Road Captain USA.com

While at Cox’s Northern Tier Harley Davidson on our May 2008 “Return to Mansfield” trip, I spotted a jacket that really caught my eye.  It was basically black with lots of trim in a gorgeous electric turqouise color…and cost $200   :(    I wasn’t really thinking about shopping at the time, let alone putting additional baggage on the bike for the weekend, so I let it go.  But after arriving home I found I couldn’t let it go.  I looked it up on harley-davidson.com and discovered all of the great features of this jacket.  It is waterproof, windproof, has front & back vents, reflective piping, a bungee cord system on both sides for a custom fit, and even removeable lightweight armor (not to mention the gorgeous embroidery on the back of two tribal style screaming eagles facing each other with the bar and shield logo)!   :)

A few days before “Our Trip with Skip” to Rhode Island, First State HOG held its annual spring barbeque meeting at Mike’s Famous Harley Davidson in New Castle.  The store was closing as we arrived for the meeting, but I saw that they had my jacket.  I tried it on for size and showed it to Jay.  He agreed that it was very attractive and was good quality.  So the next evening we rode up to purchase it along with some S-100 products (thanks for the recommendation, Dave) with our Mike’s Famous Famous Rewards points.  I even threw in a really cute pair of shorts, and we still paid only $108 for the whole lot after redeeming our reward points!

Since the weather report for our Rhode Island trip was calling for some cooler temperatures and a good chance of rain, I decided that my new jacket would be perfect for the trip.  I was right!  The jacket was warm enough to keep me comfortable on the 58 degree mornings, and lightweight enough that it was not too hot until we started pushing 80 degrees in the afternoons.  I didn’t have to worry about stopping and pulling out rain gear for just a little sprinkle because the jacket is waterproof.  It proved to be water resistant in light rain, but I put raingear on for the heavy stuff.  This jacket is much less bulky under rain gear and easier to fold up than my leather.  I felt a little more secure flying down the Jersey Turnpike knowing that I had the built in armor to protect me should we take a spill.  Heck, it had to be better than the lightweight tan color Harley Davidson denim jacket I usually wear when it’s warm out! I love that jacket too! I brought both of them on the trip so I would have something to wear when it got hot in the afternoon.

 I’ve never had a jacket that was vented before, so I had to ask Jay if they normally put vents in the upper part of the sleeves.  I couldn’t help but wonder if someone at HD actually recognized that a large percentage of the time, women will be riding on the back of a motorcycle and simply don’t get as much breeze across their chest as they do on their arms!  It was either a freak coincidence, or it was brilliant! The arm vents could be an inch or two longer.

The fit is fabulous.  The velcro cuffs neatly enclose the sleeve ends over my gloves, so there is no need to go the gauntlet route.  And after purchasing a size Large to fit around my chest, the bungee cords on the sides allow me to tighten the jacket up around my waist for a snug fit all around.  There is also a zipper in the center of the back that expands and contracts the fit around the hips.  It is very comfortable, versatile, and best of all mega-stylish!  I will be getting a lot of use out of this fabulous find.  I love it!

Special thanks to Nicole and her staff at Mike’s Famous Harley Davidson Apparel and Motorclothes Department for their assistance in this purchase and showing us how to redeem our Mike’s Famous Rewards points.

Tags: Mrs Road Captain, Product Reviews by Diana Green
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Saturday, June 7th was a day full of adventure, exploration, fact-finding, romance, and a little too much sun.  We had already checked out a few places last week in Rock Hall, MD in hopes of finding a great fishing getaway for Dad’s father’s day gift.  The town was great, and the trip was nice, but nothing had really jumped out at us.  Then some friends from First State HOG suggested a place down at Tilghman Island–a little farther south and just past St Michael’s which we’ve heard so much about.

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Tags: Mrs Road Captain, Trips & Places To Go by Diana Green
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Harley Davidson is much more than a moco.  The bar and shield has become a symbol of American freedom, the spirit of the open road, a slap in the face to mainstream sensibilities, a fantasy, a way of life, a noisy declaration of independence, an obsession, an escape, a revered American icon.  Harley Davidson represents adventure, freedom, individuality, and living life with all five of your senses.  It is a legend.

The Harley mystique is all about attitude — a feeling that because you own a Harley Davidson motorcycle you are special, you belong.  In a society that worships at the altar of internal combustion, riding a Harley just may be the last pure expression of what it means to be American…the freedom to go somewhere, anywhere, just you and the road and the wind in your hair.  The essence of the Harley lifestyle is to dress up in black leather and ride your Harley to the horizon, calling for all the world to see you like an outlaw rather than the mild-mannered citizen you are the rest of the week.  It is no wonder that today this American icon is so loved and recognized around the world.

Today’s Harley owner is more likely to be a dental hygienist, trucker, or coffee shop owner than a rebel without a cause.  We are male and female, young and young at heart, but we all share a passion for the brand and everything that it represents.  So much so that (second to the word Mom) the bar & shield is the most common image to be immortalized in human skin.

Harley Davidson does not just sell motorcycles — they sell dreams and lifestyles.  The brand is so powerful that it can sell products that have little or nothing to do with motorcycles.  You can get an HD version of Monopoly for your kids, Harley lingerie for your wife and/or girlfriend, or a black leather Harley jacket for your poodle.  Many people who have never and will never ride a motorcycle still purchase the collectibles and sport Harley brand clothing.  In fact, many dealers actually make more money from Motor Clothes and accessories than they do selling motorcycles!

Everyone wants a piece of the often imitated/never duplicated American icon.  They want to experience that feeling of belonging to the largest fraternity on earth.  How sad it is that some will go to such great lengths to grasp at some tiny part of that free-spiritedness.  How wonderful it is that we don’t need to grasp for anything because we have found it.  We have declared our individuality.  We live free on the open road.  We spit in the face of our own mid-week alter egos.  We enjoy the journey as much as the destination.  We ride Harley Davidson motorcycles.

Tags: Deep Biker Thoughts, Mrs Road Captain by Diana Green
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In a recent post on Motorcycle Philosophy, Steve Johnson discussed with some friends some of the benefits of “Learning to Ride the Hard Way.”  They were saying that if you have an accident you can take from it a valuable learning experience.   The philosophy being: what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. The problem is, this method of learning might kill you!  In the post, the question was raised “How am I supposed to improve if I don’t try pushing myself?“ 

Here’s my take on the matter: 

When I completed the BRC at Cecil Community College in August 2005, I took a lot from my instructors.  After skills tests were completed, written test scores were tallied, and certificates of completion were issued, the lead instructor charged us with the following words:   

“When you all first walked into this room 48 hours ago, I would not have even imagined taking any of you out onto the interstate highway.  Now I would have no hesitation in doing so…with no other traffic, and all of the entrance and exit ramps closed off for several miles in each direction!  Just because you have met the minimum requirements to be eligible for your motorcycle endorsement, that does not by any means make you an expert rider.  Take it slow, know your limits and ride within them, never ride outside of your comfort zone.”

I took those words to heart.  My first rule for myself was not to ride on any roads with more than one lane in each direction or with a speed limit greater than 30 mph.  I wanted to ride my bike to work which was located on a 40 mph, 5-lane, very busy street.  This proved to be a challenge, but I formulated a route through neighborhood roads where I came out across the street from the high school and crossed Reisterstown Road at a traffic light, directly into my parking lot.  It took me about twice as long as it would taking a direct route in my car, but I got there safe and sound.  After work, I would generally take a few laps around the neighborhood before turning into my street for the evening.

 After a month or two of this, I was beginning to feel quite comfortable with the shifting, steering, braking, and general operation of the bike.  I decided it was time to step it up a notch.  I chose a stretch of road which was still only 2 lanes but had speed limits of 40 mph.  My entrance spot had clear visibility in both directions, and plenty of room for me to turn around and go back just in case I decided the traffic was too heavy or if for any other reason I felt like I needed to bail on the idea because I was outside of my comfort zone.  I made an easy right turn onto the road, and had several turn-offs available to the right that I could take any time I decided that I’d had it.  That never happened.  Instead, my little Sporty buzzed with excitement as I hit fourth gear for the first time ever!  Then in a flash, I could sense that she wanted to go to fifth!  Wow!  Adrenaline pumped through my veins as I sensed a euphoria never before experienced!  I was really riding! 

Now I considered riding my bike to places that I hadn’t before.  I rode to my hairdresser in the next town over who was soooo jealous I had my own bike and she didn’t.  She admired my new Harley, and then laughed as I mashed my freshly styled hair under my helmet for the ride back home!  I devised all kinds of routes that kept me off the main strips and on two-lane roads.  Speed quickly became a non-issue.  It was time to tackle the next step:  the 5-lane road… 

Next morning, I took my “regular” route to work–this time on my bike.  I entered Reisterstown Road by making a left turn at a traffic light.  I moved directly into the right lane, where I stayed for the half of a mile until my right turn into the high school parking lot.  After work that day, I pulled out of the lot and followed that big scary road (not any more) for the entire 2 miles until it drops down to 30 mph and two lanes, then I turned off through the neighborhood towards my house. 

Riding within my limits? …always.  Out of my comfort zone? …never.  Moving forward, improving my skills, becoming a better rider? …absolutely!  (Last week I even rode on an Interstate!) 

As you practice skills or repeat experiences, they will eventually become routine…thereby naturally moving the limits of your abilities and comfort zone perpetually forward.  In this manner, you will always be improving your riding skills without ever having to learn anything “the hard way.”

Tags: Mrs Road Captain by Diana Green
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The very first time I ever hopped on the back of a Harley, I was introduced to the wave.  At first I thought it was a wave hello to an acquaintance, but I quickly discovered that it meant much more than that.  The wave was a sign of approbation to another member of arguably the largest fraternity in the world.  And I was welcomed as a part of that brotherhood…simply because I was riding on two wheels. 

The whole motorcycle culture was new to me at that point, and it was fun discovering all of the different ways that people would wave.  (Check out Dave’s post on this topic over at Road Grits Café.)  It was a huge part of what made me fall in love with motorcycling–that sense of camaraderie on the road.  But as I rode, I felt guilty because sometimes I did not reciprocate the waves.  As a novice rider I had so much to concentrate on–shifting, braking, traffic, curves, obstacles in the roadway…  Since I know from personal experience many reasons why one might with no ill intention refrain from waving, I bear no ill will towards others when they do not reciprocate my waves.

There are many alternatives to the traditional wave (sometimes referred to as “the secret Harley wave” by riders of other brands of bike).  You can raise a few fingers without actually letting go of the clutch with your entire hand, or you can offer a simple nod.  Some of these alternatives are not easily visible, particularly if you are concentrating on riding safely instead of stressing over whether or not another rider is waving at you!

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Tags: Mrs Road Captain by Diana Green
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Friday in The First State was the first absolutely gorgeous day of the spring.  It seemed we practically jumped straight from winter to summer.  Just the day before I was scraping frost off my windows for the commute in to work in the morning, and here it is pushing 82 degrees!

Spring was in the air and you could feel it.  All I could think about for the whole day at work was how great a day it would be to be riding.  Road Captain came home at lunchtime and swapped out his car for The Transformer which has been stripped down naked all winter.  He only has a 5-10 minute trek, but still I couldn’t help but be jealous.

He arrived home from work a few minutes after me, and we quickly discovered that we hadn’t taken anything out for dinner.  So we decided to hop on the bike and head out to Jake’s Hamburgers…but not before snapping on the detachable backrest so my chiropractor doesn’t kill me next week! [Read more →]

Tags: Mrs Road Captain by Diana Green
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When my sweetie first suggested that we take a 3-day trip to Pennsylvania’s Little Grand Canyon last summer, I winced at the idea of trying to pack for the trip.  He traded in his Sporty for a Dyna LowRider and began outfitting the bike for travel.  The detachable saddlebags were installed, and then the Baja TBag he bought on eBay arrived.  At this point I was wondering how in the world we could fit 3 days worth of clothing and gear for both of us in a space the size of my toaster oven!!  Not to mention the fact that we would be traveling into the mountains in the fall where the temperatures could vary drastically over the course of the day, so we’d need to dress in several layers.  I was very excited about the trip, so I stepped up to the challenge.  I may not be an expert at these things, but here are some suggestions that I’ve discovered along the way as well as a few tips from my fellow (more experienced) travelers.

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Tags: Mrs Road Captain by Diana Green
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Below is a picture of one of the only nice fitted button-down shirts I can find from Harley Davidson.  I searched high and low for a shirt like this, and it only took me two years to find something acceptable.  Unfortunately I had to get a large size so it would come close to fitting my chest, so now the waist is not exactly as tailored as I would like it to be.  Thank god it is not pink!  My biggest problem with this shirt is the “boob pockets.”  What woman in her right mind (unless she is flat as a board and needs all the help she can get) wants to wear a shirt with a pocket right in the middle of her boob, with a flap and button no less!!!  What exactly are we supposed to put in those pockets anyway?

A man can go into a Harley Davidson dealership and find clothes for nearly every occasion-from work clothes to a dress shirt and tie.  Women on the other hand don’t have it so easy.  There are two types of clothing available to us–biker whore and functional but fashionless riding gear.  D

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Tags: Mrs Road Captain by Diana Green
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Having a good experience with any club or owner’s group is like finding a great husband.   It’s got to be a good match.   

I have heard people say that clubs are not for them for many reasons. Some complain the clubs only take quick trips around the corner.  Some complain the lead riders go too fast or too slow.  Some complain that they don’t see where their dues are going. And others feel like outsiders in the group. On the other hand, I know many people who enjoy their club experiences.

The fact of the matter is that whenever you have a large group you will never be able to please everyone.  There are bound to be sub-interests within the group.  But that is okay.  Also, you will always feel like an outsider until you make yourself a part of the group.  I suggest you volunteer to hold a position with the club such as webmaster, photographer, or whatever!  Find yourself a niche within the group and you will likely find it to be a wonderful experience.  If you cannot accomplish that, then you probably hooked up with the wrong club!  It is like a marriage—you have to do a little work to find the right fit, and even when you do it takes effort to keep it going successfully. [Read more →]