Motorcycling for a cause

Book Review: Live Full Throttle: Life Lessons From Friends Who Faced Cancer

Tamela Rich was looking for a cause—something she could get behind and get involved. Although she says she has not had cancer, she picked breast cancer research and joined other women motorcyclists to raise awareness and funds. Then, she turned it into a book.

Live Full Throttle is a collection of photos, essays, women’s stories and a set of exercises for deeper reflection on the eight chapters that relay those individual stories. The cover photo gives a clue with a pink bra strapped across the front of Rich’s BMW G650GS. Inside, more photos of women and men sporting bras on bikes, over clothing and on cowboy hats.

For such a serious topic as breast cancer, there is a lot of laughter along with the tears in this book.

“This book is like an unexpected food to taste buds. Suspend your expectations as you explore, and let yourself contemplate, this memoir and photo essay hybrid that is inspired by the soulful people and places I’ve encountered as a long-distance motorcyclist for breast cancer causes.

These encounters taught me a great deal about myself and through these stories, pictures and suggested exercises, I hope you will learn about yourself too.”

Tamela Rich.

With Tamela Rich on a book tour, and passing through Ohio, I managed to connect with her for an interview. We met at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, and the fine folks there graciously let us use there conference room.

As we sat down to talk, I learned a lot about Tamela Rich, and how she came to produce this book.

Here is the interview:

Tamela Rich [audio:Tamela_Rich.MP3]

 

You can learn more and purchase the book from her web site: www.TamelaRich.com.

Thanks for listening. See you on the highway.

Brent

Lunch ride in January

It started as most of our rides do, with a text message: “MOTO-lunch?” A couple of texts later,  we agree and plan to meet at 11:30.

Friends_6Jan2012-1

Jim Osbun has been retired for a couple of years although he has worked some part-time jobs. Currently, he is riding a Honda Gold Wing. He’s been through three bikes since I first met him several years ago. I’m on the same one, my Suzuki V-Strom DL650.

Jim and I meet almost every week for coffee. Sometimes, it’s on the motorcycles and a breakfast ride ensues. We are often joined by a third friend, Ian, who is a fine Scotsman, and I am honored to call him friend.

We met, as planned, and then headed out for a brisk ride through the countryside. Temperature about 50 degrees, the ride was comfortable although a brisk wind was out of the southwest. We wandered for 30 or 40 minutes and then ended up back where we started to enjoy one of the best restaurants in our area, City Barbeque.

The ride was great. The food was delicious. The company was most enjoyable.

Call a friend, and go riding. See you on the highway!

Brent

 

Magnificence of Solitude

The highway disappears over the horizon in the desert.
Someone built this highway, but there are no houses along its path.
No other vehicles are visible, nor have been for some time.

Mountains in the distance. Sagebrush and cactus along the road.
A summer thunderstorm refreshes the earth to the west.
The rains wash off the dust and release the aroma of the desert.

The solitude is magnified, magnificent and spiritual.
Not only am I traveling alone. I am alone on the highway filled with euphoria.
My peace and well-being conjoins with the smallness of my existence.

See you on the highway.

Brent

1st Ride of 2012

It’s always a test. When will I be able to get in the first ride of the year? Sometimes, it takes a few days for the weather to clear enough to make it possible.

But on this 1st day of January, 2012, the weather is starting off pretty darned good for January. It’s about 50 degrees and there is a cold front moving in that will bring strong gusty winds and a few snow flurries. So, it’s time to suit up.

BTW … Happy New Year.

See you on the highway.

Brent

Maps and atlases are favorite planning tools

planning-1

It’s that time of year. The motorcycling has become almost non-existent, and the dreaming of motorcycling has taken over. Maps and atlases come out of the drawer and the list of journalistic goals begins.

2012 looks like it’s going to be a good one.

See you on the highway!

Brent