2023: A Girl, a Motorcycle, and a Gypsy Soul

I'm not much on sharing feelings - but something about 2021 has just spoken to me and I want to share my happiness ;) LOL I have always said that getting my motorcycle license was by far the best thing I have ever done in my life. It trumps owning a home, getting my Master’s Degree, and all of the other things that folks consider epic milestones in life. For me, motorcycling has taught me that a map is just for reference, that there is always someplace new to explore, that some of the best people on earth also ride motorcycles, and that spending time alone on two wheels truly does refresh the soul. I always laugh when thinking about how far I will ride, just to ride. If I have a 4 day weekend, I have been known to rip down to Arkansas to ride the twists and turns of the Ozarks, or rip out to Colorado to chase the fresh mountain air. Those types of trips sound amazing to me (although I would prefer longer trips!) on two wheels. Give me the option of doing the same in a cager, HARD n

Spring has sprung and that means it is finally 2 Wheel Season here in MN! People often have advice to give when I have my bike out at this time of year. Here are my top 4 safety memos I remind myself of every spring: 1.        1. I check my tire pressure, oil, brakes, and lights before my first ride of the season. Having my bike sitting in the un-heated garage for a couple of short months, usually means my tires are a couple of pounds low and while I tell myself every fall that I will remember what is needed come spring, I never remember. I see sunshine and 40’s in the forecast and riding is all I think about! #Squirrel 2.         2.  Until heavy rains sweep the roadways, I just assume that there is salt and or sand on the roadways – especially corners, tight turns, bridges, and high traffic areas. I am highly aware of how slippery salt and sand can be, especially on 2 wheels. 3.        3. Drivers are not expecting motorcycles at this time of year. It’s still chilly, we are all j

 In preparation for a mini trip to Daytona, I had to get my very fist bike ready "Suzi" (Suzuki Boulevard M50 - 800 cc) because my Victory has too big of a butt to fit into a trailer with 3 other bikes.  And I hate the T word, but MN weather doesn't allow for riding this time of year, at least not consistently. So, having only ridden Suzi locally in the past few years, I figured I better do some maintenance on her if she was going to keep up with the big dog bikes. First things first. I changed her oil and discovered my brand new torque wrench was busted right out of the box. No biggie, I can work around that. Next up: Brakes. Not a HUGE deal while riding locally - I just downshift a lot and sometimes drag my feet. Not safe, not recommended. I dug out the service manual for Suzi - while these manuals may seem too expensive for how little I hope to use it - they pay off 100% the first time it is needed! Especially for newer bikes, which offer maintenance instructions like