Biker Chick Buzz: Angie in Texas
by Corn Dog on January 15, 2008
in Biker Chick Buzz
This is Angie T. of Texas, a.k.a. Smart Blonde. She was kind enough to send me this photo of her new baby, a 2007 Harley Road King. About her motorcycling journey, she says: “About two years ago we pulled up to a stop sign and my hubby about dropped the bike when I whispered in his ear ‘Baby, I think I’m ready for my own bike.’ I took the MSF Course on Mother’s Day and the rest is history. I started out on an 05′ VStar 1100 Classic which I really enjoyed. I recently upgraded to an 07′ Road King! I absolutely Love the King! I never thought I’d end up on a Harley but have definitely been converted to the dark side! There are a lot of great bikes so find the one that fits you and just go for it! Why not! Life is too short not to enjoy it, the beautiful scenery, the fellowship of good friends and the quaint little restaurants you find on the journey. This season of my life is wonderful and I’m truly enjoying every moment! Lots of traveling on the horizon for the King and Me! My motto – Live Well, Love Much, & Laugh Often!”
Frogs on choppers, your toxic bike and poor fashion choices, and new HOG members…
by Corn Dog on January 13, 2008
in Misc Updates
Just a few newsy notes to share this week – here we go:
If you join our HOG chapter…
I will gladly introduce you to the group! Had a great time at the HOG meeting this past Wednesday, it was my first as New Member Ambassador. I had a blast introducing eleven new members to the group, even received word that one of the couples I introduced had thought I did a great job – that was neat to hear! Went back up to the Big Barn on Saturday for the “zero run” and chili feed – a few bikes showed up to ride one mile for each degree of temperature. I think it was 28 or so, I know it was spitting snow… then over a hundred members enjoyed chili and fixin’s.
If you “appear” between 18-28…
Received an email from a guy named “Peter Beer” recently – now I’m not sayin’ that’s his real name, I’m just sayin’ he sent me an email. (He did greet me by saying “Hey Corn Dog” – so he’s at least reading the blog instead of harvesting emails!) Pete says he’s a producer for “Gigantic Productions” in New York, and that he is producing an episode of the MTV “True Life” series about going to Bike Week. He’s looking for “…people who appear between 18-28, to participate in the show…”
Now by 18-28 I assume he means age-wise, which lets me out because while I like to think of myself as being perpetually 26 years old, I most definitely do not “appear between” 18-28. I’m not about to post Peter’s… er, “attachment”… lest it be found to contain a virus that may unleash itself in my email. But, he did leave this contact info so you can get in touch if you’re interested in the project: casting@gigantic.tv or call 212-343-2674. And yes, I’d definitely love to hear from you if you contact him and you find out he’s either a). full of shit, or b). on the up-and-up.
If you think your bike is giving off dangerous radiation…
The UK has granted a patent to a Canadian inventor for his ‘electromagnetic shielding motorcycle seat’. The invention is designed to protect the rider’s vital organs from the electromagnetic field created by the rumbly parts of the bike. The release states:
“‘Various types of extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic field (EMF) radiations have been linked to health disorders including cancer. Many motorcycles generate excessive ELF EMF radiation up through the seat penetrating directly into the rider’s groin and torso. The prostate is of major concern as it is one of the closest delicate glands invaded by the radiation. The colon and neighboring organs are also at risk,’ adds (inventor Randall) Chipkar.”
Now again, I’ve done absolutely no research to explore the scientific validity of the claim that a bike’s electromagnetic field radiates anything harmful. You are welcome to start the vetting process at the inventor’s website, http://www.motorcyclecancer.com.
If your pet frog is disobedient…
… give him a motorcycle! Little Nong Oui of Thailand seemed content to drop the live food he was carrying around when tempted with this hot green chopper (what frog wouldn’t be??), and even predicted a couple of lottery numbers. He was pop-pop-popular until his predictions came out wrong; now all he’s got is his bike and his cruising/boozing frog-friends. Is it his fault those crazy Thai villagers were trying to find numbers in his spots?? NO, I say… ride on, Nong Oui!
If you’re feeling out of date…
… then you probably are! “The biker-chick look is so over,” proclaims the stylist for that show on TLC where the princess and the clothes horse tell dumpy women that their clothes are horrible and they should start thinking twice about what they put on in the morning. She’s instead encouraging these same dumpy women to go for something called “The Safari Look.” Seems to me that the only people for whom the ‘biker chick look’ is over… are those who weren’t really biker chicks in the first place! Yeah, that’s what happens when you try to be somethin’ you’re not.
BCN receives the Community Blogger Award
In addition to being listed with FindingDulcinea.com as a “website that matters,” BikerChickNews also received another nice recognition recently: Liz (aka Rippin Kitten) gave me the Community Blogger Award for creating a website that not only contributes to the community of bikers and bloggers (and biker-bloggers!), but also recognizes the importance of blog readers – like, oh you know… you!!
I really appreciated Liz taking note of the great group of readers/commenters that frequent these parts, and as always, I thank YOU for continuing to stop by and take part in the conversation here.
In the spirit of the award, though, I didn’t just want to accept it – I wanted to share it with other biker chick bloggers who also entertain us with their writing, welcome comments from readers, and/or share the joy of being a biker through blogging.
So, here are my choices for the next round of the Community Blogger Award, and rest assured these are three FOUR (!) blogs you won’t want to miss!
Froggi Donna
The Delaware Curmudgeon
Shanon/Bloody Wench
Iowa Harley Girl
Keep up the blogging and riding, girls, I hope to see you on the road!
A few quick links for winter reading
by Corn Dog on January 5, 2008
in Misc Updates
Okay fellow winter-state bikers, are you going absolutely BONKERS yet, waiting for spring?? Seems we have had our usual January weather all throughout December – so I’m hoping we’ll get a break here one of these days.
A few quick thoughts to pass along:
I wanted to be sure to share a link I found recently – the photo at left probably shows that I haven’t really learned the proper technique, but the link is a humorous and instructional article about the best way to tie a doo-rag out of a bandana. The photo also shows that I look better with glasses than without, unlike most people.
As predicted, I’m hearing more rumblings that suggest our state legislature will be pursuing a mandatory helmet law this year. It frankly pisses me off considerably – I am simply trusting that ABATE will fend off the nannies for us again.
This site was recently included in a list of motorcycle-related blogs in an article at FindingDulcinea.com, an internet-based library of resources on a wide variety of topics. A happy little blurb about BCN suggested that it’s “regularly updated,” which prompted me to get in here and write an update.
Late last year I had a lot of trouble with the files that create the color scheme and layout of this site, and I lost the file that contained links to other biker chick blogs. I’m working now on rebuilding that list, and happily found a new blog to add to it. Please take some time to check out Karen’s Riders on Adventure site, and look for the full list of biker chick bloggers coming back very soon! (Update: I’ve restored the Biker Chick Blogroll and have added several new sites! Check them out below right!)
Finally, here’s a cool story about a 70-year-old woman in Florida who’s embarking on a four-month motorcycle tour to promote awareness about breast-cancer screenings. The self-proclaimed “Vagabond Granny” will travel 8,000 miles across the United States on her 1996 Yamaha Royal Star. Her trip is sponsored by the United Breast Cancer Foundation in New York.
Tragedy in Balltown – Breitbachs destroyed by fire
by Corn Dog on December 27, 2007
in Other news
I’m really saddened to report that Breitbach’s, the legendary family-owned restaurant in Balltown, Iowa, was destroyed by fire on Christmas Eve. During the 2007 Estrogen Ride, we rode from Galena, IL over to Balltown to have dinner at Breitbach’s, then back to Galena.
Locals in Balltown have started an assistance fund for the Breitbach family. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
What’s really painful about this is that the history of the town is so wrapped up in the history of the restaurant – it has been in operation since 1852 and was Iowa’s oldest restaurant and tavern. Numerous irreplaceable antiques were destroyed also, which had decorated the restaurant.
I hate to see any community lose a historic landmark. My heart goes out to the Breitbach family and to all of Balltown. Here’s wishing you a speedy rebuild!
(Googled photo courtesy of www.tristatetourism.com.)
That’s OFFICER BIKER CHICK to you!
Hey cool development in the Des Moines HOG Chapter, I’m now the official New Member Ambassador! Yep, I’ve joined the officer’s ranks of our chapter, which is based at Big Barn HD. My job for 2008 will be to sign in new members at each meeting, then introduce them to the rest of the group. I think it sounds like fun, and I’m thrilled to be on board!
Bring on the cold, my catalogs will keep me warm
On Monday of this week it was an absolutely unseasonably amazing day, with temps in the upper 60’s. Did I ride? No, and I even had the afternoon off! But, my dad’s in the hospital and I needed time to do some errands for him, so I didn’t get to take advantage of the late-season riding weather.
Now it’s Friday and we’ve got a little over an inch of snow on the ground – ah, Iowa!! The snow means that I’m now working on my over-winter plan for The Picky Bitch… I talked about this last year and didn’t make any progress, but hopefully this year will be different!
PB is actually a lot like me: a little rough around the edges, a few dings here and there, but a good ol’ gal that works hard and appreciates a good makeover now and then. So this winter I’ll be on a quest to provide her with a few of those baubles, in an effort to transform her from workhorse to chrome-dressed glamour-girl!
The plan also includes a new paint scheme, but that will mean big bucks so I’m not sure that will happen this year. At this point all I have is a plan on paper… but like gardeners with their seed catalogs, you can bet I’ll be spending at least a few nights this winter snuggled on the sofa with my HD parts book, dreaming about rolling the PB out of the garage next spring slathered in chrome!
Happy Thanksgiving!
by Corn Dog on November 22, 2007
in Misc Updates
There is so much to be thankful for… not the least of which is this beautiful scene right outside my front door today! Have a beautiful holiday!
Be part of the legend
If you’re a Harley Davidson enthusiast like me, you might enjoy this opportunity to support the new Harley museum opening in 2008 in Milwaukee.
Hat-tip to Rippin-Kitten for the link!
Dude, where’s my website??
by Corn Dog on November 15, 2007
in Misc Updates
Wow, not sure what happened to my WordPress template, but sometime between Nov. 8 and today it disappeared! Guess that’s an opportunity for a re-design, eh?
So while I’m working on that, you all just enjoy this perfectly wonderful picture of Howard & Einstein!
UPDATE: 10 minutes later. That was weird, but it’s fixed now. I think I need to learn to develop my own WordPress templates so I don’t have to rely on the kindness of strangers for these free (but possibly unstable?) ready-made themes.
ANOTHER UPDATE: Nov. 18. Dude, WTF?? I check back a few days later and the theme is gone again. I give up. I’m using this temporary “skin” till I can find something that fits the site perfectly.
