Ride to Work Day is a non-profit organization, advocating and supporting the use of motorcycles and scooters for transportation, and providing information about everyday utility riding to the public.

In my opinion, any day is a good day to ride to work, as long as safety isn’t compromised by weather, fatigue, etc. Nonetheless, the international exposure increases awareness to the non-riding public of the many positive influences motorcycles – and motorcyclists – have in our world.

Since www.ridetowork.org only listed 8 reasons, I’ve added 2 of my own to make 10.

Here are 8 reasons they give for riding to work. Riding to work:

1. Is fun
2. Reduces traffic and parking congestion
3. Uses less fuel than an automobile
4. Leaves me alert and energized
5. Results in less pollution than commuting in a larger vehicle
6. Is less destructive to road surfaces, bridges, etc.
7. Gets me to work (and back home) faster
8. Demonstrates motorcycling as a social good

My 2 additions:

1. Taking the scenic route to work or home is a great way to manage stress.
2. There’s always an adventure when you’re on your bike. And you meet the nicest people!

The irony is, I work mainly from my home office. Guess that means I get to pick a time on Monday to go out for a ride so I can ride BACK to work!

Why do you ride to worki??

Here’s a unique opportunity for women riders. The brainchild of Alisa Clickenger and Karen Thomson, the tour of the Pacific northwest is “a rolling classroom, a coaching group, mentors and rider friends all wrapped up into one package” according to Alisa.

The two women want to empower other female riders with the knowledge, confidence and support to tour by motorcycle--especially by themselves.

“Anyone can travel alone like Karen and I do” says Alisa. “Sometimes it just takes getting over a little fear, having a little knowledge, or a little encouragement. And that is what we want to impart on this tour: the coaching, the skills, and the confidence to make a trip happen for other women riders. Everyone will go home with a sense of accomplishment.”

“We’ve chosen a spectacular route, with plenty of great roads and terrific scenery.” adds Karen. “There is something for everyone, whether they are new to touring or are a rider that just wants to be part of an all-female tour. Among the things we will cover are: how to plan, prepare and pack for your trip, reading maps and using your GPS. Each rider can elect their own level of participation.”

The two met almost a decade ago working as tour guides for Edelweiss Bike Travel. Alisa’s solo travels have taken her throughout North America, Europe and most recently, on a seven-month adventure through Mexico, Central and South America. Karen has accumulated more than 300,000 motorcycle miles and led many tours in North America and Europe. She was also a Motorcycle Safety Foundation instructor for sixteen years.

There are two spaces left on the tour which begins June 24, 2011 in the Seattle Area. If you're interested in participating, email Alisa directly at Alisa@MotoAdventureGal.com or visit the web site for more detailed information

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation has posted tips for riders and drivers to improve their skills, “make better decisions and increase safety for everyone on the road.” Read Full Article for complete advice.

I’ve also posted 10 Tips just for motorcycle riders.

After a cold, wet April, we're seeing sunny skies and warmer temperatures.  Dare I say spring is here? Motorcycles will be out in droves this weekend. Drive and Ride safe!

Spring is officially here! Saturday marked the first event of the season – our DIY Maintenance Workshop. As always it was enlightening, empowering and entertaining.

Oil changes are always the first order of business, done when everyone arrives and engines are warm. Although it’s generally a simple, routine procedure, participants are always pleasantly surprised by the experience. Most striking is the comment about how connected they feel with their bikes once they begin to know each other.

Tire inspections were next. Invariably tire pressure is well below recommended specs on at least a couple of bikes. Saturday was no exception and the air compressor came in handy.

The methodical inspection of the rest of the bike that followed was interrupted only by lots of questions, lighthearted jesting - and lunch!. Little things make such a difference – like learning how to correctly and easily position your bike on the centre stand. It boosts comfort level and confidence when you’re out on the road and need to make a routine adjustment – like tighten the drive chain.

All in all, a great kick-off to the season. Bikes and participants left recharged and ready to take on a new leg of the journey.

Thank you to all who attended for sharing your day.  Special thanks to Al Jones for his expertise and going the extra mile.

Riding and retreats have a lot in common. Both create space clear of social messages, family responsibilities and career demands. Both are a time carved out to connect with Self and others. Pair them, find a location surrounded by nature in prime riding country and you’ve created an experience that is unequivocal in it’s ability for personal and professional transformation.

The concept was hatched in Arizona during my Jupiter Journey last October. I had been drawn to the area for a specific reason although I knew not why. Not until I was riding down Rte. 66 and it hit me. I was in a corner of the world sought out as a riding destination – and also a mystical, spiritual place. These represented two gifts that had been given to me through which to serve. It took a trip there to pair the concepts and to understand that I was to bring them together in a unique combination.

Retreats designed for a specific demographic can build on the unique strengths of that group. Creating a spiritual retreat for motorcyclists has the potential to be extremely powerful – and empowering!

The unique bond amongst riders emerges from having the courage to move past fear and limiting inner beliefs. Both retreats and riding evoke a sense of freedom, inner peace, and adventure. Learning to ride, especially for women, builds confidence, comfort with risk and independence.

Often we are oblivious to the role riding has played in developing personal power and leadership skills. Taking time to step back from the voices and needs of others allows us to realize our strengths and apply them to other areas of our lives.

By focusing on understanding ourselves better, we discover how the relationship with our bikes contributes to and enhances who we are.

A carefully designed program that balances facilitated activities with unstructured solitary time allows for individual preferences and leverages learnings. The riding experience becomes the baseline from which we get reacquainted with who we are and what we’re capable of accomplishing.

A strong community of like-minded others helps move us forward on our journey. A retreat for riders fosters development of that community.

Both motorcycling and retreats bring us into Present Moment – where we connect with our authenticity and creativity. The transformative potential is limited only by our beliefs.

A motorcycle retreat will leave you energized and rejuvenated in a way you never dreamt possible. Trying to contain this positive energy is futile. It’s said that a butterfly flapping its wings can change the weather half a world away. Similarly, the ripple effect from a well-designed retreat carries a positive influence in ways that we cannot imagine.

1-Day Retreat – June 25, 2011 for Men and Women
Women’s Weekend Retreat - July 14-17, 2011