Spring...Finally!!!

You really couldn't tell it's spring because of today's cold and rainy weather but thankfully it is!  That was one cold and snowy winter.  I definitely had PMS aka Parked Motorcycle Syndrome.  Sadie was a little temperamental again this year and didn't want to start.  I guess I need to invest in that trickle charger since Zippy Pickle can't share.  I finally did get her started though and have taken her on a couple rides around town.  What a great feeling!  A girl and her motorcycle, such a beautiful sight!

Last fall I lost one of my riding gloves.  I don't know how but it vanished.  Maybe there is a glove gremlin like there is a sock gremlin.  Hopefully it will show back up eventually since one could always use a back up pair.  Well on my way to visit my sister I stopped at my favorite Harley Dealer in Waterloo, Silver Eagle, and purchased a very awesome new pair of riding gloves.  It kind of freaked me out that I really liked them because they have a pink bar and shield and pink stitching.  Let me tell you they are awesome.  They just pull on and I don't have to fight with the Velcro strap like I did my other pair.  They will take a little breaking in but so far I'm really liking how they fit and feel.  Plus I love the smell of new leather!  At $55.00 for the pair I better take better care of these.

Check out this cool tank that Harley Davidson has come out with for the 2014 Sportster.  It's great to see that Harley Davidson is making a few more tanks with the female rider in mind.  I like how they took the paisleys and created skulls with them to add a little more of an edgy look.  A guy I know that works for the Harley Dealer in Iowa City posted this photo one day a few months back and asked people what they thought of it.  Of course some guy had to say something extremely derogatory and negative about it.  It really got under my skin. (Can't ya tell?)  I applaud Harley Davidson for realizing that 1 in 4 motorcycle riders are female.  Having options that aren't 100% geared to males is refreshing.  Mr. Derogatory and Negative is just going to have to get a grip and accept that we are here to stay and we may want a kick ass tank that sets us apart.      

With it being spring, cages have forgotten that we are out on the road.  We've already had a few motorcycle versus cage accidents this riding season, here in Des Moines.  There was also one death caused by a drunk driver.  The rider will be buried tomorrow in Des Moines.  He was injured about a month ago, coming back from a memorial ride for a young man that lost his life to cancer.   He passed the beginning of last week. Prayers to his family and friends.   

Please be careful out there my rider friends!  Have a safe and adventurous riding season!  

The Journey Continues...

Last March when I picked up Sadie it was a dream finally realized. When I finally got on her to ride it was scary for me to say the least. It had been quite a few years since I had taken the Rider’s Edge course and a Sportster is much heavier then a Buell Blast. I had also ridden for so many years with Dan that I was feeling a little separation anxiety. Plus to top it all off I had this weird mind set that you beat Leukemia and now you want to ride your own motorcycle. What the heck lady?? I didn’t get very many miles in last year. I went on some short trips but Dan pretty much had to prod me to do it. By the end of the season I was seriously thinking I had made a huge mistake. I considered selling her and forever continue to be a backrest for Dan.

As the winter loomed on this year I would look at Sadie and would feel a tug at my heart. I felt anxious for spring. I was ready to give it another try. My head was back in the right place and I felt better then ever. Come on spring!!

The first chance I got I rolled Sadie out of the garage and started her up. Damn she sounded beautiful. Her pipes rumbling loud and her lights shining bright, before I knew what hit me I was strapping on my helmet and gloves and riding her around the neighborhood. It felt so wonderful. There wasn’t the same apprehension as last year. A few days later I did another trip around the neighborhood and thought to myself as I was stopped at a stop sign, this isn’t enough, I need to take a little spin further away. I rode my ritual route without Dan this year. It felt amazing, my soul had life again. I loved the feeling that I was getting. I was finally back. The new and improved super fantastic Stephanie has her renewed sense of self once again.

Today I rode out to Jester Park. It was so much fun. I can’t wait for my next ride. I hope to share more journeys with you this year. Last year I was pretty darn quiet and didn’t really say much about riding my own. Thanks to all the females out there, that I admire so much, that gave me words of encouragement.(and thanks to you gentlemen too that told me to hang in there) It helped me out a lot. I’m glad I have ME back, because I was desperately missing myself very much!

It’s finally riding season!!! Get out there and enjoy yourself. Be safe and here is hoping I meet you along my continued journey on two wheels !

Crimson Dreaming!

Well it's Thursday night...I'm sitting here refreshing my e-bay auction and thinking about spring. It's getting so close. Pretty soon Zippy Pickle will be out of the garage and zipping down the road happy again! And I'll be happy again. Went to Big Barn last Saturday. Had the urge to look at the pretty bikes and continue dreaming. I'm still in love with the Crimson Red Street Bob that is back by the parts department. Sat on her...got off of her...watched some guy looking at her and put a hex on him so he'd leave her alone. I kept thinking to myself...dude...it's a chick color...walk away! Walked around the dealership again...sat on the Nightster...I seriously love that bike but it's not practical for what I want. Sat on a Sporty again and very much decided that I would hate it after a couple days...too little. Looked at the over priced clothing and then made my way back to her again. I stood for a moment checking her out...walking around her. Gosh she's so pretty...I would look so awesome riding her. She would look great with all the rockin' accessories I'd prettier her up with. I sat on her again...lifted her up. Imagined myself one with her and the road. I want that bike so bad. Someday I'll be on my own...the wind blowing through my hair. I'll be one with the road rather then one with the one on the road. Did you get that? I did...LOL! So anyway...It's Thursday night and I'm dreaming of that Crimson beauty yet again and wishing she was in my garage!

Think Spring! Don't forget to say a prayer for our Troops, Vets, and Fallen Heroes!

Goodnight!
XO - IHG

Silk N Steel MC

I love looking at MySpace pages even though I don't have one. What's up with that? HA! I ran across this group of women riders who have started their own MC called Silk N Steel. Very freaking cool! Loved the song on their page too...Bad Reputation by Joan Jett and the Black Hearts. My thoughts exactly!!! I think it is awesome how much motorcycle riding empowers females. Whatever Boys can do Girls can do better is what I always say!