August 24, 2014

Sturgis 2014 Stats

Interested in seeing Stats from the 74th Sturgis Rally? Check them out here, courtesy of Northwest Harley Blog. Next year is the 75th! Sweet logo to commemorate. Who is going? We are !!!

mac's avatarNorthwest Harley Blog

75th-Sturgis-LogoThe event has come a long way since it was known as the Black Hills Classic when Clarence “Pappy” Hoel, and some friends from the Jackpine Gypsies motorcycle club, decided to hold a racing event.

It’s now known as the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and the 74th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is in the books.  

Below are the law enforcement statistics as of 6:00 a.m. Sunday August 10, 2014

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The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is the worlds largest and next year is the 75th Anniversary.  This will undoubtably ensure that attendance will break previous records. There is even a special 75th logo being rolled out for such a legendary event and will be emblazoned on every imaginable piece of merchandise for you to spend some cash.

You can thank Paul Resnick of Hot Leathers who designed the logo for the 75th Anniversary. Hot Leathers is the primary licensee for the Sturgis Motorcycle…

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August 22, 2014

Women of Harley: Jen M.

Harleys & Heels | Biker Bitch Feature #2 | Jen M.

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I met Jen a few years ago at a bar outside of Glenwood, IA.  A small group of us were meeting up to go riding for the day and Jen just happened to also be at the same bar with one of her friends.  We chatted for a little while, but it wasn’t until the summer of 2014 that I was able to spend some time with her and truly get to know her.   She is bubbly, vivacious, has a gorgeous smile and a sweet as can be personality.  This chick knows what loyalty means and is a girlfriend that you can definitely always count on.

Without further ado ~ Ladies and Gents:

Meet:  Jen

 

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1. How long have you been riding? 

7 Years

 

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2. Why do you ride? 

For my SANITY! I also love the beauty of the back roads, I meet amazing new forever friends, since I have no family here, the biker community has somewhat adopted me… pretty much riding my own Harley is one of the coolest things I’ve ever learned how to do.

 

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

My first bike was a METRO Scooter! It wouldn’t even go 30mph so I upgraded to a Ruckus.  I was actually in the Omaha Scooter club! HAHA! I have had four other bikes since… V-Star, Vulcan and now I’m on my second V-rod (my current model, MUSCLE, is my fave by far!)  She’s sexy and mean!

 

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4. Does your bike have a name? 

Baby

 

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

My ex-husband had a plan. He wanted a motorcycle so he started himself on a scooter, I felt left out so he bought me one.(here’s where his plan starts) The Scooter wouldn’t even get up to 30mph.. Giant FAIL! So, he bought himself a V-star.  I then purchased a faster scooter but felt like a nerd riding alongside his motorcycle.  So, 1 month later he upgraded to the Volcan and I took over the V-Star.   Of course my V star was a slow pig and I needed some speed..  I mean, the 950 was cool for a little bit, but it wasn’t a Harley.   The ol’ ex took me to Dillon Brothers Harley-Davidson one afternoon and said, “BABE you have to ride this V-Rod”.   I’m looking at it like… Nah.  

He begged, I caved, got on and well…

clearly the rest is history.  

 

Jen M.

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

I actually used to ride behind my dad a bit.. he’s a cool dude! He rides horses now.. but loves and swears he’s going to buy another Harley one day.. he LOVES that I ride, and thinks my bike is pretty bad ass! That’s cool!

 

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Jen and her dad

 

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

I love how once someone see’s your a biker they pretty much accept you into their family.. It’s amazing how welcoming people are.. I’ve met some of my best and most loyal friends riding. It’s also just so much fun! I love hopping around to the little towns and having a beer and a laugh with some super cool people I would of never had a chance to meet. I just recently met a double recipient of the Purple Heart on my last bike trip! That was amazing!

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 Jen, her friend and the double Purple Heart recipient.

 

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

I have to say my weekend trip to Awesome Biker Nights this year was so cool! It didn’t start off the best as I was super hung over, got pulled over on my way to meet a group of people I didn’t know, was a half an hour hate and it was HOT HOT HOT!  I was not in the mood to hang with (Bling we call her) sparkly butt that day and by the second stop after meeting up with this new crew, Cowboy Hat Sassy Girl was giving me the evil eye and I was just ready to ride out on my own.  Then something happened.  My mood changed, the atmosphere lit up, the cameras came out, the music started playing and it’s all history from there.   20 bikes, 35 people and now some of my best friends, ever!  I haven’t laughed or smiled that big in a long time! They adopted me and gave me the road name McSassy!  HA!  I think it fits!

 

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

Don’t over think it, just get on and ride, it’s such a great experience and it gives you the independence and identity that you need in life. It’s fun to jump on the back sometimes but there is nothing like getting on your own, starting her up and knowing you can go wherever you want!

 

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Jen and I

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10. There are many “Biker Codes” out there. If you had a favorite what would it be?

Respect! Always respect the road! It’s like the ocean, it’s powerful and can change in a second! Always keep your eyes open! Nobody can see you! NOBODY!

 

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 Jen and Tracy

 

11. Final words?

Ride Fast, Live Hard and LOVE… Love the life that you’ve been granted because it doesn’t last forever!

 

Jen M 3

 

 

Cheers!

Keep Connected with all Biker Bitch Features:

#1: Ashley H.

August 21, 2014

TurboKick Certification and St. Louis Adventures

It’s Throwback Thursday.

And I’m throwing it back to September 2013.

That counts, right?

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In front of the St. Louis Arch

 

Last Fall, Clint traveled with me to St. Louis, Missouri so I could attend a TurboKick certification class.    Turbo is one of my favorite classes to teach, aside from Insanity.

TurboKick is a mixture of kickboxing, shadow boxing,  sports drills, yoga, and simple dance moves that is highly choreographed.  Turbo makes you work your butt off while having a total blast.   Now – before you run away screaming because I said the word dance – just know it is nothing like Zumba or Jazzercise.   I am not much of a dancer…. or well… not much of a dancer in the shake your butt “look at me  – look at me” kind of way.  Yuck.  This is different.  It’s fun.  It’s work.  You’ll feel it.

 

My day started off at the JCC -St Louis which is a BEAUTIFUL facility.  Holy smokes!

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All participants signed in, met our instructor Sara, got a folder of information and then got to work!

 

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The outline for the day basically went as follows:

  • Check-in
  • Welcome
  • TurboKick Background Information/History
  • Warm-up
  • Form and Technique Practice
  • BREAK
  • Choreography and Physiology
  • Music, proper cueing, attire, creating a fun atmosphere
  • Full Workout – SO FUN!
  • LUNCH
  • Injury, Incident Reporting, Pregnancies, Age, Adaptations
  • Review technique
  • Small group technique and cueing
    • We were split into groups of 4-5 where we each were given a section to memorize and “teach” the rest of our group members
  • Full Class Demonstration with small group leaders
    • I was chosen from my small group to lead our large group – so fun!
  • Question/Answer Time
  • Practical Tests
    • We were lined up and demonstrated technique and form on cue
  • Written Test
    • Ungraded- completed in a group format.
  • GROUP PHOTO

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Sara – our Master Trainer – is in the yellow on the left.  She is SO GREAT!

I am basically dead center in the back row.  See me? 🙂

 

The Certification was scheduled to run from 8-5, however, we got out a little early since we were basically the best class Sara has ever had.   Clint came to pick me up and we headed back to the hotel so I could shower and then head out for a date night in downtown St. Louis!

 

First Up:  The Arch of course!

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I had visited the Arch YEARS ago with my family, however, it was so cool seeing it again and experiencing the sheer magnitude of this thing.   Sadly we missed the cut off for the rides to the top, but considering my finicky belly, it was probably ok.

After a quick walk around the Arch and tourist watching, we headed down to Laclede’s Landing for some beers and pizza.

 

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What a cool location!  If you visit St. Louis you MUST take a walk through Laclede’s.  Tons of bars, restaurants and even a wax museum!   I was starving by this point after basically exercising ALL day so we landed ourselves at the Morgan Street Brewery.

First up?  A flight of beers, of course!

 

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YUM!

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What a sexy son-of-a-gun that hubby of mine is. 😉

 

Clint kept talking about how we HAD to order pizza since St. Louis is apparantly known for the Provel cheese they use?  I knew nothing about it, but am always up for some pizza, so we ordered two.   Clint chose the Italian Sausage and Pepperoni and I ordered the Veggie & Portabella.

 

Oh.  My.  Gosh, you guys.  This pizza is SERIOUS.  

Heavy, rich, and so filling.  I barely could even get down ONE slice.   It was insane.

 

Sadly no photos, since we took this trip PRIOR to starting up the ol blog.  Who knew I’d want photos of my damn food?  ha

Just trust me.  If you go – order the pizza.  But just one.   And Clint and I both agree that the Veggie & Portabella is THEE way to go.

Following Laclede’s we went to this little corner bar off the beaten path and enjoyed a few beers while we watched and laughed at this large group of folks who had clearly been having a great evening of beer drinking themselves.

Our little trip to St. Louis was a quick one!  Far more time in the car than in the city, however, it was successful!   TurboKick certified and a night out in a new city with my main squeeze.  Can’t think of a better way to spend a random September weekend!

 

 

Cheers, my friends.

August 18, 2014

Motivation Monday – Taking Back Control

My life for the last two weeks has been basically just about work.   Take the fact that it is high traffic time at my place of employment –  plus add in the part that I am going through it as a newbie having only been in this position for 6 months – creates a recipe for some crazy hours. There were nights when I was still sitting at my desk at 10pm.   Most nights 8pm.   Add in the fact that I start my work day at 7:30am and you can imagine the attitude problem I had.

I TRIED to keep a positive outlook – but when you are the only one still at work after the offices close at 6 – you become bitter.  The only workouts I had been getting were Tuesday and Thursday’s, thanks to the classes I teach at the YMCA, so that was adding to my anger.  Exercising is my release.   My stress reducer.   I NEED it.

I was running an accountability group with some pretty special ladies – and that got thrown out the window.  I failed them.  Miserably.    That didn’t help my stress levels knowing I let them down.  I couldn’t even hold myself accountable.  How the hell was I going to help them?

Needless to say… the work / life balance was non-existent.

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People would tell me to just leave.

 “Your work day is over – go home”

 “Get done what you can, don’t worry about the rest, come back to it tomorrow”  

 

That simply was/is not an option.  Putting it off just creates more.

So, work, I did.

But this week?  I am claiming my life back.

Starting this morning.

I set my alarm for 4:50am, brushed my teeth, put on my running shoes and ran the 1.25 miles UP hill to my gym.   It felt awesome.   (Hey, Red Lipstick and Sneakers — I ran right by your apartment.  Want to join me on Wednesday morning?)

 

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My hill.  It’s blurry, I get it.  I was running, folks!

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Once at the gym I got in a quick 25 minute upper body workout with some weights.   Hell yes.   I felt my strength, focus and determination coming back with each passing rep.

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After my weight session, I plugged my ear-buds back in and ran the mostly downhill path back to my house.

It. Was. Awesome

I felt rejuvenated.  Alive.  Ready to conquer the day.

Once home I even did some quick meal prep.

  1. Threw in some frozen salmon fillets in the oven
  2. Started a pot of water to make hard boiled eggs
  3. Warmed up the skillet to make some egg whites for breakfast
  4. Put together a salad to go along with my salmon for lunch.

 

I am taking back my personal time.   I can feel it.  It’s mine.  

I will see to it this week.

 

Here’s to Work / Life Balance.

 

 

Cheers!

 

Edited to add:   My work day ends at 4:30.   Today, I left at 6pm.  So… I didn’t get out of there on time – BUT this is the earliest in weeks.  I call this a success. 🙂