Glamazon

The Last Glamazon Post

2009-11-16T15:00:00.000-08:00

The final round of the 2009 WERA season took place the last Saturday and Sunday of October at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Classic Course. I took first place in the Women's Superstock race, which netted me a total of 134 points this season and the championship in that class in WERA West. Yay!In the 600 Superstock class, I took 6th place in the race, which makes me 7th in the region this season.

Two kisses, one for each cheek!

2009-07-07T15:30:00.000-07:00

Reviewing the Vespa GTS300 for Motorcyclist Magazine. We all know we love the way they look. Now, I tell you how they ride. Check out either the printed version of my story on the cutest little metro transpo on magazine racks, or the online version here at Motorcyclist. Ciao!

Be a Cornerworker for MotoGP.

2009-05-23T04:52:00.000-07:00

You see them on the TV during every GP, WSBK and AMA race. They're picking up Ruben Xaus after he does something like this. And most people I talk to have no idea how to become one.It's cornerworking, people, and personally, I think it's the best way to see a race. Here are the top five reasons:1. Accomodations are free, and not bad at that.2. Those dorky vests get you access to practically

Kawasaki Speed Test Ride with Jason Britton

2009-05-17T19:47:00.000-07:00

Me, Jason Britton and David Kennedy rode the new 2009 Kawasaki ZX-6R up Highway 1 in Big Sur. Yup, just us three. And about 8 guys with cameras.It will air this Tuesday 5/19 on Speed Channel at 7:30 PM (PST) after Superbikes. Tune in and see what a big dork I am in front of the camera!

An Article Published in the UK? Blimey!

2009-05-17T07:26:00.000-07:00

That's right, people. My words are taking a first class trip on Virgin Atlantic to Great Britain. Upon arrival and after clearing customs, they will be featured in Streetfighters Magazine, quite possibly the edgiest streetfighter-centric motorcycle mag around. And undoubtedly the most daring as it comes to their models' wardrobes.Sure, there are no nude ladies draped across the bike I was writing

I Say "Yes, We Have No Umbrellas"

2009-03-06T16:01:00.000-08:00

Check your newsstand for the April issue of Motorcyclist Magazine, because in it, you'll find my most recent article.Click on the image over there <-- for the first page excerpt, and a picture of yours truly. As you'll see, it's all about women in road racing, whether we should have our own all-women's class or not, and it puts the spotlight on WERA West's Women's Superstock Series (WSS for short

Your Dose of Inspiration

2009-01-28T15:20:00.000-08:00

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'Wow - what a Ride!" - Hunter S. Thompson

WERA Round 2

2009-01-27T17:44:00.001-08:00

Las Vegas, NevadaWERA West's Round 2 was held January 23-25th at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Classic Course. The last time I rode this track was Femmoto, 2007. And due to an LSAT diagnostic test Saturday the 24th, I wouldn't even be able to do a practice day on the track before my races Sunday. Insert own joke about "taking a gamble" here. But to my credit, I did try to jog my memory by watching

WERA ROUND 1

2009-01-08T14:22:00.001-08:00

Auto Club Speedway - January 4, 2009 was Round 1 of WERA West.Wait, wait, wait, this story actually begins the night before Round 1, over a delectably frugal dinner of gyoza and cashew chicken at the venerable China Palace on PCH in Newport Beach. At the conclusion of dinner I cracked open my cookie to read the fortune: You will be a winner.True story. Swear. I've got it in my wallet and I'm

Not the Club Where Everyone Knows Your Name

2008-12-18T17:21:00.000-08:00

ADIOS, WSMCThe Willow Springs Streets Series. It was a good series. A fine series. A series where everyone knew your name. Or maybe just my name. And it could have just been that one guy at tech inspection. If you're one of the, oh, let's say 40 people who participated in the Willow Springs Streets Series races in 2008, like me, you've been orphaned by your race track family. Due to attendance

Cycle World Blog Post!

2008-12-10T09:21:00.000-08:00

The post below is an excerpt from the Cycle World Blog, read the full story here: JB PhotographerJB, PHOTOGRAPHER!Mr. Burns get his pixel on.12.09.2008I like to hang around racetracks, even when I don't have a motorcycle to ride. I'm supposed to be the pit crew, but with my pal Kristi's nearly bone-stock ZX-6R, there's really not so much to do but add gas and moral support. Though I'd like to go

WSMC Streets Series #3 - Race Report

2008-10-06T11:30:00.000-07:00

Rosamond, CA - Someone smart said that racing is 90% between the ears. After this weekend's race, I couldn't agree more. Some come to races with goals of winning first, or not finishing last...but my goal was to calm the hell down and keep mentally aware, instead of being swept up in pre-race jitters.In prior races, the starts were frightening, adrenaline-pumping affairs. Uncontrolled wheelies

Female Racing News news

2008-09-14T20:41:00.000-07:00

No one took me for a motorcyclist. That was, til I became a crazy person about motorcycles in late 2006. I dove head-long into riding, Superbike School, racing, and touring. It's a life-enriching endeavor that's brought me joy, continuous challenges, opportunities I'd never imagined before, and many new friends.That's why I'm such a fan of Female Racing News, the premier online news source for

Virginia International Raceway

2008-09-14T17:55:00.000-07:00

A twisty road course that's green on all sides, and damp under a blanket of fog in the morning. That's Virginia International Raceway, where I had the opportunity to teach Superbike School earlier this month. Most fun are the track's elevation changes in the back section that they don't call "the rollercoaster" for nothing.I coached some excellent students, and even had a chance to see my Aunt

Landers, California

2008-08-27T11:45:00.000-07:00

Landers is well known for being a hot bed of extra-terrestrial interest. If not from extra-terrestrials themselves, then at least those who are waiting for them. It is the desert home of Giant Rock Airport for flying saucers (not a joke), and the place of interest for Huell Howser's search for "California's UFO Gold".Last weekend I went there, and inadvertently introduced what was perhaps the

Crashed out of the Blogosphere. But Only the Blogosphere.

2008-08-08T21:03:00.000-07:00

What's this crap about me falling off the face of the blog planet?While my stand-by excuse for not writing is that I haven't been riding enough, in this case, it's because I've been doing too much. In the last 4 months I've ridden a Kawasaki Concours to MotoGP at Laguna Seca Raceway in NorCal. Completed an 8-day motorcycle trip to Utah and back on back of a Vulcan Nomad, and taught California

Broken-Hearted

2008-05-12T13:15:00.000-07:00

State of disbelief, CA - Okay. Motorcycling has officially claimed the life of someone I personally know. John-Mark was a WERA racer, the husband of Britt (she, too, is an incredibly talented racer), and also her partner in Little Big Racing. He died on Saturday May 10th during a race practice.I've pulled an excerpt of the statement on the www.littlebigracing.com website:May 10, 11am,

Wu Xia - China's Glamazon, Only Better

2008-04-28T16:04:00.000-07:00

My favorite source of pro-chick news, http://www.femaleracingnews.com/ brought me another fantastic story. Apparently there's a femme phenom living, racing, and kicking ass on the opposite side of the earth. Her name is Wu Xia, and she's cute as a rocket-propelled button. In 2007 she was China Superbike's Champion in the 150cc class, and moved on to rank eighth in the 600cc class of the FIM Asian

To play it safe is not to play.

2008-04-28T15:37:00.000-07:00

Your dose of inspiration, courtesy of stealing from Pathfinderscareerdesign.com."But" is a fence over which few leap.- German proverb"The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them."- George Bernard Shaw"Your imagination is your preview of life's coming attractions."- Einstein"My mother said to me, "

Kristi Sets (personal) Land-Speed Record at WSMC Streets Series Season Opener

2008-04-08T16:35:00.000-07:00

Rosamond, CA - Reapproaching Streets of Willow Springs with coaching experience under my belt made for an exciting and successful season opener of the WSMC Streets Series. With points earned from last year's races, I was gridded to start the Middleweight Novice race second only to pole position.No pressure at all.Pole position was held by Andrew Liao, whose head I spared in the last race of 2007

The Hardest Thing I Ever Done

2008-04-01T17:43:00.000-07:00

Back in the office, CA - Since November 2006, I wanted to be a Superbike School coach. Of course at that time, I could ride a motorcycle about as well as I can bake a souffle (if you don't fall into the category of disappointed ex-boyfriend, read: I can't cook, either).Throughout 2007, I was at every track day that would have me, trying to get less awful. And at some point, I got there. And now

Canadian Roadracer Misti Hurst First Woman to Qualify and Race AMA 600 Supersport at Daytona International Speedway

2008-03-11T10:53:00.000-07:00

March 6th 2008Daytona International SpeedwayCanadian roadracer and California Superbike School coach Misti Hurst enjoyed an outstanding debut race at Daytona International Speedway last Thursday during the AMA 600 Supersport race. According to all available sources, Hurst made history during qualifying on Wednesday when aboard her Slednecks Racing, Etechphoto supported Kawasaki ZX6, she became

Calling All Bad Asses

2008-03-07T11:53:00.000-08:00

The official website of the 8 Hours at Grange Endurance Race is up and running. http://www.cmrraendurance.com/Get together your team of racers and prepare for the most fun, challenging, camaraderie-building event you've ever taken part in. Even if you've never raced before, or ridden mini motorcycles, I guarantee you'll have a blast. Minis are available for rent, all you have to do is bring your

The 5th Wheel. The 7th Ring of Hell.

2008-03-04T22:28:00.000-08:00

It was a pristine January 1st . And I was blazing along on my Honda SuperHawk 996 on a divine stretch of Southern California’s nicest roads. Crisp air. Freshly-enough paved road. Gorgeous contrast of red rock hills and perfectly cloudless sky.I was damn close to thinking this ride was a dream. Little did I know that in mere seconds I would find myself nose-to-ass with a slow-moving village.

Wanted: Blondes who can Drive Stick

2008-02-26T11:40:00.000-08:00

I know what you're thinking: my calling is calling.It's the third time I've received a forwarded craigslist post from friends urging me to apply to the Valet of the Dolls female valet service. So you're not alone in agreeing that there's finally a job that's pretty-sorta-mostly up my alley.The craigslist post goes like this:ARE YOU WOMAN ENOUGH?!?! (Greater Los Angeles)Are you cool with a little

8 Hours of Awesomeness

2008-02-18T20:12:00.000-08:00

Taste the glory of the 24 Hours of Le Mans without being sponsored by Audi. Feel the thrill of racing MotoGP without facing 100mph high sides. And know the pride of being on a race team without worrying about the painted-on suit of your umbrella girl smearing.Who's up for a little race?All right, the race isn't little, but the bike is. Announcing the very pompous-sounding 8 HOURS AT GRANGE. It's

They Say Motorcycling is Dangerous

2008-02-15T22:09:00.000-08:00

Sorry, but living's dangerous. Some of you know that when I'm not working or riding, I'm swimming. Sadly, I received an email from my swim team's coaching staff that one of our coaches had been severely injured. How? She was struck by a hit and run driver while crossing the street to go home yesterday night. She is in the intensive care unit at UC Irvine Medical Hospital being treated for a

Who's Up for Gettin' Dirty?

2008-02-15T18:08:00.001-08:00

Imagine having your own semi-private group dirt bike adventure. Just you, me, and the 2 other people who read this blog. Don't have a dirt bike or gear? Not to worry, those are included. And if we can rally 3 or more riders, we get our own lesson/expedition/party at Lake Elsinore Motocross Park most weekends after Saturday, 3/8/08. And if you do have your own stuff, even better. I'll bet it

George Bernard Shaw's Got it All Wrong.

2008-01-26T20:18:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine sent me an email titled, "O i like this one." The entirety of the message body was:“The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it.”-George Bernard ShawMind you, this is one more blow in a long-standing battle of wills over which is best: my preferred optimism or his preferred pessimism. And this was a particularly heavy-hitting assault

Did I Mention Domination?

2008-01-18T16:19:00.000-08:00

Domination Is a Team Effort.

2008-01-15T17:41:00.001-08:00

Racing and I never really get along. Until Sunday, January 13. When myself and 3 teammates took part in a 4-hour endurance race riding a Honda NSR50. On that day, if the skies had any clouds in 'em, they would've parted, angels woulda sung, and I woulda been touched by the grace of (place name of your deity here) with the ability to race. Because we came home the winners in our class.Jason

Etech Photo, MAX Graphique, Santa Claus

2008-01-10T09:19:00.000-08:00

December 25, 2007In a heartwarming show of support, Santa Claus, MAX Graphique and EtechPhoto.com have come forward to sponsor Glamazon in her 2008 racing season.Unless you have a friend or loved one who has devolved into a financial parasite thanks to club motorcycle racing, you may not comprehend exactly how much money and energy this nonsensical hobby requires from its participants.And those

Very, very, very Big News

2008-01-03T10:05:00.000-08:00

They say those who can't do, teach. And maybe that rule applies to bloated, sweater-vest-clad econ professors who never quite made Warren Buffetts out of themselves. But when it comes to teaching motorcycling, you gotta be able to do, and teach.Ever since I started riding motorcycles in October of 2006, and had my first taste of track riding with the California Superbike School, I wanted to be an

It's Not Motorcycling. But It's Cool.

2007-12-27T11:20:00.000-08:00

I've just learned about a few new internet initiatives that aim to make the world outside of cyberspace a better one. That deserves a shout out. Bookcrossing "Make the whole world a library" is their mission. Well-meaning bibliophiles drop off their already read books in random places, someone picks it up, reads it, and maybe passes it on. What makes this idea even cooler is the tracking system

Mind Over the Matter of Body Contortion

2007-12-26T16:15:00.000-08:00

Ever suck at something? Yea, me too. I suck at riding mini bikes (as you'll recall from my previous story, "Little Bikes, Big Embarrassment"). Nonetheless, I was convinced to enter into a CMRRA mini bike endurance race by the sweet-natured and highly persuasive Young Lee of Team Max.Now, I am one of four racers who make up this relay-like team wherein each rider puts in 30 minutes of riding at a

Mind-Tingling Namesakes.

2007-12-05T15:59:00.000-08:00

When they were giving out names, I was asked to rummage through the second-hand bin. I pulled out the 12 letters you know to be mine. And the nickname Glamazon, to boot.Sadly for me, when, like every 10-year-old, I hated my name and wanted a different one, I didn't stick to my name-changing guns. Because there are more Kristi Martels and Glamazons out there than I knew about. My whole 5th year

Now Urban Dictionary Calls Glamazon's Truck Hooptie, too.

2007-12-04T15:00:00.000-08:00

There was a flood of reader response in the wake of the in-depth report on the hooptiness of the Glamazon Racing Truck. One such email contained the http://www.urbandictionary.com/ definition of "Hooptie," edited for size and content for the purpose of the Glamazon Blog. "Hooptie" Syn.: Kristi's truck.Any car that meets the following: Driver must enter car through passenger side Three different

Fresh Take on California Superike School

2007-12-03T09:34:00.000-08:00

Written by: Scott "Clank" LaGrastaContributing Editor Everyone has different reasons for attempting to ride a motorcycle. Some want to look cool, others want to challenge their personal limits and still others hear coworkers or friends talk about riding and begin to think to themselves, "hey, my life is far too dull - perhaps I should perch atop 650 cubic centimeters of Japan's finest internal

Feminist Doesn't Get Irony of Being A Bitch To Another Woman

2007-11-29T16:21:00.000-08:00

Lancaster, CAIn the dry, windy deserts of California, a hormone storm was abrewin'. A horm. Or a stormone.One woman rider, a firebrand feminist who defies the gender bias of road racing in one corner, weighing in at an intimidating 5'7" and 170 lbs. (Let's call her Woman #1). And Glamazon in the other.Woman #1 doesn't subscribe to society's unrealistic standards of beauty that most gals chase

Pahrump 1

2007-11-27T18:11:00.001-08:00

I went. I rode. I'm going back this weekend.Here're the pictorial highlights of a good day at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch in Pahrump, Nevada. All riding shots in this set were taken by CaliPhotography.If you can't view the slideshow, visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/glamazonracing/show/

Life. Goals. Gravy.

2007-11-26T11:44:00.000-08:00

For some reason, Thanksgiving makes me think about life. Maybe it's the tryptophan-induced pseudo coma, or seeing my family members get a year older. Either way, this annual milestone gives me pause to inspect my life. A pause I don't grant myself under normal race track-chasing circumstances. Beside a too-warm fireplace and deep into a bottle of Two-Buck Chuck, I made a mental run-through of

Gas Station Attendant Calls Glamazon Racing Truck "Hooptie"

2007-11-21T23:22:00.000-08:00

Lancaster, CAIn a rare upending of the societal norm that gas station attendants are the butt of all jokes, an Arco swing-shift employee called the Glamazon Racing truck "hooptie" through that little hole in the bulletproof glass.Kristi, who had been piloting the 1992 Toyota pickup truck on the way back from a track day, gave him "the benefit of the doubt" which led to a gross misinterpretation

Kristi Announces Track Dates, New-Found Debt.

2007-11-21T15:24:00.000-08:00

In a not-so-surprising shedding of hard-earned cash, Kristi signed up for 2 California Superbike School dates in 2008.March 31/April 1st CODE Race School at Willow Springs, CaliforniaAugust 23/August 24 Level 4 at Barber Motorsports Park, AlabamaIt is expected that on these dates, Kristi will transport herself via bi-wheeled motor vehicle innumerable times around a singular course. Filling the

My Favorite 4 Words: Extensive Soft Tissue Damage

2007-11-09T12:06:00.000-08:00

That's right. No broken bones! This might be a Kristi first. Falling off something with no hard cast to show for it.Doc says give it 2 weeks in a soft splint, then commence destroying self. Kidding! To those friends who sent me well wishes: a sincere thank you. I feel the love. I'll see you back out there when my throttle hand is back to 100%.

If it Ain't Broke, Crash It.

2007-11-08T11:01:00.000-08:00

Sin City is my favorite place for a number of reasons. Las Vegas Motor Speedway definitely makes my top... uh... 20 or so of those reasons.But in a painful twist of fate in the last session of a 2-day camp, Mr. Dude on Mr. Bike Number 21 crashed in front of me in turn one. So, I did, too.I'm usually pretty good at looking through the turn, keeping my eyes off the sliding wreckage and thereby

There's no prize for 'Miss Congeniality' in Road Racing.

2007-11-05T09:38:00.001-08:00

Pity. I might have a chance at winning that.Here's my race report for the 2007 WSMC Season Finale, Novice Middleweights:I started on the front row of the grid because I had won some points in last month's race. Flag flies, and Kristi's off to a shitty start! Passed by lots of people. Beehive of faster guys than me jamming into turn 2 in a cluster eff that nearly guaranteed a crash. Unbelievably,

Who's hotter? (John, you can't vote.)

2007-10-26T12:23:00.000-07:00

The butt shot.The front shot.Sort of.

Monumental. Gigantic. Epic.

2007-10-19T17:23:00.000-07:00

When I got started riding last October, I kept it a secret from my family, because they wouldn't like it one bit. Sort of like the secret tongue piercing at age 21, my secret belly button piercing at age 18, and my secret...well...I better shut up while I'm ahead.Why wouldn't they like me to blaze the motorcycling trail? I'm a nice girl from a nice family. Mom. Dad. Sisters. Brothers. Exchange

Little Bikes. Big Embarrassment.

2007-10-17T15:25:00.000-07:00

My best motorcycling buddy, Young, took me out to the Willow Springs Kart Track to try riding his NSR 50. A teensy-weensy two-stroke Honda racebike. Keep in mind that when a 10-year old is at the reins of its 7.5 horsepower, it can make for a mean little speed demon. When it's a 5'10" Heidi like myself, just trying to keep my feet on the infantile pegs is a near impossibility.I'm not saying the

Very Last Reno Pics, I Swear.

2007-10-11T11:42:00.000-07:00

Cold much?Rain much?Young. The relentlessly positive.Oh yea? You call that a bubble?Okay, so it wasn't that bad a bubble after all.

Riders of Kawasaki Day, Las Vegas.

2007-10-08T12:42:00.000-07:00

Even the legendary road racer, Gary Nixon, likes some love.Here's a tip to increase the coolness factor of your photos. Make the #1 sign when you exit the track, to give the appearance of just having won something. Steve Rapp gave me a ride around Las Vegas Motor Speedway's Classic Course. After 2 laps of my life flashing before my eyes and near-death experiences, he pulled off and told me I was

That Race I Did.

2007-10-08T11:23:00.000-07:00

The Willow Springs Streets Series. I did a practice day on Saturday, October 6, and raced on Sunday October 7. The race: I got a good start and had a good position off the grid, but I weenied out and gave up a lot of positions into turn 1. I could stand to be more aggressive there. In the second lap, a rider crashed, and there was a red flag to stop and restart the race. Here's where the real

What Would Dean Mizdal Do?

2007-10-02T17:31:00.000-07:00

No disrespect to Jesus, but Dean Mizdal is the man.He is Professional AMA Superbike racer #38. His head has been run over by Miguel Duhamel. He's raced in the Baja 1000 more times than I've been on a track. And he makes the impossible look easy.Sometimes painful. But easy.In other words, he's my hero.So one day, while faced with a decision that would determine whether I was a weenie or not, I

AH AH AHHHHHH!

2007-09-28T16:43:00.000-07:00

Woe is my Inner Potato.

2007-09-26T17:08:00.000-07:00

Ridin' motorcycles. Maybe you don't need to be Atlas to do it, but having substantial lower-body strength to grip the motorcycle doesn't hurt. Correction: it does hurt. And I know, because I'm starting a training regimen to prepare to do endurance motorcycle racing. Wherein races last anywhere from 4 to 24 hours. For starters, I eat like a gerbil. A gerbil with anorexia. After that, I make sure

Jason Pridmore. Teacher. Racer. Hunky McHunkerson.

2007-09-24T16:17:00.000-07:00

September 21, 2007: I attended 1 day at Jason Pridmore's Star Motorcycle School, at my home track, Streets of Willow Springs.Here's Jason, leading the morning's track walk. We discussed the importance of getting faster in fast corners. And being OK with going slow in the slow corners. This is based on Jason's concept of each corner's risk/reward ratio.The Battle Van has become my second home. And

You Just Can't Get Enough Reno.

2007-09-24T15:56:00.000-07:00

If you liked my trip to Reno as much as I did (don't lie), you'll love these additional photos.Cute is impervious to cold.Nothing says "bad ass" like a Target folding chair. Yes, that crappy looking CASINO sign is for "The Truck Inn." The po' tel (I just made po' tel up right now, but it's gonna stick, just watch) where Young and I stayed to ride Reno-Fernley Raceway. How is one of the ugliest

Reno: Definitely Not A Bust.

2007-09-24T11:03:00.001-07:00

Young's and my battle cry.Squiggly. Very, very squiggly.Merry Christmas, Reno!Somewhere, under the rainbow, I ran around on a super-cool race track.Doing a track day at Reno-Fernley Raceway is a real pain in the ass. It took Young and me 10 hours to drive there. It was raining on and off the whole weekend. It was so cold, I wore a sweater over my leathers through every session. And the closest

Finding Your Track Day

2007-09-12T16:22:00.000-07:00

Seems like every guy who's done a track day thinks he can start his own track day company. Which means there are a lot to choose from. Here are links to the track day companies I know of, and encourage you to sign up for one! It's a ton of fun.-Bike Tweakers Universal Track Calendar (Very helpful link)-TRACKDAZ (I've ridden with this club)-Take It 2 The Track (I've ridden with this club)-The

Your First Track Day

2007-09-12T09:25:00.001-07:00

You ride motorcycles on the street. And want to try the track. Listen up.1. SCHOOL? OR UNINSTRUCTED TRACK DAY? I'm of the mindset that education is the best investment you can make. So I recommend doing a school like California Superbike School or Jason Pridmore STAR School as your first track experience. Get some good riding habits in there before laying down any bad ones. Not all agree, and

Pahrump: Land of Cool Photos

2007-09-11T16:00:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I rode Spring Mountain Raceway in Pahrump, Nevada. A favorite track of many of my riding buddies. And I'm beginning to understand why.It's got smooth pavement. A good mix of fast sweepers and tight turns. And great photo opps that give you one last thing to spend money on, if you've got any left after buying tires.There I am!John Burns (of motorcycle journalism fame) and me

"Kristi--The Fast Girl on Track" Video

2007-09-05T15:39:00.000-07:00

You always look 10 pounds heavier and 50 miles per hour slower in video, I swear.Click the image below to play a quick clip of my riding! A big thanks to Jason Iungerich for making this video. You rock!

6 Steps To Addiction

2007-08-30T11:22:00.001-07:00

Many of my non-rider friends have asked me how to get started. Thanks to this post, I don't have to verbalize anything, anymore. What a relief! (Just kidding. I love helping you guys.)1. MSF COURSEGo to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation website ( http://www.msf-usa.org/ ) and sign up for a class near you. Sign up now, because usually there's a month or so wait til a spot opens up. The couple

This is How my Heels Roll

2007-08-24T16:40:00.000-07:00

One of the challenges of being a lady rider: Wardrobe changes. You want heels when you get there, but you want your ankles in tact when you arrive. Thus, you're forced to wear ass-stompin' boots while you ride.The fun, and endlessly amusing (to men) solution: high heels under the tail net. A photographer friend of mine thought so, too, and snapped these few pics outside of Baby Blues on Lincoln

E-Goal Setting

2007-08-22T11:15:00.000-07:00

Okay, now that we're all feeling thoroughly motivated, let me introduce you to http://www.43things.com/.It's where you go when you're ready to announce your goals to the rapt audience that is the internet (read: scream your wants into the apathetic void of cyberspace). Organize them from goal #1 to #43. Be inspired by others' dreams. Ask others who have already accomplished their goals for help.

Wait a Second, That's Not a Race Track

2007-08-20T10:11:00.000-07:00

In an effort to:a) keep my limbs attached andb) keep alive my burning desire to ride motorcycles despite a harried schedule of track days throughout the rest of 2007...I took a much needed weekend off from the track. So I really slowed down and went to the beach. The Griffith Observatory. Ikea. The Kodak Theater. A fancy dinner. And the Huntington Library and Museum (pictured). Okay, so it wasn't

Partly cloudy with a chance of ash inhalation.

2007-08-14T00:34:00.000-07:00

When Santa Barbara is on fire, this is what Buttonwillow looks like. It was an ash-filled, red-sky day this past Sunday, and me, my friend/pit helper Young, and the trusty ZX-6R took to a track day at Buttonwillow Raceway. The smoke hanging in the air made for blood-shot eyes and tougher riding, but that didn't keep it from being a great day. Lemme tell you why.Tech inspection determined my tires

Almost everything I know about Motorcycling

2007-08-07T11:13:00.000-07:00

...I Learned from Life. 1. Don't be afraid.2. Anywhere is more interesting than your comfort zone.3. Enthusiasm is priceless.4. It's okay to ask for help. In fact, it comes in handy quite a lot.5. Instead of saying "I can't," say "I can't yet."6. Look and aim where you want to be. Luck, most of the time, won't do it.7. Be around those who you aspire to be like.8. Modesty is the best policy.9.

Those sensitive to heat

2007-07-30T18:45:00.000-07:00

...need not apply.Welcome to Willow Springs Raceway. In hotter-than-heck Rosamond, California. 112 degrees Farenheit is a conservative poke at this past weekend's temperatures.But at least I was wearing this lightweight (cough), breathable (cough) leather suit (eye roll).Anyways, moving beyond the complaining, it was a successful, crashless day for me. Excitement included:1. Overshooting my line

Geekonomics - Cornerworking for MotoGP 2007

2007-07-23T12:19:00.000-07:00

You've heard of Freakonomics. This is that, but instead, it's how far a motorcycle geek will go to be closer to the sport. Take this: I got paid half as much as I make in one day at my regular job, to work 3 days straight under the blistering Northern California sun as a corner worker for MotoGP.To show for it, I've got a raccoon tan. A tear-off from a racer's visor.

High Fives

2007-07-18T21:50:00.000-07:00

Go out to: James Toohey. Don Erickson. Jim Small. John Burns. Doug Mana. Jean Claude Dhien. The guys who made my first day with Willow Springs Motorcycle Club a great one. Hope I do y'all proud soon.

Dissection of a Chicken Out

2007-07-15T22:21:00.000-07:00

You want the good news or the bad news first? Bad? Okay. So I decided not to race this past weekend. Big let down, I know. Here's why: I felt like if I raced this past Sunday, that I would ride over my head and crash. Not what I want to do.The good news is, I was taking new racer school that Saturday. If you want, after taking new racer school, you can stick around and race on Sunday. Instead, I

The fun begins tomorrow...

2007-07-14T00:44:00.000-07:00

...Because I'll tell you right now, it hasn't been much fun race-prepping my bike the last 3 nights.Four hours of sleep a night if I'm lucky. Because when you're safety wiring your bike for the first time, you wish it was your last time. It's hard. I do it wrong. And of course, I still forget to wire a bunch of stuff that gets caught at the tech inspection the next day.Fortunately for me, my

I don't want kids. But if I did...

2007-06-23T19:19:00.000-07:00

I'd be the kind of mom that bought mah baby 3 sets of knobby tires for Christmas. I get misty like this when I think hard about what an experience disadvantage I'm at, having started riding at 24. If my folks had given me the opportunity and the guts to be involved in motorcycling when I was 5, I might've been pretty okay at this game. However, I'm inspired by riders like Misti Hurst who, at 24,

I sweat more on vacations than I do running a 10k.

2007-06-23T19:11:00.000-07:00

It started as an invitation to watch the AMA Formula Extreme races.In Utah. In 102 degree weather.In the end, it will have snowballed into a 5-day trip that involves renting a car. A motorcycle. Buying a track day. An obligatory girly spa day. A rock concert. Working in the pits. A second day riding the track. And, you guessed it, a whole lotta deodorant.Now this is my idea of a vacation.

"Don't quit your day job" Part II

2007-06-11T18:13:00.000-07:00

Most people around me thought I was insane for quitting my last job, without a solid job to jump to. Well, sometimes when you take a gamble, the universe pays out in spades. Because I've just been asked to start a freelance to fulltime job at Kawasaki's ad agency.Oh my goodness, I'm excited. Now some of you might think I'd complain about this new job interrupting the planned trip across country

Why am I single again?

2007-06-08T11:28:00.000-07:00

Oh yea, it probably has something to do with being the kind of gal who thinks her titanium plate is pretty cool.

"Don't quit your day job." Oops, too late.

2007-06-04T14:45:00.000-07:00

In some things, I am the queen of sensibility and level headedness. In everything else, I am a bit of a kamikaze. Job: quit. Lease: given up. I'm excited to see what happens next. I have a feeling it involves a long, long, long, long road trip. And I hear southern Utah is beautiful this time of year.

Awesome people are awesome

2007-05-20T18:11:00.000-07:00

To my right in the photo is my mentor, inspiration, hero and race mom - Tania Davidson #500.Kicking some serious butt at (am I allowed to tell her age?) 42 years old, she beat her own best lap time at Willow Springs Raceway this weekend. Aside from me, (a gimpy pit crew member), she was there doing all her own mechanic work, fighting a losing battle with a generator that was biting the big one,

Introducing Kristi - #699

2007-05-19T22:51:00.000-07:00

Okay, it's not quite Nicky Hayden's #69, but I do what I can.So Kristi is #699 - and an official member of Willow Springs Motorcycle Club (WSMC) racing. As soon as my clavicle's in shape, I'll be gearing up and gridding up for my first time as a racer.OH NO OH NO OH NO OH NO.Forgive the fear-induced Tourette's. But the track is the one on the left, called"Big" Willow. It's a 2.5 mile track whose

The community of pain

2007-05-18T22:40:00.000-07:00

This photo is from Bob Hartman at Etech Photo. The sweetheart photographer who you'll find at most every Superbike school. (It's sort of a "hope you're feeling better after crashing" gift.) "Thinking of you" emails and phone calls have been keeping me busy thinking I was juggling some kind of social calendar, when I was really just being the center of pity. Amazing, loving pity.Motorcyclists

Crashing really happens: Part II

2007-05-10T08:39:00.000-07:00

Me and the Skid Pad pavement at Willow Springs met a few weeks ago. This is the gory, yet somehow glorious result. A clavicle that is hating life. In a vicodin-induced stupor I share my story with you. So basically I was learning how the bike loses traction in the rear tire, what it feels like, and how to cope with it. The answer to that last part is: don't get off the throttle too fast. If you

4 Good Reasons To Ride

2007-05-10T08:23:00.000-07:00

1. You start truly seeing. A rider has to be highly attuned to their surroundings at all times. As a rider, I notice grafitti, trees, buildings and signs that I had never noticed while driving through the exact same areas in a car. 2. Every day is more valuable. Each time you decide to ride, you know you are taking a serious risk. That makes me more grateful for the day. So I make sure to say "I

Crashing really happens

2007-03-09T11:49:00.000-08:00

3 friends of mine have crashed in the last 4 weeks. Two of those three have stood up and walked away from their accidents with no problem. One of them, the girl who was riding this Ducati 748, was taken away in an ambulance with injuries to her spine and a partially collapsed lung.I visited her in the hospital in the days following the accident.In the many discussions that ensued in the

For my birthday, I want pneumonia

2007-01-15T14:34:00.000-08:00

I had a great idea to celebrate my 25th birthday. Take my new Kawi ZX-6R from Los Angeles to Big Sur. In 2.25 days. Funny. That's 636 miles. The same number of cc's as my bike.This chilly January trip started as a teeny feat of resolve, but quickly turned into an epic achievement of ignoring others' warnings, narrowly escaping impending inclement weather, and trying really hard to prove to all

There's a man in Santa Monica

2007-01-03T23:36:00.000-08:00

...who owns a part of me.Not that part, sicko.He bought my S2000. And it makes me realize that even the most thoroughly converted motorcyclists can miss a cage. It just has to be a very, very special cage.I think a moment of silence is in order.Okay, who's up to ride Malibu?

Outrage at the Christening

2007-01-03T20:33:00.000-08:00

See this cute little guy? He's my nephew. He's not the point of this blog. His little chauvinist-to-be friend is.So I rode up to a family event on the GSX-R600, and sat my helmet and jacket next to me when I got inside.My nephew's little 5-year old friend asked me, "Whose is that?" (pointing to the gear)."Mine.""What's it for?""My motorcycle.""You ride a motorcycle?""Yep.""You can't ride a

Change of Altitude. (I know, this title sucks.)

2007-01-03T20:13:00.000-08:00

One could draw the assumption that because I'm pictured at left, poured into a Spidi suit, that I've been doing this riding thing for a while.That assumption, however, would be wrong.Take a look at the first blog posted. Yea. Uh huh, I've been riding for 3 months. And until recently, I had been afraid of technical rides such as Angeles Crest (pictured).Until I received a golden piece of advice

Borrowing is dangerous

2007-01-03T19:49:00.000-08:00

I am pictured here on a bike that is not mine. But I put 3 times as many miles on it as did the poor guy who actually wrote the check for it (that would be my brother). And a bond formed that hurt everyone involved.That's the first danger of borrowing a bike.Being hit by a car is the second. In a rare (and when I say rare, I mean absolutely typical) moment of impatience, I rode the borrowed love

So it begins

2006-10-23T17:14:00.000-07:00

Kristi here. I bought a Honda SuperHawk, ride it all the damn time, and decided that this will be the beginning of my motojournalism career.Topics that my future stories will cover:-commuting-being a girl rider-being a beginning rider-perspective changes between riding and driving-trip itineraries and recommendations-new bikes-the Southern California bike sceneMy enthusiasm for riding, ability to