Monkey Butts and Steel Horses

"Let's ride motorcycles today!"

This was my first thought this morning. The truth is, that is my first thought many mornings, so waking up and realizing that today is the first day of a 3 week motorcycle trip was gratifying. I know most riders plan for a trip like this for weeks, and my hubs Steve and I did a little planning, but not very much. We know which cities we are stopping in on the way to Denver and whom we are staying with while there, and when we head home, but that's about it. For us, the less planning we do, the more we are free to enjoy the spontaneity of the moments as the arise.

Our first stop will be Phoenix to visit the three Mikes at Monkey Butt Radio. We appear on their show on Tuesday, April 22 at 4pm Monkey Butt time. The show will be available on their YouTube channel afterwards, just in case you miss it on Tuesday. This is the perfect radio show for me, I would have to say, because their motto is, "This is the only internet radio show around that is rude, crude and socially unacceptable. No holds barred topics that you want to talk about." I've heard rumors of beer and BBQ for us as well. That should make both me and my hubs a happy campers!

We will be meeting up with friends in Phoenix too; Arizona Harley Dude Paul is meeting us for breakfast at The Place and taking us on a little ride on Wednesday. My old classmate Kelly will be meeting us for dinner Wednesday as well, before we leave Thursday for a 4 day push to Denver.

We will trek through Arizona, New Mexico and then Colorado from there. My limit is 250 mile days when I ride so many days in a row (because of my Fibromyalgia pain) so my hubs planned the route accordingly. While in Denver we have family, friends, and clients to visit.

The last three days of our time in Denver will be spent at the Steel Horse Sisterhood Summit, an event coordinated to celebrate female motorcycle riders.

“I have already seen the day, in that place where my vision lives; the day when women from all corners of our continent and of our world converge together. To live, laugh, love and ride! With our face to the wind, we enjoy, collaborate and inspire each other to live life with no limits and die with no regrets.”
-- Joan Krenning, founder and creator Steel Horse Sisterhood

I'm so excited to be attending on May 2-4 to hear the speakers, meet other women who ride, and inhale some of that energy that comes from interacting with other people who get why we ride! On International Female Ride Day, a Sunrise Ride and an opportunity to be included in a photo of the largest group of female riders (set to break the World's Record!), it looks to be an amazing weekend. I'm sure the 5 day ride home will be fulfilling after all of the inspiration of mingling with other female riders.

One of the best parts of this trip will be spending time with my friend Kim. Not only will we be staying at her home during our time in Denver, but Kim will be joining me at the Summit as my photographer. Kim has always been interested in photography; in fact, when we met she was our high school newspaper photographer and I was a reporter! Now, 32 years after we met, we will both be enjoying our hobbies together. Kim doesn't ride yet, but she's been talking about riding a Spyder for the last year or so. I thought she would enjoy the Summit so she would get that last shot in the arm to encourage her to get on and ride!

Over the next 3 weeks you can follow our progress on our Road Pickle Facebook Page where we'll be posting updates. Hoping to see some of you along the way!