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!!!