Nut behind the bars!

I got Annie out in the parking lot again, with her new highway bars on, thinking that was the problem she had so much fear in leaning her bike. It did not help at all. The fear is embedded in her head. Must have come from way back when she hit a cow on the road years ago. I don't really know.
It was getting frustrating and I almost felt like giving up. It felt like I was getting no where and either was she. Finally I got on her bike, and said let me try it. The bike was so not a fit with me, and I could barely reach the brake with my big toe. Also it was way to high and vibrated a lot. I all of a sudden felt sorry for her thinking about how comfy my bike was compared to hers. I got her on mine and told her, when I yell SNAP LOOK AT ME... I meant it as she was now on my bike and I didn't want it going into the dreaded fence. She was scared I knew that but I just wanted her to get it.. And she did!! Weird, strange... What the heck could that be.
I posted to Motorman and explained the story...He says...it the same old story, it the nut behind the handle bars...lol I told Annie, she started to laugh and said, I am going to bring my hubby's Road King out next time. Heck she even thought about trading her bike in.
Then along came Mark, Tanya's hubby. He used to be an instructor. He was whipping her bike around like crazy, putting it in the full lock. It made her realize, it was the nut behind the wheel.
So she took these thoughts to bed with her that night and dreamt RLAP.. She came back to the lot and started doing the slow cone on her own bike. Whew...she is finally getting it.
So now she is doing good on the slow cone, and it is time to get her to the circle. The circle happens to be beside a fence. It has plenty of room from the fence but Tranny Annie can't help for one last peek at the fence, like she just has to look at it one more time. No matter how much I am yelling at her, she does not want to look where she wants to go but at that damn fence.
So... the next time in the lot it is the circle..
As the circle turns, stay tuned for updates.

Humming right along

I haven't been able to get much RLAPING in as the weather has not been cooperative. But..the most important person that I needed to get some training in is my new friend Hummingbiird from Wenatchee, whom I met on the Conga II.
She has a burning desire to ride, and got her endorsement. The problem was she had no bike, long story short, I managed to find her a bike good deal and all and it is here in Campbell River. No problem, she came over with a trailer to get it hoping to get out in the parking lot with me to get some pointers before heading back. It was not looking good, but here on the Island as we all know, wait a couple hours and that could change. Thank goodness it did, and last night we managed to get a few hours in.
I just let her get comfy with the bike and roll around the parking lot keeping it up getting the feel in first gear. She looked really good on the bike and it is a perfect fit. Around the parking lot she went for awhile, going this way and that way with her stomach tied in knots feeling like she was going to hurl she said.. Really I think she was joking as she sure picked up on things fast. She really listens and puts that info in the right place.
I believe it is easier working with someone who has not developed any bad habits that are hard to break. Usually the fear of looking where you want to go seems so hard. Wanting to look down at the dang cones. This gal snaps her head and doesn't second guess when she hears me say it. I told her, I would never tell her to look on way if there wasn't more than enough room to make the U-turn at the end.
After practising the friction zone for not long at all. She seemed to get right on that too, like she is in a big hurry to learn. In to time flat she was going through the slow cone weave like she was dancing with here bike. Very fast learner I must say.
She felt very good by the time we went home and so did I that she would be going home with her bike in a couple days and not be so afraid of it.
This morning we went out to the lot before I went to work, and she hung around with Tanya for a couple more hours and then even road up to my barbershop which is not far away, but that was the goal, for her to hit the streets before she left back for Wenatchee tomorrow morning.
The plan is to get out there at 5 and get her on the circle and off set cone weave but the rain, does not look like it is going to stop, so hopefully we can get an hour in before work tomorrow.
Way to go Karen you are doing a fantastic job.

Ride Like a Pro with Flo

I have been back from Florida for 21 days. I was certified by motorman to be an instructor of Ride Like a Pro, and have the opportunity to be Canada's first franchise. I have alot of work ahead of me. First off I am practising my teaching techniques with friends who want to improve their riding skills.
I need to train and have at least 4 riders who are willing to do demos with me, to promote the Ride Like a Pro DVD's. I realize this will all take time. Especially because I am working also as a barber. Although being away for 6 months, there really isn't much of a job left to come back to, so I am taking this time to set up my shop as a little Ride Like a Pro outlet too.
Right now I am training 3 people after work hours. A husband and wife team whom have been riding along time. Dez, he has been riding 26 years and Wendy who has been riding 12 years. They both agreed they have room for improvement and are very motivated in doing so. I have probably spent 6 hours with Wendy now, and 2 with Dez. I see a huge improvement in Wendy as most importantly she doesn't have to duck walk her bike around to do a U-turn. Her stops are really smoothing out also. She rides a big bike, I believe it is a 1700 Victory. Dez rides a Harley Utra glide Classic, I believe.
In 2 hours with Dez, I believe he may be one of the best show material. He rides well, just needs to use his head and eyes more and he will be gliding through the exercises. It is a pleasure working with both of them.
Then there is Miss Annie...She has been riding 12 years too, and has major trouble looking where she wants to go. She seems to have the friction zone down, but.. those eyes!! She is full of determination and the desire to learn it, so she will. I will not give up on her. Today she has new highway bars on her bike, so I am really looking forward to her going to the parking lot and no fear of damaging her bike if it does drop..
I am filming it all, so I can put it on a DVD, and watch the improvements. I film the bad with the good.