Finding Your Right Road (aka Finding Your Authentic Self) -part 1

The world today... Viruses, terrorism, climate change and the stock market fluctuations to name just a few. And the media in all this, with their hype and conjectures certainly isn't helping anything. 

There you are, just cruising along when all of a sudden you find yourself in a ditch. It's real easy to find yourself stuck there, with all the hate and anger at the situation, at everyone around you. 

Or maybe you found yourself in a rut -doing the same thing again and again and again because it feels safe. And you didn't even realize you dug this rut yourself, but now there you are. 

Photo by Wil Stewart on Unsplash

With all that doom and gloom that seems to be looming over us, it can be difficult to see the positive things in life. You might even be tempted to fall for the negative bullsh*t, allowing it to mess with your self-esteem.

That's where knowing you're on the right road sure comes in handy. And by that, I mean you know your authentic self: who you are and what you stand for. 

But what if you haven't found it yet? What if you did but then lost site of who you are? That's where this blog comes in 😁

Unfortunately there are many people who live in a constant state of fear. They're stuck just like you, except they aren't ready to move forward -it takes a lot of courage!! And staying in 'the negative' is a lot easier for some than doing the work to get and be better.

I'm telling you that because those people that I just described might just lash-out at you. They might even be close friends or family. It's just with you moving forward they're reminded of how stuck they are. Remember: their resentment and negativity is not yours to try and fix; only they themselves can do that. You stay in your own lane.

Photo by Fernando Jorge on Unsplash

Now, if you're ready, you'll want to take the next step. Find a way to get quiet; find a way to be still. Clear out all the noise and distractions. Of course the easiest way I can do that is by riding my Harley... except it's winter and my bike is in storage. So for now I meditate and hang out at the barn with the horses.

It's very important for you to find the quiet, where your mind is still -be it through riding, meditation, in your man cave/she-shed, maybe even shaving! That's because it allows you to tap into your creativity. It's been proven that when people do something as simple 'turning off their mind' they were better able to make decisions and be more effective. There's just something about letting your brain relax that allows you to open up to possibilities and creative discoveries. 

See that you are a fierce human being and learn what does and doesn't work for you. This isn't about you trying to be someone else. It is about finding your purpose, your frequency, your energy. And when you do it'll feel like a pair of comfy slippers, a cozy sweater, the perfect easy chair to kick-back in. In other words, pure happiness. 

The Conclusive Harley Summer Vacation Guide

It is sssooo nice to be out on two-wheels again!! The smells in the air. Seeing each plant springing back into life after a cold, long winter. Forgetting everything else and just focusing on the moment as I ride along.

April 22 - first ride of 2018!!

Summer is the absolute best time of the year, thanks in part to the four founding fathers of the MoCo. And with my new bike from FX Caprara Harley-Davidson, this summer is going to be filled with lots of adventures!!

Except there are a few things I need to remember while riding down the road. So I thought I'd share these helpful tips to make your summer rides easier, safer and, of course, more fun.

1. Don't get burned

If you're riding back and forth to work, then you can probably skip the sunscreen. But if you're like me, you'll end up taking the looooong way home after work, exposing yourself to those wonderful rays. 

I've got DNA proof I'm a "pasty-white chic" (Irish, British & Scandinavian). There is no 'tan' for me, I go straight to 'burn.' If I forget my sunscreen, I will pay the painful price!!

The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends a broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, and that it be waterproof. 

Also you'll want to wear protective clothing as another barrier against the sun. Enter Harley's Performance Shirts with Coldblack Technology.

Taking a few steps to prevent getting a sunburn and reduce your risk of skin cancer is well worth it in the end.

2. Make your bike and yourself road ready

Since your bike is just waking up from a long winter's nap (the price we pay for living in Northern New York!), you'll want to do a thorough T-CLOCS inspection -especially if you stored your bike at home. 

Then there's you- the rider. You've also had four+ months off your bike- and the old adage "if you don't use it, you lose it" is true. Take some time to get to know your bike again. Head to a large, empty parking lot (like at a school on a weekend) and practice, practice, practice!!

You might even consider taking a Advanced/Experienced Rider Course -now known as the Basic Rider Course 2 -Skills Practice. Using your own bike you get to practice emergency stopping, cornering, counter-balancing and more. It's a great way to get rid of those cobwebs.

And if you're a H.O.G. Member, you'll get $50 bucks for taking the course. It's called the H.O.G. Safe Rider Skills Recognition -you'll find it under the benefits tab online at HOG.com. 

Another added bonus: you'll probably get a discount on your insurance as well.

3. Get outside!!

That's the whole reason you got a motorcycle to begin with, right?? 

Traveling by Motorcycle is 10x better than traveling by car, and 100x better than by plane (no TSA!). But before you leave for your week long trip, you're gonna want to do some research.

If you're camping with your bike, check the camp site you want to visit -some can book six months in advance. If you're camping at a "first come-first serve" site, then your best bet is to get there mid-week to avoid the weekend rush.

Prefer more modern accommodations? Then I highly suggest booking your hotel reservation at your destination only. Because on the way there you don't know when you'll want to stop, or what will make you have to stop (i.e.- sudden migraine, bike breaks down, etc.). Either way, you should review the hotel's cancellation policy and be comfortable with that. 

Use a checklist of what to pack- here's my recent blog on what packing mistakes to avoid. 

You'll also want to check the weather- up in the mountains you might be wanting your leather jacket instead of your nylon one.

Last but not least...

Summer is a time to relax and enjoy all that mother nature has to offer. However, there is a time-limit on the summer fun -Autumn (better known as "Almost Winter"). Take advantage of it while you can!!

Ride Safe & Have Fun 

°Biker Wave

5 Tips for Riding in the Rain

I've always been that type of person that I'll do what I have to do to get the job done.... eventually. Procrastination is definitely in my 'wheel house,' but only when I dread what it is I have to do. And riding my motorcycle in the rain is one of those dreaded things. 

That being said, if you're the type of those 'fair weather' riders, I feel that you are missing out. The sights, the smells, that feeling of riding through a storm and coming out on the otherside... it's something that separates so-called bikers from actual, no-sh*t Bikers.

To better equip you to ride in liquid sunshine, here are some tips for you:

1. Wear proper gear - At the bare minimum you're gonna need a rain suit made for motorcycle riders (click here)!! One that has heat shields to protect the plastic from melting onto your hot exhaust. Bonus: Waterproof = Windproof. Even if it's not raining, but you're cold, you can wear your rain suit to block the wind.
2. Go smooth on the controls - Riding in the rain is not the time to dump the clutch unless you wanna end up on your a**. Take your time, slow and smooth starts and stops, and choose an arcing line through the turn rather than a sharp one. Also, increase your following distance and lower your speed.
3. Pay attention to the pavement - Don't ride down the center of the lane, where the oil build up from cars & trucks is. And those lovely "tar snakes," you'll want to try to avoid those as well, but sometimes it's next to impossible. If that's the case, ride through them straight up & down (not leaning), and don't speed up or hit the brakes.
4. Improve your vision - Sunglasses may be cool at night, but while riding in the rain definitely not. Use day-to-night or clear goggles if your helmet doesn't have a shield. If your helmet does have a shield you can treat it with RainX to help deflect those pesky rain drops. Another factor is that your goggles or shield can fog up. For that you can use anti-fog coating like CatCrap.
5. Motorcycle maintenance - When it comes to riding in any kind of weather, proper maintenance plays a big part. But even more so when those blue skies turn grey and the rain starts coming down. Having good tread on your tires is extremely important since there's less traction on wet pavement. Also a tire that is under- or over-inflated will play havoc with your ride, so check your tire pressure. And surprisingly, a final drive belt that's too tight or loose can affect the power to the rear wheel, which you don't need in rainy weather for sure. When was the last time your bike had the proper service? Call FXCHD® Service to get it scheduled (315-583-6177).

With these tips you'll find it an absolutely joy to ride in the rain.... Oh, who am I kidding? Maybe 'joy' isn't the right word, but at least it won't be such a chore. And hopefully your bike won't stay parked when the weather calls for the wet stuff.

Organizing a Motorcycle Ride for Charity

A sure sign of Spring is FX Caprara Harley-Davidson's Ride Calendar Meeting that happens every year in March. This is where our NNY Harley Owners Group and local motorcycle & riding clubs get together and plan out their rides that will leave from our dealership.


Some rides are just to have fun, but the majority are to raise funds for a charity. For instance, the Watertown Chrome Divas put on their annual Ta-Ta Run every year for local breast cancer services.

(All the pictures in this blog post are from the Diva's 2017 Ta-Ta Ride, their 10th year of putting it on.) 

It is a lot of fun to go on a well organized charity ride, but don't be fooled - it takes a lot of dedication and time to make it successful!

So we #atFXCHD thought we'd give you the highlights on how you can make this happen, on the off chance you'd like to set up a charity ride.

CHOOSING YOUR CHARITY
You may already have a charity in mind, or perhaps you're still in the process of choosing one that you feel a connection to. Either way, be sure to contact them and get permission to raise funds (it sounds weird I know, but sometimes they have rules for such things). Also get their permission to use their logos on your flyers to promote your ride. An added bonus: see if a few people from the charity you've chosen can be there for your ride - connecting a face to the cause will help immensely.

SETTING THE DATE
Sounds easy enough, doesn't it? Except that you'll want to remember major holidays (because people will be spending time with family/friends) and other bike rallies & events in your area (because they'll be going to Thousand Islands River Run, Americade or Laconia instead of going on your ride). 

You'll also want to decide on a rain date - usually the following weekend - in case you need to postpone it. We recommend giving yourself at least six months to get your ride all put together.

YOU'RE NOT A ONE MAN BAND
Get some friends/volunteers to help you, cuz you're gonna need it. From organizing, to planning the route, to finding give-aways and sponsors, and getting Bikers signed up on the day of the ride, plus a lot more - there's absolutely no way you'll be able to get it all done by yourself. Decide who is going to do what and meet regularly to see what's going on and where everyone is at.

LOGISTICALLY SPEAKING
Choose your starting and end points. Using a start point at FX Caprara Harley-Davidson (or your local Harley dealership) is great because we will help promote your ride, we have room enough in our parking lot, able to set up tables and chairs to register your riders, and have free coffee and donuts for everyone the day of. Plus, everyone loves going to a Harley dealer!! 

Your end point should also have a large parking area, have food (if you decide not to have it catered), music - live music preferably, and room enough inside for a Chinese Auction, 50/50 raffles, etc. Perfect places are Elks Clubs, American Legions, VFWs, and Marine Corp League. You can choose a restaurant of course, just see if they'll block off part of their parking for the bikes.

THE RIDE AND THE ROUTE
Next you'll want to decide what type of ride to do: scavenger hunt, poker run, or guided ride. The hunt gives a chance for everyone to do it on their own time and meet up at the end point. For both the poker run & guided rides you will need a group of Bikers to lead it. And for the poker run you'll need a deck of cards, score cards and prizes or part of the pot to award at the end. Some groups give out prizes for the best & worst hand, which gives everyone a chance to have a great time.

As for the Route: look for scenic rides along well paved roads with little traffic, so don't think of riding through the middle of downtown - the goal is to keep your group together & safe. 

Recommended length is 50 to 100 miles in all with at least three stops before reaching the end point (five if you're doing a poker run). Have the route printed out so you can give them to the Bikers going. Also actually ride the route, including stops, at least once before the day of the event. Remember: Summer months mean road construction can pop up anywhere! Adjust your route as necessary.

If your group is going to be large, you might want to ask local law enforcement weeks in advance to block large intersections for you. Or you can break up into two or three smaller groups. Remember: only law enforcement can block traffic - we advise you or any of your crew not to do it yourselves on the ride.

SHOW ME THE MONEY
Raising funds for a charity means you'll have to put a price on your ride. If you're having any sort of food, drink and entertainment at the end, and the cost of that isn't being covered by your sponsors, then you'll have to consider this going into the price of the ride as well.

You can sell early tickets at a reduced rate - this will give you an idea of how many people to expect (and also a way to contact them should you need to enact the rain date). And/or if you set the price at $25 per rider or vehicle and they hand you $30, you can ask if they'd like to put the $5 change towards 50/50.

Wrist bands will need to be given to those that have registered so you can easily see who has paid for the ride and who hasn't. Designing buttons, patches and/or t-shirts to sell to commemorate your charity run will help keep your event in the minds of the participants for next year's ride as well.

GET THEIR JOHN HANCOCK
Registering Bikers for your ride, you'll want them to sign a release waiver - they have to know that each person will be liable if involved in an accident. You may wish to check with an insurance agent for a liability policy and an attorney to draw up the release form. 

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN
Getting the word out, now that you've got it all organized, is key to getting people to go on your ride. Tell everyone: bike dealerships and local repair shops, restaurants, bars and at all the bike nights you can go to. Start a Facebook Event Page and consider putting it on Eventbrite.com. Tell all the local clubs- the local H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group), Motorcycle & Riding Clubs in your area. If you can, get the local tv and radio stations involved. Don't just tell them once either, tell everyone lots of times - especially the closer you get to your event. This is an absolute must if you're wanting any sort of turn out for your ride!!

LAST BUT NOT LEAST

The day of your ride has finally arrived and you're all set. You and your crew get to the starting point at least 30 minutes before registration starts. Make sure you all have everything set and a way to get a hold of each other should questions arise that they need answers to. 

---And there you have it: the keys to organizing a motorcycle ride for charity. As you can see, it is quite a lot of work... but done correctly it will also be a lot of fun with old friends, plus you'll make new ones.