SO MANY EVENTS... SO LITTLE TIME!

April is just around the corner and with it, comes a plethora of happenings. We are blessed to be in the full swing of Spring and an increase of riders on the road bears proof of that! I've been riding to work just about everyday for the last couple weeks, and I'm likely to get "Biker's Elbow" from waving at all of them. Don't worry about me though, it's a good thing!

The first weekend in April will find Harley and a couple of our buddies enjoying a little "boys trip" out to the Texas Motor Speedway for the Samsung 500. They plan to ride their bikes over to Houston to meet up with the Lone Ranger, and then they will all ride up to Forth Worth to the track. It'll be a nice little ride for them, but they're looking forward to it. This is nothing compared to some of their previous "boys trips", and don't worry about me, I've got the gurlz coming to my house for our own weekend of revelry!

On April 16th - 18th, the 2009 Alabama State HOG Rally, "Riding the River Region" will be right here in Montgomery this year. They have several guided rides planned throughout the weekend to places like the Blue Bell Ice Creamery in Sylacauga, and the Confederate Memorial Park up near Marbury. Friday afternoon, there will be an Alabama State Highway Patrol demonstration (I wonder what they demonstrate?) and some bike games at the Montgomery Motor Sports Park. An escorted parade through the Historic District of downtown Montgomery will bring you to the host Hotel, the Renaissance. There, you can to up to the roof top to "Party at the Cabana" with 2Daze Gone provided as entertainment. Harley and I may try to go to the Motor Sports Park Friday afternoon to check out the games and maybe ride the parade, but that may be all. Why? I'll tell you.

This same weekend is also the date for the Faunsdale Biker Rally over near Demopolis. This always promises to be a great rally with lots of activity. In fact, their slogan is: "Come on over and be a part of the best Bike Rally in Alabama. It's the most fun you can have without going to jail!" I know some folks who will be there, so Harley and I are definitely planning to make a day of it on Saturday and ride over and check things out. They will have a Poker Run Saturday that we may get in on, or we may just ride around on our own with our friends. The Motor Club they are members of will be there to provide security for the wet t-shirt contest. Sounds like a really tough job, heh? I'm sure there are a few "perks" that go along with it. Woo Hoo!

Our first full weekend to rally will be April 24th - 26th at the Emerald Coast BikeFest which takes place in Holt, Florida, near Crestview. We have a good group of friends that make this an annual trip and we all certainly look forward to seeing each other. The really cool thing about this, is that I just found out the other day, that my beloved mechanic "JB", is a champion drag racer! Duh! How come I didn't realize this before! I will find out in the next few days if "JB" is going to be there, so I can be sure to watch him run. I knew there was a good reason my Glide rides so swiftly and sweetly. She's been handled by a Champion!

Just about the time we think we can't do it anymore, on May 1st - 3rd, we turn right around and go to Panama City for Thunder Beach and the Derby Challenge. I probably will have a limited amount of time for motorcycle activity that weekend, because I will be partying with my Derby Girls! (That's okay, my biker girlfriends will prime me proper during the weekend before!) Harley will keep Big Ed company at the beach with some of our other riding pals, while Red Light Roxanne hosts the Derby Challenge at their place this year. For those of you who don't remember my post from last year, you can review it here, and I can assure you, there promises to be another successful Kentucky Derby in Panama City!

That just about takes care of April and the first week in May. Whew! I'm already tired and we haven't even started yet! If I'm a little thin on the postings during the next 6 weeks, you'll know why. I'm out collecting more post material! I hope to bring you some exciting pics and stories to share and have fun while doing it. I just hope I can keep up with the schedule! So many events... so little time!

Ride on!

Lady R

OLD FART!

From time to time I get great emails from friends and family that just have to be shared. Here is one such item I recently got from our pal the Road Runner. Since today is Friday and I don't have my other post ready for publication yet, I thought I would start your weekend with a little Friday Funny!

Have you ever been guilty of looking at others your own age and thought... "Surely, I can't look that old!" Well, you'll love this one!

As I was sitting in the waiting room for my first appointment with a new Dentist, I noticed his diploma, which bore his full name. Suddenly, I remembered a tall, handsome, dark haired boy with the same name, that had been in my High School class some 30 odd years ago. Could he be the same guy that I had a secret crush on, way back then?

Upon seeing him, however, I quickly discarded any such thought. This balding, gray haired man with a deeply lined face was way too old to have been my classmate.

After he examined my teeth, I asked him if he had attended Morgan Park High School? "Yes. Yes I did. I'm a Mustang!" he gleamed with pride.

"When did you graduate?", I asked.

He answered, "In 1975. Why do you ask?"

"You were in my class!", I exclaimed.

He looked at me closely. Then that ugly, old, bald, wrinkled, fat ass, gray haired, decrepit S.O.B asked, "What did you teach???"

Have a great weekend everybody!

Lady R

PIC OF THE WEEK

SUNDAY RIDE
Sunday was a beautiful day to ride! I figured it was no coincidence that I caught this rider coming up the street while I was snapping a pic of the pretty Spring Azaleas. The weather was perfect and there were plenty of riders to wave to. This is a street I travel on every day, and it has been a real treat watching the transformation come to life. Ride on!

Hope you all had a nice weekend and have an even nicer Monday.

Lady R

THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING

Dear Diary... a glimpse into the pages of a journal written my a woman rider.

March 20, 2009
Dear Diary,
Today is officially the first day of Spring and Mother Nature did not disappoint us! The sky was a beautiful shade of azure blue and the sun was shining bright and warm. I was feeling especially excited today, as I went to the closet to grab my riding gear. My leathers have served me well during our chilly winter rides, but I pushed them aside, so I could grab my spring riding jacket instead. I just smiled to myself and thought... not today!

Hitting the streets on the Glide was more rewarding than usual. My senses were assaulted with the sweet smell and vibrant color as I took in all the new Spring growth covering the various landscapes. The ivory flaked Bradford Pears and popping pinks of Crepe Myrtles and Red Buds provided an abundant backdrop to the pinks, reds, and whites of the blooming Azaleas, a southern favorite.

H also celebrated this beautiful first day of Spring in proper fashion by riding his bike to work. After several nights of painstakingly washing and waxing every inch of his Street Glide, he was ready to take her out. I should take the cue from him and do the same thing to my Glide, but I'd rather ride it, than wash it. He got off work early to go to his back cracker, so I decided to meet him out at his Dr.'s office so we could ride together for a bit before the day got too far gone.

Feeling the absence of the leather jacket for a change was invigorating as the warm Spring air drifted through the mesh fabric of my spring riding jacket. I must have had a big smile on my face, because I notice several folks smiling back. I was definitely feeling revived and energized and was looking forward to a nice long ride to flush away all the wintry cobwebs.

Tomorrow, we plan to get up and start our day early so we can go up and visit A and take in some Spring scenery. Riding around close to the Talladega National Forest always proves to be a very rewarding ride and I am so looking forward to it. I'll be back to let you know how it was. Until then...

Me

SPRING IS IN THE AIR... AND ALL OVER MY BIKE!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG! My calender says today is the first day of Spring, and even though it's still a little chilly for some of you northerner's, it's what you've all been waiting for. I'm glad to know that you will finally be able to join me in getting in some of that long awaited road therapy.

I have been fortunate enough to live where I can ride all year long, and with the exception of a few very cold days, my Glide is always willing and ready for me to take her out for some two wheeled exercise. For the last couple weeks, riding to work has been a real pleasure. I can feel the change in the air and it's nice to ride again without having to get so bundled up.
With the arrival of Spring, however, also means the arrival of pollen (achoo!). We have a big Bradford Pear across the street from Tooth Factory, and even though it's very beautiful right now with all it's blooms, it likes to shower everything within a 50 yard radius with a fine green dust. I came out of my office the other day to go home, and I thought, "Yuk! Look at my bike!"
I tried to get a nice close up of the green dusty pollen all over every exposed surface of my Glide so you could see what I mean. Oh well, I guess that just mean I have to ride faster so I can blow it all off!

So, mount your Iron Steeds my friends! Spring has arrived! The soul needs rejuvenation and I can't think of a nicer way to charge your spiritual batteries, than riding around on two!

Ride on!
Lady R

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

Well, today is St. Patrick's Day, a good excuse for Irish Whiskey and green beer! Seeings how I've got me a little bit o' Irish in me, I thought I would celebrate with a little Irish humor!

Two Irishmen, Patrick & Michael, were adrift in a lifeboat following a dramatic escape from a burning freighter. While rummaging through the boat's provisions, Patrick stumbled across an old lamp. Secretly hoping that a genie would appear, he rubbed the lamp vigorously To the amazement of Patrick, a genie came forth. This particular genie, however, stated that he could only deliver one wish, not the standard three. Without giving much thought to the matter, Patrick blurted out, "Make the entire ocean into Guinness Beer!" The genie clapped his hands with a deafening crash, and immediately the entire sea turned into the finest brew ever sampled by mortals. Simultaneously, the genie vanished. Only the gentle lapping of Guinness on the hull broke the stillness as the two men considered their circumstances. Michael looked disgustedly at Patrick whose wish had been granted. After a long, tension-filled moment, he spoke: "Nice going Patrick! Now we're going to have to pee in the boat!

I'm sure there's a Road Captain out there somewhere who may appreciate floating in a sea of Guinness! Here's another.

Gallagher is in Boston and he is waiting patiently, also, he is watching the traffic cop on a busy street crossing. The cop stops the flow of traffic and shouts, 'Okay pedestrians'. Then he allows the traffic to pass. He did this several times, and Gallagher is still standing on the sidewalk. After the cop has shouted 'Pedestrians' for the tenth time, Gallagher approaches him and says, 'Is it not about time ye let the Catholics across?'

I hope you all have nice St. Patrick's day and may you all be blessed with your own pot of gold!

Lady R

WEEKEND AT THE RACES

Spending a weekend in the infield at Atlanta Motor Speedway always promises to be two things. LOUD and FUN! We have a good group of friends that come together twice a year to experience some Nascar fun, and last weekend, we had the pleasure of enjoying warm temps and lots of sunshine. After suffering through many previous race weekends plagued with rain and even snow, this generous gift from Mother Nature was greatly appreciated!

Now, I've been a fan in the stands for many, many races at both, the Atlanta and Talladega Motor Speedways. You can spend a whole day, coming and going to enjoy the flag to flag coverage, but, when you experience a race from the infield, it's a weekend long event. Once you come into the track on Thursday or Friday, you usually don't leave again until Sunday afternoon.

The activities on the track seem to be constant, with practice laps, qualifying rounds, and different classes of races all weekend, leading up to the main event on Sunday. When your hunkered down in the infield, you can't see the track because your surrounded by large RVs and Campers of various sizes. Thus enters the necessity for the observation decks. Both Big Ed and the Lone Ranger have their Raptors rigged for optimum viewing. Even then, you'll have blind spots, but it's fun to watch from this vantage point. The trick is not to spin around so many times while your watching your favorite driver, that you get dizzy and fall off! Ooops!
As you can see, you make do with whatever you have, in order to achieve this. Here's the Woodall Family. They would all come, but they couldn't fit. LOL!

When we're not running up and down the ladder to perch on the deck during one of the races, we spend our time playing cards and rolling dice. Texas Hold'em and CLR are two of our groups favorite pastimes. We also pull $10.00 Driver Pools together for each event, giving someone in our group the chance to go home with some extra $$'s. I've been on the receiving end a time or two with these pools of chance. It's all good amongst friends!

Not to mention the fact, that the grills are going almost non-stop, so there's never a shortage of food and drink.

One time, a couple years ago, I was fortunate enough to catch up with my Nascar hero on the way to the driver's meeting.
Bill Elliott has been my favorite driver back before he ever won the Winston Million. He was the first driver to accomplish this, and it earned him the nick name "Million Dollar Bill" and he still holds the fastest stock car speed record of 212.229 mph. He's semi-retired now and runs a very limited schedule. He hasn't seen the Winner's circle in quite some time now, but that doesn't mean he's not still my favorite! Go Bill!

I know there are several of you out there that wonder what the fascination is with this sport. It's hard for some of you to understand the enjoyment of watching a bunch of overpriced, souped up stock cars turning left for 500 miles! Well, I've been a racing fan for as long as I can remember, and and considering most of my racing pals are also our riding buddies, it just gives us another excuse to get together and enjoy each other. The same can be said for our love for motorcycles. It's a passion you have, and you either get it or you don't.

Some of us did mention the fact that we were missing some great riding weather, and we talked of bringing the bikes with us next time. Sounds like a good plan to me. Now we just need to find some poor schmuck who will bring all our sh*t over so we can still have all the comforts of home. Any takers?

Lady R

RANT... NO RESPECT!!!!

I know how Rodney Dangerfield must have felt when he would complain about getting no respect. It's a real "pissed on" feeling, let me tell ya! I'm usually very happy with the fact that I'm a woman, but yesterday was another story. I would have given anything if I could have been a 6'8, 320 lb., scary looking dude with arms the size of most peoples legs! Why, you ask? Take a look at this!
I went to Lowe's after work to pick up some Round Up for Harley. I've been itching to ride for days and I was happy to run this errand for him so I could extend my commute home. As I was walking out of the store with my purchase, I noticed this truck hugging on my Glide. WTF! I could tell from across the parking lot there was some serious encroachment of her space going on. I looked to see if I would have any trouble backing her out of her spot, and even though I decided I would be okay, I was still pissed off. I realized I was dawdling with the chore of stowing my package and donning my helmet and gloves. I was wanting to see what jerk off decided he needed so much room. Maybe it's a good thing he didn't show up, because my mouth would have put me in serious jeopardy, I'm sure!

I used to carry fake parking tickets that were a joy to share with drivers like this. They simply said, "If you f**k like you park, you'll never get any!" Maybe tomorrow's errands will include a little trip to the printing shop.

Respectfully,
Lady R

WHITE STUFF IN ALABAMA?!?!

For the last week and a half, I've been struggling with a serious cold and cough, but no more! I'm alive and I can breathe again! Because I was so miserable (mostly all in the head!) I missed a pretty weekend for riding last week, as I slept through most of it, trying to get better. Well, you can imagine my excitement as I looked forward to this weekend so I could finally enjoy some much needed time on the road with my Glide. But wait... what's this? Is Mother Nature toying with me?

I must have made her mad and didn't realize it, as it seems she has a vendetta against me. Why you say? Well, lets see. I wake up Saturday morning to the screeching alarm of the weather radio going off, which sits right next to my head on the nightstand. WTF?!?! While the weather alert guy is telling me that my county is under... "a severe thunderstorm warning, capable of producing large hail and several tornadoes...", I hear the sirens outside going off too. GREAT! I stumble to the window to see for myself. Bummer. Looks pretty dismal. Oh well, storms pass, right? I'll just get my coffee and check the radar and we'll figure out when this storm will be out of here. The day is not lost. Yet.

By mid afternoon, we still have not left the house and we've had the pleasure of enjoying several more siren serenades as the weather radio continued to tell us of all the activity. So much for a Saturday ride. Not being one to dwell on the negative overly much, I just enjoyed a lazy day, playing on the puter, watching movies and catching a nap. Pretty lame I know, but I was able to get some paper shuffling done at my computer desk, a chore long neglected.

Later that evening, we kept hearing the warnings of a cold front coming in and the possibility of snow. Pfffft. Right, I've heard that before. This is Alabama and we hardly ever see snow. I wished and wished for it at Christmas, and it never came, so I wasn't too worried about it now. I went to bed looking forward to a new day tomorrow and the anticipation of a nice ride. Zzzzzzz.

Sunday morning I got up and started the coffee maker before I went over to look out the window. When I did, my eyes popped open in surprise! SNOW! Holy sh*t, it really snowed! I ran to the other window at the front of the house to make sure it was snowing out front too (I know, don't ask!). I guess I wasn't believing what I was seeing! My instant reaction was, "Yes! We had snow!" I ran into the bedroom to try and rouse Harley up so he could enjoy the snow too. After all, this is a rare treat for us living here in the South. For just a little while, I was lost in the euphoria of seeing the snow, that I forgot all about how this will interrupt yet another fine opportunity to ride the motorcycles and get in some much needed road therapy.
The realization of that did sink in after a while though, and I was pondering what the roads would be like. If you think riding around cages on a nice clear day is stressful enough, imagine yourself surrounded by a bunch of no-clue freaked out southern drivers in the snow. Yikes! Your talking about a challenge in the extreme! I feel like I've earned the right to find humor in this, because growing up in Iowa allowed me the realization that people drive in the snow all the time. No big deal. Here, on the other hand, things are different. We shut down.

So here I sit, on Sunday morning, bringing you this live report on Lady R's second "no riding weekend"! I guess I should be upset about it, but when I look out the window and see how pretty it is right now... it's hard to stay mad. After living in Alabama for as long as I have, I really do miss experiencing snow from time to time. With that in mind, I think I'll just sit back and relax, and take comfort in knowing my Glide waits patiently in the garage, for our next opportunity to rekindle our "roadmance". After all, it's not everyday we get white stuff in Alabama!

Lady R