Life in the Fast Lane Archives

Are You Gaining Experience or Just Logging Miles?

I like a good discussion so when I’m not riding, I enjoy visiting various motorcycle forums and participating in, or starting a good debate. Recently a thread on riding experience created...

The Social Side of Riding

I love it when people ask me how my husband and I met. “We crashed into each other,” I reply with a smile, “literally.” And it is true. John and I met at Mission Raceway in 2003 during a...

A Family Affair – Backyard Motorcross Riding

I tried on my motocross pants, but they got stuck at about thigh level, so, I decided I’d just have to ride in my jeans. My riding jersey was very snug, but I just tucked it in tight so it...

Smooth is Fast: Benefits of Being Relaxed While Riding

We ride because we enjoy the freedom of the open road. We ride because we love the feeling of being a part of the environment, with the wind in our ears and the endlessness of the sky. And we ride...

Sheboygan, Eh! The Crazy Road Trip That Ranks High in Great Memories

With the start of 2009 now in full swing I spent some time pondering 2008, which was in every way an epic year. With racing a full AMA season, coaching nearly full time with the California Superbike...

Choosing the Proper Helmet

There is a man at the AMA races that cares about my head. He cares a lot. Not only does he care about my head and the head of the other racers that he sponsors, he cares about the safety of the heads...

Destination Vernon: Riding the Dirt Trails – A Weekend Off

People always ask me, “what are you doing this weekend”—and I think to myself, a weekend; wouldn’t it be nice to just have a weekend to do regular things like go to a lake, go camping, visit...

One Thing at a Time – First Lesson: 4th Gear, No Brakes

When it comes to learning something new, it helps to focus on doing just one thing at a time. Take motorcycle riding for instance, if you try to teach a brand new rider how to ride and you begin by...

Follow Your Dreams!

For my eleventh birthday my dad gave me one of the most memorable presents I have ever received. It was a white pillowcase with a colourful rainbow painted on it in shadowy brush strokes. It read,...

Daytona Bike Week 2008 A Motor-Blowing Experience

Daytona Bike Week is one of the largest motorcycle rallies in the world and is held annually during the first full week in March. As many as 500,000 people visit the Daytona Beach, Florida area...

Throttle Control

Mention the term “Throttle Control” to any rider and they will nod importantly and say something to the likes of, “Yep, throttle control is pretty important. Gotta have good throttle control...

Stopping Fast

I’ve seen it happen on more than one occasion, motorcyclists making all sorts of detrimental errors while attempting to make an emergency stop. I’ve watched riders lock-up the rear tire so...