I just returned from Germany, where I competed in my second BMW GS Trophy qualifier. When I sat down to write about this experience, I had a dozen different angles in mind: the technical challenges, the differences between the US and German events, the specific skills required – something that would benefit the widest audience.Continue reading “The Women of BMW GS Trophy”
Author Archives: Lana
Riding Beyond the Arctic Circle
My trip started in Anchorage where I got my bike from Motoquest and joined the group of other riders. The itinerary was simple on paper, but reality is always different. It has been several years since I last rented a bike, so getting on someone else’s vehicle for a week was an interesting endeavor. TheContinue reading “Riding Beyond the Arctic Circle”
1000 miles around New England
Riding through Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire in early September offers a perfect blend of scenic views and varied terrains that suit both highway cruising and adventurous off-roading. As fall begins to set in, the air turns crisp and the landscape starts to burst with early autumn colors. Maine’s routes can take you deep intoContinue reading “1000 miles around New England”
Riding Colombia: Exploring the Heart of South America on Two Wheels
Colombia is a country of motorcycles. The streets are a diverse parade of motorcycles, from the sleek and modern to the rugged workhorses. In this country, motorcycles are not just a hobby; they’re an important mode of daily transportation. The bustling streets, though crowded, operate on a rhythm of mutual respect and purpose. As aContinue reading “Riding Colombia: Exploring the Heart of South America on Two Wheels”
MABDR in September
We had to postpone this trip several times for various reasons, so we were very excited to finally hit the road in a rented U-Haul on September 15, 2023. What is MABDR? MABDR is one of a growing number of routes put together by the wonderful folks at Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR). Mid Atlantic BDRContinue reading “MABDR in September”
Balance – Stopping with One Foot
We have to stop many times even during a short ride: lights, intersections, yielding to pedestrians…. With a heavy and tall bike, you need to master stopping with one foot on the ground. Prerequisite – balancing a standing bike, looking ahead. Homework – Start with this video, practice in a safe environment until this feelsContinue reading “Balance – Stopping with One Foot”
Slow Race
This is a skill that would help improve the quality of your riding. Prerequisites – Stopping with one foot, balancing a standing bike with one feet on the ground, breathing, look ahead. Homework – Check out my YouTube video. Practice in a safe environment first. Don’t expect to master this over one or two sessionsContinue reading “Slow Race”
Balance – Starting
The goal is to be able to have a controlled start from a stop. You can do this from a sitting or standing position, but we are going to focus on a standing position here. Once you get good at this, try to hold a standing position for a few seconds before pulling away. StartContinue reading “Balance – Starting”
Balance – Standing
This is essential for riding any 2-wheel bikes. The heavier your bike is, the more critical it is to master the balance on it. It’s about your safety and the quality of your riding. Prerequisite – breathing, look ahead. Homework – Start with this video, this is fundamental for shorter riders trying out taller, heavierContinue reading “Balance – Standing”
Look ahead
This is one of the most essential skills, as well as one of the most deceptively difficult. “Looking ahead” could actually be in front of you, but it could be behind as well. This is critically important for turn-arounds and for cornering. The faster you go, the further out you need to look. Remember thatContinue reading “Look ahead”