Women’s Sportbike Rally West 2015!

I don’t think that there’s any better way this summer could have been kicked off other than being able to attend the inaugural Women’s Sportbike Rally West!!!!!!  I can’t believe that it’s already been almost a month since this amazing event has passed…  Good thing the memories will last a lifetime!

In the wee hours of the morning on May 29, me and Jessica (Dlinquencious) took off for a 750 mile drive to make it to Big Bear, California before the festivities started.  Bikes on the trailer, our luggage packed inside and lots of caffeine, we were ready to roll!  11 hours later we made it to our destination.  We were greeted by none other, than the amazing Unicorn herself, Brittany Morrow.  Shortly after we met another bunch of incredible lady riders!  It was quite an experience to be able to meet ladies that I have been following on Instagram and Facebook for most of the last three years.  It’s so cool to see the person behind the social media account and hear their voice and know that they’re a real person haha!  I think a lot of us introduced ourselves with our first name, and then if you didn’t catch on it was more like, I’m so and so from Instagram!  And then it all clicked!  Lots of giggles and hugs and new ladies to meet!

The day of the ride was incredible.  The weather was beautiful, warm and sunny.  I’m not sure it could have gotten any better.  The roads in Big Bear…….  Just wow.  I though Utah had some awesome roads (and they do, don’t get me wrong), but being able to head out in any direction and have twisties waiting for you after just a few miles was incredible.  To some, this might be silly to say, but the roads throughout Big Bear were so clean!  Free of gravel, debris, pot holes and many of the other ailments Northern Utah roads have because of cold winters.  The road banked with every single turn!  It was beautiful and some of the smoothest pavement I’ve ever been on.  It was like it was made for motorcycles :).

Brittany led some of us on an incredible ride through the mountains with crazy elevation changes and views.  It was amazing.  I’ve never had the opportunity to ride outside of Utah.  I absolutely love the mountains and canyons here, but it is an awesome experience to be able to be out of your element, led by a fellow lady rider through beautiful new places.

I’d have to say that hands down, my favorite ride of the day was up to “Rim of the World”.

Just wow.  It was breath taking.  I don’t remember the exact elevation, and can’t seem to find it anywhere on the inter webs… but you could see for days up here (if it weren’t for the California smog).

We ended our last night with a nice dinner and got to hear all about Erin Hunter Sill’s MULTIPLE land speed record experiences that happened right in my own backyard, the Bonneville salt flats.  Not only is she a multiple land speed record holder, she is also one of the 2014 AMA Female Rider of the Year.  If you don’t know her, find out more about her.  She has most definitely become one of the many women that I admire.

I met ladies there that will now always have a special place in my heart.  It’s so awesome to be able to meet other motorcycle ladies that I might not have been able to without the rally.  I loved the feeling of camaraderie and mutual respect.  We are all brought together by the love of things on two wheels!  The long journey to Big Bear was well worth it, and I’m looking forward to it again next year!  Me and my husband have already begun planning a trip out to the original Women’s Sportbike Rally at Deal’s Gap for 2016.  I would love to make it happen this year, but it’s just not realistic.

I want to send out a huge THANK YOU to Stephanie and Brittany, and ALL of the awesome sponsors for making it happen on the West side this year :).  I’m looking forward to many years to come!

http://womenssportbikerally.com

A special thank you to Christina Shook, our amazing photographer and roommate while in Big Bear!

You can check out her captures of the weekend here –

http://christinashook.pixieset.com/womensportbikerally2015/

AND THEN!!!!!………  I got to hang out with Brittany Morrow some more when she came through Utah.  I feel so blessed to know this awesome lady!  She’s a hard working badass.  I got to take her through my frequent canyon 🙂

Ride safe everyone!

girlontheZ

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girlonthe600 turns 1!

“Each of us has a fire in our hearts for something.  It’s our goal in life to find it and keep it.”

I got a notification the other day that it was my one year anniversary of my “girlonthe600” blog. When I started this blog, I had no idea what the outcome would be. I figured it would be small. I didn’t think very many people would care about what I had to say, and I was ok with that.  It is crazy to me to look at the stats of my blog. Over the last year, my blog has been read in nearly 50 different countries and I’ve had close to 4,000 views. That might not seem like a lot to some, but to me, that is mind blowing. I never thought that people would care to read what I said. It’s a humbling experience to be able to see those numbers.

girlonthe600 aka girlontheZ has taught me so much about myself that I would have never found out without it.  To some riding is a hobby, to others riding is a lifestyle.  Riding to me is my way of life.  I love that I can share my thoughts, experiences, ideas, and interests about riding with anyone who cares to read it.  It’s awesome to be able to connect to people I’ve never met through experiences we have both shared.  It’s heartwarming to know that I’m not the only one who struggles with some of things that I go through.  It’s comforting to know that there are so many other people that share the same passion that I do.  Whether it’s street, track, dirt, or whatever else you can possibly do on two wheels, we all connect on some sort of level.

The love I have for riding, makes me feel like I’m going to explode into a million tiny motorcycles sometimes…  And I get the feeling that I’m not the only one.

Sometimes (not very often, usually like a split second), I think about what my life would be like without riding.  Maybe I would have finished my degree, maybe I’d have two kids already, maybe I would have a different career, BLAH BLAH BLAH.  Nu no.  Who cares what it would be like without riding!!!!!  Because the only thing that matters to me besides my family and friends and fur children is RIDING.  Whether it be canyons, down the street, in a different state, at the track, WHATEVER!  It still beats any life without it.  And it wasn’t until girlonthe600 that I found that passion and love in myself.

I’m so thankful for the experiences that I’ve had so far, the experiences I know are to come and the warm fuzzy feelings I get every time I think about the next time I get to braap.  Thank you for reading this, for reading my other posts, for sharing my blog and for the comments of encouragement (or lack there of sometimes, haha).  Here’s to riding and many more braaps!! 🙂

girlontheZ

Welcome back, warmer weather!

I’m beginning to feel complete again as the warmer weather approaches.  It’s felt amazing to be back in the canyons, even though it’s cold and parts of it are still wet.  My heart feels whole again :).  It’s been even more exciting with the Z!!  I love it so much it’s unreal.  Although it’s been a dream..  I’ve lost my comfort zone.  I can no longer glide easily through canyon turns like I did on the CBR.  I am unsure of how to placed my body and distribute my weight.  It’s going to be a whole new learning process.  But that’s fine.  If it were easy, it wouldn’t be worth doing!!

I will never be the best rider out there.  I may never even be what some people would consider a good rider.  But dammit, I love to ride.  And that’s all that matters to me.  Riding is so precious to me.  It is my get away, my freedom.  honestly, I’d rather go riding over the weekend then go on a nice vacation.  I think for so many of us riders, it is a way to fill up the spaces that nothing else ever could.

Maybe I’m just speaking for myself, but I feel like motorcycles bring together people who may feel like misfits elsewhere.  I’ve never quite fit in to one particular area of “life” in general.  Riding makes that irrelevant.  My motorcycle doesn’t care what I look like, what I do for a living, who my friends are, what’s in my past…  All she cares about is that I fill her up with gas and go.  I love that, and I need that.  We all do, from time to time.

Riders all have the same common denominator…  A passion for brap and a love of two wheels.  It doesn’t matter what you ride, how many CC’s it has, how much horsepower it has, or where you like to ride street, track or dirt, we are all riders.  We should salute each other, help each other and encourage each other.  If you ride (and you’re nice to me, haha) I support you and hope the best for you in your two-wheeled journey.

Ride safe everyone 🙂

– GirlontheZ

So long, 2014.

It was like I blinked and the year was over. Before the year ended, the season ended (for us anyway). 2014 went by so incredibly fast. I guess the saying is true that times flies when you’re having fun. And have fun I did. From riding almost daily in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, my weekly trips to Emigration and East Canyon, and then the longer trips like Wolf Creek and Bear Lake trips… I had a blast. I actually cried when we took the bikes inside for the winter! But fear not… Warmer weather is on the way again.

2014 took me to a place that no other year ever had. I know I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again; I really found myself this year. I found that there were more important things than worrying about the future.. I decided for myself that for the first time in my OCD, type A personality life that I was just going to go with the flow, riding from one canyon to the next and enjoy the fresh mountain air. I learned to let go of what was bothering me and move on. I stopped caring about what others thought about me and how others thought I rode. I didn’t care to be the slowest rider in a group, I just enjoyed the moment and let it be.

I’d like to say that we spent a ton of time tearing up the track and taking courses… But we didn’t. We planned on it, but it didn’t work out that way. I would also like to say that I’m getting ready to start racing (since I talked about it so much last year), but I’m not. I had a reality check and unfortunately realized that our finances weren’t in the right place at the time. And that reality sucked…  But I wasn’t going to spend money I didn’t have on something that wasn’t going anywhere.  Track riding and racing will always be there and it’ll be right there waiting when I’m ready for it.

I’ve decided to list my top 5 favs of riding in 2014 so here ya go!!

5.  2014 Hallowheelie Ride – I mean it says it in the name!!  HALLOWHEELIE!!  My two favorite things combined into one:  Halloween and riding.  This was our second time attending the annual ride through the streets of SLC.  It’s always a blast.  The looks we get from people on the street is priceless.  It’s always a great time to hang out and see the riders we haven’t seen for a while.  I’m always thankful to be apart of it.

4.  I was thankful to have a job that I only worked three days a week.  That meant riding wherever I wanted to the other four days a week… And I took full advantage of it.  I rode just about everyday that I had off.  It didn’t even matter where I rode to, I just rode.  I had never felt so free and invigorated.  I wish that I could look forward to that again this year.  But now I have a big girl job that I am required to work M-F.  But you better believe everyday after work that I can and every single weekend I’ll be out there hitting those beautiful canyons.

3.  VLOGGING!  I decided to try my hand at vlogging this summer.  It definitely was not smooth sailing at first haha!!!  Talking to myself was so weird and even with a helmet on I felt like a weirdo.  It was not something that I took on easily.  But I finally got the hang of it.  I would not say I’m good at it by any means!!  But it’s fun and adds a different twist to riding.  I’m glad someone enjoys them.  I usually just shake my head when I’m done editing and post them…  But I am my own worst critic.  I’m looking forward to doing more with spring on the way and already have some ideas.  And I’m always open to feedback!!  If you think I suck, just tell me.  If there’s something you are interested in hearing about I’m happy to hear it.

2.  My hubby and I rode out to Bear Lake which is a huge beautiful lake in between Utah and Idaho.  We took all mostly backroads and only used freeways in the very beginning and to connect us to the next canyon if there wasn’t a clear route to the next connection.  We both had a blast and plan on doing it again at least once this next year, if not more.  It’s awesome to experience the mountain roads instead of the freeways and always a great time to take the road less traveled.

1.  My favorite riding moment in 2014 was going out to the Salt Flats.  It was something else.  I’ve driven past them before but I had never been out there until I rode my bike straight onto the salt.  It was like nothing else I have ever ridden on.  Like glass..  It was strange and amazing and I could’ve stayed out there all day if time permitted.  Yes the salt rusted parts of my bike that I didn’t manage to clean off.  No I wasn’t prepared for that.  HAHA!!  But there are no regrets!!  I think it would be amazing to race a Bonneville….  Maybe one day ;).  Special thanks to Jessica aka Dlinquencious for enjoying it with me.

So here’s to 2015!!!!  I’m itching to ride and anxiously awaiting warm weather.  If 2015 is anything like 2014, I will be over the moon.  If you’re somewhere nice and warm, ride safe!  If you’re not and you feel like I do, just hold on!!  It’s coming 🙂

 

 

girlonthe600

 

p.s. here’s my end of the year youtube video:

2014 the year that defined me.

“Life is not a journey with the soul purpose of arriving quietly and safely in one pristine piece, but a chance to twist the throttle, leap over, slide under or hammer thru obstacles.  To look fear in the eye and backhand it in the head.  To skid, slip or stumble across the finish line, out of gas, leaking oil and blood, covered in dirt and free of regrets.”

2014 will be defined as the year that I found myself.  I rode harder, faster, stronger and more confident than the year before.  I learned how much riding meant to me and how big of a role it has and will continue to play in my life.  I learned to go outside of my comfort zone, but not pushing my limits too far.  I learned that it’s ok to ride alone and that sometimes riding alone would be some of my best adventures.  I learned more about bikes than I ever have and continue to grow that knowledge.  I learned how important it is to share a passion with the one you love.  I learned how rewarding taking certain risks can be.  I could go on and on forever about all of the things I have learned this year…  But I don’t think I will ever be able to complete that list because it is endless.

Riding has allowed me to be a more well rounded person.  It has brought me out of my shell and into the world.  I have always been more of a shy introverted person, but when riding I can’t be.  I am always meeting new people, people who I am not sure if I will mesh with or find a friendship with, but the door is always open.  I have become much more of an outgoing person because of this.  It is easier for me to hold a conversation with a stranger or make friends with someone I don’t even know because of this.

I have learned that fear is more of a burden than a safety net.  There is nothing wrong with being cautious and careful, but when fear gets in the way it is inhibiting.  It takes all of your courage and strength and leaves you there believing you’ve back tracked and lost hard earned skill and paralyzes you.  I think we’ve all been there.  We’ve been too close to the edge and it scares us so we back off for a while.  But then it sticks with us, and making hard carving turns are mind games and we don’t trust ourselves.  Although it is hard and is a skill all on it’s own, we must learn that fear is a figment of our imagination and the only thing it does for us is hold us back.  Just don’t get caution and fear mixed up :).

I’ve made some really great friends through riding whether it be here in my hometown or friendships through social media.  Although I’ve only met a few of my social media friends, they are great comrades who are always cheering for others and myself and I am very thankful for them.  I’m hoping that 2015 will bring some of us together!  I’ve met more people than I ever would have if I had just stayed introverted or didn’t branch out.  And I thank riding for that.

I’ve never really had a hobby that I enjoyed with my husband until riding and now that riding is such a huge part in our lives, I don’t know why we didn’t find a hobby together sooner.  I know I mention a lot that I enjoy riding alone, but I enjoy riding alongside my husband even more.  He understands my skill better than anyone else so I never feel like I have to ride like a lunatic to either keep up or show off.  He gently pushes me while I stay within my limits so that I can become a stronger rider.  He encourages me on the days that I feel lousy and cheers me up when I feel like I suck.  If we weren’t in this together, I know I wouldn’t love it as much.  Probably wouldn’t have found it in the first place…

Thinking back to my very first blog entry, when I had my “quarter life crisis”, I think it’s easy to say that riding has fixed the crisis.  I still may not know where I want to be in 5-10 years, but as long as I know that riding is in the picture that’s all that really matters.  A career and kids will come, but for now I just want to enjoy what I have.  I just want to be young while I’m young and I’m working on doing just that.

“I fall in love with people’s passion.  The way their eyes light up when they talk about the thing they love and the way they fill with light.”  I love this quote.  I feel that it is so true.  I feel like I’ve become a happier, more wholesome person with riding and I am making it a point to keep it that way.

 

girlonthe600

It’s been a while…

It’s been a while since my last post!  When I started this blog I never wanted to go so far in between posts, but I’ve been busy with work, riding, starting a second job and just enjoying myself!  So here’s what I’ve been up to and what’s coming up in the next couple of weeks!

Well….  It’s October and for Utah that means snow could be flying anytime in the next month or so.  Which unfortunately means not much riding time left.  So I’ve been riding every chance I get.  Every day off that I have I am out there riding to get that last little bit of warm weather in the books.  Winter always comes with a bittersweet taste…  It means I don’t get to ride very much if at all, but it also gives me time to do much-needed maintenance on the bike and give it a little extra TLC that I don’t when it’s riding season.  I’ve got some minor things in store such as new brake pads and possibly some mods (maybe even a new bike!) to get ready for spring 2015.  BUT, let’s not dwell on what hasn’t even come yet!

My last post was in August…  So what have I been up to since August?…  Nothing more than my usual.  Just hitting my three favorite canyons (Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon, and Emigration Canyon) as often as possible and trying to get to the farther away canyons as well such as Wolf Creek and Trapper’s Loop.  Sunday’s as usual have been dedicated to riding hard and enjoying time with my husband.  We were both really looking forward to taking an Advanced Rider Training course at our local track, Miller Motorsports Park, but due to bad weather we decided to postpone until spring and I have no regrets about that!  We don’t have much money to spare and these are not cheap courses, usually about 250$ each.  We combined 40 hours of volunteer work doing gridding at Miller for the Utah Sportbike Association Master’s of the Mountain racing series in order to ease the price of the course.  So with that being said, we wanted to make sure we had the best experience possible and doing it in torrential rain poor just didn’t sound like much fun.

I decided to take a new part-time adventure at a locally owned motorcycle shop called AdrenalineMoto.  A little extra money will be nice, but I took the job because I would love more experience and overall knowledge of motorcycles.  And I know I will get that here.  We are heading into slow season but that’s ok.  It just gives me plenty of time to prepare and learn for this upcoming spring.  I’m very thankful for Jason and Mike taking me under their wing.  “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life”.  It definitely won’t feel like work to me!

I’ve been given the opportunity to test and review Icon products and have been enjoying that!!  So far I’ve got the Icon Sugar Airmada helmet review in the works and will also be reviewing the Icon Squad 3 backpack and the Overlord jacket, so be on the look for that in my vlogs!  I should have a new vlog out this Friday (10/10).

I don’t have too much in store for the next month.  I will be posting a lot about the upcoming HalloWheelie ride which I’m REALLY looking forward to!  It’s always a good time.  That will be at the end of this month.  And other than that, I’m just gonna ride my little heart out until snow hits the ground.

Ride safe everyone!!

 

girlonthe600