~A Man on a Mission~ My interview with Scott Harwood
Scott Harwood
Right before the end of this last year I had a prodigious opportunity to interview Pro racer Scott Harwood, a local boy from where I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. Scott immediately caught my attention with his energized, outgoing and open personality conversing with him over the phone . He did not hesitate to answer all my questions fully and completely and it was evident I had his full confidence, which made the body of the interview that much more relaxing. I hope you enjoy learning about Scott and his team Team Go-Scooter-Go Racing, I wish them well on their venture to the British Isles and may it deliver him a dream come true.
Scott Harwood is a talented multiple ASRA National Champion and AMA Pro Racer, with a personal dream to race the Isle of Man TT , a dream that will become a reality May 29, 2010.
Scott, with his “out of the box” approach and newly founded racing team, Team Go-Scooter-Go Racing will be heading out to the wee island nestled in between Ireland and England in the Irish sea, to compete in the 37.7 mile, 104 year old road race challenge. A road race which is considered to be one of the most dangerous racing events in the world.
MRR takes an up close and personal look into who Scott Harwood is, and why this 38 year old family man would want to delve into such a dangerous and potentially costly dream.
MRR- To start, when did you take up riding?
S. Harwood- “I started riding when I was 24 years old in 1995, where I grew up in San Jose CA. I started riding the back roads of the Santa Cruz Mountains and was finding it wasn’t enough. When I moved to Arizona I got into the CCS South West Division in 1997. In the seasons 3rd race week at Buttonwillow’s GTU, I crashed and shattered my ankle, facing a career ending injury, I was out of racing until 2004. But, 1997 was a big moment for me, because there were a couple of sponsors there looking to pick up a full ride. I was an amateur, racing in an expert/amateur race and had won just about every race prior.”
MRR- What inspired you to get into racing?
S. Harwood- “It was an unfortunate event with my friend and his girl friend. We were riding up into the Arizona hills and he had a bad accident, it was at that point I realized riding on the street wasn’t the best thing to be doing at the speed I liked to travel.”
MRR- As a multiple ASRA champion and AMA Pro Racer, can you expand on the divisions you successfully raced in?
S.Harwood- “ I started back into racing full time in 2004 as an amateur again, in the Mid Atlantic region, I was living in Virginia at the time. There I received my AMA Pro license in 2005 and went into the expert division, where I did my first pro event, AMA Kahuna Nationals. It was the Formula Extreme Division at the time, a 600cc class with unlimited modifications. I had just bought a Honda CBR 600RR off the showroom floor, put some race body work on it and entered it, qualifying 24 out of 28 and placed 17th overall. I received some TV exposure alongside Miguel Duhamel, Jake Zemke, and even beat Danny Eslick, which was pretty cool. After, I was given a full ride in the ASRA National Endurance Series from 2005-2008
Team Go-Scooter-Go Racing
MRR- What led you to the decision to compete in the Isle of Man TT?
S.Harwood- “After the 2004 season doing the AMA and the ASRA team challenge series, I got picked up by Yochum Motorsports out of Wisconsin. They saw me racing at Daytona and asked me to ride in place of an injured rider in the 5th round. At that point I had only ridden Hondas; they wanted to put me on a Suzuki, a bike I wasn’t familiar with. I went out and ended up winning the whole thing on a GSX-R 600 in the rain! That was the start of our relationship. I helped them win the National Championship that year for 2005. They picked me up again in 2006 racing the Moon’s Super Cycle on a GSX-R 1000, the cool thing about that year was we won every race, 8 rounds, 8 wins! A first in history!
We parted ways in 2007, I got picked up by the team Mid Illini Motorsports and they put me on a Yamaha R6 and put me into the 1000cc GTO class, racing against 1000’s. That year didn’t go so well, and we finished 4th overall, it just wasn’t a good fit. So I went back to the original team I was with in 2008, which is now called Serpent Racing. We won the GTO on another GSX-R 1000 the GTU class on a Ducati 848 and the over all challenge series was once again ours.
That brings us to where we are now, as far as why I want to compete in the Isle of Man TT. It’s something I have seen since I was a little kid; it’s a famous race that’s over a hundred years old. Also, as a kid, my dad used to take me out the races at Laguna Seca, I always told my dad I was going to do something special and I’m making good on that now!”
MRR- You recently founded Team Go-Scooter- Go Racing this last September, was the team created for the Isle of Man?
S.Harwood- “It specifically was, yes. With the current situation in US road racing, with the AMA Pro Racing Division and DMG, we are really suffering here, factories pulling out left and right, and as much as I would like to support US based road racing , I just don’t think it’s possible. An every day guy like me, can’t afford to do it, the costs are too extensive. But if things do indeed turn around I would like to come back and compete in the AMA series.
Team Go Scooter-Go Racing was formulated out of thin air, by the culmination of all it’s members, with aspirations of creating a successful racing machine, by giving up vacation time and savings by the team members, it’s truly been amazing.
As far as racing, I wanted to do this for my dad, to make good on a promise.. I think I’m ready to do it; it’s not something everyone does, or can do. I’ve been told it takes a special type of rider to do the TT. I don’t know if that means you need to be crazy or being in tune with your limits or both.”
MRR- What are you doing to prepare for the Isle of Man TT?
S. Harwood- “It involves DVD’s and video games! But seriously, I can’t go over there and expect to accomplish the experience with folks like Conor Cummins and Bruce Anstey. They say it takes 3 years to really know the course, and being over here with less than a year makes it impossible to get that type of knowledge. But what I do is use the resources available to me, with simulations, and games, the media, as crazy as that sounds! I use all the technology I can, memorizing all that I can.
I try to alleviate all possible mistakes. I plan on going out there a couple months prior to the race. Drive the course, take notes, and try to re-simulate it. Locally, my team is made up of myself, the guys I work with, and friends, all on a volunteer basis, and 100% American, which will be the first in history. We are currently doing Regional Rounds to develop the bike and team. Usually American riders that go to the TT have to share racing teams. I totally trust my racing team, I want to be able to work and communicate with my team explicitly, I feel it’s the key to our success.
My personal goal is to average 120mph, and be in the top 20 and with my team behind me, I’m confident we can do it!”
MRR- Statistically, most of the TT racers are single. As a husband and father, how do feel you about competing in a racing event that is considered the most dangerous in the world?
S. Harwood- “It doesn’t enter my mind, it’s a click for me, with not an option to fail or get hurt. I’m a family guy, I love my kids, and I have total support from my wife, my kids, and parents. In the beginning my parents were not supportive of me riding, that’s why I didn’t start riding until I was 25, but now they understand my love for the sport and support it!
I fashion myself after John McGuinness and Joey Dunlop, after learning about the TT. The training John has, he doesn’t go to gym; he was an average guy with his family. And Joey, he was an odd sort, he smoked and he drank and wasn’t always politically correct, but he was the best of the best in racing. They are both my idol, they were able to separate their jobs from their dreams, but not lose one over the other.”
I think I’m looked at as a paradox, you won’t find me doing push-ups to be in the “zone”! I’m over 6 foot, 200 lbs, I smoke I drink and I don’t always eat the best, yet I won every race in 2006! I have people thinking “how does this guy who is not A-typical, do it? The sponsors love it, the fans love it and I love it!”
The team's new logo with Suzuki GSX-R
MRR- Tires and suspension are critical for a successful road race, who are you working with to formulate the perfect fit?
S. Harwood-“Trackside, Suspension & Engineering, which is huge right there, to have our very own team. You can only choose certain brands of tires; we are leaning towards Dunlop, because I won 2 out 3 championships with them. But, we will work with anyone who is offering “free!” I do have concerns with Pirelli’s, the way the carcass is made; it doesn’t have good flexibility on the front tire, where I tend to be hardest on tires. I will be riding the Suzuki GSX-R 600 in the SuperSport class and the GSX-R 1000 SuperStock class, and I’m confident TSE will dial it in.”
MRR- How do you plan on preparing for the unpredictable weather conditions on the Isle of Man?
S. Harwood- “The weather thing doesn’t bother me, I rode 24/7 whether it was raining or not. The unique thing about me, if it rains in a race, I don’t lose, in fact I’ve blown everyone away with my riding skills. I know the physics of the braking property, and introducing lean angle. But, for some reason, rain can spook some riders, but it honestly doesn’t bother me.
MRR- And finally, how did you get the nick name “Scooter”?
S. Harwood-“Because my name is Scott, and it fit, my kids and friends were kind of calling me Scooter affectionately and so I kind of picked it up as far as the racing thing goes, and I thought it was a cool fit. I even put it on my license plate on my Audi A8. We’re just having a good time, because that’s what it’s all about.”
Footnote: Team Go-Scooter-Go Racing is still open to accepting and reviewing all partnership proposals for 2010, and encourages everyone to learn more about the Team and the Isle of Man TT project by visiting the Team’s website at www.go-scooter-go.com. Team contact info can also be found there as well. Be sure to keep up to date on the Team’s progress and journey to the Isle of Man, by following them on Facebook and Twitter, @TeamGoScooterGo.
And hold on to your hats, because Go-Scooter-Go Racing will be making a formal surprise announcement at the latter part of February 2010. To quote Scott; “We will be bringing something to the Isle of ManTT that nobody in the history of the event has done before!”
~Cindi~
Mark Gardiner ~Riding Man~
Mark Gardiner Isle of Man TT 2002
There are a vast array of personal stories behind why so many privateer racers compete in the death-defying challenge of the Isle of Man TT, but one in particular intrigues me, Mark Gardiner. Maybe it was because I had the opportunity to meet him in person at a book reading at my local BMW dealership. But, more importantly, maybe it was to find out why a man who had a life and career, would risk everything on a historically dangerous road race thousands of miles from his home.
Who would have known that the soft-spoken, slight, mid height man, who had given up riding in his twenties due to his lack of confidence as a proficient rider, was to come back 20 years later to witness his 2002 CBR 600 sitting in the parc ferme in the Isle of Man TT! In the intimate gathering at Moto Marin, he went on to confess how truly bad he was as motorcycling, but because of his love of motorcycles as a boy, he went back to riding to find himself being motivated by the sheer “thrill” of it after an intense crash on the track. Beginning his new found racing career in Calgary , he was finding his attitude turning more towards not giving up with each progressive race, and gaining an insatiable appetite to get to the next level.
In 2002 Mark Gardiner was a 47 year old Canadian embarking on his childhood dream to ride the Isle of Man after a few short years racing professionally with an expert level CMA and AMA Pro license. As a successful business man, he put his life on hold, and in 2001 sold everything he owned and moved to the Isle of Man with only what he could carry and a bicycle. As a Manx resident, Mark spent the next year eating, breathing and cycling the 37.7 mile course to learn as much as he could with the intent to memorize the course foot by foot, perhaps conferring an advantage that would make up for his own inner insecurities.
Mark and I at MotoMarin BMW
In his book Riding Man, a memoir invoking on his journey thematically starting from his childhood curiosities into the world of motorcycles and ultimately the Isle of Man through a volume of encyclopedias his parents bought him.
Forty years later he takes the reader on an adventure back and forth, vacillating in time from his days as an advertising director to his relationships with his family, co-workers and friends, and ultimately to his dream of conquering the Isle of Man TT competition.
With days to go and no guarantees of an ACU race entry, no bike and no back up plan, he manages to buy a Honda CBR 600 locally and qualifies for two classes, Production 600 TT and Junior TT. His small pit crew of two, a good friend, Paul Smith and Kris Gardiner, his nephew, struggle with unpredictable bad weather, regulating tires for atmospheric conditions and ongoing unstable damper issues all the while having to memorize the road race circuit like the back of his hand. Like he paved the course himself.
Through all his trials and tribulations, with risks, rewards and inevitably some regrets, Mark obtains his goal, to take part in the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy race, an experience few will ever know.
Mark is also the author of “Classic Motorcycle” , focusing on the social, political, and the cultural history of Motorcycles. He is also a successful journalist, having his work featured in Advertising Age, Canadian Business, Classic Bike and Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Racing, which he was nominated for a Canadian Magazine Award. Along with being a contributing editor for magazines such as, Road Racer X, Classic Bike and Motorcyclist, Mark currently resides in Southern California, where he still dabbles in the advertising world and enjoys his new passion in surfing.
I highly recommend this book to all motorcycle enthusiasts and to those who just want to experience the bravery of one mans dream.
To quote him: “The deepest regrets are always risks not taken.”
Footnote: Mark Gardiner was one of the first participants in the Isle of Man TT to have an acclaimed documentary made, ” One Man’s Island” directed, filmed and edited by Peter Riddinhough
~Cindi~
A prelude to the Isle of Man TT
Up close and personal with the riders
Even though it is 5 months away, I feel compelled to write about the Isle of Man TT, a 107 year old road race that up until recently, I knew little about. My fascination with the Isle of Man TT began several weeks ago after meeting Mark Gardniner, a Canadian who competed in the TT in 2002, and just recently, interviewing Scott Harwood, one of a handful of Americans to be competing this coming May 2010. I will be expanding more on Mark and Scott in my next blog, but first, a brief introduction into the history of the TT and why it has become one of the most exhilarating and risky road races in history.
The Isle of Man is a self-governing wee island that lies equidistant to Ireland and Great Britain in the Irish sea. An island 32 miles long and 14 miles at its widest point with a population of over 80,000, baring an infamous reputation for having the fiercest, unpredictable weather around, it’s hard to believe it can entertain one of the most internationally acclaimed road races in the world.
The TT is held annually for a fortnight at the end of May, beginning of June on a two lane public road course which consists of 37.73 miles of undulating roads with deceptive tight corners often named after the riders that lost their lives on the treacherous turns, such as Birkens bend, named after Archie Birken, who lost his life in 1927.While witnessing the riders taking in over 200 bends, converging from sea level to an altitude of over 1,300 ft, fans are able to stand all along the billowing roadway within arms distance of the rider, it can be as perilous to the rider as to the spectator, clearly, the TT is not for every average motorcycle enthusiast!
In the 107 year continuance of the TT (as a time trial format race), it has managed to evolve with each decade, making revisions such as altering the road race course, classifications, motorcycle modifications, change-ups in manufactures, safety provisions, interruptions with WWI and WWII, qualifications, and race schedules, to name a few. But, still manages to retain a timelessness in its original goal and that is to have the race experience be competitive against the clock, rather than each other.
Being one of the oldest motorcycle circuits to exist, it’s mind-blowing to think about the first winner of the TT, Charlie Collier back in 1907 riding to victory on his Matchless motorbike in just over 37 minutes, per lap totaling 10 laps, averaging a speed of 38.21 mph on a course that was at that time, 15 miles long!
Now, in the recent past, we are witnessing riders like John McGuinness setting speed records of 130 mph, with lap records of 17.21 minutes per lap on the 37 mile plus stretch. The most successful rider has been Joey Dunlop, who has won 26 times in various classes from 1977 to 2000. The first woman competitor to ever participate in the TT as a side-car passenger was Inge Stoll, in 1954, and most recently in 2009, Jenny Tinmouth of GB, taking the podium as the fastest woman on her Honda Fireblade, beating Maria Costello’s record from 2004!
This past 2009 the first zero-emissions TTXGP motorcycle race was held, which could mean all and any electric motorcycles are eligible to enter for future TT competitions. So, it’s perceivable to think there will be more changes for the future of the annual TT road race adventure, which to me, is a good thing!
I look forward to one day attending the Isle of Man TT road race, a mountain circuit that is without a doubt, the greatest challenge any racing motorcyclist or enthusiast can take on!
Cindi
The parallels of life in motorcycling
I recently was reading in one of my numerous motorcycle publications, Rider Magazine’s “Riding Well” column, by Eric Trow, in which he compares riding techniques to football. Who would have thought to translate “staying in the pocket” to creating a safety bubble in traffic to establish a degree of protection, but, I have to admit, he makes a point, riding has an uncanny way of translating into life’s experiences.
And when I took the great leap of faith to ride, I don’t think I consciously took it up to improve on my psyche, but rather to prove to myself I could accomplish a difficult physical task. Little did I know, several years later, motorcycling was not only to be a physical learning experience, but a mental one as well. I have talked about being in the moment with the assistance of buddhism in motorcycling and now most recently, again, I am finding my life once again paralleling my riding.
In two months time will be th one year mark of my divorce, an anniversary I am not proud to celebrate, but grateful, none the same, that it took place. After being single for the first 10 years of my adult life and finally finding comfort in being single, I met my husband. We married two years later and for the most of the 15 years of marriage I was happy, but things and events happened and sometimes what you thought would never take place in your life is starring you right in the face. Though it was one of the most difficult decisions in my life, I am now, once again, a solo rider, riding the roads of life on my own and learning to enjoy it.
I frequently go out on my motorcycle alone, taking day trips out to the coast or to the wine country in Napa Ca, and it’s great, not having to worry about watching behind me or ahead of me, to be completely insouciant in my ride. To only be concerned about me in how fast do I want to go, do I want to pull over and take a picture, or suddenly, on whim, decide to take an alternate route. But it’s evident to me I don’t ride as well alone, as I do with others. And so it goes in my personal life. I love having the freedom to do as I like as a single person, but find I am at my best in a partnership.
I’m at the vertex of my strengths and abilities when I ride with others, I find myself on my game and competently riding in the moment with every nerve sensory alive and kicking. I love the camaraderie with my fellow riders, engaging in conversation when taking fuel and/or lunch breaks or just using the universal “hand” language that riders have perfected over the years. Just like couples do after years of being together and carrying on a conversation with no words and somehow deciphering what each other is communicating!
I enjoy encouraging my fellow riders when they are having an off day riding or compliment them when it’s evident, they are expert riders, and I love to have it reciprocated as well. To take in the beauty of the surroundings and enjoying it with others who appreciate what being on the motorcycle gives to the rider. The simple act of working as a team in getting from one point to another, interacting and supporting one another along the way, in riding as in life, we as individuals can choose to ride solo. But why do it when the ride is so much more fulfilling when it’s shared?
Cindi
The present is to ride….and the ride is to be present.
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” Buddha.
As motorcyclist, we know that to be the most proficient in riding you have to be in the now, to think of nothing else but what in going on with you, the road and the bike. Right here, right now, at this moment in time, it is all that matters.
If you ask any motorcyclist why they ride, one of their first responses will be ” it puts me in the moment.” Which usually follows with “riding gives me a free feeling.” It’s the philosophy that brings us together as motorcyclist, whether you ride a sport bike, cruiser or dualsport. So, why is it so difficult to live our daily lives in the now, to focus our minds on our actions just like when we’re on the bike?
Although, I don’t practice Buddhism, I have learned that this is the central practice of Buddhism, the importance of living in the present moment. It’s the simplest concept to understand, yet the most difficult to master. It has been said that monks spend entire lifetimes sitting in seclusion, meditating in silence, in order to learn to be present. The reward: enlightenment. We might not be willing or able to devote our lives to following this spiritual path, but by consciously making an effort to live in the moment, we can help to eliminate stress, regret and fear to become happier, more productive people.
The source of strife is taking belief in conditioned phenomena, we take refuge in views and opinions through attachment, we hold on too much to the past and look too much to the future. By teaching our minds to be present, we must come to observe and enquire into our mind. To begin to notice our mind, what it does, and how it reacts. Instead of just letting our thoughts jump around from one thing to another in a continuous stream of blind activity, we need to say stop! To be here in the now, to be clear minded and void of past and future.
How do you accomplish this seemingly simple task in a world of multi-tasking? Start by noticing the mundane things that you do in everyday life. If you are driving, simply drive! Don’t worry if little Suzie will be late for school, Monday’s meeting or what another driver is doing behind you. If you are breathing, then simply breathe. Notice each breath coming in and going out, feel the air that sustains you. If you are sitting, simply sit, pull your mind back to right now. Notice your surroundings. Notice your feelings. Notice your suffering. Notice, but do not worry. And just be.
Cindi
Another Case in Point of “Being in Forward Motion.”
Liz and I at the Style Saver booth
Fervent anticipation ….or was it just plain old fashion fear? Probably a little of both, leaning towards the latter.
Sunday, October 18 at the Penngrove Park in lovely Penngrove CA was to be the location where the 4th annual Chilly Billy Memorial run was to end its 100 mile + ride to help raise money for children with diabetes. And as I set up my booth for Style Saver Scarves, with the help of my good friend, Liz, I wondered, if this was all going to be worth it.
2 months ago my friend Cathy sent me a message on Facebook telling me of a motorcycle event to take place in mid October, they were looking for venders and the hook that reeled me in was it was free! All I had to do was donate an item worth $25.00 in retail value. This is an opportunity not to be missed, being my online motorcycle scarf company had been in circulation for a mere 2 years and holding, but in much need of a marketing boost.
I vacillated about making the commitment to do this event. To date: I possessed no marketing tools in advertising, such as flyers, banners etc. I didn’t have a tent, tables, no display racks to display the scarves and, most importantly, NO scarves to sell! Liz and I were sewing as the orders would come in, but Liz, nor I were finding the time to create an inventory with our increasingly busy lives.
One month to the day, I decided to “go” for it. I often recite the phrase “I’m in forward motion” to myself when I am feeling stifled or like I’m just not moving ahead. It’s where, I find, I am most happy, in forward motion. So, how could I pass this opportunity handed to me on a silver platter? I couldn’t, so I got on Craigslist, and placed an ad in the “gig offered” section for a seamstress. And the calls poured in, the first one was within a minute of me posting the ad. I interviewed and hired 3 women to aide Liz and I in our endeavour to successfully sew 120 scarves in 30 days time!
Once I called Buddy with Rip City Riders, the club hosting the event, to tell him I was indeed participating, I was on a full out mission! I had seamstresses coming to my house sewing, I went to their house to pick up scarves, I had banners ordered, post cards, mannequin heads, material, a credit card terminal, additional packaging, price list signs to be made, and everything else I borrowed. I borrowed my girl friend, Lisa’s two 6 foot tables, my sister’s truck, and she borrowed a canopy tent from her friend, I borrowed my girl friend Randy’s display stands. Everyone unselfishly, delivered it all to me. I just remember thinking, if this event is a total bomb, just knowing that I have friends and family that will come to my aid with such generosity made it all worth the effort and expense, it’s overwhelming to think about now. How many people are in my life that want to help me.
The day before the Chilly Billy ride, we successfully had manufactured 145 scarves, 25 over my projected target! All I had to do is package the scarves, load the truck and try not to forget anything before I left! I looked like I was leaving for a month by the looks of my sister’s SUV!
I met Liz at the park at 9:00am, they riders were due to come in at around 12:30 to 1:00pm. We unloaded the truck and set up our shop! It looked great, we sat and waited in anticipation for our busy afternoon ahead…we hoped! My mother came, my cousin, Rhonda and her friend James, Donna and Devon also stopped by to hang with us. It was great to receive so much support again, from everyone. Liz and I were struggling to get potential customers to come over and try on one of the scarves. Liz was great at enticing people to fill out our “enter to win” contest, but couldn’t land a sale. And I was useless at both, I was like the shrinking violet! I have owned a hair salon for years, never having a problem selling my talents to my clients, but selling a scarf that I designed and made was too much for me to handle! I clearly need to work on this!
We had a lot of people come by the booth and they were great fun, some bought scarves, some just filled out our “enter to win” contest forms, some just wanted to chit chat and some just smiled as they walked by. At the end of the day I wasn’t any richer in my pocket, but what I did come away with was a richer out look on the experience as a whole. I learned about what works in marketing the scarves with a potential customer, meaning, what is the selling point in which people become interested in the product? How I have to relax and not be so personally attached to my product. It’s okay if not every single person doesn’t want to buy a Style Saver Scarf. I learned from my cousin, Rhonda,who had an uncanny knack for selling, she made most of my sales. I watched and listened to her as she would approach a female rider and tell them how fashionable they looked and how they needed a “fashionable” scarf to compliment their sartorial style. She was simply amazing!
So, today, the day after my debut selling Style Saver Scarves at a public venue, becoming more excited about all the great ways to market this great product, I am a richer, more enlightened person, all because I made a conscious decision to move in a “forward motion.” And it feels fantastic!
Thank you everyone for helping to make it happen,
Cindi
Twitter: a life altering experience
After listening to my very good friend and roommate, Jeannine tell me over and over that if I want to promote Style Saver Scarves and really get them out there, I needed to start blogging and Tweeting! I would just stare at her,day after day, with a blank look on my face and nod my head in agreement not having a clue what she was talking about. Now, don’t get me wrong, I was familiar with blogging, not sure what it did exactly, and what it could possibly do for me and my scarves, but I had heard about blogging. That was good enough for me!
It was the Tweet thing, I had no idea about. I remember a while back Jeannine talking about how 23 people were following her while we both busily typing away on our computers one night in our office. I said politely, “oh, that’s great!’ and thinking “what the hell??” And why is this so great? I guess, if I had really thought about it, I would love to have 23 people following me. I guess I could invite them over to dinner when they got tired of blindly following me around? At least offer them a beverage…
@robdale and I, over looking the Pacific at the Marin Headlands, CA
How can I begin to explain to a “non Twitter” person of all the great experiences, gifts and incredible people I have met, chatting on line as well as in person? How do I now begin to explain about all the people following me, and to try and convince them, no, I’m not egotistical or self indulgent, it’s just how Twitter works! Although, you have to wonder for those Tweeter folks who have thousands of people following them, if doesn’t go to their heads just a little bit?!
I would just like to share some of the great people and experiences I have had in the past 6 months from being on Twitter….
I have acquired 3 signed books directly from the authors. The first two were gifts, the first from Carla King, Author of Misadventures American Borders. Carla graciously invited me over to her house after my request to review my Style Saver Scarf. Not only did she do two reviews and tweeted about the scarf, she gave me one of her books, signed it along with fresh plumbs off her tree. The second, was Dwain DeVille, author of Biker’s Guide to Business. An informative book creatively merging the biker with the business man mentality. You would be surprised how similar they are, and Dwain should know, he is successful at both. The third book I purchased from Christina Shook, a talented photographer at her book signing at Bender’s Bar in San Francisco after @robdale’s suggestion. I had briefly met Christina at the AMA Women’s Conference in Keystone CO. Rob, who was visiting from Ottawa Canada ( the capital of Canada!) told me about Christina’s book signing and since I was giving him the royal tour of my home town of San Francisco, we couldn’t miss out on seeing another fellow Tweeter, and snatch a copy of her vast array of eclectic women riders from the greater Bay Area.
Carla King and I, attending the AMA Conf. Keystone CO
I was also invited to be involved in the MotoRaceReports.com team, working with several other correspondents from all over the globe. It’s been a great experience getting to know each of the team members and the head of the team, Jeff, or EL Jefe as he is affectionately called by his confidants. I am new into this field but I am having fun with it and look forward to indulging into the sport of motorcycle racing with great alacrity!
Some of the great people I have met, @themotoworld, Paul, with his informative podcasts of some of the most inspiring motorcycle racers, men and women alike with his great sense of the profession as well as a kick in the butt sense of humor. Always offering his expertise. @robdale, a brave solo-navigating Canadian, who rode across America and back again, taking on the experiences of the road and all that goes with it. Listening to his GPS scream at him in the voice of “Stewie” whenever he took a wrong turn, which was often! Competently meeting his Twitter friends along the way. @SonnyJohns, a media guy in Austin TX, who has been so kind to me, always introducing me to a friend of his or new product or technology. Many times not knowing at the time, what the relevance is to me, but, always in the end, it making sense! @lilredridingliz, for being my mentor, my confidant and one of my best friends!
Rob Dale, Christina Shook and I, " Chicks on Bikes" book signing at Bender's Bar SF CA
Maybe it’s a question I don’t need to answer right now, I’ll just keep meeting new people and having fun in the interim!
Thanks to every one of my fellow Twitter friends, it’s been a blast!
Cindi
Proper Riding Posture-it can make all the difference
When you consider that 15-50% of your body weight can contribute to the total weight of your bike, it’s not hard to understand the logistics of why it’s important to have a proper riding posture.
Although it is true the type and style of motorcycle you prefer to ride influences the riding position, there is still a set of universal rules to use in order to gain the successful results when approaching and banking into a turn.
Arm and legs: For the best comfort and control , keep your elbows slightly bent. Stiff or locked arms impede a natural flow of movement when steering and can influence the front suspension and the bikes stability. Try to get into the habit of recognizing arm tension while riding.
Your legs and feet also affect control of the motorcycle, because the legs account for a large percentage of body weight. You can accomplish a more stable position by keeping your knees against the gas tank. This is especially important when riding at low speeds where a shift in body weight can significantly disturb the balance of the bike.
Hand position: hand position is different for everyone, but one thing to remember is to try and keep the wrists in line with the forearm, this will help to alleviate any problems with wrist fatigue. It also gives you the most efficient control with less effort and who doesn’t love that??!
A simple trick to get the most consistent throttle control is to anchor your thumb or forefinger on the handlebar’s electrical switch box, this great in slow maneuvers.
Cornering: The best thing to remember when taking a corner is to lean your body with the motorcycle, not against it, like in counter steering, which is best applied when taking quick swerve movements or in slow speeds. For the maximum control when cornering, is to position your body weight inside the motorcycle’s centerline. In other words, lean your weight to the inside of the turn. This helps the motorcycle to transition from an upright position to a lean angle position, which requires less handle bar pressure and insures more ground clearance.
The more you practice this technique the more you will feel “one” with the motorcycle, like you and the bike are moving together as one piece of machinery.
Foot position: A good rule of thumb to avoid dragging a toe when taking a tight turn is to move your feet back , so the ball of your foot rests on the foot peg. This also makes it easier to maneuver fluidly when changing body positions, such as banking left then right. You can use your foot to help with turns by pointing the toe to the inside of the turn while the ball of the foot still remains on the foot peg and the heel is against the frame or guard.
Dragging a knee: Knee dragging is primarily used on the racetrack and by experienced riders ONLY! It’s used to gauge a lean angle when taking a turn to indicate to the rider if the lap is slow or fast. It’s also a good way to develope consistency by touching a knee down in the same place lap after lap. It’s important to know in order to drag a knee you need extreme lean angles and should not be attempted on public roads. This style of riding is best used on the track where the race bikes are equiped with high-grip radial tires designed for such deep angled turns. But, you already knew that, right?
To me, the most enjoyment I receive from riding my motorcycle is going out the back roads and just flowing into the turns, one after another, in one fluid motion, like I am one with the road and the bike. It would be my greatest accomplishment in my riding experience if I could consistently do this dance with the road efficiently and eloquently all the time.
But, in my four years on two wheels, I am still a work in progress! I have been told by many veteran motorcyclist, nobody will ever “arrive” at the almighty state of perfection in riding. But, maybe that’s why, or just a great excuse to get out there as often as we can, after all, practice makes perfect or somewhere there within!
Cindi
Iron Butt Rally 2009 Riding over a 1000 miles for breast cancer
What is the Iron Butt Rally….exactly? 
The Iron Butt Rally is held in the United States every two years. The Iron Butt first ran in 1984. In 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987 the rally started from Montgomeryville Cycle Center near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Iron Butt was not held again until 1991 when it came under the management of the Iron Butt Association. While the basic format of the original rally remained, two important things have changed; to ensure the quality of the event, the rally is run every other year and the starting and ending points are rotated to different locations within the United States.
Beginning in 1993, shorter rides were arranged that lasted in duration from one to many days, and while the Iron Butt Rally is a large, organized event with a plotted course, the other rides are left up to the competitor to accomplish at their own accord. Some riders prefer to complete a ride solo, while some clubs have arranged rides in groups of up to 30 riders. But while the Rally is a monitored event, the riders of other events must monitor themselves, Like the SS1000, BB1500, and BBG1500, thorough documentation of the ride must be made, by collecting time-stamped gas and business receipts along the way, and by keeping a trip log recording mileage and location. These documents are then submitted by mail with a fee to the IBA, where it is then processed and an award given if the requirements are met.
This past August 21, was to be the 25th anniversary of the IBA, kicking off in Spartanburg, South Carolina . A hundred riders facing 11 days and 11,000 nonstop miles to their final destination in Sandpoint Idaho on September 4th. My friend, Dwain DeVille, a successful business man, recent author of The Bikers guide to Business, and a cancer survivor, joined the girls of RibbonRiders to raise money for breast cancer. Together, they successfully did one leg of this adventure in a 24 hour time period.
Below is a short note telling the inside story of his experience and how it felt.
Hey there Cindi,
Ahhh, the Iron Butt. What a wonderful day. The ride was awesome and the ladies were killer to ride with. I accompanied a group called The Ribbon Riders, a ladies bike club that raises money for breast cancer http://www.ribbonriders.org/ . The founder is a friend’s wife and when she contacted me for a donation on their Iron Butt adventure I begged her to let me come along as it’s something I’ve wanted to do for years. And the ladies agreed as long as I rode in the appropriate spot, last. Little did they know that’s my preferred spot anyway.
Overall it was an outstanding ride. No rain but we hit four major traffic jams that cost us 3 hours in time. So instead of it taking 17 hours it took 20. But we pushed through and I couldn’t be more proud of the group for riding hard and strong the entire time. I’d ride with those ladies anywhere at anytime.
By the numbers:
5:00 a.m. kickstands up – 1059 total miles – 20 hours in the saddle – 24 hours awake – 9 riders – 3 states – 2:00 a.m. I became Iron Butt Certified, one of the World’s Toughest Bikers – 3:00 a.m. I showered and drank1well deserved Budweiser. …1 HUGE checkmark!
On the book front it’s only in the first week of being out and I’ve given 5 radio interviews across the country. I’ve also been approached by a Harley dealer in Louisiana to hold a book signing for their anniversary in October…kinda cool. We’re now marketing that to dealers across the country and I think it should take off.
D
Cindi
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Recent
- ~A Man on a Mission~ My interview with Scott Harwood
- Mark Gardiner ~Riding Man~
- A prelude to the Isle of Man TT
- The parallels of life in motorcycling
- The present is to ride….and the ride is to be present.
- Another Case in Point of “Being in Forward Motion.”
- Twitter: a life altering experience
- Proper Riding Posture-it can make all the difference
- Iron Butt Rally 2009 Riding over a 1000 miles for breast cancer
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