Browsing my email spam folder today and found a reminder from Transport and Main Roads that my motorcycle registration was due 17th October. Crap.

I don’t recall getting a letter about it maybe they don’t do that any more 🤷🏻‍♀️ but fuck me I knew it was going to hurt me in the wallet region!

Logged in and stung with $63.85 on top of rego for being 2 days late. In fairness, I didn’t get pinged riding it for the last 2 days which would have been more than that.

Then I thought, when you pay late the registration is backdated to the due date so even though I paid on 20/10 the registration still shows as from 17/10. I wondered if I could have gotten out of a ticket by claiming I technically WAS registered from 17/10 … I just hadn’t made the payment yet. Fucking LOL.

Lesson for self: check your spam folder regularly and pay on time 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

So I put my bike in to be repaired – some nork at Ipswich backed into me while parked and cracked my front mudguard. This was a couple of months ago.

I get back to my bike after briefly popping into a real estate office and there is Bogan 1 standing beside my bike. First thoughts: eww get away.

As I get closer I ask what the red piece of plastic is on my bike and he tells me it’s from the front mudguard they backed into me. My face is very much 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ and I tell him I need his details while I whip out my phone to take photos.

After a few minutes of telling me that it’s my fault for parking like that (with my stump legs I cannot reverse park uphill so drove straight into the car park as below) and how were they meant to see me blah blah blah so of course my tone changes and I say well I’m a licensed rider who is legally parked and I will NOT be drawn into a debate about who is in the wrong.

You can see the scrape mark where my bike was pushed back slightly on its side stand.

Anyway after 5 minutes talking to bone head, getting shittier with him every second with his blame game, out comes the actual driver. I tell bone head I have nothing more to discuss with him he wasn’t the driver.

Bogan 2 (driver) then starts swearing at me and I say don’t swear at me I’ve done nothing wrong give me your licence. He takes my licence and contact phone number and asks if we can settle without insurance.

Now I know he’s full of shit but I say fine with me either way I just want it fixed. He isn’t going to find the perfect part for me or come back to me within the next couple of days like he says, I’m aware. I’m not an idiot.

Bogan 1 and Bogan 2 offer to tape up the mudguard until I get home to a Forest Lake. If I knew it was going to be this hideous tape I would have definitely declined lol 😑

So after a couple days not hearing from Bogan 2 I complete the online claim form. I was heading to NZ the next day and told them no rush I will be back in a fortnight.

Get back, call the insurance, book in with the repairer to inspect the bike. Afterwards the repairer tells me they made a note of all existing damage and will not be repairing that. First of all, who fucking asked you to? No one. Second of all, I don’t need you to its 2 minor scrapes I can use a touch up pen on.

Also find out the driver is denying he is at fault due to me parking illegally 😒 to which my insurer sends him the dispute form and tells me it’s just a courtesy because they are, surprise surprise, already aware of the road rules with regards to insurance. Pay your excess cock head and be done with it.

Scoot around without my front mudguard for nearly a month until I’m advised the part has finally arrived. Drop the bike off and am told it could be 3 days. 3 days? There are literally 5 screws to put in 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ just gimme the part I will put it on myself under an hour hahaha. Anyway FOUR days later we call them hey what’s happening oh it just got done this minute. Calling a big old #Bullshit on that one someone forgot to call didn’t they????

Picked up the bike before work the next day and found the key was fucking bent. Because I was late for work I couldn’t talk to them immediately. When I went to leave work I spent 20 mins in a car park trying to turn the ignition on. Sent them a text when I got home with this picture and explanation of how this will be fixed. Super pissed off right now because I know they will deny all responsibility.

I’m terrified the key will snap off 😖😖😖 and I will be stranded somewhere as I only have the 1 key. Still waiting for a reply but I already know I’m gonna lose my shit and have to report them to my insurer for shit house service and accountability. After reading some online reviews oohhhhh weeeeee I know I’m in for a showdown with the repairer.

Will post an update when I have one in Key Gate 😂😂😂 so annoying how it would even get bent after I’ve had it 18 months no problems. Probably a lazy half arsed mechanic being rough with Lil Boop 🙁

Gawd, we’ve all heard stupid things and there are surely thousands of comments where you wonder what the hell some people are smoking.

Exhibit A: Rode to a mates last night on the other side of town. The first time she’s been out since her daughter was born 7 months ago. We ended up taking her car to the local pub, I’m on my RE so must have zero BAC … good times for the boozers that go out drinking with me as sober driver.

A friend of hers asked where I lived and I said other side of town and that I rode my bike from Southside. Well he assumed it was a bicycle – and I said no – a motorbike. Like what the actual?????? I am quite clearly in no shape to cycle to the local mall let alone across town mate!

Exhibit B: Where I sat my RE the instructor said oh don’t worry no one is going to challenge your manhood if you don’t race at the lights. I hope it’s a little more obvious than that I’m a woman 🤷🏻‍♀️

Exhibit C: When a senior manager asked if I found a tornado on the way to work due to my hair being somewhat wild and unkempt . While I was carrying my motorcycle helmet. How? Who? What? Then when I said I rode my bike in asks if I mean on the back? How. Are. You. Richer. Than. Me.

Exhibit D: Brushing that same wild and unkempt hair at my desk and being asked by a bit of a drongo why I don’t brush it at home before I put my helmet on. Please put down the sharp instruments before you poke your own eye out.

Exhibit E: People that don’t know anything about motorcycle makes and models asking what type of bike I have as if it’s a test to ensure I really do even though they won’t be able to tell I’m lying anyways. I used to just tell them and they would say is that a Kawasaki / Suzuki / Honda. I’ve amended my response to ‘do you know anything about bikes?’ lol. If their answer starts with their mate has a Harley … consider yourself dead to me and out of the conversation with the standard response of a Japanese sports bike haha that narrows it down 😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄

I dunno all sound logic goes out the window. I have to tell people again and again I don’t mind going out and not drinking so I can ride the bike to and from the venue. 1,000,000% no drama for me, I would rather ride than drink.

And it starts “you could drink and stay over”. Yeah I could. Choose not to. Even if I did toddle off home in the morning there is no guarantee I would be zero BAC by then! So I abstain. Happily too. I would never ever risk my licence for even a sip. I need my licence and I understand it’s a privilege to been have one for a car AND a motorcycle.

Was at my cousins last night and as we turned up on the bikes there were a lot of questions for me. Again, not my other half just for me.

To look at me I’m not a typical motorcyclist. Female for a start haha but also mid 40’s, overweight and works in an investment bank. I guess that’s how I’ve always been, what I appear to be on the outside is not what I am on the inside. This is something I like about myself, it’s easy to impress or surprise people when they have preconceived ideas about you.

The subject gets to how dangerous motorcycle riding is. No argument from me. The other side is, even though I know at some point I will crash into something or someone will crash into me … it’s not going to stop me enjoying and loving riding as much as I do.

There is danger everywhere. Workplace health and safety will have a huge manual on it for a simple office, let alone things like a construction site or a seafaring vessel. Motorcyclists statistics (2016 report here) look a bit grim. I won’t get enthusiastic about the percentage of male riders vs female riders that is probably because woman make up a much lower percentage of the total number of riders.

In short, I don’t know how I do it. It looks fun, I get on and do it same as anyone would, what is so weird about that? I have had a couple of minor scrapes including my mirror getting stuck in a trucks rear cage when he moved too close to me, dragging me along at low speed. I have to steel myself to get back on sure. The alternative is not riding and I’m not prepared to give it up!

My cousins husband rides a Harley and has for 30 years. We had a great chat and he kept saying how awesome it was that I rode a bike and that is something I hear a heck of a lot. It never gets old 😁. He kept saying “until you crash” and that is not something I will think about too much because once I do, that niggling voice at the back of my mind will take away all the things I love about riding.

The fact every time you ride could be your last is something I can afford not to get overly stressed about. I have adult children and my family, while they would miss me a lot, would be ok. I have a decent life insurance policy 😂😂😂 and a Will so I have made provisions for them. If you haven’t made a Will yet, it’s one thing you should do. Today.

When you have a riding weekend lined up so you hit the pillow early Friday night 😴

Saturday Spence and I planned to see The Big Motorbike at Mooball. This did used to sit at the motorcycle museum out near Haigslea but moved to Mooball when the museum closed.

Besides my obsession with Big Things Australia … it’s motorcycle related AND a decent day trip. Life is good!

Set off just after 10am, out to Waterford instead of Beaudesert way as I heard the police were having a safety blitz or something at Jimboomba. My exhaust is possibly non-compliant due to decibels and I don’t want to risk a ticket even though a Harley can blop blop blop as loud as it wants 🤷🏻‍♀️

Cruised up and over Tamborine Mountain – a pain when you get stuck behind slow cars but a nice shady ride up the mountain on what was shaping up to be a rather warm day. Brief stop at the North Tamborine lookout (no paragliders or hang gliders today).

This is the first time we have not headed down the Main Western Road towards Canungra, instead heading directly for Clagiraba via Alpine Tce and Henri Robert Dr. What a genuinely sweet run! Pretty views and less hairpinny than the other way down.

From Clagiraba to Advancetown and onto Numinbah Valley, stopped for a pie at Chillingham before continuing to Murwillumbah and Mooball itself. Can I just say, the overtaking lane up the hill goes on for nearly infinity and you can get *some speed* on the soft bends 😬😬😬. There is a speed camera up the top (signposted so you can just putt putt through this bit) but we were with a few hoon cars so had fun racing them up the hill. One of them left us for dead, Spence might have made a good go of it but when riding with someone it’s kinda shit to ditch them and play silly buggers.

The Big Motorbike is in need of a Big Freshen Up, very faded, still fun to see. You are not allowed to climb on it. See my fake “I’m getting on it but too stumpy” photo below haha. A neat day out with some stunning mountain scenery and multiple sections to give it the berries. Total time: 6 hours at a leisurely pace and including stops at North Tambo, Chillingham, Mooball then Coomera and a fuel stop on the way home.

If I had more time we would have made the schlep to the Natural Bridge as the turn off was just after Numinbah Valley. Another day trip required to do this one me thinks!

Sunday I was invited out with Motorcycle Newbies & Seasoned Riders FB group. Kicked off at Fitzy’s Waterford and took a scenic route out to Harrigan’s Drift Inn out at Jacobs Well approx 2.25 hours at medium speed. What a lovely hidden gem Harrigans is, never would have known it was there if not pottering around with this crew.

Keeping in mind this particular motorcycle group is about seasoned riders helping newbies get their riding hours up where I’m no longer a learner per se but also not yet seasoned. I am part of the FB group however had not been on any rides with them yet #FirstTime.

Lovely bunch of folks, very happy to chat and share stories or discuss bike related news. I did get 2 comments on whether I have issues with my foot pega or ankles as I tend to ‘dance’ while rocking out to my music 🤟🏼as I ride. A combination of pivoting on the ball of my foot, heel and toe taps, a version of the crip walk and various hand/arm flicking 🤣🤣🤣.

The menu at Harrigans was pretty good and very reasonably priced, I was pleasantly surprised. Stunning venue to sit and idle away a Sunday afternoon with plenty of parking. Live music on Sundays from 1pm and various other events throughout the year (I did see Suzi Quattro was playing in March).

I split off from the bunch on the way home as I wanted to shoot up the M1 to Northside. Quick sprint up highway … road side camera trailer between Yatala South & North off ramps heading North. The offical website states these are ‘highly visible’ but I personally feel like they are setup to look like the variable message signs as below 🤔

Sunday I was a bit sore from a longish ride on Saturday however I enjoyed going out, meeting new motorcycle people and seeing more of the local area that is quietly tucked away and I wouldn’t realise is even there. Thankfully the MN&SR was a cruisey meander to the other side of town. Just what I needed after an epic Saturday jaunt.

There are so many fantastic day rides and longer around Brisbane and we have the amazing weather to take full advantage. Wherever you go, even when you do the same ride more than once, there is always a fellow motorcyclist to chat with.

100% confident we’ve all been the victim of lousy drivers (and riders!) out on the roads. Below are my 5 top picks for what gives me the absolute SHITS!

SMIDSY – the old ‘sorry mate I didn’t see you’ routine. Get off your phone and use your eyes. Yes I’m looking at you shoulder check and mirrors 👀. Not seeing me is not an excuse for lazy driving.

Lane hopping – tied in nicely to SMIDSY and combined with not indicating / short indicating and general impatience 🙄🙄🙄. I can spot a lane hopper from miles back (white, teal or maroon Holden Commodores are the biggest culprits!). Anyone I catch lane hopping right in front of me, especially when lane filtering between traffic, is gonna get an earful and a mirror whack if it’s particularly arrogant. My tolerance is extremely low for this particular crime

Not leaving a gap – what most cars, trucks and buses don’t realise is how little space I need to blitz through. Ya can try closing up on me. I will get past even if not straight away. If you have the misfortune of closing up right when I’m coming through I will (and shall continue to as needed) give your side mirror a whack. I mean it’s just my legs and spine and vital organs, no biggie right?

Inattentive pricks – you’ve seen them sitting at the lights, on their phones, tapping away like no one can see them. I have sat next to people at the lights rev bombing or tooting and they don’t even look up. Next stop is a window tap from me and yelling at them to put their phones down (pointing at my helmet cam). You can see what they’re doing by drivers not accelerating on a green light, leaving a big space between them and the car in front while moving, faces lit up by the glow of a phone screen, swerving in their lane, speeding up slowing down then up then down, heads alternating forwards and down as they read or reply 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️. No matter the penalties, they don’t effing learn.

Fast lane tortoises – Get. The. Hell. Out. Of. The. Fast. Lane. You. Slow. Piece. Of. Shit. Besides being a ticket attracting offence …what isn’t though nowadays … for impeding traffic / not keeping left, other road users will do stupid stuff to get around you. If you’re not overtaking, then you’re being overtaken. Keep left unless passing rule anyone? Jesus Christ, move bitch get out da way!!!

Whatever gets your panties in a twist, remember to stay safe out there. It can be scary sharing the road with imbeciles, take care of you first and foremost. Stay shiny side up 🙂

I don’t ride every weekend and by ride I mean getting out of the city, not to places I usually go like the supermarket, the mall or table tennis.

Yesterday we went for a very short ride to the supermarket and found the capacity of 2 standard Nike backpacks is a 2kg box of laundry powder, 1 packet of 6 long rolls, 2 pkts of 4 cheese & bacon rolls, lettuce, 500gms ham, a roast chicken, 2 pkts of feminine hygiene products and a punnet of melting moment biscuits.

Our local shopping centre has motorcycle parking but strangely not near the door which is the whole idea to stop motorbikes taking up the close car park spaces 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️. There is a lot of wide space on the paved pedestrian areas and I have parked in there a couple of times when I couldn’t be arsed walking too far.

Today we went for a quick blast up Mt Coot-tha. If you don’t take the steep turn off for the summit there is a fairly nice although short route that snakes up the western side past the TV stations. There are A LOT of people on the mountain on any warm weekend and this was no exception although we have only been stuck behind cars a couple of times.

My favourite part of the mountain is the section between Simpsons falls turn off and Channel 10. Pic below for clarification. The road surface is smooth and rolling rather than tight and twisty. The speed limit is 50km/hr but you can easily get 75-80+ on most bits.

Our usual route is to shoot around counterclockwise past the summit, down and back around. The second time around we stop at the top (recommend the wedges with sour cream and sweet chilli sauce) for a rest and stunning view of the city.

Today we were pressed for time so just went to Channel 10 and turned around and headed back down. My first time going clockwise and downhill which was a weird feeling and felt like I had discovered a whole new road!

The full circuit is a great little run if you are not confident on corners as they are forgiving and you can increase your speed as you gain confidence. It’s generally quiet as most traffic takes the shorter, steeper ride to the summit.

I plan on stopping at one of the many rest areas for a BBQ or picnic lunch one day. The tree canopy is superb and a cool way to spend a hot Brisbane summer day. I note there are people on the mountain nearly year round with the temperate Brisbane weather and seemingly endless clear sky days, even in winter.

For a quick blat it’s definitely worth a punt.

I love every piece of riding gear I own (Women: Accessories!!!) however have not really tried a lot due to budget and in some cases … size 😕

You will notice I have gone cheap although not the cheapest. I have been impressed with the quality for the low prices and hope the pieces last me a while. Not sure I’m a big believer in name brand stuff, I feel like you’re just paying for the name and not a guarantee that it’s any better than other brands 🤷🏻‍♀️

Helmet – Shark Skwal Ellipse

Cost: $180 on special due to new graphics and quick release buckle on the new designs.

Bought a matchy-matchy one for my SO and I think we look pretty bloody slick. Great helmet, pin lock included in the box to eliminate visor fogging up. Also has an internal sun visor operated by an easy-to-use-while-inflight slider on the left side, near the visor pivot mechanism. Reasonably quiet and has the green lights that have setting OFF ON & FLASH.

I got a lot of cars at night that slow down just to watch me ride past with my blinking lights 😬 and kids wave at me. One car was 400m down the road and braked out of curiosity to find out what the green lights were 😂😂

I love my helmet but my dream helmet would be the newly released one with aircon as it gets so stinking hot in Summer here in Brisbane.

Bluetooth Communicator – V6-1200

Cost: $100 for 2 on eBay. Fecking bargain!

We did have the Aldi Bluetooth ones ($60 ea) but they pretty much stuffed out the first time it rained and I hadn’t kept the receipt 😖. Mine went down to 1 earphone working and then we couldn’t connect new devices when we upgraded phones. Eventually gave up and got the V6 duo.

Love the sound and options connecting up to 6 devices including 1 that doesn’t match. 1200m range – line of sight only, less in twisty terrain. The buttons are small and fiddly and many but once you get used to the feel can skip songs and increase the volume with minimal hassle.

Winter Jacket – Kevlar Hoodie from Shark Leathers

Cost: $100 (was on special)

Versatile jacket I can continue to wear when I arrive as it’s a hoodie. Quite hot but very comfortable, sturdy build. Front pockets and zipper. Is a men’s one for bigger sizing.

Summer jacket – Textile off eBay, no name brand

$100

Very snug on the sizing 😳 however with some creative zippering it fits. Just. LOL. Lots of vents and a removable lining that I have lost somewhere in the wardrobe. Cordura, armour inserts and FAST delivery from within Australia. Warranty etc all apply as it’s a brand new item from Australian based seller meaning returns are easier to manage if needed.

Rain jacket – Dri Rider

Cost: $40

Yeah I know I just said I don’t really buy into branded stuff however, this was the only jacket they had in stock that fit me and was cheap enough and I did actually need one around that time and didn’t realise it even was Dri Rider until someone at work said ohhhh Dri Rider. So meeehhh.

Love the jacket, no leaks, no drama just zip up, Velcro flap over and away. I unintentionally bought a big size (refer again, all they had in stock) which turned out to be a genius move so it can go over my summer textile jacket or winter hoodie. Not stylish in the least, does its job nicely though.

Easily fits in the backpack as it’s super thin and lightweight. Also use it for when it’s a bit cold to keep the wind off 👌🏼

Gloves – Ricondi The Shortie Perforated

Cost: $49

Mentioned in previous post. More of a mid season or summer glove but I wear them year around. They’re warmer than the mesh ones I had before them. Have not worn them in summer yet so can’t tell you if my hands end up sweaty piles of shit from the leather haha.

Absolutely love the external seams on the fingers so these don’t rub your fingers and leaves a lot more space inside the finger. Super comfy. Velcro seems to come undone like it should be wider or longer???

Has knuckle armour. I won’t buy gloves without this feature. I also have some white gloves from Kmart $4 for use in winter. Used twice as they do bulk out my gloves a fair bit.

As mentioned in my other post I don’t have riding pants / jeans / tights due to size and cost nor do I have proper riding boots. God knows I have tried finding these and being an 8-9 women’s there is never any of these sizes left anywhere. So I wear whatever I have … Chucks, Nike’s even wore my ballet flats other day by mistake (discovered halfway home why my foot hurt when shifting up 🙀). Most of all I would like rain pants and the 4 pairs I have tried on = waist fits but leg length is for a giraffe OR waist doesn’t fit but perfect length 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

The thing I have found is women’s sizes are too small and designs too girly for me. I don’t mind the idea of having pink on to show you are a female rider. I own one pink shirt and wore it one day … record number of nods and waves that day which was nice! The cut to suit a women’s body is significantly better these days as well. Below are my ‘No Thanks’ ladies gear. Note the frangipani and butterfly logos which are my 2 most hated. For women who like below stuff I don’t begrudge you wanting to put your female stamp on your riding wardrobe 🤗

I get asked this so many times as I commute to the Valley for work Mon-Fri, even when it’s pissing down.

I have a Dri Rider rain jacket that is fairly long but not rain pants (yet) so tend to wear some track pants with work pants in my backpack to change into when I arrive.

Ideally I’d have proper riding pants or Kevlar jeans / tights however due to my size and budget I don’t. All the protective and/or rain pants where the waist fits are for 7’6″ tall folk and female sizes do not even go up one thigh.

I have a $10 USB desk fan at work that I dry my gloves on (Ricondi leather ones that I adooooore) while I work, seems to be fine for this purpose and means I’m dry as I head off home. I wear a mid season glove all year around because I only want one pair for summer and winter. This can be rather cool in midwinter so have a pair of white cotton gloves from Kmart for $4 if it’s what I call freezingly freezing.

There have been days where I turn up at work damp in places I shouldn’t be damp during work time – worst case was soggy pants until 11.30am when I forgot to take spares lol. In most cases though I would rather ride in the rain than take public transport or the car!

It’s important to get a decent rain jacket. I was told all rain jackets leak no matter what brand. Untrue. Everything that is covered by my jacket is bone dry when I arrive. I’ve never tried other jackets so can’t give an opinion if this is the norm but certainly in my case I couldn’t be happier with my purchase that was $40 instore and have seen loads more around that price since.

Thanks for joining me!

Today is Day 1 for me as a blogger.  I can’t promise it will always be interesting but it’s here as a reference for those in the Brisbane area and for me to look back on my journey as a motorcyclist.

As a female rider my perspective and experiences are dissimilar to my male counterparts.  They should not be.  However they are and I have been called on many times on social media for saying so.  By men.  Who have no idea what I’m even talking about.

I have been riding for 18 months.  My first bike is a CBR500RA and I don’t plan to upgrade until I can afford my dream bike and have my Open R licence in hand.  Or I crash it to write off stage.  I’m in several FB motorcycle groups although not particularly active in attending group rides or commenting, not sure it’s my thing I just like the heads up on police checkpoints.

Things you will find in this blog:
Gear – reviews and things on my wishlist

Rides – in and around Brisbane (typically day trips so nothing too far out)

Bikes – pictures of my bike, my bike wishlist and other bikes I see and take pictures of at random.  Moist lol.

Excerpts of chats with other riders – if you’re not keen to have a yarn at any given time with any riders you meet in your travels … you’re doing it wrong

Media – bike related articles, posts, YouTube video’s etc.  I am not the source of truth, I only provide the links to stuff I found on the interweb.  Make up your own mind on whether it interests or applies to you.

Opinions – all mine.  Go make your own blog if you wanna rant on about stuff.

Results – not even sure what results I’m thinking off since I generally only watch MotoGP racing and on occasion the Red Bull Hare Scramble

Cop stuff – campaigns,  statistics and legal bits in pieces like unfair pullovers / fines (don’t know where to find these yet, will do some research haha).  I won’t know everything that is happening at all times but meh see how I go.