The Zen of Riding

Today was really an interesting day. My ride in to work was probably one of the best rides. One of those days that the mind was free of clutter and focused. I passed by lawn guys cutting grass, PennDot workers just hanging out by their trucks (do they ever work?), squirrles running around (almost ran one over) and the best part of all, a groundhog sun bathing on rocks between two waterfalls. It was pure zen.

I was thinking to myself all day that the outdoors are calling me. I mean I spend time outdoors already, but not really doing stuff I enjoy. I don't know about you but I've had it with yard work. See there's something called routine and we all get caught up in it. We need to find time to maintenance our own souls. What really got to me today was the patch of rain I rode through on the ride home. I actually saw a full rainbow once through it. I couldn't stop looking at it in my mirrors or even turning my head in disbelief. It truly was a full rainbow. A sight these eyes haven't seen since I left Arizona and another reminder to occupy zen!

So friends remember to take time out for you cause life is too short. Too short to not enjoy daily.

Riding in the rain, flat out sucks!

Who's a commuter? Who always seems to get stuck in the rain every single time they go out for a ride? Well this blog post is for you!

Some people tend to have that "dark cloud" over them no matter what they do in life. I, like many, have that darn rain cloud over my head no matter how much sunshine is in the sky. Funny to some, not really so much fun when your squeezing a cups worth of water out of your socks. I know, I know, "wear rain gear". Been there, done that...I still get wet. I mean head to toe! I've come to the conclusion that it's the way the water runs off my bikes tank. The only gear I have yet to try out personally is anything lined in Gore-Tex. Only problem with that is, everyone using the product hasn't figured out how to make gear "Harley Exhaust" and forward control friendly. Even Harley has thought to do anything about it either. Maybe one day this will work itself out.

In the meantime, I'm glad I'm not that only idiot that decides to ride in the pouring rain. Stay safe friends!

Photo taken by +Christopher Kraus co-worker at +RevZilla 

Motorcycling and Sex, Yup lots in common.

Do you remember your first time you had sex? Your first kiss? Probably sucked, but you will never forget it. Now do you remember your first time getting on a motorcycle? Your first group ride? Probably sucked, but you will never forget it. See what I mean, tons in common!

Finally the weekend has arrived and I have been dying to write this post. It dawned on me the other day while I was on my hour and half commute to work. It hit me that motorcycling and sex have tons in common. Alright some of you are probably thinking I am crazy. Think about it. Finding the right partner is important in life, right? Finding the right sex partner is even better! Finding the right motorcycle is just as good of a connection. While finding great riding buddies is even better!

You have no idea how many riders I have ridden with all over the country. From 10,000 motorcyclist in the 911 parade in Phoenix, to hundreds of riders during the Polar Bear tours in the winter, to just myself and a friend out on a days ride. There are moments in life when you realize that will be the last ride with that group you take or with that individual. Maybe because the group rides really fast and unsafe. Maybe because your buddy keeps leaving you at stop lights. Definitely not fun experiences and you say to yourself "never again". You also will never forget. Same thing falls true with your sex partner. If your not satisfied you never let it happen again. (or at least that's what you say to yourself, but eventually "never again")

As time goes on and the older we get, we learn from our mistakes. Whether it's how we ride through the next turn, or who we choose to sleep with. Mistakes make us stronger and wiser, but be sure to share that wisdom or its all for nothing.

To conclude, safe motorcycling is like safe sex, the more you protect yourself the more fun you can have. Enjoy the weekend my friends. For those of you that get to enjoy both this weekend, hats off to you!

In the meantime, what are your thoughts about this post? I would love to hear your feedback.

Firstgear Heated Gear Review

A couple weeks ago I had the privilege of trying out the Firstgear heated gear line. I have to say it was a love hate relationship. Here's what I used before I go any further:

• Women's Heated Waterproof-Breathable Jacket
• Heated Pant Liner
• Heated Socks (actually made by Warm&Safe)
• Glove Liners (I believe are also made by Warm&Safe)
• Heat-Troller (made by Warm&Safe)

As you can see I was prepared for a snow storm. Well, at least for a very chilly ride in the 30s down the Atlantic coast from PA to NC. I had tested the jacket with the glove liners a day before my trip to make sure all worked well. The following day I tested the pants and the socks, again all was well. When I started on my journey to North Carolina. I was approaching Dover, DE when the temperature began to drop. I hit the on button and WALLA.....nothing! Nothing at all! I realized the heat-troller I had didn't have enough wattage to run the whole darn suit. I was beyond pissed at that point. At the same time, as cold as I was, I really wasn't. 

(My eyes were closed, but here's a pic of the jacket)

Turns out the gear, even though not advertised, does help with wind protection. I honestly was amazed. When I pulled over to get some gas, I ended up disconnecting the bottom later and just keeping my core warm. Little did I know the jacket would become severally uncomfortable. There is heat around the collar and honestly there really doesn't need to be heat around the collar. I felt like I was going to burn my neck. The heat was so bad I ended up pulling over again and connect the bottom half instead. Boy was I a fool for that one! The pants in the thigh area were getting so freaking hot that it literally felt like someone was searing my leg with branding iron. I think if I had left the pants on I would have had third degree burns. The socks and the gloves were really the best part of the suit. The jacket being worn as a stand alone waterproof light weight riding jacket is pretty awesome too. Just not with the heat. Also, the wires, oh man the wires! There were so many wires in the jacket that they basically took up one pocket. Even in the pants the wires were annoying. The gloves and socks had a different type of technology. Seriously Firstgear or Warm&Safe (which ever you are) you need to work on the technology. Honestly, I would only recommend the glove liners.
What brand do you use? Love/hate? Let's here what you have to say about heated gear?

"hipsterish"

The term Hipster drives me nuts. Sorry to break it to everyone, but hipsters are far from hip. It's a lazy culture caught up in there electronic mobile devices. They don't see outside the box...or in this case "screen". (Which is still a box)
It seems to be a more of an annoying culture than the epidemic of saggy pants. Maybe it's just me, I don't get it. Maybe I'm not supposed to get it, cause I'm not a hipster or hipsterish. What drives me up the wall more than anything is when people say "you're drinking hipster beer". Sorry to break the news but PBR and Old Milwaukee have been around well before most of us. Keep in mind this hipster phase is very new still.

What are your thoughts about hipsters?

Motorcycle Spring Fever -MSF

And you thought MSF stood for Motorcycle Safety Foundation...ha! It really stands so for Motorcycle Spring Fever. I don't know about you, but I have had enough with winter. It has been dragging on. The last two days we finally hit temps over 50 F. Although Tuesday we are expecting lows in the 30s again. Come on Winter bug, GO AWAY! The need for wind in my hair, the sun on my skin, the feeling of freedom and nothing on my mind except how many more rolling hills will I be cruising on. You know the feeling, don't you?

On Friday I rode to work and froze my ass off in the morning. My afternoon ride was much more enjoyable. There is a point when riding becomes a task and not a pleasure. That's one thing I never like it to become.     Cold weather can do that. On Saturday I rode to gym and then came home and spent four hours detailing my bike. I have never done this since I rode it off the dealer lot day of purchase in March of 2008. Boy does it look sweet, and boy do I never want to buy another bike with that much chrome!!! Live and learn! lol

So, it's spring right? I'm not sold on that idea quite yet. Although, I do have a ton of rides I would love to go on and places I look forward to seeing this year. Life is full of adventures, I'm thankful mine begin on a motorcycle. Well sunshine, I sure hope to see you soon, I miss you dearly!!

First week of work at Revzilla.com

Hope everyone has been having a great March. Spring for the most part is here, besides the snow flurries and the 30 degree temps that seem to linger here and there. At this point, I'm hoping for summer to arrive early. Last week I embarked on a new adventure. A new chapter in my life, if you will. I accepted a position at one of the largest motorcycle eCommerce sites on the web, RevZilla.com. (note: Soon to be #1)

For those of you not familiar with Revzilla, they sell tons of motorcycle gear and accessories. They have a huge project this year that will expand their business into the V-Twin market. Previously, Revzilla has proven to be the one stop shop for ADV, Dirt and Sports bikes, not to mention Snow mobiles. I'm sure they won't let us down when it comes to us fellow cruiser riders. Revzilla, in my opinion, has the best user website out there. Therefore, if you're a V-Twin rider start exploring their website now and familiarizing yourself with the awesome ZillaCash program. Seriously, free shipping over $39 bucks and you earn cash for ever $100 you spend...I don't know about you, but that's a no brainier!

My first week has been jam packed with training. It has been loads of fun and information overload all at the same time. Coming from a "cruiser" background, many of us don't really know much about all the brands of gear out there. Mainly because that gear is never marketed to our segment of riders. Harley on the other hand, markets to me and hence that's what's in my closet! Since women riders have really made a come up in motorcycling, I feel that gear (protective) has become more of an important thing. I'm really excited to learn more on all these brands that offer protective gear, in order to pass on that education to my V-Twin community.

I'll keep you guys posted on how things continue to develop. I'm off to enjoy the rest of Sunday with family. Remember to check out the site and if you have any questions please comment below or on my G+ profile. I'll leave you with the Harlem Shake video. It's hysterical! (yes, this is where I work now)

Live to Ride, Ride to Live!