Forget the glass slipper Princess - These boots are made for RIDING!

Most motorcyclists seem to be on the never ending quest for 'perfect' gear. Usually we all start out with basic entry level gear and progress to higher quality gear as our appreciation of our needs deepens with more riding. After a few seasons I decided being wet, cold, or too hot, just wasn't acceptable and in reality was taking away from my enjoyment and quality of riding.

My gear has come full circle and I have summer gear & cold weather gear. My needs have definitely changed since I've added teaching into the mix and also a new bike which is taller.  This is why I have a new pair of boots! 

My TCX T-Lily Goretex boots rocked my world for about 3 years, they were comfortable, waterproof and were breathable.  I do a lot of riding and they have been through a lot of Pacific Northwest rain, they have more than done the job and I was actually going to buy another pair as a replacement. The only reason I held back was I needed to figure out what to do about me being vertically challenged and needing to find a few inches from somewhere to get more foot on the ground when stopping and also getting off/on the bike.

I had two options 1) get the bike lowered, which involves buying lowering links, and cutting down the kickstand. 2) Finding boots with more sole and heel height. 

I was a little loathe to mess with the suspension on the bike because it does change the handling, and it was going to be a hassle and the cost was a little crazy.  

Enter option 2 - boots. One of my students purchased a pair of Daytonas and let me try them, it was amazing the difference they made, more foot on the ground! Now I just had to find a Canadian source to purchase them from. I checked with several local shops and no one carried them, the reason gave, "They are too high end and I have to purchase a lot just to order" blah, blah, blah. I've heard this so many times when buying gear, in fact every time and it's pretty frustrating.  I finally found two dealers in Canada, one in Alberta at Blackfoot Motosports in Calgary and the other in Ontario. After more research to figure out sizing  (thank you Gear Chic) and few phone calls and emails to Andy at Blackfoot all was set and I ordered a size 37. I placed the order on Tuesday and they arrived Thursday. 

I did a little dance around my office on Thursday and was squeeing with delight, it was all I could do not to tear down to the garage and test them out on 'The Duchess'.  I was training a new staff member for holiday relief and she thought it was pretty funny watching a grown woman go dotty over motorcycle boots.  I explained these just aren't any old boot, the are Daytonas, which are handmade in Germany and are Goretex. They are the proverbial glass slipper of motorcycle boots that every motorcycle diva riding princess would love to wear. Oh yeah baby I am that much in love with these boots!!

Some of you may be wondering what makes them so special, well they are handmade to start. There has been a lot of engineering and thought gone into the design of these boots. They have a very generous rubber sole which gives you height. There is adjustability in the calves to ensure a good fit. Very sturdy zippers with a good strong rubber pull tab. One of the biggest features for me is that they are Goretex, which when living in a rainy climate is a must. They are leather which works well with the inner Goretex boot liner. They are armored and have malleolus protection plates, shin protection and a steel shank in the sole for increased durability and protection. You are not sacrificing any safety here and it is a top of the line premium touring boot.

Calf adjustment to ensure the perfect fit.

The deciding factor for this purchase was that I gained 2" in leg length. For all you who are tall or have a long inseam this may seem like nothing, but when you are 5'3" of compactness you really get what a few inches can do for you when riding a bike with a high seat height. It makes a  difference when stopping and having more foot on the ground and it is definitely easier getting off a bike with a 31.9 seat height and not having to be an acrobatic contortionist struggling to get off the bike without tipping it over or killing yourself. It's actually pretty funny watching me get off the bike.

Comparison of the Daytona (left) to my well worn TCX T-Lily (right). You can see the difference in heel height. I was initially concerned about it and how it might possibly effect my shifting, it didn't and I didn't have to adjust the shift lever. I was a little concerned that they may not be flexible enough, but after sitting on the bike and squiggling around I found them comfortable foot position wise.

The Daytonas are cleverly designed, to give you a little more added height they have a cork insole which raises the heel counter and it adds to the height. The cork insole is pretty comfortable and has some cushion and give. They are removable so you can put a regular insole in there for all you tall people.  Daytona has also put a thin insole in to help with vibration from the bike which adds to the comfort. The toe box is roomy and not tight. They are a bit stiff, but will break in with wear, so I've been told by many lady Daytona wearers (gotta love blog land!) 

I love the generous reflective patch on the heel.  The Daytona Lady Pilot fit and finish is excellent, it's a premium product. I purchased them for $415 CDN.  All in all I am happy with my decision, now I just need to find some twisties to ride and put them through some riding. 

comparison of Daytona (left) and TCX T-Lily on right. On the balance I will say that had I not needed the extra height I would have bought another pair of T-Lily's they served me very well and stood up to the beating I put them through. They are Goretex and have been an excellent boot, they also run about $80 less, so if you are looking for a good Goretex boot without a heel, check the TCX boots out.  

So where did I leave that glass slipper????

Gearing up for a new rider

For most new riders their first thought is getting a bike and their second thought is getting through their riding course when they start their two wheeled journey.  But there is more to riding a bike than going out and buying your beloved two wheeled chariot or making it through your motorcycle safety course and getting your hard earned motorcycle license. You seriously need to give thought to what you are going to wear while you are riding your beautiful new machine and giving the biker wave to those who pass you.  Wear your gear all the time, even if you are just taking a short jaunt to the store, most accidents happen within 5 minutes of home according to some stats that have been published over the years.

I come at this from the perspective of one who has had a close up intimate encounter of the pavement kind, and I am here to tell you it is not a pleasant experience rolling and sliding across the pavement.  In fact it down right hurts and the results of a crash even a minor one can be life altering.  You do not have to be going fast to do major damage to your skin, bones, and joints.  That being said you can give yourself an edge for the better by buying and wearing protective gear and making the choice each and everytime you go out on your two wheeled love.

Everytime I see a motorcyclist or a scooterist wearing jeans, t-shirts, shorts and flipflops or street clothes my heart honestly skips a beat, because I see potentially devastating injuries coming their way if they crash.  I have to wonder if it is just because no one has told them how bad a slide across the pavement is, or even told them about gear at all or if it just amounts to it being a choice.  Personally I think it is a bad choice and I wonder why they don't value their bodies more?  Here is some sobering food for thought when you venture out on your bike, you are not alone, you are figuratively taking your family members with you and they are the ones who will look after you if you have compromised yourself in an accident.  I have seen the after effects of devastating crashes and the impact on families.  I work in a neurology office and I can tell you it is very sad seeing someone in a wheelchair who is intellectually functioning at the level of a toddler, this is quite a burden to place on your family members. 

A word about road rash.  It is not exactly a rash, but a burn that you get from sliding across the pavement.  These burns can be minor  1st degree right up to full thickness 3rd degree burns, and at this point the supporting structures of the skin i.e. muscles, bones, joints, ligaments can be severely damaged to the point that your skin is like hamburger.  This all takes place within a very short amount of time i.e. seconds.  The problem with road rash is that because you are sliding across the  dirty pavement your open skin wound is picking up all the road grime, oil, dirt, rocks, and anything else that happens to be on the roadway.  The only way to clean this type of wound is to debride it and that usually entails scrubbing the wound clean with a brush.  Did you just shiver? These wounds are very hard to heal and sometimes require multiple skin grafts and there are complications with infection and scarring and you will never be the same.  

Everyone's idea of gear or practicing ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time) is different and it is personal choice and preference.  For some gearing up means a leather jacket, sturdy shoes, gloves and jeans and chaps, half face helmet or full face helmet. For others it is full leathers or textile ballistic grade jackets and pants, motorcycle boots, gloves and fullface helmets.

The only problem with wearing non-motorcycle gear like jeans and chaps is that when you are sliding across the pavement the friction that is created from the slide is going to abrade through your jeans in seconds (unfortunately this is usually in the buttock area).  Jeans are not durable enough to keep your bones or skin in tact.  The anatomy of a fall is such that when you strike pavement it is usually  the bony areas i.e. knees, elbows, and hips hit first. These points of contact are usually where the skin is the thinnest and maximum damage is done to those joint areas. Factor in the the vulnerability of the jeans to friction and this affects  your skin which is the biggest organ in your body it is now vulnerable to infection. If you aren't wearing gloves you are in danger of losing all the skin on the palm of your hand, your natural reflex when you are falling is to stick your hand out to brace your fall.  Street shoes i.e. sneakers or hiking boots are going to do nothing to protect the fragile bone structure in feet and again friction will melt them away like butter in a hot frying pan.  Work boots are not a good idea either because they have steel toeboxes and you can amputate a toe(s) if the toebox is compressed.  Motorcycle boots are made to protect your feet with thick leather and padding in the shins and ankle bone protectors.  Riding half boots are available, but you are compromising shin protection. Have you ever wondered where the lone shoe in the road comes from? I can personally tell you that during a crash your shoes get knocked off leaving your feet vulnerable to the road surface. 

Buy a good lid and wearing it is the single best thing you can do.  Think long and hard about what type of helmet you are going to buy, full face or half.  Some will say they should have the freedom to not wear a lid and to this I say I would rather have the lid and the freedom to ride again another day.  Personally I recommend full face because when you come off the bike you may land on your face and a half face helmet is not going to save your face as it is dragging across the pavement.  The damage that can be done to your jaw and face and skin can be devastating.  Brain injuries are one of the biggest factors of loss of cognitive function in a motorcyclist and some never come back to their pre-accident health status.  Most brain injuries can be prevented with proper helmet use. 

When you are looking for your lid go to the store try on multiple types of them and walk around the store for a good 10 minutes in each, there should be no pressure points and the helmet should not wiggle.  If your cheeks feel 'squished' that is okay because the padding is going to compress with wear making it more comfortable over time.  The maximum life span of a helmet is approximately 5 years due to UV exposure and exposure to the elements. Look for DOT, Snell, & ECE ratings on a sticker usually on the back as these helmets have been rigorously tested to meet high safety standards.   Never ever hang your helmet from the handle bar or balanced on the seat or mirrors because if it falls you might as well throw it away because it is now damaged and the shock absorption layer is now compromised. Even a little fall can compress this layer in a helmet.  NEVER ever buy a used helmet, you have no idea if the helmet has ever been dropped, even if it seems like a good deal it isn't, you are trusting your brain health to strangers.

What type of gear to buy?  That will depend upon the type of riding you do, there are manufacturers who offer gear that is meant for different types of riding i.e. adventure riding, motoX, or street.  Leather or Textile - that is personal preference, both are good when it comes to protection from pavement and elements.  If you do a lot of warm weather riding consider ballistic mesh jackets and pants, these give you the added bonus of protection from the sun and keep you cool.  You also want to look at jackets and pants that have zip-in thermal layers, this gives you the added bonus of $$ value and flexibility of your gear.  Make sure the gear you select has armour in the shoulders, elbows, and back in your jacket, in your pants you want to make sure you have knee armour and hip padding. 

Reflectivity is important as well, you want to be as conspicuous as possible when you are out on the road, particularly if you are night riding.  All black gear without reflective piping makes you seem to disappear and if you are riding behind a car you blend into the car in front of you and are invisible to a driver behind you. Consider lighter colour gear like hi viz yellow, green, or lighter coloured gear like silver.  If you are doing wet weather riding make sure your gear is waterproof and not water resistant. (I always put my cellphone & camera in a ziplock bag) Goretex boots are awesome because they keep your feet warm and dry particularly if you live in a rainy climate and they are breathable in the heat.  As your riding progresses you may consider adding to your gear line-up through purchasing season specific gear like mesh for summer. 

For a new rider this seems like a daunting process, it isn't, just make sure that the choices you make are good ones.  Do not compromise on your helmet, buy a new one, NEVER USED. You should build into your  bike purchasing budget money to buy gear.  Mid-range priced gear from head to toe is going to roughly cost you around $800 and this by no means the fancy stuff either.   The only thing not to skimp on is your helmet the average good helmet will start around $275-$300, so that is a big chunk of your gear budget. Average mid-range coat is about $200-$250, riding pants $200, boots $200-$300 and gloves can be anywhere from $100+ depending on what you are comfortable in.   You can save money on textile and leather jackets and pants if it is used, so it does pay to look around at used gear.  Check the closeout sections on motorcycle gear websites, there are often good deals to be found.

You are probably thinking WOW that is a lot of money, but honestly if you wipe out, what you spent on gear is PRICELESS.  Some insurance companies will give you a 'rider' on your policy for gear replacement.  Check with your insurance company about that.  

I have probably scared the heck out of some of you and hopefully have made others reconsider their gear choices.   I just want you to be absolutely clear on what is at stake when you make choices about to wear gear or not to wear gear or what type of gear you wear.  By mitigating risks motorcycling is FUN it gives you blissful moments when you are riding.  Ride Safe. 

Gearing up for winter riding - I'm a year 'rounder'

I hang my gear on the scale in my office (perfect drying rack)

Winter riding has season has started and I am still commuting by bike.  I have yet to purchase my bus pass for those incredibly icky hellish days that usually include the "S" word.  Last year I was only off road for about two weeks during the entire winter - here is hoping this one is the same.  I don't mind commuting in the rain & cold, if you dress appropriately and have the right combination of base layers, I find that I am actually warmer on my bike than in my VW van. 

I have worn my TourMaster Transition 2 jacket and TM Flex pants for an entire season and they have worked well for me.  They are starting to show some wear and tear, particularly the pants, because honestly I do wear them every time I am on the bike, even in the dead of summer.  The pants are definitely 4 season and I have gotten my monies worth of riding out of them. 

My winter gear consists of: 

1) TourMaster Transition 2 jacket which has the waterproofing built into the jacket, it comes with a quilted liner and it works well keeping me dry and warm.

2) Merino wool base layers - I have found this is the best for wicking away moisture and keeping me warm, Costco had a screaming deal on the shirt and leggings.  They probably aren't as upscale as what you would find at a sporting goods store but heck, they work well for me.

3) Ski socks - I have had a pair of Hot Chilly ski socks for several years and I pull those out and wear them in my boots.

5) Valhala Pure fleece vest with a high collar

6)  Neck tube.  This is invaluable and way easier than wrapping a cumbersome scarf around my neck, I actually tuck it up over my pony tail and up onto my face and slide my helmet on so it keeps my hair dry and chin warm.  I am asking Santa for a Merino wool version for really cold weather.  If you haven't gotten one of these you need to go find one!

7) TourMaster Flex pants.  These pants are amazing!  They are four season pants and work well all year.  You can zip off the outer nylon layer in warm weather and they convert to mesh which allows you to still ride safely in the heat.  They come with a warm quilted liner and rain liner.  These pants have been the best investment and I will definitely buy them again.   These pants have been through hell and back and have served me well. 

9)  GoreTex Boots. My TCX T-Lily boots are a relatively new addition to my riding wardrobe.  I am extremely happy with them, they fit well, comfortable and best of all keep my feet dry and relatively warm. 

10) Waterproof gloves.  This part of my ensemble is currently a work in progress because I have some gloves, but I am NOT happy with them and they are NOT waterproof at all and I have had to add thermal liners in them.  I have been searching for the perfect pair and am leaning towards something with GoreTex and a thermal liner in them. 

11)  Hi Viz yellow traffic vest.  This is a winter riding staple for me, with riding in the rain and usually its dark when I leave I prefer to have my vest on to increase my conspicuity. 

Some things I have learned commuting year round.  You get what you pay for, if you buy inexpensive gear, expect that you will need to replace it sooner rather than later.  It probably won't be waterproof (eventhough the manufacturer rates it as waterproof) and you are going to be soggy.  Layering is a motorcyclists best friend, invest in some good base layers you won't regret it.  GoreTex gear is definitely something to think about if you live in a wet and rainy climate and it's breathable and windproof.  I prefer gear that is waterproof because dragging around separate rain gear for me is a pain in the tookus.  Always make sure you are conspicious particularly in winter months when it is darker early.  Do your homework and get opinions from other riders. 

PS - The other day I weighed my entire gear ensemble and it came in at 19.84 pounds - WOW!

Review TCX GoreTex T-Lily ladies riding boots

I recently purchased a pair of  women's TCX T-Lily GoreTex riding boots.  Retail $299 to $339 CDN.
Pro's
*Good price for a leather Goretex riding boot approx $299 to $339 *Canadian funds
*Solidly built leather boot with a Goretex membrane for waterproof and breathability. 
*Good ankle protection with the armour.
*Good shin protection.
*Waterproof - I have ridden through a few torrential downpours with pooling water on the road and my feet were dry!!!! No more prune toes!
*Good zipper closure with a velcro tab on the zipper pull to secure the zipper pull to the velcro on the boot. Easy to zip up.
*Flexible around the calf area so they are not tight and you can easily zip up and put your pant leg inside the boot.
*Shifter pads on toes.
*Narrow in the heel cup and moderate width through the foot bed, so it isn't too tight.  I have found in past ladies boots have been difficult to fit due to them being super narrow.
*Comfortable foot position in the boot and fairly comfortable to wear when off the bike.  They don't look chunky either and go nicely with jeans.

Con's
*The insole of the boot is not very comfortable and could use a little extra padding and I found the foot bed a little hard.  I have remedied that by adding an insole.
*The boot feels a little cool in the wind because of the breathability of the GoreTex and I have found this in past with other GoreTex products I have.
*The boot sole could be a little heftier and have a bit more tread or deeper at least.

Summary:  Overall I am fairly impressed with these boots. My  feet stayed absolutely dry in the torrential downpours I have used them in so far.  I think they will be a little warm in the summer. Time will tell after several miles of riding to see how they  perform long term. My previous boots only survived 8 months of daily commuting and weekend moto diva riding.  Nice boot, good quality, worth the money spent.

The T-Lily's get The Princess Scooterpie/Moto_Diva 5 Star approval recommendation.

Goretex Boots

Last Christmas Motorcycle Man & Scooterpie Jr bought me ladies Triumph Tritex waterproof boots. They worked like a charm for 8 months and were very comfortable. The boots also came with a great 1 year warranty & assurance from the local dealer that they stand behind their product. Late August I noticed that they where coming apart on the instep. Off I went to the dealer and he was awesome. He didn't have my boot size in stock unfortunately and had to order them. I was able to keep the original boots until they came in so I wasn't sacrificing foot safety.

There was a little wrinkle in the warranty process, Triumph stopped making my boots. So now a conundrum what's next? The dealer went above and beyond to make me happy and I actually ended up with a better quality GoreTex boot at no extra charge other than the difference in the tax.

The boot is a GoreTex TCX Lily. They fit like a glove and are extremely comfortable. The reviews I have read have all been very positive. They are rated as waterproof, so here's hoping!

A lid fit for a Princess - Princess Scooterpie that is...

Shoei RF1100 Sylvan helmet

When I started scootering I fell in love with gear that was pink, most of it was because I thought it looked feminine and I didn't have any desire to have a helmet with skulls all over it.  Don't get me wrong I think a good skull and crossbones has its place, just not on my helmet.  The luster of pink quickly wore off and decided that I wanted an upgrade.  When I purchased my current HJC helmet I was having a hard time finding one that fit and ended up with a youth extra large - it fit well & was comfortable. In the beginning I was spending lots of money trying to get outfitted for riding and a Shoei was on my dream list, but was out of my budget.  I bought entry level gear and was disappointed with the results; jackets, pants, boots leaking and the helmet noise beyond acceptable. I have learned a valuable lesson when purchasing gear, spend a little more and get what you want because the next level up of gear will more than pay for itself.

I have had my eyes on a Shoei Goddess Quest in white.  I have oogled and ogled, drooled and wished for this helmet, tried it on several times and it was PERFECT!  I decided a few months back to start saving for it, because my old HJC was getting pretty beat up, the chin strap was starting to fray, the liner was grimy because I happened to be a girly girl and wear make-up. 

I was just getting ready to go plunk down my hard earned dollars and buy the coveted helmet of my dreams, when a friend told me about a helmet he had bought for his kid, but made the huge mistake of not taking said child to try it on before purchasing. With most motorcycle dealers helmets are non-refundable and he was stuck with a $500+ helmet. It still had the transparent protective vinyl on the visor - never been worn.

It was like a case of Cinderella and the ugly step sisters trying to cram their feet into the glass slipper.  I tried it on and IT FIT!!!  It isn't the Goddess Qwest, but an RF1100 Sylvan.  I love the graphics and the helmet is full of sparkles which sings to the inner diva in me and the pattern reminds me of gossamer dragon fly wings and there is a diamond jewel pattern on the top. It kind of reminds me of an elaborate Mardi Gras mask. Oh my!  Here is the best part, when I asked him how much he wanted he said $100. I said "REALLY?!"  He said "Yup"  I handed him the money, squealed with delight and off I went.  I could not believe it!!!!  I have checked the helmet out on-line and a few local retailers, it is going from about $500 to $680.  Ka-ching! WOW!!!  I love it when the Moto Fairy Godmother sprinkles pixie dust. The best part is the money I would have spent on the Goddess I used to buy Motorcycle Man a present, I bought him an Olympia MOAB jacket and he was thrilled.  

Now for my technical part of the discussion.  The helmet came with a chin curtain, removable washable liners, has plenty of venting and a fabulous anti-scratch coat on the visor.  The best part is it is extremely quiet when you are doing 90 clicks down the highway.  My old helmet was very noisy and starting to affect my hearing, it was almost as if you were in a hurricane that is how loud it was.  I am still breaking in the cheek pads, from what I have read they will compress after a week or so of wear.  I went for a long afternoon ride after I got it and there were no tender spots on my forehead or head anywhere.  I am one very happy Princess Scooterpie - my new lid makes me feel more like a Queen. 

 Oh! Look at the sparklies!!!! A helmet fit for a Moto Diva!

Shoes glorious shoes - ATGATT SAY NO TO FLIP FLOPS

My 2 favorite pair of shoes.

We motorcyclists are an eclectic if not eccentric group.  We all have our favorite motorcycle boots and gear.  On the flip side of this is our other favorite footwear.  Bobskoot loves his pink crocs and is often seen with free ranging toes.  Other moto bloggers have shown off their fancy foot work on their blogs from time to time.  I love summer and wearing pretty girly shoes and I really am a shoe horse when it comes down to it.  I loved the 80's and the spiky high stiletto heels that were the rage when I was young.  Most days though finds me in my lovely motorcycle boots, which are great for riding, but quite honestly suck in summer because they are pretty hot.  On my way home today I saw a girl riding a white CBR which normally is awesome, but I was disappointed because she was wearing dress clothes and lovely feminine dress shoes - great for the office, but not for the bike.

I know I sound like a broken record and harp about squidly riders, but honestly do you really want to take a chance losing a toe or foot?  For those who make the choice to ride squid go try some mesh gear, seriously it is comfortable and you are getting some protection.  Road rash hurts and Brittany Morrow aka Road Rash Queen can attest to how bad it hurts and how much you have to lose riding without gear.      Check out her site www.rockthegear.org.  Please practice ATGATT.

I am not a happy Moto Diva - long term effects of scooter crash

          Knee and hip armor from my riding pants - this is the only thing between you & pavement.

Most folks who follow my blog know that about 13 1/2 months ago I had a scooter accident.  Since then I have battled with pain in my hip, as well as numbness, burning, and tingling in my thigh.  In my usual Princess Scooterpie fashion I suck it up and carry on.  BUT since December the entire area has been hurting more.  I ended up seeing my family doctor in December and getting a cortisone shot in my trochanter area (hip).  This helped a little and took some of the intense pain away in a small area.  Unfortunately, though things have become static and it is not getting any better. I asked my GP to send me to a specialist.  We both agreed a Physiatrist who specializes in physical and rehab medicine would be the best route.  Today was the day of the appointment, I was poked, prodded and bent this way and that. When I showed him the pictures I took of the extensive bruising I had he kind of gulped and there was a sudden intake of breath.  He asked me if I went to hospital by ambulance and I said nope, in fact I got up and finished the ride, he was a little shocked at that.  

The doctor has come to the conclusion that I need two things to tell him what is going on 1) CT scan of the hip and femur 2) MRI of hip joint and entire thigh area, this will visualize if there are any tears of muscle or tendons as well as showing if there is anything physically wrong with the bones. The specialist is concerned that I have damaged the joint or bones in the hip from when I impacted the pavement.  I distinctly remember a crunch and a 'give' feeling in the joint at the time of my unfortunate intimate pavement encounter.  He diagnosed meralgia paresthetica - which basically accounts for the numbness, tingling and burning - I crushed nerves in my thigh area during the impact and they probably aren't going to regenerate.  We are probably looking at 6 to 8 weeks for the CT scan and probably 6 to 8 months for the MRI, so this is a hurry and get nowhere fast situation.  I was really worried he was going to tell me that I couldn't ride anymore.  Phew!  

                           I wear ballistic grade nylon pants with armor and wear them year round

                           EVERY time I throw a leg over the bike or scooter, even for a short trip

                           to the corner store.  I am never without my gear even in the heat of summer

So the moral of this tale of woe is that if you don't wear armored gear and rely on jeans, chaps or ballistic nylon pants to protect all of your bits and pieces, you might as well ride naked because the only thing you are protected from is road rash.  You really do need the exo-skeleton of the armor in the hip and knee area.  Unfortunately this is part of my journey and if I can bring home the importance of gear to any newb or any rider who chooses not to wear it then someone has benefitted from my huge mistake of not practicing full ATGATT. 

Without the knee and hip armor components your pants are only 

partially protecting you, so why take chances and only wear

half of the gear??

                                                                       Hip armor

5 Pet Peeve bad driving habits

Geoff James a fellow motoblogger asked us to post our 5 pet peeve bad driving habits.  His blog: Confessions of an Ageing Motorcyclist;  http://geoffjames.blogspot.com   Geoff is in the process of going for his IAM certification, which means he goes on observed rides and is graded on his moto performance capabilities and skills.  When he has completed this he will be the one observing & critiquing aspiring riders.

I modified his challenge a little because it was geared to car drivers and I happen to think there are a lot of bad motorcyclists and scooterists out there too who drive poorly.  So I will start with 5 bad car driver habits that make me particularly crazy when I am out on the road.  I primarily ride in city traffic and haven't ridden my motorcycle in a lot of highway traffic, so most of my peeves are geared to in-city.

Car Drivers


1)  Driver Distraction -  This has to be the #1 thing I notice when riding my motorcycle.  My biggest and most scary pet peeve is when I see people talking on their cell phones or texting while driving.  I have had drivers swerve into my lane because they just had to take the phone call.  I do let them know that I find this unacceptable and dangerous.  In the Province of British Columbia it is illegal to use handheld devices while driving.

2)  Driver's not paying attention at lights, particularly when making turns or when they run lights.  I always give myself a few seconds before advancing into an intersection because you just never know who is going to blow through and take you out because they are in a hurry or distracted by something in their car.

3)  Driver's not shoulder checking before making lane changes.  It is amazing what or who might be in a cars blind spot.  This is a basic driving skill and it is amazing how many people lose this skill when driving.  It is either just plain lazy or plain stupid on their part.  It only takes a second to shoulder check.

4)  Driver's not giving motorcyclists or scooterists space when stopped at a light or stop sign.  Do you really have to get that close to the back end of my bike?  I always keep a good space margin in front of me just incase I need an exit strategy because some doofus behind me gets rear-ended and pushed forward into me.  I am constantly scanning all areas around me for hazards and planning an escape route.  You need more than just plan A, you need plan A, B, & C when you are out in traffic.

5)  Driver's who  have forgotten the basic rules of the road, i.e. right of way at stop signs and what different road markings mean.  To every Victoria driver car, motorcycle, scooter, the solid white line on a roadway means that you can not lane change there.  Please for the love of Pete learn your road markings.

Motorcycles and Scooters


1)  Rider's who do not practice ATGATT.  I do not understand a rider's philosophy of not wearing gear when riding a motorcycle or a scooter.  This is particularly prevalent in scooterists, I get that they are the "urban" commuter and scooters were designed with the purpose of wearing street clothes, et cetera, but street clothes are not designed to protect you and keep your bones together.  When scooters first came out in the 50's there weren't the traffic volume issues and high speeds that we have today.  It does not take much to lose the surface of your skin when you are sliding down pavement in your civvies. Same goes for folks who choose to ride without gear on their motorcycles.  Luckily in BC helmets are mandatory.


So my question to you is if you don't wear gear, "Do you know how much it hurts to hit pavement? Have you seen what happens to your skin when it gets burned off by road rash?  Do you know how important armor is in protecting your hips, knees, back, shoulders and elbows?  Usually when you smack the pavement chances are one of the above is going to take the impact first.  What about good motorcycle gloves and boots how they protect your hands & feet?"  I have made the choice to ride ATGATT, even in hot summer temperatures, I would rather sweat than bleed.

2)  Motorcyclists and scooterists that don't take a motorcycle safety course.  These courses are valuable in giving you the techniques to save your life and know how to drive correctly and safely.  If you have been riding for a long time and haven't taken a course, most schools offer experienced rider courses which solidify what you are doing right and correct what you are doing wrong.  These courses build on your current skills and expand your skill set and knowledge base.  IMHO our roads are dangerous enough and you are making constant split second decisions that could have life long ramifications, at least with a good solid skills you will be able to make those decisions in any given road situation.

3)  Motorcyclists who drive recklessly, speed and tailgate.  YOU GIVE THE REST OF US WHO PRACTICE GOOD DRIVING SKILLS A BAD NAME.

4)  Motorcyclists/scooterists who do not make their intentions clear.  You have to be clear of what you are doing when you are around cars.  Turn your signal off after completing a turn,  don't leave it going for a block, it confuses all drivers.  Cars are bigger, meaner and less forgiving, usually you don't come out of a collision well.

5A)  Lane position.  This drives me nuts when someone is not in the correct lane position.  This is all basic stuff which is right in the manual.  Why would you not ride in the best lane position?  It is important in traffic so no one is confused and everyone SEEs you.  Riders need to take the theory of 'Ride like you are invisible to heart' and part of this theory is about lane positioning.

5 B)  Motorcyclists/Scooterists who do not shoulder check.  This is one of the biggest things they drill into a novice rider, when you stop you shoulder check, before you move you shoulder check, before you turn  you shoulder check.  CHECK, CHECK, CHECK AND CHECK!!!!  This one single act does save lives, you never know who is going to be in your blindspot or if you are in theirs.

(So I cheated a little on the number of peeves.)

I PASSED MY NOVICE CLASS!!!

This is my awesome motorcycle class partners and one of our instructors 

I PASSED MY NOVICE COURSE!!I Today I am one step closer to getting to getting my full class 6 motorcycle!! In fact my 9 other classmates are as well! We all passed!! Our instructors Gordon and Andrew were excellent teachers! What is so amazing to me is that they take people who have never sat on a bike before and teach them the right way to safely ride a motorcycle. They encouraged us and explained what we did wrong, but more importantly what we did right. It is always safety first.

This is the SINGLE BEST THING I have done since starting my moto journey. This has done more for my motorcycle skills and has given me confidence that I can be out on the road and know what I am doing. I would strongly suggest taking a motorcycle training course whether you want to ride one or a scooter.

I took my course through the Vancouver Island Safety Council.  I will always be a life long motorcycle learner and think you can always learn more and hone your skills. Read, study and take more training and practice ATGATT!

This is what the morning looked like at 7:20 am, it was foggy in places and chilly.

Our Awesome instructors Gordon (left) and Andrew (right)



One of my classmates getting ready to take her MSA.  There were 6 women in the class of ten.








We are receiving our graduation cards.









Jubilant class mates!  Ladies you rocked the class!


If you want more information on the Vancouver Island Safety Council Motorcycle
courses check out their web site for class information and availability. 
 Learn to ride safe and well.

http://www.visafetycouncil.com/



May is Safety Month - ATGATT or overkill? You decide.....

Driving a two wheeled vehicle today whether a scooter or a motorcycle still doesn't seem to garner much respect from our car driving brethren.  I think motorcycles have come a long way from the greaser in the 50's and the easy rider days of the 60's & 70's.  There has been a certain cachet associated with motorcycling over the years.  The most phenomenal change and growth has been with an upswing of female riders, our numbers are growing bigger every year.  We are making the motorcycle industry think "woman" and asking for more to accommodate our style of riding whether it be on a scooter or a motorcycle.  Gear is finally coming out that appeals to our fair gender, it fits us better, there is more choice and actually style. I can remember when I first started dating motorcycle man back in the early 1980's there wasn't much out there for me to choose from, it always was too big and had a boxy look to it.  I usually ended up wearing something of motorcycle man's, rolling the legs up and I looked like a kid playing dress-up.  

During those heady days in my 20's I admit to not following my current philosophy of ATGATT.  Yup I was the doofus (albeit a cute doofus) clinging on the back in my little shorts and t-shirt and probably wearing a cute little shoe. (I had tons of ice-mist on my hair when I took the helmet off my hair was still perfect!) I wonder how we made it so far with our skin intact!  The #1 reason was luck #2 motorcycle man is a good driver #3 luck.  Back in the 80's ATGATT consisted of helmet, jeans and leather jacket, sneakers or boots.  Things were slowly changing in the gear industry with the introduction of better fabrics and design.  Motorsports were taking off with a new emphasis being placed on safety.  

I still see the "cute doofuses" straddled on the back of their motorcycle man's ride, gear-less with the exception of their helmet, going blindly down the road without a care in the world.  This attitude doesn't usually change until there has been an accident or the age with wisdom thing happens.  After my daughter came along I hardly went riding on the back of motorcycle man's bike, I knew that one of us had to make sure we were there for her, that may seem fatalistic but for me it was reality.  As I matured I put my "wild" side away in a drawer for a little while.  I pull it out now and then just to remind me of how I used to be in the glory days, but now I make the choice to wear full safety gear.  I admire the women motorcyclists and scooterists who wear full gear because they are taking care of themselves and the ones they love by doing this.  

Interpretation of what ATGATT means will vary from rider to rider, type of 2 wheeled vehicle, gender and of course age.  To some ATGATT means just a helmet, to others it is the whole bag of chips; helmet, armored jacket & pants, gloves, boots, or full leathers.  Its ironic how we make sure our helmets are DOT approved, but then forget about protecting the rest of our body. When we are young we think we are invincible.   When we are older we know that we aren't and we do dent.  We just wish to take the moment in time back when we got hurt.  Even little falls/crashes can be enough to change our daily lives with mobility issues or just plain old pain. Seriously I am not an old lady, I have just seen too much working in the medical field and my personal experience.  

A large percentage of motorcycle accidents do not have good outcomes, they are catastrophic and instantaneous.  Invariably there is someone left dealing with loss of their loved one, or the person not coming out of it whole and irrevocably changed forever.  

Whether you practice ATGATT or not, all I am asking is that you have an open mind and try on some gear. Anyone who has had an accident will tell you that the cost of ATGATT in the grand scheme of things is relatively cheap. It's not about being cool or projecting an image, quite simply it is giving you the survival edge and by driving a 2 wheeled vehicle that edge is very fine indeed.  

If what I am projecting is that I am a geek scooter rider wearing full motorcycle gear in heavy traffic all I have to say is "Hey thats okay with me because I need every advantage I can get while driving beside several thousands of pounds of rolling death." 

A word about gear & being a newbie scooterist

After my inauspicious introduction to the world of scootering, I learned right from the beginning how important it is to have the right gear from head to toe.  I fell in January while on a test drive.  It was the perfect storm so to speak with rain, being unfamiliar with the scooter (actually any scooter), its brakes and just plain old inexperience.

Gearing up may be expensive when you first start out, but it is well worth it in the end. Gear saves you from the agony that you endure as a result of a crash. Lets be real here your body is priceless and you don't really have replacement parts.  Your gear is the ONLY thing between you, the pavement and the elements. It doesn't matter if you ride a scooter or a motorcycle it all hurts when you hit the pavement and pavement does not discern between scooter, motorcycle or even bicyclist.

I hear this excuse from some female riders, "Yeah, but I don't look cute in all that stuff." That is thing about scooters, you see people riding around in commercials or see them in print ads in their regular civvies.  I am here to tell you that you can still look cute on your scooter and practice ATGATT ~ All The Gear All The Time.

Helmet - This is your single most important choice when you are riding and you need to take your time and find something that works for you.  There are countless types and styles to choose from.  It is all going to be based on fit and personal choice.  Helmets have come a long way in the last few years because they are made of lighter weight composite materials and they have venting systems and comfortable cushioning & some have washable liners which is great for hygiene.   The most important thing is going to be fit.  It should be snug because the foam in the cheek pads will compress with wear.  Wear it for at least 10 minutes in the store to get the feel of it.  Pick a style that you like, but think safety.  You can look cool, but it may not do anything to save your melon.  Your helmet is going to protect you when your head impacts the pavement and it doesn't take much to hurt your brain. ( I know I work in a neurology office and have seen the after effects of motorcycle crashes.  It is a sobering reality.)   Which is why I prefer a full face helmet, the chin bar is going to stop your chin from dragging across the pavement or breaking your jaw and making a mess of your face.

Don't try on just one, try on several different styles to find the one you like.  I had difficulty finding a helmet because my head is smaller and the guys helmets just didn't fit.  I tried on ladies helmets and they were better, but not quite there.  At the suggestion of the sales person I tried on a youth helmet.  It was perfect and I didn't sacrifice any of the features of the adult size helmet.  If you drop your helmet or it impacts anything you need to buy a new one and on average you are going to change it out every 2 - 3 years because UV makes the helmet deteriorate.  I bought an HJC full face ~ Hellion (pink & black - of course)

Jacket if you are waffling on a jacket because of the cost - DON'T.  It literally saves your hide from road rash and broken bones.  The armored jackets have protective armor in the shoulder, elbow and mid-back.  You just have to choose whether it is leather or ballistic nylon.  Get one that has layers that you can zip out depending upon the weather. When I fell I was wearing an armored jacket and it literally saved my elbow from shattering on the pavement.  I wasn't going very fast at the time of the crash about 30-40km/h.  I can tell you first hand it hurts and if I didn't have the jacket on my right arm would have been completely wrecked.  When my elbow impacted the pavement I immediately got tingling and numbness down into my pinkie & ring finger in neurological terms that is called a Tinel's sign, luckily it stopped.  I wear an armored textile jacket with a hi-viz traffic vest.

Pants are just as important when you are riding.  I am currently saving up for a pair of armored pants.  The pants will offer you protection with armor in the knees, shins & padding in the appropriate places.  In my fall the area that took the major impact was my hip joint and thigh. I felt my hip joint hit the pavement and felt a weird pop and pain and there was a 'flex' of the joint.  I had on heavy jeans and they took the force of skidding across the pavement, but it was not enough protection.  I had some road rash on my knee, but I didn't rip my pants.  Where I impacted on my thigh & hip you could see the outline of the seam of my jeans in the bruising.  So all things being equal I was very lucky.  The pants will also protect you from weather and generally they are layered so you can zip out layers as it gets warmer out.

Footwear should be a good pair of sturdy leather boots with a good sole or better yet a pair of motorcycle boots.  I can now tell you where the extra shoe in the road comes from, I am sure you have all seen a random shoe here or there in the middle of the road.  My leather loafer popped off from the impact and I had to go and find it.  That didn't offer me much protection and I have learned that I value my toes and ankles.  I wear a really good pair of leather boots that go up mid-shin. I am looking for the perfect pair of motocycle boots.

Gloves are a worthwhile investment and you may need more than one pair particularly if you are scooting all year.  I have a really great pair of textile gloves that are wind/water proof. There is leather padding on the knuckles and in the palm.  Your first instinct when you fall is to stick your hand out & try and protect yourself. I never ride without my gloves.

Rain gear is important to keep you dry you can get it from motorsport store or a sport store.  Just make sure it is light weight so you can fold it & keep it in your storage compartment. Nothing sucks more than being wet or cold when you are riding it does affect your ability to make good decisions and ride safely.  You can't ride safely if all you are thinking about is how cold you are.  You know you aren't well protected when you get home and have the beginnings of hypothermia and this can happen even in the summer.

All the gear gives you protection from bugs hitting you and road debris.  I have to say bugs hurt when they are hurtling at you at their bug speed and you are whipping along on your scoot at 50k.  Its even grosser when they smoosh all over your face shield.  YUCK I hate the yellow ones.  Blech!

I commute to and from work every day and I work in an office.  I bring a change of business clothes, but at the end of the day I change into my riding gear.  No skirts & no heels on the scoot.  When I see other women on their scoots in their cute shoes and skirts all I think it is, "That is really going to hurt if they fall and they obviously haven't hit the pavement yet."  Its amazing how your thinking changes regarding clothing after you have been up close and personal with asphalt.

A great website  to visit is GearChic.com.  She has reviewed gear and can give you great tips on purchasing gear and is an experienced female rider.

Remember the most important thing you can practice is ATGATT ~ All The Gear All The Time & that includes summer because crashes happen any time of year and you want to be protected. I would rather sweat than bleed.