Letter from Melissa

I recieved this private letter today for someone down in NC.. I have never talked to her before. What a timely letter. Brought tears to my eyes.
Hey Flo,
I wanted you to know that I have now ordered my 2nd RLAP, coming across this forum has been a blessing for me. I have actually started to improve in my riding skills and feel a lot more confident with thanks to you the other ladies in these forums, and of course RLAP.
My husband was skeptical at first when I told him I ordered the "beginner" RLAP, but now even he will say it was worth me getting. He usually follows behind me to watch and critique what I do, ha we rode a little over 2 hundred miles today and he is sitting there smiling at me as I type with not a word to say.
He has actually watched some of your clips with me on You Tube.
My experience at the local community college a year and 1/2 ago was the worst I have ever had in my life. Out of 12 people in the class I was the only one that had never been a driver of a motorcycle and believe me when I say never, ever, in my life have I been treated so bad. I actually left the class in tears with only one day to go, because of the bullying, berating, and not teaching me anything. This was instructors and students acting this way. I ended up going and buying a 250 and taught myself with my husband and brothers guidance. (Big bro has a mile long private drive LoL) I now drive a HD1200
I went to this class to learn and was treated like crap because I didn't already know how to ride, I thought this was why is was called beginners class. It should have been called to lower your insurance class, anyway I have never been one to back down from anything, but that experience was so bad my confidence has not been the best. As I said before with thanks to all of you and RLAP I am getting there.
My goal is by next spring to have 5000 safe riding mile experience and my dream is a Road King, and ya'll have become an inspiration. Thank you from the bottom of my heart so much for putting your experience on this world wide web.
Melissa

RLAP RLAP RLAP RLAP RLAP RLAP RLAP RLAP RLAP RLAP RLAP

I have been doing al ot of thinking about things as I have just a month to go before I head south. As I have said a lot has happened since returning from Florida....5 short months ago today. My God, it seems so long ago in a way but actually feels like I am on my way to visit my friends again soon. I guess that is because time in the sun passes by so fast and before you know it.. I'm flying to Florida. Are ya ready for me MOTORMAN!!
Yup, things went a little haywire around here and I took it very personally at times. I have to say though it was just a handful of people that couldn't handle the RLAP phenomenon as it has been called. I kind of chuckle about it now, maybe I should take up advertising.
So bottom line.... with help from my friends... I pulled up my big girl panties and decided to just be me.....I am going to just continue on being me... and those that want to ride with me, I am honored.. Those that don't, that is okay. Those that don't like hearing about RLAP please stay of my blog and my forum. Because I will never stop RLAPING!!!! ENOUGH SAID!!
Those that want to learn about RLAP , I am happy to share!! Those that don't not a problem.

Sad day for Pinkat!!

MZ PINKAT, she came in today, a little sad, but a little happy. That girl is always happy, smiling, laughing hugging, a true pleasure to have in ones company. She is going to be a great addition to the rider community. Young, beautiful, outgoing, positive, excited, and very enthusiastic!!! Oh dear, have I created another monster??

Today was the last day of insurance for Stinky Pinky and it is pissing down rain of course. I asked her if she wanted to go riding as being a biker I would gladly go if she so desired. I gotta smile, because if I insisted, she would have gone. I looked at her and said... um... ya , no, we are NOT RIDING..Big smile!!

I am leaving in just a few days over a month, which means, she did not, will not,,get her MST, before she leave, or should I say before I get back in June. So what we are trying to decide, is how I can sign it over, or insure it when the time is right, even if I am not here. I am sure Miss Vgirl will want to take her out riding first thing come spring. I can just see it now, when i get back whe will be riding some big bike to show off.. lol... I know what us girls are like!! So I guess I best look into that before I leave, I mean, we cant leave this newbie rider, hanging in till June can we.

Not to worry Pinkat!!

Crap Fest

There has been many posts on the forums that I would have liked to defend myself . I have ignored them as hard as it has been somtimes. This post (in black)was from some guy to Docdonna in a post where she was defending me... Anyway here is ...My response if given a chance to speak would have been.... ( red)
This person is talking to Docdonna.......
I agree with you totally that we all learn from different means. That is exactly the kind of response I would have expected to hear from professionals. Unfortunately that is not the message that is coming from Flo.
I just said yes the dvd's will help you more than your friends. I thought you were a newbie woman rider as you came on the WOMAN WHO RIDE forum...You're first and only post. I was trying to make you feel comfortable, until MM or Doc could respond. I should have just asked you to go introduce yourself. You see there ya go, you already knew about forum ediquet, and didn't use it. You should have said... I am man and have been riding for years, and I am just trying to cause some shit, so I followed Flo over here.
You dont know how that forum runs.. We all respond if we have something to say... We are woman...lol For instance on VILR.... you know the one you lurk on all the time... Sometimes I post to Motorman, and because he is a very busy man, our Island Motorcop responds. Ya see , no problem, that is the good thing about forum. They are open. We are almost all frieinds and enjoy helping each other. Most of us are out to help not bash, or invent problems.
You say her skills are amazing ... in a parking lot maybe. I have spoken to many that say her road skills are not quite so amazing but that is not what this is about.
Why do you waste your time talking about me when you know nothing about me. If you ride with me someday, and I don't ride the way you like tell me.. If I can improve I will .
I believe as professionals you should not have someome teaching others or offering advice on your behalf when they are not qualified. She took your course and is teaching riders up here. Is that all I takes down there to become an instructor ... a couple of lessons. Hope not.
Why on earth would they not want someone who believes in their product so much and can obviously get the word out to to the whole biker community in less the 5 short months with out even trying. I am not teaching, I am showing people, friends, family, what I have learned. Teachers get paid, I have never accepted anything. Who ever uses my bike sometimes they put in the gas and sometimes they don't, it is cheap and fun, and my hobby, and I love to share. Have you never shared something without expectations??? Shame on you.
One of these days, after my next trip to florida I will come back certified, and then if I am any good, get paid... Fancy that!
You are far from here and probably have no idea that the Go with the Flo ... ride like a pro phenomenom has stired up a serious crapfest almost destroying her own chapter and causing the resignation of many good officers and others who worked incredibly hard to build them.
Yes my friends are far away, but we speak often, and are very close. They know everything and encourage me constantly. I am always asking for advice from them. They know everything I do when it comes to RLAP. Honestly I can not understand how RLAP phenomenom could destroy a riding club but rather enhance one. There always new riders coming in and let's face it even though we have been riding for years, there is always room for improvement.
I agree with you totally the CR chapter dimissed me not for lack of interest... possibly too much interest. Calm the waters about what?? Spreading the good word of learning to ride better... For shame!!
And just so you know I will not be backing off promoting good riding skills. It isn't about me, it is about helping others. Just like the Palladinos helped me.. Sort of like paying it forward. If it has caused a rift in our calm riding community because one person had something to share with other riders about riding, then there is something wrong. Why wouldn't it be in their best interest to have someone like me to get the word out about Riding like a Pro. I believe in them.
Toy runs and other events may suffer in their absense and it and has created a rift in our previously calm riding community. Also I cannot believe that the C.R. chapter revolked her membership solely on lack of attendance. They in my opinion were looking to calm the waters any way they could. Is it in your best interests to have someone like that promoting your product? And to you Flo ... respectfully ... just back off with all the self promotion and you will be fine. JMHO

Looking back

It has been quite a season since I have been back from Florida with my new bike. I have managed to put on almost 17,000 miles since May 21 when I left Florida. Wow, it has been a whirl wind really. Here it is almost time to head south to Mexico to our other home in the sunshine. I will be riding the 49cc scooter and walking the beach. Sunshine everyday, it always make the blues go away.
A little recap in my mind of how things went since I've been back almost five months to the day.... I met so many new people. Especially down the other end of the Island where my new found Friend Dragon was. I met people that I knew only by nicks from the Forums. I saw roads on the Island I had never been on before.
I was still only working 3 days a week so I had lots of time to ride. I went to Port Alberni and met so many new people there also. I got to know a great bunch. There was rides being planned here and there and everywhere.
My forum Vancouver Island Lady Rider VILR became one of the most popular biker forums on Delphi. We were all organizing rides and trying to jump in here or there with a friend for a scoot somewhere or a last minute hook up with someone. I was almost never home.
Of course I was so into RLAP that I talked about it all the time and found a parking lot to put all the exercises, with help from friends and family. I was wanting to share what I had been taught by the pros in Florida. For me it was just amazing to me how much one could improve their skills after riding for years. I never went anywhere with out RLAP DVD in my saddle bags. I wasn't out riding, you could find me out in a parking lot somewhere.
I was being critiqued by Motorman through video clips and you tube. Docdonna was giving me encouragement through emails and posts on my forum. I was honored that Motorman would give his time on my forum to help critique other riders that were interested also. The more time went on, the more I knew I was loving it, and by helping friends I knew I was seriously considering becoming an instructor as I so enjoyed helping someone improve.
I guess my enthusiasm drove some people nuts. Others just encouraged or joined me. It was fun and exciting watching each other improve our riding skills or conquer a difficult exercise. One gal in particular Vgirl, just a brand new rider, became as dedicated as me. She is doing some of the excercise better than me. That is so exciting watch a newbie become such an awesome confident rider so soon. Not because of ME... because of MOTORMANS dvd's., because of HER. Her determination!!!
I wanted to share, with those that wanted and even up in Port Alberni we had a huge group come out to practise these exercises in their parking lot. We were honored to have a local Motorcop join us and encourgae us.
I know I get a little over enthusiastic about things that I believe in. Wether it is about riding, running, working out, new diet , living in Mexico, planning a ride, or a fund raiser, an new book, a persons desire to become an great author.. Whatever !!!! ... if it helps me and I think may help others. I am enthused!!
I never for once wanted to show how good I was, but how good the DVDs were and just what you could learn from them. Hell, if someone like me could learn it.then why not share it.
Apparently that is not how I came across to some people and it caused a bit of an explosion. I will never understand, how sharing, giving, something you have ,can cause such a commotion. I wonder if I'd won a billion dollars and shared if it would cause the same commotion.
One other thing, I do not understand is why... if people have a problem with you can they not have the decency to email you privately or call you and just be up front and honest. Especially when you come right out and ask if there is a problem and they deny it or say they don't have any idea what you are talking about.
The long and short of it all is ...I seemed to have caused quite a commotion here on the Island. It is a very sad situation for many... myself included. I would like to say that I am sorry for anything that I have done that would caused such an upheaval, but for the life of me I can not figure out what it was or what I did. It was never my intention. I only wanted to share with friends. I have ignored all the nasty posts on the forums. This was the last one ...and I AM going to defend myself once and for all for everyone that reads my blog.
If only someone could have simply stood up to me and said something before this all grew out of proportion!!
TO BE CONTINUED....

End of Season.

Today is a gorgeous sunny day, and I am working.. wishing I could be riding. By the time I get off work it will be dark. I will be lucky to get another day in of riding before we leave for Mexico
We have 5 days insurance left on Stinky Pinky.
It's looking like it may not happen that Kathy gets her MST before I leave in the next 5 days.
It is a sad thought that riding season is over. There is only 5 days that I would be able to ride before my insurance runs out on the Queen. Praying for sun on Sunday.

A new rider.

A gal about my age came into the shop today said she was recommended to come and talk to me to help give her some practice on riding. I know who the client was as I told him about the bike I have to help friends learn to ride or get more practise and confident on a bike before they make their purchase.
I told her I would be happy to help her so long as she knew, that I was not an instructor, just a wanna be, and that one day I hoped to be. I could only show her what I know and ride the streets with her when she was ready or if she wanted to. The most important thing to do would be learn from the professionals and they are in this dvd I sell. You will learn alot as I did and then if you practise those skills you wont be scared any more.

I got a little chuckle because she was describing how she felt the first time in the parking lot when it was time to leave and head out on the highway, she was petrified on how to get to 5th gear and once she got there how to get back down to first. I said to her, my goodnes can I relate to you.. she told me she didn't complete the course and wants to take it again , and I told her I thought it was a great idea. Hopefully in the spring when i get back we could do some riding together. She said she has another lady friend that just learnt how to ride and is looking for someone to ride with. I gave her my card and invited her to VILR forum . There is more lady riders coming up all the time.
She bought the dvd, a leather coat off me and best of all another friend to ride with in the springtime.