Racing with Dreadlocks

"You race motorcycles?" they ask.
"Well, sure. If I can do it, you can too," I say. I tell them how my husband has been racing since '06, with me as pit crew and Gatorade concierge. I do PTA, I say, and motorcycle racing. I'd once thought Moms didn't race motorcycles. My vintage Honda Hawk cruiser had been my only two-wheel adventure.

Then, I saw a woman on the racetrack. Lots of women ride and race motorcycles; it's not exclusively a man's sport. But this racer was out there, holding her own with the rest of the racers. I wasn't at a place in the stands to watch her doing battle with anyone, but she was out there. It was cold and wet, and not conducive to spectating. I caught glimpses of her coming onto the long straight, dragging her knee, dreadlocks flying out from under the back of her helmet. 

She was racing. When she removed her helmet, the grin on her face told the story. I didn't know who she was, but she was pretty damn cool.

A few months later my husband and I ventured to Grattan Raceway to spend a week riding with friends. It was there that I was treated to a 2-up session on the track. Two-up is two riders on one bike, going fast, and, yes, dragging a knee in the turns. 

Bait taken; hook set. 

The desire for a bike of my own welled up inside. My husband was thrilled. He acquired a retired Yamaha FZR600 from a friend, cleaned her up, and within two months I was out on the track. Skittish as a new colt, I was simply happy to have graduated from the spectator club. I was on my own bike (MY. OWN. MOTORCYCLE.) hitting triple-digit speeds and freaking myself out. What a rush!

Soon race season came. The image of that racer, having the time of her life, dreadlocks flying, stayed with me. In a short time I earned my official race license. When they said I'd passed the test, I was giddy.  I couldn't wait to grid up with the others. Despite my enthusiasm, I came in dead last in every race I ran that season, probably even setting a record for being lapped. But I was a RACER. I never stopped smiling.

Recently, at an event at Heartland Park Topeka, I met up with friends from an online Women Road Racers group. It was great to put faces to names, and share hugs with women from all over the country. We told stories and encouraged one another to keep getting better and faster.

Later on, as I was browsing old pictures online,  I came across the image from my memory: a woman racer with dreadlocks dangling from under the back of her helmet. I cross-checked names. Without realizing it, I'd spent an hour the previous weekend chatting with my racing inspiration (she no longer has dreads). I sent her a thank you note. Racing is a small world.

As women, we tend to think our actions are self-contained. We often don't see ourselves inspiring others just by following our dreams. Even though I grew up in a motorcycle house, spent years riding a street bike, and worked on a pit crew, the idea of me actually racing a motorcycle was foreign. I know amazingly talented racers and I call them friends. But it was the sight of Ms. Dreadlocks (Jen, by the way) screaming down the straight that lit the spark to take this leap of confidence.

Now my 12-yr old daughter wants to race. I'm hoping I'm her inspiration, but know it could be anyone out there on the grid. I'm thrilled she's following her inspiration.

Ch-ch-changes

What a morning! Wrapped up my last radio show and have called it a day. When the money crunchers slash budgets, what can you do? Cling to the sinking ship or swim for calmer waters. 

So, I'm swimming off to my next adventure: Marketing Director for Tornado Bait Racing, my husband's and my motorcycle race team!  Radio has been a fun ride, but sometimes you just have to call it like you see it.  I'm excited to be working again with people I love in a sport that makes my blood race, literally.  Motorcycle racing is more than just guys in leather pants going fast, you know. 

Thanks to all the friends and listeners I met through the years. You are the light that made the job worthwhile. I'm continually amazed by your kindness. I'll do my best to keep my blog updated, but would love to hear from you, too. 

Please do keep in touch. I'll be seeing you...here, there and on the racetrack! Ride safe. 

Tornado Nationals!!

AWESOME weekend! Ron & I took the kids out to the AMA Tornado Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka to see some motorcycle racing (yea, I know, shocking!). Really cool to see friends of ours mix it up with the big boys (and girls, in the case of Melissa Paris). John Deuser, Matt Hall & Jamie Hall raced well. They may not have had the big rig set-ups, but they did have some of the biggest cheering sections out there. Ron will be with them on the grid next season. Can't wait!

LOVED that the big name riders were so accessible and friendly. My son got his new hat signed by Jordan Motorsports riders Geoff May and Aaron Yates, and I snagged pics with my faves, Ducati rider Larry Pegram and Danny Eslick, along with Martin Cardenas, Roger Hayden, and Aaron Yates. Pegram even graciously signed T's hat after he won Sunday's Superbike race.

And check this: when we met Pegram on Saturday morning, I mentioned I worked in radio. He asked which station so he could listen while driving to the airport on Monday. When we saw him on Sunday, right after his second big win of the weekend, I said "Wow! Now I've REALLY got something to talk about on Monday." His reply: "On 98.1, right?" With everything he had on his mind, how in the world did he recall that?? Very cool guy. And I LOVE that he calls his wife right after each race. Gotta love it!

Equally cool: we bumped into racing legend Scott "Mr. Daytona" Russell strolling thru the paddock. Ron and our friend Greg Williams (owner of Cafe Racer, Inc) were a bit starstruck. I'm not as familiar with his racing feats as they are, but his commentary on SPEED TV with Ralph Shaheen is great. Quite a coup for us all.

Pretty great weekend all around. How was yours?

What's Your Passion?

Had you asked me 20 years ago what I would be doing for fun "when I grew up", I would have never imagined my reply would be "riding motorcycles". 

It's hard to put the allure and thrill of motorcycling into words. They just don't exist. Exhilarating. Unbelievable. It's more than that, to me anyway.

Lots of folks just smile politely and nod when I go on about my two-wheel addiction. That's alright. I'm sure their zeal for golf will always escape me, too. I respect that. (For the record, for me golf is only fun if it involves gnomes, windmills, and waterfalls.)

All I know is that I'm in good company with lots of people who get motorcycling. Whether you ride a Harley or a Honda, tour the backroads or drag a knee at the track, pilot your own ride or prefer a passenger seat perch, it's a sport that gets in your blood and never leaves. Know what I'm talking about? 

WHAT'S YOUR PASSION? To start you off, here are some pics from a recent trip with my fellow Motorcycle Addicts. Enjoy!

I'm Like a Kid Waiting for Christmas Eve!

What is it about a grown-up vacation that makes you feel like a kid again? In a few short days, that will seem like a lifetime, we'll be leaving on a trip to ride motorcycles with great friends.

My husband has the bikes prepped and the trailer is good to go. We're both so excited about our road trip to Grattan Raceway next week that it's hard to sleep. We'll spend three days track-riding and hanging out with club friends. Nothing like great camaraderie and genuinely good people to renew your faith. 

And, as my track announcer friend Charles says, there's something very unique about the bond between people who participate in dangerous activities. 

The best part is that everyone is there to have a good time. No trophies, no racing, just a lot of fun and good sportsmanship. BONUS: I get to spend five days with my husband, doing something we both really enjoy. I'll miss they kids, but they'll be in good hands (and up their ears in craft projects) with grandma.

I promise to post many pictures (and hopefully some video). What are you doing this summer?

Yikes! I must've been busy!

Has it really been nearly a month since I last updated? Yikes! My apologies - guess this is a sign that my world is moving at warp speed but I'm not. WHOOSH! What have I been up to? CHANGE. Fortunately, I'm a mom and it's one of my strong suits, but being ambushed by change can be intimidating.

#1. MY KID FLEW THE COOP. I'm excited, anxious, terrified, thrilled and sad all at once. She's a bright, creative and wonderful young woman who needs to stand on her own two feet, but I'm not ready for this! She'll be fine, and I can't wait to see how she does. I'll admit I'm a tad envious, though. Oh, to be 20 and off on a grand adventure with no strings attached....

#2. MEET THE NEW BOSS. I'll have to say this has been the easiest part of the last month. Not the Losing-The-Old-Boss part; that sucked, to be honest. But the new Big Cheese is off to a good start. Drop by and say "hello" by tuning in to the 98.1 KUDL Morning Show - he'll be sitting right across from me each morning as he's also my new radio partner. Locked in a room with your boss for hours each day - no pressure there - ha! Actually, he's a really good guy, funny, and we're glad to have him on our team.

#3.BIG RELATIONSHIP TEST. Been busy getting ready for a road trip with my guy. Best way to discover the strengths and weaknesses of your relationship? Spend 20 hours in the car together. It's an eye-opener! LOL! I'm really excited about our trek to a private motorcycle event with friends. Yes, it's a week away from my kids (which I dread) but a wonderful time with my guy. And it's three days of nothing but motorcycle riding on the track. WOOT! My goal this year: to stay out of the grass. If I learn how to look cool dragging my knee in the corners, too, BONUS POINTS.

Enough about me - what have you been up to?

Riding on the Range

Doesn't seem like it's been that long, but I've been riding motorcycles for fifteen years. My husband gave me my first bike, handed me the key and said "get on and ride". Fun! I've had Honda streetbikes and Kawasaki sportbikes, but I really had no idea how to ride correctly. Sure, I knew how to shift and corner and stop and not fall over at a stop light, but safety-wise, I was NOT in control of my destiny.

So I wised up and recently took the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Basic Rider Course. Several groups provide the classes, but be aware they book quickly. I think the insurance discount is quite the incentive.

I took the class at Kansas City Community College with Dale, Wendy, Bob and Roger. The instructors were great and really knew how to ride! They made it fun and I learned A LOT. Plus, the people in the class came from all backgrounds. Some had never ridden; some, like me, had been riding and had lots of bad habits to overcome. I highly recommend the class and it's follow-up course for more experienced riders.

Thanks to all and can't wait to see on the streets :)

MSF Class Pics

Some pics from my MSF class at KCKCC. And yes, we rode in the rain, not nearly as bad as you might think. Rain gear rocks!

The bikes we rode (I rode the yellow Buell Blast - little bike but boy was it fun!), Instructor Wendy, rain!, two of my fellow classmates Brandon & Brad.

My New Track Bike!

A long time ago, on a race track far, far away, this 89/90 Yamaha FZR600 raced and made someone very happy. Then that someone became bored with it's charms, and shuttled it off to a new home. It made it to the track a couple more times, but work and duty called so mostly it sat alone in a dirty, dusty farm building. This past weekend we rescued it from it's hiding place under the tail end of a John Deere Gleaner in a barn in Kansas. Welcome to our motorcycle family, FZR!

With Ron's motorcycle expertise and patience, spare change for parts, and my unflagging encouragement ("Is it fixed yet? What's that part for? When can I ride it? What cha doin' now? Can I sit on it? When can we paint it?"), it will soon join us at track days in and around the midwest. This is my track bike. Yea!

(This project made possible by my husband's inability to shrink from a motorcycle challenge. Thanks, honey!!)

At least I'm not doing this, Mom

Watch the the look on the face of his girl friend. I think I've felt like that!

My 1st Motorcycle Track Day

My girl Lauren and me getting ready to tackle the track. Lauren's a great rider and fast! Me, slow and steady wins the race, right?

Me on the grid, engine racing and ready to go. My heart was pounding, but it was so cold I hardly noticed. Nothing hotter than wearing a head-to-toe leather suit and boots.

Learning the track and how to look thru the turn (and not at the ground).

Here's Ron assessing the damage after I crashed his bike because I wasn't looking in turn 10. (Thank goodness he's a patient and loving man) On the plus side, the bike was only scuffed, and I was only bruised. But I may keep the grass that was stuck in my helmet as a souvenir.

The Winner's Circle! Aaron, Lauren, me and Ron taking a bow after a great weekend at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit. The crew there is great and the track is a lot of fun. Can't wait until the next time! (I promise not to crash again, OK, honey?)

My Guy Rocks

You know, one of the best parts about being married is seeing your other half do what they love. My Guy Ron races motorcycles and he's really good at it. Yes, it's expensive, and yes, it's dangerous (as my mother keeps reminding me), but he loves it and I love that he loves it. Plus, watching him race is really exciting! The race bike, the leathers, the boots, gloves, helmet...something about all the gear is just kind of, well, manly. The training it involves is fairly time-consuming, but he works hard at it. (I've even polished my pit crew skills a bit.) This past weekend in Omaha he clinched the top spot in one division, and snagged second in two others. He's pretty stoked and I'm so proud!! It's so cool to know he's getting to do what he loves to do, and I get to be there, too. :) Married life is good.