Thought's Page

QUICK TIPS: Ten Things All Car & Truck Drivers Should Know About Motorcycles

1. There are a lot more cars and trucks than motorcycles on the road, and some drivers don't "recognize" a motorcycle; they ignore it (usually unintentionally). Look for motorcycles, especially when checking traffic at an intersection.

2. Because of its small size, a motorcycle may look farther away than it is. It may also be difficult to judge a motorcycle’s speed. When checking traffic to turn at an intersection or into (or out of) a driveway, predict a motorcycle is closer than it looks.

3. Because of its small size, a motorcycle can be easily hidden in a car’s blind spots (door/roof pillars) or masked by objects or backgrounds outside a car (bushes, fences, bridges, etc). Take an extra moment to thoroughly check traffic, whether you're changing lanes or turning at intersections.

4. Because of its small size a motorcycle may seem to be moving faster than it really is. Don't assume all motorcyclists are speed demons.

5. Motorcyclists often slow by downshifting or merely rolling off the throttle, thus not activating the brake light. Allow more following distance, say 3 or 4 seconds. At intersections, predict a motorcyclist may slow down without visual warning.

6. Turn signals on a motorcycle usually are not self-canceling, thus some riders, (especially beginners) sometimes forget to turn them off after a turn or lane change. Make sure a motorcycle's signal is for real.

7. Motorcyclists often adjust position within a lane to be seen more easily and to minimize the effects of road debris, passing vehicles, and wind. Understand that motorcyclists adjust lane position for a purpose, not to be reckless or show off or to allow you to share the lane with them.

8. Maneuverability is one of a motorcycle's better characteristics, especially at slower speeds and with good road conditions, but don't expect a motorcyclist to always be able to dodge out of the way.

9. Stopping distance for motorcycles is nearly the same as for cars, but slippery pavement makes stopping quickly difficult. Allow more following distance behind a motorcycle because it can't always stop "on a dime."

10. When a motorcycle is in motion, don't think of it as motorcycle; think of it as a person.

www.msf-usa.org

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Biker Yoga / Motorcycle Yoga http://www.bikernewsonline.com

One of the problems of riding motorcycles is that our minds tend to wander, and our free spirits become imprisoned by a stiff and tired body. At least, that's what Kathy Lee Kappmeier says anyways.

Kathy Lee is the founder of YogaWell, a Yoga class based in San Diego, CA, where she and some of her biker friends find new ways to strike Yoga exercises on their motorcycles.

In fact, Kathy Lee goes on to describe herself as a "goddess of Biker Yoga", having grown up with yoga and motorcycles, and finding the thunder of a v-twin engine as a "healing mantra". She does Iron Butt rides on her Indian Scout, and likes to get in some spiritual healing at gas stops.

Kathy Lee has produced a Biker Yoga Goddess Calendar containing photos of her two-wheeling female yoga friends demonstrating classic Yoga poses with their bikes. She also has a smaller refrigerator magnet version.

In addition, the Yoga Biker Goddess herself is working a book that will feature "real bikers" and how they benefit from the art and therapy of yoga.

If you think the art of Yoga is something you'd like to mix into your motorcycling passion, you can follow Kathy Lee's writings from her MySpace site...
http://myspace.com/bikeryogalady

You can visit YogaWell's website at...
http://www.yogawell.com

Thanks H3lios Motorcycles
Labels: Strange Stuff

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Mind

Even though you may be traveling on four wheels this frosty season, doesn’t mean you can’t mentally get your motorcycle fix. Here are a few ways to keep your moto-mind sharp during the winter.

Thinking of customizing your ride? Try this new computer software called Virtual Cycles, which lets you design and create what could one day be your new sweet ride. Virtual-cycles.com

Want to get your motorcycle info organized? For Two Wheels Only computer program will help you keep track of all things motorcycle: insurance details, routine maintenance, trips and much more.

Cruise the Net and plan your next journey. Research motorcycle touring companies to discover what your next exciting road adventure could be. May we suggest a gander at Turkey Creek Tours’ mystical rides through Colorado and Mexico, or go global with Towanda Women Motorcycle Tours in Australia and New Zealand.

Brush up on your skills. Watch a DVD on motorcycle training courses to refresh your capabilities. Remember all the little things that have slipped your mind. Become a safer, more proactive rider. Christineskickstart.com

Body

Aromatherapy for the Road
by K. Lee Kappmeier

Easy to pack and fun to use; there are lots of reasons and options for stowing good smelling essential oils in your saddlebags. As plentiful as open roads to explore aromatherapy is beyond just “stopping to smell the roses”. Besides being pleasing to your nose many aromatherapy remedies offer profound relief from common road trip discomforts and, goddess-forbid, disasters.

Basic Benefits include:
Soothing tired muscles and dry eyes, freshen clothes, boots, helmet lining, doo-rag, making a stuffy hotel room more habitable, uplifting your energy, or helping you calm down when needed, breathing better during & after heavy traffic, and even remembering a route better.

Consider the following ways to incorporate aromatherapy into some items you may already carry:

-Aromatherapy oils for a First aid pouch
- Teas & herbs with a healing purpose
- Lip balm that is therapeutic
- Incense which can remove funky residue

Here's a list of easy to acquire tools and uses for your aromatherapy arsenal while surfing the asphalt:

Some Herbs & Oils:

*Ginger root; great for nausea, digestion, and coldness, plus sore muscles :
Chop some pieces in hot water and drink as a tea. Can be used as a poultice and or in the bath water for sore muscles after a hard or cold ride.

* Rosemary (loose and or oil); improves circulation and memory, improves oncentration, also good for your hair:
Rub the oil on your temples to help remember a route. Stick some leaves in your socks to help poor circulation in the feet.

*Lavender (loose and or oil); most soothing scent, can help reduce tension overall, including headaches:
Rub oil where ever you feel tension. Place some sprigs under your pillow to at night to release tension from a ride. Place some a few drops of oil in your bath water to unwind.

* Mint (tea bags); good for digestion and a pick me up in general. Mint is refreshing so any time you feel sluggish or weary physically or mentally try a little mint.:
Hot tea is good for upset stomach while iced tea is perfect for taking after a long hot day of riding in the blazing sun.

* Tea tree (oil); antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral.:
Apply a few drops of oil on any cut for enhanced healing. If you have an infection such as athlete’s foot or nail fungus tea tree oil may assist in ridding you of such (apply generously and often). It has also proved useful in treating acne.

* Pelargonium Rose (oil); the essential oil of just about any type of rose is great for depression and uplifting the heart. Pelargonium Rose in particular is good for women’s bodies and minds (it is used to treat menopause symptoms as it stimulates the adrenal cortex and thyroid). It can treat fear, confusion and bewilderment (emotions that can happen in during a motorcycle ride) :
If and when you may be feeling down, confused, apprehension about about a ride then rub some oil around your chest and neck.

* Eucalyptus (oil); especially good to recover from a smog filled road. Eucalyptus increases your capacity to breath easier from other respiratory distress such as bronchitis, can relieve sore muscles as it increases circulation, and it can repel insects, and even can get rid of bed bugs ! :
Dab some oil on a bandana and hold close to your mouth and nose when in a bad air quality day or a polluted area such as road work . You can also tie that bandana over your mouth and nose area (like a bandit) while riding. You can place a couple small drops in a bath to relieve sore muscles and or help you breathe. Often people stand over a pot of steaming water with some eucalyptus to clear congestion. For possible bed bugs diffuse the oil on sheets as much as possible by spraying oil throughout sheets or washing sheets in hot water with oil in it. Sometimes while on a road trip you end up in a questionable place and a little oil dosed on your bed can make you feel a little more safe and rest assured.

*Chamomile (tea bags); an anti-inflammatory and calming;
Drink tea for a getting to sleep easier. Place a warm tea bag over your eyelids if you experience tired, itchy or “pink eye”. You can also squeeze some tea on to your lip balm to help sooth chapped lips (if you have time melt the tea and balm together with lavender and mint and let reset as a super salve).

* Bergamot (Earl Gray tea bags); has some antidepressant effects.:
Drink this breakfast tea if you need a little motivation to hit the road. This tea is full of caffeine so if you are watching your caffeine intake beware.

* Incense (good quality and natural, not the cheap perfume-y kind); besides cleansing a hotel room of cigarette smoke, a bathroom of suspicious order, or just gracing your luggage with nice scents, you can burn incense and deposit the ash in your boots to keep them fresh smelling versus stinky.:
Sandalwood is calming and conducive to meditation. Jasmine stimulates social interaction and harmony so it would be good when taking a group motorcycle journey.

* Sage or Cedarwood (loose or oil); in place of
incense and for a deep clearing of any thing or space. Whenever you find your self in a place that feels “creepy” burn some sage or anoint oil in a circle around your space. In Native American traditions sage and cedar are used for clearings and blessings. You may have blessed your bike or a new home with sage in a ceremony formally with friends. Sage can also promote menstruation so if you’re on a trip and having cramps then soak in a bath with sage to balance your flow and banish cramps.

Miscellaneous Tools:
- a sharp pocket knife to cut the ginger root
- a change purse or pouch to carry your aromatherapy goodies in
- a print out of this article to remind you what each item can be well used for.

Now that you are more scent savvy the next road trip you take, pack some aromatherapy tools to enhance your experience as a safe and sensual moto-siren.