September 15, 2014

Weekend in Review – VFC, Fontenelle Forest and the Corporate Cup

The Weekend in Snapshots

Friday

VFC Fights at Stir Cove. Thanks to our friends Asa and Tracy, we had table seating up close and personal with the action and next to the walk of fame (or shame). The fighters treated us to quite interesting choices of music for their walks to the cage. You’d think they would choose some heavy, make you want to beat the crap outta someone, music. Instead, we got combinations of River Dance and Michael Jackson. Really, fellas?

It was a COLD night but an entertaining time. The fights were fun to watch, the people watching better (oh hello, testosterone and alcohol filled juvenile men) and the company the best.

Saturday

Saturday morning I drove over to Bellevue to meet up with Jess for a hike around Fontenelle Forest.

We first met up for an easy 1 mile jog to Fonentelle. Once there we paid our $7 entry fee and hiked for about an hour before finishing the morning with another easy 1 mile jog.

It was an absolutely GORGEOUS Fall morning and I can’t think of anything better then starting it with exercise, fresh air and good conversation.

Jess and I always have some of the best talks about life, work, love and friendships. Love that chick.

After hiking I took a trip to the grocery store and treated myself to a light Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks. I was curious what all the hype was about. Let’s just say it was divine, my friends.

Saturday evening was spent at my girl Tyree’s house for a little birthday bonfire for Coleman. It was another beautiful fall night spent with some pretty darn good people.

Sunday was the Corporate Cup. HOLY HILLS, Batman.

This is promptly after viewing the first leg of the route. Hills. Just hills. OMAHA! Are ya trying to kill me, or what?!

The Omaha Corporate Cup is a 2 mile or 10K race. 2 miles seems too short and competitive for me. I prefer longer distances that allow me to pace myself and ‘enjoy’ the race.

The required Sea of People photo opp prior to the start.

Allow me to introduce you to Mile 1.

Up hill.

What you CAN’T see is the giant hill following this hill.

I wasn’t kidding when I said it was all hills. Every mile, a hill.

And have I mentioned I haven’t run any distances over 4 miles since my Lincoln Half Marathon? In May? Have I also mentioned that I just recently started running again since said halfsy? And by running, I mean a mile or 2 here and there, other then that measly 4 I did a few Saturday’s ago?

Oh, man.

Me, being the competitive lad that I am, was bound and determined to keep my average 9.3 mile pace, regardless of the hills.

What a friggin’ IDIOT. Tomorrow, my legs are going to hate me, because I did it. I finished the 6.2 in an hour.

Team YMCA had quite the turn-out of runners. CB YMCA is repping the yellow. Nice work, team!

The remaining portion of my Sunday consisted of baking cookies and watching the boys piece back together Clint’s newly rebuilt motor. Boys and their toys.

Clint is fortunate to have such great buddies that enjoy doing this kind of work. They were focused all day, I can tell you that!

Cheers to a great weekend and here’s to making Monday a glass half-full kind of day.

September 12, 2014

Women of Harley: Lora J.

Harleys & Heels | Biker Bitch Feature #4 | Lora J.

Meet: Lora J.

Lora J
1. How long have you been riding?

I grew up on mini bikes, but I was always just a little scared of riding back then. When I was 18, my husband would let me give him rides on his dirt bike. On Mother’s Day, seven years ago, I got my first bike and have been riding my own ever since.

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Lora’s First Bike

2. What do you currently ride?

Harley Davidson Heritage Softail

Lora

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3. How many bikes have you owned and why did you choose your current model?

I have owned two bikes. My first one was an 1100 V Star. I have since purchased my Heritage Softail, which I got for a screaming great deal. I kept my V Star for my 16 year old son who has now been riding a few years.

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Lora’s son on her V Star

4. Does your bike have a name?

I haven’t gotten around to my new bike. Any ideas?

5. Tell us the story behind why/when you decided to ride your own bike.

I love riding my own bike and I feel more safe when I am in charge. I actually had my first street bike before my husband got his. I have always felt free riding my own bike. Riding is like Prozac. It relieves a lot a stress.

Riding is something I had wanted to do for a long time, but I waited until my kids were old enough to watch themselves. Kids first, riding second.

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Lora with some of her riding sisters.

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6. Do you have a biker who is your inspiration?

All women riders are my inspiration. I have found that women tend to ride safer then men, and women always form a bond, no matter the age difference.

BB Run Waterloo 15

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7. What are some of you favorite things about the biker lifestyle?

The freedom.

Meeting new people.

Motorcycles are always a great ice breaker. There is always a story.

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8. Give us one of your favorite two-wheeled stories.

My favorite two wheeled story was my first women’s trip with about 20 ladies. The oldest was 66 and the youngest 32. We rode to Wisconsin, got rained on and ended up drying our clothes out at a Casey’s along the way. We rolled into the Dells in matching shirts and people everywhere wanted to take our pictures with them. It was my first time to go on a trip on my bike with only women.

Our trip was full of adventure. We had a couple ladies wreck, we lost stuff along the highway, people left their blinkers on (apparently this makes a few ladies really bitchy). For the record, it wasn’t my blinker, but it was a lesson! I now always make sure my blinkers are off and I learned how to ride in formation.

All in all, it was a wonderful experience.

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9. What advice would you give other females who are thinking about riding their own?

My advice would be:

If you lay your bike down get back on.
Don’t buy a brand new bike to begin with get a nice used one.
Ride alone on less populated back roads so you can get in uninterrupted practice.
Never let your bike get dusty.

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