like he did on the Aggresive Salmon Stinky Pinky.
In the meantime I had been riding my X around the parking lot to find her FRICTION ZONE.. I remember MM telling me, when you are getting good Flo, you can jump on any bike and find the Friction Zone.
Okay, I am all alone, with the Biatch. She just had her exhaust adusted, she should be fine. No one here to watch me, or think... hmmm,... he can not ride that thang, and she used to own it.
Omg... I was so determined. It was horrible, trying to find the friction zone!!! Horrible. The clutch was stiff, ...the brake was spungy, handle bars high.. I hated the sound... Where the hell is that smoothness??
Determination.... I started all the excercises slowly and consintrating very hard. Finally, I could keep a little consistency on the friction. My arms were aching!!!!
This was NOT a pretty sight, and I was so glad no one was around. Crikey she used to be my friggin bike!!
Finally it all started to take place, it was not by any means the same as the Queen, but at least I could say I was doing it. Then along came Jippo, as he knew my nefew was coming to practise the excercise on his new bike. The parking lot needed some sweeping. He cleared off a couple of the excercises.. How nice that was, so to make it fun, we tied a broom to the Blinga and started to video me cleaning the lot with a broom dragging behind.
Jippo was still there when Lobo finally arrived, and started to watch and in the first 3 minutes, the good on gal, was lying on the pavement, and not from the gravel. It wa all my fault, I pushed him into the excercise as we only had an hour by this time, and had alot of things to fit in.. I do apologise!!! I am not an intructor, but I should never have put him into that before playing around first. I thought the trip up from Courtenay would have warmed him up as he came in with just a grand smile on his big huge bike.
Anyways, being who he is, he was feeling slightly inadequate!!! As soon as I put the camera on him and tell him MOTORMAN will critique him... he start to ace it!
I told him we now had 45 minutes to cram in the 3 hours that I would have showed him in that time. When you say MOTORMAN to Lobo, he all of a sudden remembers everything, that I had told him EVER as far as it come to riding.
Bottom line, I was very proud of him and he aced it in my eyes. He did all the excercises in one hour and did them better than most do in 4 hours.
We got ready and headed to Qualicum to meet the gang.
He rode absolutely fantastic!! I was so proud of him and he was so proud of himself. This is what he had to say.

So I headed up to Uncle Blingos' in Courtenay Friday night, and he, El Capitan, and I attacked my new ride (well, they pretty much attacked it, and I assisted), which had been waiting in his garage for the past two weeks. Had to clean her up all nice and purdy-like, and had a pile of stuff to install: lightbar, windshield, saddle bags, crash bars, and some odds and ends bling for good measure. (Hey, what I can say? I am my uncle's nephew.) Took us about six hours all told, but we all had a good time.
Next day, El Capitan and I rode up to CR to meet Aunt Flo in her RLAP lot. Boy, she's one heavy bike, and it took some gettin' used to, but it felt good on the road. Was a nice ride with the good Captain. RAM and Jippo were waiting with Flo in the lot, and well, she got me right into it. (Rob and I had lost a bit of time gettin' ready to go that morning, so by the time we finally got there, we only had like an hour to practice.) Slow walk for about 20 yards, okay, let's hit the U-turn. Haven't really mastered the friction zone on this massive beast yet, but okay, let's give'r a shot. Down she goes. Three times within the first 20 minutes, I think. Dammit. NO, I was NOT happy. Shouldn't've rushed into the U-turn so soon. Ah well. Thankfully I had the bars on, so that's the only part that took a scrape. In the end, having that hour did help, because by the end of it, I was really starting to get used to the weight and feeling the friction zone.
El Capitan, Aunt Flo, Uncle BigE, RAM, and myself departed for Courtenay at about midday. Stopped to see Uncle Blingos for a short visit at CMS, and we were on our way to the Qualicum Hut. There we met up with GearJammer, (I'm sorry, don't know all the nicknames here) Bill (GearJammer's friend), CC (& Bob, is it? I think so), and Vic & Steve. After lunch, CC & Bob had to head back up to PA, which left us as 9 for the trip down-Island. My little bro (in Parksville) called me up and wanted to see the new ride, asked if I'd be rollin' through on my way home... HHAHAHA... well, he and his girlfriend were sittin' outside at the end of the driveway when I (who was leading the pack at this point) came around the corner, and lemme' tell you, I don't think he was expecting to see a PACK of cruisers takin' up the real estate!! I think he just thought it was gonna' be me and the family. No doubt he heard us feeding our way through the residential streets leading up to the place, and then to see Big Bro come around the corner, leading the pack... that was pretty freakin' sweet, I think.
SOOO (this is getting long), GearJammer took us all on a real nice ride through the backroads through Nanaimo (some nice windies, but not too crazy for the newbie). We stopped to pick up Tazzie in Ladysmith, and carried on with some more scenic backroad ridin' on to Duncan. Jenn and Mir met us at Timmie's for a nice break, at which point RAM had to leave us to head back up-Island. On the road again, our party of 11 soon became 6 as Vic, Tazzie, Steve, GearJammer and Bill all broke away to head back to their respective homes. We hit Langford Timmie's just as I was about to turn into a pumpkin (dusk; I'm still restricted to daylight riding only). We said goodbye to Jenn, Mir, and BigE, and Flo & Rob came home with me.
Just saw 'em off this morning, on their way to Port Angeles for a week-long cruise in WA/OR states. Off I went to meet up with RAM and Jippo again, who were down for the Victoria Toy Ride. I missed the ride itself, but met up with 'em all at Butchart Gardens. WOW. Lotsa' bikes. Eep. Went out for lunch with RAM and Jippo, as well as Susan & Mike, Wendy & Marty, John, and Zeek. After lunch, off we went in our separate directions, and thus ended a FANTASTIC first weekend of riding.
To all of you who participated in seeing me home safely, thank you so much for coming out. It was a great experience, you gave me one helluva' nice ride, and I learned one helluva' lot from you all. Thanks for showing me the ropes (or at least some of them).
I look forward to riding with y'all again!!

Friday, September 5, 2008

More Parking lot

I have been going to the parking lot in the morning before work even if it is a couple rounds in each excercise. After work for at least an hour.
Yesterday, my bike was having some work done, and I needed a ride, so I borrow BigE's blinga, my X... He had just done some work on his exhaust as it was running rich!! I told him I was going to go down to the parking lot and see if I could find a steady friction zone. I have to tell you I was nervous.
When I got to the lot the gate way was blocked off by a golfer using the field for his practise. I snuck off the the old lot where we got removed as I new the dots would still be there. I kept thinking, its only a bike, you know how to ride, you know what the friction zone is. You did it on Robs you can do it on this....I mean your buddy Doc she did it in the excercises, that means you can do it!!!
Why was she feelin like a tank!!! The clutch lever I could hardly reach which only means it is going to be harder on the hand. HTBD... Had to be done!! I did the slow cone weave, okay not perfect but I did it.. Not much time so I have to go to the 8.. I did it, very slowly and I sure had to talk to myself but I did it.
OMG... It does not like to lean like the Queen!!! I want to perfect that girl too!!!!
Been getting at least an hour in the evening. Mostly every night I can count on Tanya and or Mark. There was a couple newbies, clients of mine. Ram comes regular.. Holy.. is he getting good...
Today one guy asked me if I would give him some priate one on one when I knew there would be no one coming. I said sure would love too. He said he goes, but it just isn't the same, he wont listen to himself when he tells himself not to look down.
I have just had a new set of brakes put on, and I think I am riding them to hard and making them boil.. Because I loose my brakes and it is frightening. Doc told me that now that I am more confident to slack of the brake and use the friction zone.. I am looking forward t tring the excercises with without the brake even.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Letter from a Friend I have never met!

I was reading your blog - YES I still check in even though the Conga is over! ha! I noticed your latest blog:

I have been home just short of 3 months and it has not stopped my desire to continue to improve my riding skills and to share with anyone that has the same desire.

PLEASE don't let anyone stop you from your passion (ok I know they won't but still! ha!) It sounds like you must have received some negative e-mails - but you know - you made an amazing journey and CONTINUE to make amazing progress - wish I lived closer I'd be RLAP'n in the parking lot with you every flippin weekend! ha! Anyways....just wanted to drop you a line and let you know how much I enjoy reading your blog, the VILR forum (ok I lurk on VILR and participate on WWR mostly! ha!) ....your photos/videos of everyone's amazing progress. I'm really proud of you and hope to catch you on Conga II next year..... already planning to take the Houston RLAP course when it starts up - and meet up with you'all somewhere along the way! It may only be for a day but it would be worth it!

Ok - Blog on - keep up the good work and hope to see ya next year!

Debbie Payne
aka Vegas113

Sharing the parking lot-Words getting out!

Thank God the sun is shining again, and it doesn't look like summer is quite over yet. It always gives me more energy and I couldn't wait to get a half hour on the parking lot before work.

I am not sure why, but I get nervous every time I get out there, wether there is people there or not. I guess it is just that I want to ace the excercises the first time I take a shot at it.. That, to me......is when I will know that I am riding like a pro or ready to move on, or to become certified, or to ride with the Paladinos be in one of their demos or classes.
Or to make it in one of MOTORMANS dvd's.. I just want it to come natural, with a smile on my face every time... I am still not really smiling, I am looking to dam serious...
As I am going through the excericises I am hearing all the words the Palladinos have ever told me.. Relax, snap your head, friction, lean, move your butt... Sometimes I realize I am not doing one of those things and all of a sudden my shoulder will relax... then I will lean my butt to the opposite side, get that friction back and it all just starts, the scraping the tightning of the handle bars.
Last night when I relooked at the clip of me doing the figure 8... holy crap!! I kept hearing Motorman say.. draw an 20 t circl inside the 24ft, and you still got 2 feet to SCREW UP!!!
That was defenitely being heard as Vgirl was filming me. When I looked at it ... I got a huge big smile as with out the inside circle, I knew I had just showed the Motorman I was doing it. I could almost see the smurk on his face!!
Im at work now at the shop is slow and I just want to go play in the parking lot... 1pm... shyte... I recruited 2 of my male client today that have a couple of Harleys.. Of course they see the DVD right in their faces as they are getting their haircut. That starts the conversation.... and low and behold, I have two guy meeting me at 5 oclock so I can give them a demo in the parking lot so they can use it at their convienience or come and ride with me. I am totally excited and so were they. One asked me if I could teach his wife how to ride. I told him about Stinky Pinky sitting there with insurance on waiting to help someone. They both said, this was very exciting for them as they had ridden years ago and were feeling a little rusty.
My Goodness..... The phone just rang and someone said.... Hi is this Flo from Ride Like a Pro??
Yikers.... I knew things were going to catch on, but holy that sounds funny and cool at the same time.
She says to me... I met you a few years ago when you first started riding and also in Mexico. One time you left a note on my door about riding with you... Do you remember?? Well, yes I certainly did, it was the year I met Cheryl Teigs in Mexico is that you??
Okay, so how did you hear about me I asked her? She said.. someguy was talking about some gal, that has learned how to RIDE LIKE A PRO and is working hard at becoming an intructor. They started talking about me and she realized she knew me.. She must have got a good chuckle because I remember this lady .... when she was in riding school, and I was so bad, I paid to go take an extra class at riding at night (NOT WITH MY SUNGLASSES ON)
So she said I hear you are instructing now. I told her by no means am I an instructor, so therefore it is free, to come out and ride with me, and that I can only show her what I know, and that I have a long way to go still. She said her husband wants me to help him too so, how about that... i have 5 people coming tonight... to ride, to practise, to improve, to use the free parking lot.. WHOO HOO!!!

Practise with Vgirl

Vgirl you go girl!!!!

Today I went to the parking lot at 4:00. For some reason, I was pretty rusty for the first half an hour. How cant things change so much? I guess we have off days.
I was determined to do the inside of the figure 8 where you don't cross over just follow the inside with a quick snap back... Not easy for me.. Nor for most apparently. When Robocop first showed me I thought I would never get it!! That was a couple weekes ago and I can only do it twice in a row. It takes pure consintration, almost no lean but more agrresive on the the friction and throttle and brake. Complete locked turn. Whoo hoo, I go it!! Now I just need to get out there and keep it going so I can perfect it, by the time I see him next.
I was there for an hour and Vgirl came by. Now there is one gal that has some determination and desire to improve her skills. She is a very new rider , but has come along way. She is even starting to smile as she is doing the figure 8 and intersection.
I am proud of her and her determination. She sure doesn't mind being told or shall I say yelled at.. She knows I am not yelling at her, but raising my voice so she can hear it over the engine. She told me it is better when I do. I know even I wish I had someone to coach me. Believe it or not, it is the slow cone weave that I find the most difficult as i want to look down.
Tanya is a pleasure to practise with!!

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

RLAP PA! HOLIDAY MONDAY!




Mz Fancypants, givin it a go, to pick up the Queen, she just couldn't find the right spot to plant that fancy butt... That be Flo and Vatman beside her.

Mz CC also had a bit of trouble, but it wasn't as easy to pick up on the grass as is on the pavement.


Gibby picking up his VTX!


Stephen who is Tazzie's son, really enjoying the RLAPING and doing very well at it.

Spyderman!!! I saw him do the slow cone weave and he was consintrating ;)





End of the day- a couple bikes missing.


Robocop recieves a card and gift certificate from the PA CREW!!


Tribob, the hotdog dude and water man... What a treat!

Robocop giving instructions.
We left CR, DD, Tanya, El Capitan, and me, to Courtenay and picked up Fancypants. We were off to meet the rest of the gang at the Hut which were all heading up to PA to do some RLAPING..

I cant remember all the names so I won't even go there. I know we had about 17 bikes headed up to PA..

Not to long before leaving the Hut in pulled Spyderman and Frank Sinatra... whoo hoo, SCRC Regional Officer... coming to PA to check out the RLAP event. When I asked them if they we coming, they just gave me this grin and said....Well, we are going to PA for Chinese Food, and if we run into a Parking lot somewhere... any thing can happen. Sure was great to see those 2 smilin faces let me tell ya... Always nice being tail gunned by a Spyder.... and who wouldnt want FRANK SINATRA... I mean really!!!

It was pretty funny when we pulled into Pa, and passed Robocop. I waved at him to let him know it was us, and before long he was tailgunning the Spyder... Ha, that must have looked kinda funny...

The weather was great in PA, and the gang had the parking lot looking realy nice, all swept and an nice pylons and the barbuque going with hotdogs and water on ice...

I think at there was a count of 28 bikes at one time. Robocop did a real nice proffesional job of giving a speach and demonstrating the excercises and working with anyone that needed help. He was very very supportive and not afraid to give praise to a job well done. He told us how proud he was to see us working so hard to improve our skills.

We practised for about 3 hours. I was so not ready for it to be over when it was. It was so much fun watching everyone, and helping out here and there and learing new stuff.

We had 2 new excercises, one called the snowman which was the triple figure 8 with a 24ft circle and a 20ft and the 18 which was bloody hard. Man, you have to be on top of that with the aggressive friction zone and just the right amount of lean.. Yikers, got a ways to go to perfect that one.

Also there was Texas Star, which Robocop put up and it was hard but Idid manage it. I have to admit I put the bike down as I went off on the grass a bit, and down she went. Going down, does not mean you are a bad rider, it means you are not afraid to try for fear of going down. That is my story and I am sticking to it!!!!

We all went to Starbucks for coffee, and then separated and headed for home. We still had bikes going our way.

WHAT A GREAT RIDE... GREAT EVENT.. GREAT DAY, WITH AWESOME FRIENDS!!!

I never realized learning could be so much fun!!!