Florida has experienced one of the coldest winters in history but compared to the rest of the country we have it easy.  Visiting in March and riding a motorcycle will most likely require cold weather attire, including leather jackets, gloves and layered clothing.  Of course we hope for the warmth and sunshine but it is recommended to be prepared for the worst.

With Daytona Bike Week right around the corner having a guide to all of the fun and festivities will ensure a good time.  The Daytona International Speedway will host motorcycle racing at its finest and Florida is a tourist state, so visiting some of the sites while on Bike Week vacation is recommended.

Touring on a motorcycle is the way to go and Florida is a biker friendly state with establishments catering to motorcyclist sprinkled up and down the highways.

1st Recommendation:

Starting from Daytona Beach, head north to Ormond Beach.  State Road 40 west is a ride through the Ocala National Forest. This highway takes the traveler all the way to US 41 in Dunnelon.  Just north on US 41 on your right is Rainbow State Park.  Fresh water springs are common in North Central Florida and this one is a gem.  The three hour trip, traveling through the forest and the destination is well worth it.

2nd Recommendation:

Just north of Daytona on US 1 is St Augustine.  An approximately 50 mile scenic ride that parallels the Atlantic Ocean.  The oldest European City in our Nation host a tourist dream.  Park your bike and stroll down the historic district with cobblestone streets, quaint cafes, bars, and unique shops.  Visit the 16th century Castillo de San Marcos.  It tells the story of how Spain defended her rule in Florida with live re-enactments of battles fought.

3rd Recommendation:

South on US 1 is Cape Canaveral.  The home of the Kennedy Space Center.  Visit the International Space Station Center, take the Cape Canaveral: Then & Now Tour, and  the Guided Tour – Discover Kennedy Space Center: Today & Tomorrow.

The final recommendation is saved for last – Key West Florida.

This approximately six hour ride is better planned with an overnight stay in one of the southern most points hostels.  Once there plan your evening around dinner at the Hogs Breath and don’t forget the tee shirt. Before you leave, a picture standing next to the marker at the southern most point of the United States is a must.

On your way back stop at the Homestead-Miami International Speedway and see where NASCAR host the final race of the year.

While in our “My Helmet My Choice” state ride safe, obey the law and Ride On.

A group of  American Veterans have gotten together and spread the word that wearing red on Friday’s can become a phenom en if the public will embrace it.  This simple symbolic gesture has already started taking off.   Some of the members of your local Moose Lodges, Eagles, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans Of Foreign Wars and American Legions are showing their support with red shirts.  By word of mouth and the World Wide Web the American public can be a part of this movement.  Show our brothers and sisters who are putting their lives on the line serving our country “We Care”.

Our United States Military is serving us and our Country – they deserve our recognition. 

“Wear Red On Friday’s”

At Daytona International Speedway

On the beach itself, the history of this event unfolds in the form of a granite monument.  Etched on the monument are the names and likenesses of the twelve champions who raced from 1937 to 1960 in the original Daytona 200 Motorcycle Race on the hard sandy beaches just north of the site.

In a circle around the original monument, the names and faces of racers like Aaron Creamer who lived and died for the sport are memorialized forever in granite slabs.  The memorial is on-going with granite plaques and pavers available for purchase. For more information Click Here.

The yearly motorcycle race event moved to the Daytona speedway in 1961.  Not to be rivaled by downtown, the Daytona International Speedway host a week of spectacular motorcycle racing with champion riders competing for the coveted Daytona Bike Week Awards. The speedway itself is a state of the art facility that also host Speed Week, the major motor sport event held every year before Bike Week.

Bike Week 2010 Motorcycle Racing Schedule

• Jan. 30-31, 2010

The 48th running of the Rolex 24 will kick off Speed Week  2010 and the schedule will  conclude with the 52nd Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 14.

• February 26 – 28, 2010

The season kick-off of the XDL Sportbike Freestyle Championship will mark the XDL’s  fifth season as the only national sportbike freestyle championship and the series’ first visit.

• March 3 – 4, 2010

The Speedway will be the host to the AMA Pro Flat Track doubleheader on its new quarter-mile lime rock track located in the West Lot outside Turns 1 and 2.

• March 5, 2010

The famed Daytona 200 AMA Pro Racing battle is held at night under the lights in Americas most historic motorcycle race.

• March 6, 2010

Daytona Supercross By Honda presents the top riders in America including three-time defending champion Chad Reed, James Stewart, Andrew Short and Ryan Villopoto who will battle it out on the tough and demanding course at Daytona International Speedway.

• March 7, 2010

The first ever Ricky Carmichael Daytona Amateur Supercross Championship will be held at Daytona International Speedway,

• March 8, 2010

Rickey Carmichael will then host Ricky Carmichael University, a public riding school hosted by the 15-Time AMA National Champion.

Visit the Official Bike Week Web-site and plan your vacation around this yearly event.  Great food and fun with lots of entertainment are found at the most famous bike rally in the world.  Riding a motorcycle is optional but recommended.

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When riding in frigid weather paying attention to what happens to your body when cold weather is a factor could be the difference between a fun ride and a miserable ride.

By reviewing the three stages of frostbite motorcycle riders could avoid a painful and possibly life changing event.

What Is Frostbite? What Causes Frostbite? What Is Congelatio?

Motorcycle Clothes For Winter Riding
Regardless, watching the weather and dressing appropriately is the answer to a safe and fun ride.
Choosing the proper riding gear is the first step.  Beginning with outer wear and working your way in gives the rider room to move.
1st – Choosing a riding jacket a size larger will allow room for layers.  Leather or textile, a jacket with a zip in or snap liner is an extra layer not usually considered.

Made In The USA High Quality Leather

100% waterproof, high abrasion resistant cotton

2nd – A good pair of Motorcycle Chaps and or Motorcycle Leather Overpants will help keep the lower body warm by blocking the cold wind from penetrating.  Layers are going to be your best defense. Underclothes for Men and Underclothes for Women come in ultralight or silky, medium and heavy made from cotton and cotton blends.

Hands and feet are probably the hardest part of the body to keep and stay warm.  For the hands combining a good pair of  lined gloves and hand grip warmers will do the job even on the coldest days.  Try wearing a pair of thin rubber gloves (surgical) under your regular gloves for extra protection.

The feet can prove to be a bit more difficult but a good pair of Thermal Lined Socks can keep the feet warm or even consider battery operated heaters.  Bring an extra pair if on a longer ride just in case your feet start to sweat.  Once socks become damp the feet will get cold making it harder to warm them back up.

A baclava or leather bandanna tucked into the jacket collar will not only block the wind and protect the neck but also create warmth from exhaled air captured.

Motorcycle riding is a passion fueled by the wind, sun cold and rain.  Wearing proper riding gear is necessary when challenging the elements.  When riding in cold weather create a flight plan with frequent stops to allow the body temperature core to warm back up.  By doing your homework and assembling the proper gear, cold weather riding is possible.

For more information, and tips with a recommended selection of motorcycle riding gear and clothes visit www.cool-riders.com.  Be Safe and Ride On.

HubShout.com

• Harley Davidson is offering customers extended warranty coverage on new, new 2009 and 2010 year Harley-Davidson motorcycles purchased and delivered between November 20, 2009 and March 16, 2010. The limited warranty coverage will extend the manufacturers warranty through April 2, 2012, and will apply to street legal Genuine Motor Parts and Accessories installed by the dealer. Click here to read more.
• Motorcycles are now included in 2009’s Vehicle Tax Deduction Click here to for more information.
• Lo Jack for Motorcycles have proven to be just as valuable as they are for automobiles.  Click here to read about the latest news on the benefits of having one installed on your bike.
• According to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Motorcycle Competitive Information Study bikers have never been happier with overall satisfaction at it’s highest level in seven years.
• Green Speed Air Motorcycles are on the drawing board and may be the newest invention for the motorcyclist who can ride with compressed air.
• 
• Electric Motorcycles are not too far away with the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show in Japan featuring the EC-f electric scooter motorcycle.  Read more about this latest invention.

Motorcycles is a passion fueled by the wind.  It doesn’t matter what you ride “Just Ride”

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Makes 2 generous or 4 smaller servings

1 pumpkin, about 2 1/2 to 3 pounds

4 ounces bread crumbs, – 1/2-inch chunks

4 ounces cheese, such as Gruyere, Swiss, Blue, Cheddar or a combination, cut into 1/2-inch chunks

2-4 cloves garlic cloves – chop coarse

About 1/3 cup heavy cream

Freshly grated nutmeg

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Parsley sprig

Place rack in center of oven and preheat  to 350 degrees F.  Either line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone baking mat or find a Dutch oven that’s the same diameter as the pumpkin.  (If you bake the pumpkin in a casserole, it will keep its shape, but it will also stick to the casserole, so you’ll have to serve it from the pot, which is a rustic, appealingly homey way to serve it.  If you bake it on a sheet, you can present it free-standing, if it doesn’t collapse in the oven.

Using a very sturdy knife, cut a cap off the top of the pumpkin.  This isn’t an easy job - I went around the top of the pumpkin with my knife at a 45-degree angle to get a nice size cap.  Clear away any seeds and strings from the cap and hold it aside while you scoop out the seeds and filaments inside the pumpkin.  (Hold onto this goop — you can separate the seeds from the filaments and roast them.)  Season the inside of the pumpkin with salt and pepper and put it on the sheet or in the casserole.

Now you have a choice, you can either toss the bread, cheese and garlic together in a bowl, then pack it into the pumpkin, or you can alternate layers of bread and cheese and scatter the garlic here and there.  (I mixed everything together.)  Either way, the filling should go into the pumpkin and fill it well.  You might have a little too much filling or you might need to add to it — it’s hard to give exact amounts.  Season the cream with salt, pepper and several gratings of fresh nutmeg and pour the cream into the pumpkin.  Again, you might have too much or too little.  You don’t want the ingredients to swim in cream, but you do want to get a feeling that they’re moistened.

Put the cap back in place and bake the pumpkin for about 2 hours — check after 90 minutes — or until everything inside the pumpkin is bubbly and the flesh of the pumpkin is tender enough to be pierced easily with the tip of a knife.  I removed the cap during the last 20 minutes or so of baking so that the top could brown.

Caution:  If you want to spoon out the pumpkin and the filling or try mixing it, you better bake the pumpkin in a casserole because you’ll need to support the sides.

Playing around:  I think you could play around with the filling, adding bacon or ham, herbs (a little thyme might be nice) or nuts.

Use your imagination – good luck and happy pumpkin!

Freedom To Be Cool Riders

As I grew older whenever I would meet someone with a motorcycle the excitement would always return. Being a girl, it was easy to get a ride but not always as easy to talk myself on a bike and be the rider.  When riding on the back, the passenger is at the mercy of the driver.  Early on I realized some riders are reckless with their speeds and take lots of chances. I finally got the chance to learn to ride when I was 16 years old on a Suzuki at the Palma Sola Causeway in Bradenton Florida.  Manuevering through the thick sand was tricky but taught me balance and self confidence. Not realizing it at the time, those lessons and encouragement helped in my continued quest.

Looking back, it seemed as though I aligned myself through life with bike owners.  Surely no one would have guessed eventually I would own a motorcycle.  When I finally bought my first bike it was a Harley Davidson.  I was then, and still am truly hooked on Harley’s. Sitting on my bike for the first time it was as though I had never ridden before.  My mind was overwhelmed with excitement as I felt the power and heard the sound of the motor as it rocked back and forth in cadence with the pistons. My gentleman friend Henry, who is now my significant other encouraged and taught me to become a defensive rider. While coaching he would remind me that motorcycling is about the wind in your face and the smell in the air.  While enjoying casual conversation we would talk about all of the dangers facing motorcyclist.  Automobiles are the biggest challenge but anything can happen.  The motorcyclist exchanges safety for freedom.  Animals darting out, falling objects from trees and children playing in the road are just a few of the dangers facing a motorcyclist.

Riding in circles, and in between parking lines on the weekends at a manufacturing warehouse gave me the confidence I needed to take my Harley on the road. One thing I learned pretty quickly, when straddling that much power, it becomes a test to settle back and just be in control. Henry knew I would discover without his help how easy it is to take off and just go. The edge is just a throttle turn away.  While idling at a red light or stop sign the desire to rocket forward and speed ahead of the traffic is always teasing the mind.  
Remembering my lessons learned and letting the defensive rider take control is not always easy. I have to continually remind myself that some automobile drivers do not realize how quickly my bike can accelerate.  While I still prefer my Harley, my mantra has always been it doesn’t matter what you ride “Just Ride”. Motorcyclist riding any make and model of bike can easily twist the throttle, take off like a rocket and speed away, but their chances of ending the ride on the ground increases significantly.  
The warning “Look Twice Save a Life – Motorcycles Are Everywhere” is not just because the automobile drivers have trouble seeing the slim silhouette of a motorcycle. A bike can accelerate from 0 to 50 in a matter of seconds.  Since I also drive a truck I know from experience it can be hard to judge the speed of a motorcycle.   
So this lady rider will ride and enjoy the wind in her face while being a defensive rider and still living a life long adventure.

Freedom To Be Cool Riders
www.cool-riders.com