Editor's Spotlight

Andrew Trevitt returns….

mtajudy — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:28:34 +0000

My April issue of Sport Rider Magazine came and in pouring through the pages I skimmed across the article saying “He’s Back”. Though I didn’t read it fully at first, I couldn’t help but be drawn back to it. I found this heartwarming on many levels and decided to say a little about it myself.
The article was about the triumphant return of Andrew Trevitt, Senior Editor for the magazine. Triumphant because of the lengthy recovery time and hard rehabilitation he was required to do to get back to work at the magazine he has been a part of for over a decade. There is something to be said about the tenacity this man has displayed and the love he must feel for the magazine as well as the sense of family he must feel to return to being surrounded by motorcycles after having experienced an accident himself.
I want to say that you are amazing, Mr. Trevitt and an example to us all. Welcome back to a place that you are obviously loved and were missed; the article certainly makes that clear!

The Editor

I wanna be just like Dot!…part 2

mtajudy — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:20:47 +0000

Now that we have all had a chance to read about the life of this most remarkable woman, Dorothy Robinson, lets talk about something that is and always will be synonymous with her name, The Motor Maids Motorcycle Club.
While Dot was competing in the Laconia National in 1940, she was approached by a fellow woman rider from Providence, Rhode Island named Linda Dugeau. In the late 1930s Linda had decided that there may be other women who were interested in becoming a part of a group that enabled them to come together and have comradery with other women riders. She wrote to motorcycle dealers, other riders and anyone she thought might know of women who were currently riding or may be interested in riding, for her to recruit. After this extensive search, she put together a list and from that list came the 51 charter members of the original Motor Maids. Dot had always desired to unite women riders and to show that you could ride a motorcycle and still look like a lady so, she was the perfect partner to Linda in creating the club. Together they started a group that has become legendary to woman riders today. The American Motorcycle Association Charter #509 was issued to the club in 1941 making them official!

Dot became the first appointed president. She held the position for the next 25 years. She resigned the position in 1965 at one of the yearly conventions that the club holds in July at different locations across the country.
The founding premise of the Motor Maids was to unite women riders and promote motorcycle interest. “The Constitutional Articles” of the club established that the member must legally own and operate their own motorcycle or one belonging to a family member. This requirement has remained the Motor Maids hallmark ever since. During the time Dot was with the Motor Maids, she estimated that she logged up to 50,000 miles a year to help increase the visibility of not only the Motor Maids but, women riders in general. Although the uniforms may be something that we would consider quite formal today with their slacks, blouses and white gloves, they were hard-core riders. Many joined the Armed Forces and rode as couriers. The Motor Maids and their activities were covered extensively in a monthly column in the American Motorcyclist Magazine. I sure wish I could get my hands on those issues!
Dorothy Robinson would be pleased to know that the Motor Maids are still alive and well and still “promoting a positive image and safe riding skills” today. Dont believe me? Check it out at http://www.motormaids.org/Home.aspx.
So, along with her tireless desire to promote women riders, Dot helped forge the idea of the motorcycle riding club. These lady pioneers put together a working club that stood the test of time.
I don’t believe we can begin to thank these women for the trail blazing they did. I hope the biggest lesson we ladies take away from all the lovely stories we read about these powerful women is that there is nothing we can’t try. We may not make the same mark that Dot made but, we can aspire to be like her and give it a run for its money!
I can’t help but think that I can do more to pay homage to this woman named Dorothy Robinson. I want to be like her, make my mark like she did. And so, I am going to buy an electric bike called the Enertia by Brammo and have it painted Dots signature pink, do a mural about her on the cover ( normally we would paint the gas tank but, this bike doesn’t have one), and ride it proud!! It makes me wonder; what would Dot think?
The Editor

I wanna be just like Dot!..part 1

mtajudy — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:04:19 +0000

Being a woman..loving getting my hands dirty..not afraid to give the “unthinkable” a try..and succeeding at it; that brings me to my most recent person of interest.

Dot Robinson, born Dorothy Goulding, is ONE of my favorite motorcycle pioneers. Reading and re-reading the stories about this woman, I realize that she not only paved the road for me but, did it the way she wanted to. She wasnt dictated to by any stigma, encouraged by the masses or held to a certain standard. She managed to exceed anything that was presented at the time and did it with style! That may very well be my favorite part. She happened to be considered quite “the lady” while she was making the term “women riders” known. Not that being an expert at the writings of Emily Post is the most important thing but that she did it because that was the way she wanted to do it…and that is the point! She allowed me to be a rider…the way I want to be one. For that, I am forever grateful…

Dot was born on April 22, 1912, in Australia. Her father was a motorcycle sidecar designer and an amateur racer. There is a story about Dots dad loading her pregnant mother, in full labor, into the sidecar on his motorcycle and rushing her to the hospital. It seems that she was destined to ride from the very beginning. Her family moved to the United States in 1918 in hopes of expanding the sidecar business and eventually settled in Saginaw, Michigan, to run a motorcycle dealership. Another story tells about Dots future husband, Earl, coming into the dealership to buy parts everyday after school. Dorothy recalled , “By the time we were married, Earl probably had enough parts to start his own store.” The couple was married in 1931, bought the dealership from her father and moved it to Detroit, Michigan.

The couple participated in endurance runs and races and…another story…told by “Hap”, the Honda dealer in Sarasota, FL…”I chased that woman for two days, through mud and trees and never caught her. At the end of the race, all the guys tramped into the local bar, but not Dot. She went to her room and got cleaned up first. I’ll never forget the picture; Dot walking into the bar in a black sheath dress and a pill-box hat.” There were attempts made to keep her from participating in the sport she loved but, she persevered and was allowed to compete. The five foot two-inch tall powerhouse spent the 30′s competing in endurance runs and even came in 2nd place in the brutal two-day ”Jack Pine” enduro in 1937. It is noted that less than half the participants even finished the contest! In 1940 she returned to win the contest! She was the first woman to win an AMA national competition. ,

In the 1950′s, Dot began wearing pink riding outfits which later became one of her trademarks. She decided that being linked to the black leather wearing outlaws that the movies portrayed didnt suit her. This is just another example of the womans desire to do things her own way. And for that, I salute her.

The Robinson’s sold their Harley Davidson motorcycle dealership in 1971 and the couple traveled many miles together, including a 6ooo mile trip through Dot’s birth country, Australia. It was said to be her favorite trip. Earl died in 1996 but Dot kept on riding until a knee replacement surgery made it too difficult. By the time she gave up the motorcycle travel, she figured she had totaled one and a half million miles in her years of riding. She was inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame in 1998 and her accomplishments earned her the nickname “The First Lady of Motorcycling.”

Dorothy Robinson passed away on October 8, 1999 at the age of 87. Her legacy will live on in every woman that straddles a motorcycle. She will live on as a pioneer that brought women riders into the public eye and as one of the founders of the Motor Maids, which still exists today but, that story will have to wait for “part 2″.
The Editor

Saying Goodbye to Harry Hurt, 1927-2009

mtajudy — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:34:36 +0000

Some of you may recognize the name, Harry Hurt, some of you may not. But, I guarantee that something about your motorcycling experience has been influenced by the research that this man did during his lifetime.
According to Wikipedia;
“Hurt was born in Big Spring in West Texas, and grew up in that community.^[1] He was an only child, and his father worked in the banking industry.^[1] Hurt graduated from Texas A&M University in 1950, and was an air transport pilot for the United States Navy during the Korean War. He married Joan Beene in 1950, and they had five children, Harry, John, Julie, Vivien, and Vera.^[1] He then received a Masters degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Southern California (USC).^[2]

Hurt, self-described as “scooter trash” in his youth,^[3] began riding on a Cushman scooter. He also owned and rode dozens of street and dirt motorcycles including a 1947 Harley-Davidson 61 Knucklehead, a 1968 Triumph Bonneville, a 1975 Norton Commando, and a 1979 Triumph Bonneville.^{[2]“

———————————————————————————————}

Mr. Hurt was a professor of science at the University of Southern California and a lifelong motorcyclist. In an interview dated 2005, he explained his devotion to researching motorcycle accidents to the fact that he had ”developed a terrible concern that motorcycles were getting a bad rap in traffic accident investigations”. After studying 900 accidents that happened in the Los Angeles area between 1976 and 1977 , 3600 police reports, photographing 2,310 motorcycles that passed by and interviewing 505 riders, Hurt released his findings in a 1981 publication that became known as the Hurt Report. His most notable finding was that wearing a DOT-approved helmet dramatically increased a riders chances of surviving a crash.
Hurt retired from USC in 1998 and went on to found the Head Protection Laboratory in Paramount, California. He researched helmets from all manufacturers and participated in major research projects which set the standard for safe helmets and even modified the Snell standards, which was the leader in deciding the safety standards for helmets. The change accounted for head size and not an across-the-board helmet rating. Hurt stated that the Snell standard produced a stiff, hard helmet with the tendency to increase and not decrease brain injuries. The Hurt Report was discribed as “the most comprehensive motorcycle safety study of the 20th century.”
In 2006, Hurt made the statement that the current problem is “older riders, bigger bikes and alcohol.” He was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2007.
On November 29, 2009, Hugh Harrison Hurt, Jr. died of a heart attack at the Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center at the age of 81. However, his influence on the safety of motorcyclists and their protective gear will be with us forever. Thanx, Harry! We owe you a debt of gratitude. The Editor

Back on the blog road, again!

mtajudy — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:20:22 +0000

Yes, its true…Ive been gone a while. But, I am back. With a file full of ideas, I will be blogging regularly until something pulls me away. Lets hope it a long time this time!
Next up, “Saying Goodbye to Harry Hurt”. The Editor

Carla King and her Motorcycle Misadventures

mtajudy — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:09:47 +0000

I was given a gift by a dear friend, a book about a lovely woman who dared to take a solo trip on a Russian motorcycle with a sidecar around the United States. She was gutsy, resourceful and independent and the story also incorporated the fact that she was secure and honest enough to reveal true human doubt and emotions as well as growth and success. It turned out to be the perfect story for me at a time in my life when I was learning to trust that I had “what it takes” to be successful myself. Carla King was one of the first “followers” I had when I joined the social network, Twitter (http://twitter.com/MissAdventuring). I had already read her book by then and was surprised when I realized that the author and she were one in the same. After all, to me she was a celebrity! Here is what I found in the pages of this marvelous book called “American Borders. A solo-circumnavigation of the United States on a Russian sidecar motorcycle” by Carla King.

Carla King ( http://www.carlaking.com/) writes about her adventures on the newly imported Russian motorcycle she convinced the Ural America company to let her test ride in 1995. Along with her ride she was to encounter what she refers to as the motorcycles “idiosyncrasies” which simply means that she was to experience the break downs and fix them while she kept on riding. Some she fixed with the tools and parts she carried with her, some needed more attention than she could give along side the road, some needed parts shipped or delivered to her, but all were strange in their own way. Some were common to all imports and some were unique to the motorcycle she was riding. All she encountered was either addressed by the factory in Russia or some were experimented with and addressed by Ural America ( and later, Irbit Motor Works of America). Her findings helped make the Ural of today what Carla refers to as a “high-quality, reliable,comfortable, unique and just plain fun machine to ride”.

This wasn’t the read I had expected! I felt like I had read a Harlequin romance, a self help book, a book of survival techniques and a story of the open road, all brilliantly wrapped in one neat little package. Along with her ride came places and people that she very lovingly incorporates into her story. Her colorful characters are written in a way that makes you remember them. I needed a shower to “cool down” after her encounter in chapter 1 “Aren’t you scared”, felt my heart warm for Akos in chapter 5 “In Florence”, and was boarder line homicidal during Clarences reign of terror in chapter 14 “A Miraculous Recovery”. Man, I HATED that guy!

Along with the characters, she beautifully describes the country side which made me get out my map and list the places she traveled that I wanted to see, as well. She adds a few pictures and I cant lie about the fact that I would have loved to have seen more!

I had hoped to visit Ms King for an interview this summer but, between developing the new website (http://motorcycletravelamerica.com) and handling the rest of my busy life, time just didn’t permit. During the past couple of weeks the mercury has risen to triple digits for nine days in a row so, I decide that sitting somewhere in the shade and re-acquainting myself with the story would keep me from turning into a puddle. Then I could write this review and visit her at a later date and write about what shes doing at that time.

This book is a surprise on every page, written by a woman of talent. I promise that you will not be disappointed. My only complaint is that the last chapter seemed brief but, I contributed it all to the fact that her writing in the last chapter may have mirrored her desire to get home and me not wanting the book to end quite yet. If you have the vagabonds heart, this book will tug at it. This book is about a journey and it will make you long to have one. Happy reading!


                                The Editor

South Side Kustoms and Breast Cancer Research

mtajudy — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 23:53:34 +0000

I found something on Twitter.com that I believe deserves blogging by every blogger out there. Here is the story:
I am following and am being followed by the folks at South Side Kustoms (http://www.south-side-kustoms.com) out of Buffalo,NY. (also blog at http://bobberchoppermotorcycles.wordpress.com). These guys build bikes, pure and simple. They are registered bike builders with the NHTSA. They are in the process of moving to a new shop. Pretty typical stuff…….except this, they are building a particular bike called the “Untouchable Bobber” and $1500 of the price is being donated to Breast Cancer Research. That is anything but typical.
In a world of burley bikers and scantily clad young women, its not something you see. I was so impressed! I have told everyone on Twitter that would listen and, I will continue to do so until they are all sold. According to the website, the discription of the bike is as follow: Untouchable Bike – Softail Bobber Base Model – LIMITED EDITION REAL DIVAS RIDE
Only 20 will be built, each one numbered with limited edition badge on frame, and a beautiful 6″x3″ enamel pink with gold trim ribbon on top of gas tank. Personalize – You also have option to add your name or loved ones name and survival date to ribbon, anywhere the painted ribbon is on the bike.
I asked if there was a personal reason for deciding to get involved with such a noble undertaking and the reply was this…..”Women are sexy and all deserve a sexy bike”. I say “AMEN” to that!
Well, this is one great group and I wish them all the success they deserve. Yes, we women are all sexy and wonderful and deserve to have more people bringing smiles to our faces….faces that will survive because of the donations made by companies like this that will fund finding a cure! YOU GUYS ROCK!! And the bike is a beauty!

Check out the website and remember the sexy women in your life!! The Editor

Hell’s Canyon and Me!

mtajudy — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 05:11:27 +0000

As the times draws closer to the 11th of June, my pulse starts to race! Its time for the 10th annual Hell’s Canyon Rally in Baker City, Oregon, from the 12th-15th.

I have to tell you that this is one of the most beautiful parts of the country you will ever ride through. With the weather being so nice, I cant imagine that it wont be a perfect weekend to go. We arent always that lucky in the Great Northwest. You can go to my website at http://www.motorcycletravelamerica.com and click on “tips” and then “road trips” to read about the Columbia River Gorge and the beauty of it.

The Rally is held in Baker City, a town acredited for being a social center along the Oregon Trail, was also a support center for the surrounding gold mines. The gold rush days are behind them now and the place is a bit quieter. It is a town steeped in history with museums and attractions. During the Rally, the town lights up with activities and riders, with runs and events.

Also, visit my website and click on the Hell’s Canyon Rally symbol and visit the official site to find out what to expect. If your not a newbie, find out what to look forward to this year. Maybe I’ll see you there!

The Editor going to Hell!!

Did you know this about Sturgis?

mtajudy — Fri, 15 May 2009 03:45:34 +0000

As of this posting, Sturgis is 80 days, 3 hrs, and 32 minutes away. One more thing to note is that it starts on my birthday!! Now, if that isn’t some kind of a sign to me that I should be there, I don’t know what is.

Now that I have gotten that little bit of nonsense off my chest, lets talk Sturgis and MrKen777. This gentleman has the good fortune to live in South Dakota which means he knows what hes talking about. He is a hard riding, motorcycle loving, S.D living, husband, father, and man of God. And….he is my friend! My twitter friend. Yup, we met on twitter because we both have motorcycles in common.

This man has a website that is so well done, all about Sturgis and what you will find when you get there. He has history, he has accommodations and he has youtube video to back it up. If you cant find something you need, email him and see what he can do.

I wanted to go to Sturis this year but, the website ate up all my Sturgis money. My best bet is to watch MrKen777 youtube videos and drool. He has one youtube of the main street “before the rally” and will post a “during the rally” and the “after the rally”. You can watch the “before the rally” youtube video on the home page of my website at http://motorcycletravelamerica.com and also check out his websites by clicking on “find people” at the top left corner of the page and clicking on MrKen777. He is one busy guy and a wealth of information.

Remember, you only have a little more than 80 days!! Get crackin…..there is still a little time

A sad Editor, wishin I were goin:(

Hello world!

mtajudy — Thu, 14 May 2009 23:22:35 +0000

Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!