RIP Jessica Terrell

Today I have been doing a little house cleaning of my blog. I was going thru my links, as I have discovered that some blogs have retired. But sadly I also discovered a fellow motorcyclist had passed away in January of this year. I actually learned of this tragic accident thru Helmet Hair magazine.com. I go to the MotoFeminia website occasionally to see if a new project has begun. Jessica actually died in a car accident and the little bit of information of her and what happened is about half way down the page here.

I got to know Jessica thru the MotoFemina project a few years ago. MotoFemina ran from April thru September 2006. It was a lot of fun chatting with Jessica, Synth and Laura as they learned to ride motorcycles and compete to win a BMW F 650 GS. They had to do and learn so much that summer. You can still go back and read all about it in the MotoFemina link above. Jessica is the one who one the contest.

So I'm sitting here stunned and sad by the information I have just learned a little while ago. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.

Everyone, take care with whatever you travel in,

Biker Betty

MotoFemina - A Real Women's Motorcycle Series

Please Note: Wordless Wednesday is below this post

Some of you may remember that I did a few posts on this special women's motorcycle project this last summer titled MotoFemina. There were three women, Jessica, Laura, & Synth, who didn't know how to ride a motorcycle. As part of the project, they were enrolled in the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Beginners course. They were given topnotch BMW motorcycle gear and super cool loaner BMW motorycles. They learned many motorcycle skills through the summer and were evaluated throughout. At the end of the summer one of them was chosen to win a brand new BMW F 650 GS. I don't want to say who, as it's on the DVD that is now available.

You can view some of the segments on YouTube and the entire project is available on DVD. I have the DVD and really enjoy watching it. What they published on YouTube is a small portion of all the super-de-dooper stuff they have taped. There were a couple of incidents that happen during this project that are shared by the ladies. So go here and view the YouTube segments. They give a great overview of the project also at this site. It's much better then how I'm explaining it.

Wishing you many motorcycle adventures,

Biker Betty

The MotoFemina Competition Ends Sept 9th

MotoFemina is a special project that started this last spring. Many of you have heard me talk about it through the summer. It's a reality video series that is finishing up production. They picked three women who didn't know how to ride motorcycles and sent them to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Beginner Course. These three ladies passed the course and went on to learn more from their mentors. They learned and practiced many new things throughout this last summer. They were evaluated as they learned. They had the extra challenge of being filmed as they learned.

The prize - a 2006 BMW F650GS - to go to the one that is deemed to have learned the most in technical skill and personal enthusiasm. A panel of judges was chosen to do this.

The Ladies - Jessica, Laura, & Synth - worked hard all summer to win the new motorcycle. They did this while still maintaining their full time jobs. It sounds like it was mostly done on weekends (and not every weekend).

Where - New Mexico - they rode the twisty roads through beautiful country side. They also learned practical things, such as how to pick up a motorcycle.

This is the "Big" weekend when they find out which one of them will win the new motorcycle. They announce the winner this Saturday, Sept. 9th, 4pm, at the BMW Sipapu Weekend Rally. Everyone is invited to attend. Go to Motofemina for all the details of where and when.

Yours truly would love to be there when they announce the winner, but sadly I can't *sigh.* I have been chatting with these ladies many times through the summer and would love to meet them. I know a few of you have gone on over and check out the project. So if you can, you're invited to attend and I'll be back here having cheese with my "whine," lol.

Jessica, Laura, & Synth - I Wish You Three Ladies all the Best

I Won!!!

I just can't believe I won!!! My older son took the message and when he showed it to me, you'd thought I had won the one million dollar lottery (Yahooooo!!). I entered a drawing at BMW-Ducati of Southern Colorado in Colorado Springs for a chance to win a free IPOD. I wanted to go there anyway, because of the outstanding ladies of MotoFemina Cast. I wanted to see the F650GS that they were in competition for. As it turned out, the dealership didn't have that motorcycle at that time. It's sooo popular, they can't keep it in stock. Above is JoAnne awarding me the IPOD. I didn't get all the names of the people working there today, but thank you to everyone there and to BMW-Ducati of Southern Colorado

Here is all the cool stuff that came in the box. I can't wait to start downloading all the songs I want to hear while driving my Yamaha V-Star 650 motorcycle *smile* down the road. Is this motorcycle too cool or what? Above is the BMW F650GS. This time they had one, but it's awaiting its new owner (sob). Eric was kind enough to let me hop on and see how it fits. It was lowered at the factory for the new owner (which isn't me *sob, sniff*). I do really like this motorcycle, but even lowered it's still about 2" too high. I guess, too, when I do get the next bike I also want more cc's then 650. I have seen a lot of people on tippy toes this summer, so I can't believe there isn't a market out there for shorter bikes. I just can't see how slimming two inches within the frame can be that hard. With all the brilliant designs these engineers do, come on!!

This motorcycle is neat, because it's dual road/dirt and the sport bikes are a little lighter in weight. I do love the sporty look. This motorcycle is even more awesome in person. The photo doesn't do it just. You'll have to go into your local dealership and see these for yourself. When I put my feet up on the pegs it fits perfect and is very comfortable. There are also some other pretty awesome motorcycles there, too. Just way too tall for me *pout!*.

So listen up BMW Motorcycles Corporation!!! You need to design a motorcycle just like the F650GS, but for shorter people like me (5'1-1/2" high) and with more cc's. So here's the challenge and if you need a model and tester, I'd be happy to help you out (especially for testing) *wink, wink*. Oh, a model in purple would be nice.

Here is a really neat project in New Mexico. I have been following the progress since about the beginning. The three ladies on the MotoFemina project (a reality video series) have been working hard. Here is footage of their solo rides. These three (Jessica, Laura, & Synth) had never been on a motorcycle before this project. At the end of the summer one of them will be chosen as the one who learned the most practical skills and personal courage needed to safely ride a motorcycle. The winner will receive a 2006 BMW F650 GS motorcycle (whooohooo!!!). They have already been working very hard and learning lots. Go on over to their website MotoFemina Cast and check it out.

MotoFemina Cast

Hi everyone. I just found a fairly new website that I think you find very interesting. http://motofemina.blogspot.com/ It's about three novice women motorcyclist and a project called "MotoFemina. These three women will not only learn riding skills, but also technical skills. They each put together what is called a "posse," that is a team that will help them learn. They are being videoed and the first showing by pod or web cast is scheduled for sometime in July. The one person deemed to have learned the most technical skill and has the most enthusiasm will win a new F650GS in September. It sounds like a hoot and I'm following their progress. They each post their thoughts to MotoFemina. So go check them out.