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!!

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.

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!!

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!!!