Farkle Garage & moto zen

My life has changed so much in four years, all of it due to scootering and motorcycling. Who knew I would be an avid blogger, social media geek, learn to ride a motorcycle, become a motorcycle instructor, and now a tv show host. What a ride this had been! 

I have had so many blessings come into my life after discovering the love of riding. They say four wheels move the body, but two wheels move the soul. It is so true!    

I have found many moments of zen on the back of my scooter or motorcycle; riding with my hub, friends, and teaching new riders the art of riding. I have also been very fortunate to make new friends through riding and blogging, as well as the opportunity to be involved in great projects.

Today we were putting the finishing touches on Episode 1 of Farkle Garage, which is a show about motorcycling and the people who ride them. The world of motorcycling is diverse and unique, it has been quite an experience discovering the stories and telling them. 

This is one of my wonderful cohosts Steve Drane who is a avid racer, motorcycle builder & restorer, Harley Davidson shop owner for many years. Steve recently retired to jump back into racing. He was inducted into the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame and is a motorcycle legend. Steve was instrumental in the creation of the riding school I teach for and helped create, guide, and support the Vancouver Island Safety Coucil which has been teaching new riders since the 1970's. 

We have a lot of fun in the studio, the garage rings with laughter, at times it's hard to get focussed, but it all comes together in the end. 

Cohost Clive having fun on set.

I am considering doing an iron butt ride in the coming weeks and am looking forward to that adventure after being inspired by iron butt rider Clive Brown. Clive changes more tires in a year because of the kilometres he logs, almost 100,000km a year! If your butt wasn't iron before all that riding, I'm sure after hanging out with Clive for awhile  and doing the Island 1600km it definitely will be! 

(Of course you know I'd have to throw a leg over)

Today we did a segment with a member of the Victoria Police Department with Const Steve who is a police riding instructor and active duty member. Last year I was lucky to see him and his team members running the cones at NAMOA competition (North American Motor Officers Association) They are truly the 'top gun' of motorcyclists. It was pretty spectacular watching the officers run cone exercises and slow racing while their bikes are tethered together.  

Steve rides a Victory motorcycle, it weighs 985 pounds, he flicks it around like it's a 250cc bike. Oh to have those mad skills!

The other motochick cohost is Kim Robinson affectionately known as Kim Rock. We are trouble with a capital T, when we get together in studio.  Kim rides a beautiful red Ducati, she's an avid rocker. Together we are like Thelma and Louise, we could probably cause a little mayhem if they let us out of the garage!

Our technical director Orlando is a magician with graphics & editing. He rides a scooter, and is now thinking about venturing into motorcycling. Who knows maybe he'll be one of my students. 

We have an amazing crew of camera operators and assistants, they are the behind the scenes peeps who help glue the show together and without them there would be no show. (Sorry for the blurry pic - those lights are bright)

Paul B is executive producer/ videographer he is the driving force of Farkle Garage. Paul is motorcyclist who is a newly minted iron butt rider having just ridden to Sturgis and logging about 6300 kilometres for the trip. He is the creative mentor who keeps us on track with our stories and brings the show to fruition. His love of motorcycling radiantly shines through when he tells stories with video.

Farkle Garage is a show by motorcyclists about everything moto. It's fun, creative, and an amazing project to be a part of. So yes, I've been blessed by riding, never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I'd be doing stuff like this! 

Check out Farkle Garage on Facebook or on Twitter @FarkleGarage. 

Our first episode airs August 27th 3:00pm and 5:00pm on Shaw TV South Island - channel 4. 

Farkle Garage will be on YouTube and I will post the link for those not in our immediate viewing area.