What more could I say? Thank you Leslie for a wonderful tribute to an organization I am grateful to be a part of and to the women who made it possible.
Honoring the past, riding into the future.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Land of the Giants?
Do you remember the old science fiction movies about the giant woman? How she looked down at all the tiny people running around and away from her? And she wonders, where on earth is she going to find clothes that fit? Well, sometimes I feel just like that giant woman.
Most people won't know this because they are not women who have shopped for motorcycle gear but apparently the manufacturers of women's motorcycle gear have a distorted view of size. A few years and many pounds ago at a major women's motorcycling event, female representatives of a major motorcycle manufacturer were giving away shirts. I considered myself pretty fortunate to have scored a size large shirt with my bike company's logo. That is, until I took it out of the package and realized it would never fit me, who at the time was about a size 12. Instead, I brought it home to my then 20 year old daughter who was less than 90 pounds and it fit her perfectly. And no, this wasn't a case of mislabeling the size because I actually had two different shirts from the same company that were the same size.
Over the years, I've looked for women's motorcycle gear that fits and in almost every case have had to move onto the men's gear to find something that came close. With the number of women motorcyclists growing every year so grows the market for gear that fits and protects well. So, just for comparison, let's take a look at the size chart from a major women's wear retailer. This shows a wide range of sizes which should fit almost any woman, unless you are very thin and very tall or heavier and very tall. Overall, one of the better representations among women's retail.
Granted, some manufacturers are now doing "larger" sizes, unfortunately even fewer are doing taller, which is a whole other issue. Now, let's take a look at some of the size charts from a couple of major motorcycle gear retailers.
This company offers sizes XS to XL, but wait, compare the measurements of the XL below to the XL from our retailer above. The motorcycle XL measurement is equal to the Large, so if you are larger than a size 14 or 16, this company is not interested in your business. Not to mention unless you are riding in perfect weather, you will probably have a couple of layers of clothing under that jacket. As a result, you purchase gear that allows for this layering. So, a size 12 could easily become a 14 or 16, or a 16 a size 18 or 20 depending on the type and number of layers necessary.
I have to give this company credit for manufacturing their ladies pants with a 35 inch inseam that is "adjustable" to shorter lengths. Motorcyclists tend to wear their riding pants longer, to cover the top of their boots and provide better protection. So this offer a great alternative for women who are a bit taller than average.
Here is a size chart from another manufacturer. Wow, they go up to size 5XL! Don't get excited yet, compare the numeric sizes to the retail chart above and you will realize these sizes are a full size off from those above. I doubt most women size 10 would consider themselves a Large. Still this company does offer an expanded, if skewed, range of sizes.
One of the benefits of the increase of women riders and the limited sizes and availability of mass produced motorcycle gear for women has be the appearance of niche companies directed specifically at women motorcyclists. These companies, usually women owned, tend to offer larger sizes and varieties of motorcycle gear. In addition, they often focus on fashion as well as form, designing gear that looks good as well as protects the rider. The primary drawback is that limited production is more expensive for the retailer as well as the consumer, making these niche companies a bit pricey,
As the number of women motorcyclists continues to grow, I expect the number of options will continue to grow. Each of us has the right and opportunity to provide feed back to your favorite motorcycle and gear manufacturer regarding our wants and needs. I encourage each of you to make your voice heard.
Most people won't know this because they are not women who have shopped for motorcycle gear but apparently the manufacturers of women's motorcycle gear have a distorted view of size. A few years and many pounds ago at a major women's motorcycling event, female representatives of a major motorcycle manufacturer were giving away shirts. I considered myself pretty fortunate to have scored a size large shirt with my bike company's logo. That is, until I took it out of the package and realized it would never fit me, who at the time was about a size 12. Instead, I brought it home to my then 20 year old daughter who was less than 90 pounds and it fit her perfectly. And no, this wasn't a case of mislabeling the size because I actually had two different shirts from the same company that were the same size.
Over the years, I've looked for women's motorcycle gear that fits and in almost every case have had to move onto the men's gear to find something that came close. With the number of women motorcyclists growing every year so grows the market for gear that fits and protects well. So, just for comparison, let's take a look at the size chart from a major women's wear retailer. This shows a wide range of sizes which should fit almost any woman, unless you are very thin and very tall or heavier and very tall. Overall, one of the better representations among women's retail.
Granted, some manufacturers are now doing "larger" sizes, unfortunately even fewer are doing taller, which is a whole other issue. Now, let's take a look at some of the size charts from a couple of major motorcycle gear retailers.
This company offers sizes XS to XL, but wait, compare the measurements of the XL below to the XL from our retailer above. The motorcycle XL measurement is equal to the Large, so if you are larger than a size 14 or 16, this company is not interested in your business. Not to mention unless you are riding in perfect weather, you will probably have a couple of layers of clothing under that jacket. As a result, you purchase gear that allows for this layering. So, a size 12 could easily become a 14 or 16, or a 16 a size 18 or 20 depending on the type and number of layers necessary. I have to give this company credit for manufacturing their ladies pants with a 35 inch inseam that is "adjustable" to shorter lengths. Motorcyclists tend to wear their riding pants longer, to cover the top of their boots and provide better protection. So this offer a great alternative for women who are a bit taller than average.
Here is a size chart from another manufacturer. Wow, they go up to size 5XL! Don't get excited yet, compare the numeric sizes to the retail chart above and you will realize these sizes are a full size off from those above. I doubt most women size 10 would consider themselves a Large. Still this company does offer an expanded, if skewed, range of sizes.One of the benefits of the increase of women riders and the limited sizes and availability of mass produced motorcycle gear for women has be the appearance of niche companies directed specifically at women motorcyclists. These companies, usually women owned, tend to offer larger sizes and varieties of motorcycle gear. In addition, they often focus on fashion as well as form, designing gear that looks good as well as protects the rider. The primary drawback is that limited production is more expensive for the retailer as well as the consumer, making these niche companies a bit pricey,
As the number of women motorcyclists continues to grow, I expect the number of options will continue to grow. Each of us has the right and opportunity to provide feed back to your favorite motorcycle and gear manufacturer regarding our wants and needs. I encourage each of you to make your voice heard.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Holy Cow! Time Really Does Fly!
I just realized it had been over 2 months since I updated my blog and a lot of things have happened. So, here is a number of comments and updates on lots of topics.
Sons of Anarchy - when this show first started, I really tried to like it but just couldn't. Then one night when the insomnia bug was running rampant, there happened to be a marathon SOA on. So, I guess the secret, for me anyway, was to be able to watch several episodes back to back to keep the tread going in my mind. Now, I admit it I am hooked and have watched all the seasons that are available from Netflix and eager for the new season to start. It's like the Sopranos on bikes!
Lunch with Friends - was finally able to have lunch with a couple of friends, one of which has been a ship passing in the night for many months. Another was a acquaintance of someone I met a few years ago. It was nice to get to spend some time with both friends catching up.
Also got dozens of birthday wishes from friends near and far. I am so truly blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life.
Speaking of wonderful people, Southwest Motor Maids ROCK! Motorcycling has brought some truly incredible people into my life. In January a group of Motor Maids and significant others have spent a weekend in Las Vegas full of fun, friendship and riding. The ride was awesome, kudos to those who organized. The ride back to Phoenix as a bit chilly and quite windy, in fact as we were crossing the bridge across the Hoover Dam the wind actually blew my tank bag off my bike.
Good news/bad news - son-in-law get job in the field he actually studied, graphic design, .....wait for it...in UTAH! So he, Amanda and my darling little grandson, will be moving to Utah. I guess it could be worse, it's only about 500 miles.
Another long motorcycle weekend in Tombstone, AZ hard to believe we have been here this long and we had never been to Tombstone. The winds going down I-10 were outrageous, one gust blew Debbie and Clara clear into the next lane, which fortunately was vacant. We got there and met with up with the rest of the group and had an awesome time. One of the waitresses in the saloon told us her grandmother was a Motor Maid so she took special care of us. We knew the weather was going to turn cold but who knew it was going to snow in Tombstone? On Sunday morning we woke to a few inches of snow on the ground and bikes, so we decided to stay an extra day and do all the tourist things.
Oh, and I have also joined the ranks of the unemployed, it took me by surprise and I was terribly disappointed because I really loved my job and the people I worked with. However, as the saying goes, when one door closes, another door opens. While it saddens me to leave one chapter behind, I am eager to see what the next chapter will bring. I believe the "door" has already opened.
One would think that being unemployed, I would have time to do all kinds of things but it seems like I haven't had a chance to take a breath. Running here and there, working on the bike, taking care of Ian while his folks are looking for an apartment in Utah, working on the bike, meeting with the outplacement agency, doctor appointments for me and Ian, working on the bike, more errands. And of course the weather is really getting nice for riding :-)
When you get laid off, even if you know it was for financial reasons and not personal, there comes a time when you do take it personal. Then you get it out of your system and move on. Many people we know have been unemployed for a long time and it has cause a great deal of hardship on people all across the country. I am fortunate that being out of work for a while will not ruin us financially. On top of that, Deb supports me in finding what I want to do and not just taking a job. Now I am looking forward to the next professional chapter in my life. Stay tuned for more details.
Sons of Anarchy - when this show first started, I really tried to like it but just couldn't. Then one night when the insomnia bug was running rampant, there happened to be a marathon SOA on. So, I guess the secret, for me anyway, was to be able to watch several episodes back to back to keep the tread going in my mind. Now, I admit it I am hooked and have watched all the seasons that are available from Netflix and eager for the new season to start. It's like the Sopranos on bikes!
Lunch with Friends - was finally able to have lunch with a couple of friends, one of which has been a ship passing in the night for many months. Another was a acquaintance of someone I met a few years ago. It was nice to get to spend some time with both friends catching up.
Also got dozens of birthday wishes from friends near and far. I am so truly blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life.
Speaking of wonderful people, Southwest Motor Maids ROCK! Motorcycling has brought some truly incredible people into my life. In January a group of Motor Maids and significant others have spent a weekend in Las Vegas full of fun, friendship and riding. The ride was awesome, kudos to those who organized. The ride back to Phoenix as a bit chilly and quite windy, in fact as we were crossing the bridge across the Hoover Dam the wind actually blew my tank bag off my bike.
Good news/bad news - son-in-law get job in the field he actually studied, graphic design, .....wait for it...in UTAH! So he, Amanda and my darling little grandson, will be moving to Utah. I guess it could be worse, it's only about 500 miles.
Another long motorcycle weekend in Tombstone, AZ hard to believe we have been here this long and we had never been to Tombstone. The winds going down I-10 were outrageous, one gust blew Debbie and Clara clear into the next lane, which fortunately was vacant. We got there and met with up with the rest of the group and had an awesome time. One of the waitresses in the saloon told us her grandmother was a Motor Maid so she took special care of us. We knew the weather was going to turn cold but who knew it was going to snow in Tombstone? On Sunday morning we woke to a few inches of snow on the ground and bikes, so we decided to stay an extra day and do all the tourist things.
Oh, and I have also joined the ranks of the unemployed, it took me by surprise and I was terribly disappointed because I really loved my job and the people I worked with. However, as the saying goes, when one door closes, another door opens. While it saddens me to leave one chapter behind, I am eager to see what the next chapter will bring. I believe the "door" has already opened.
One would think that being unemployed, I would have time to do all kinds of things but it seems like I haven't had a chance to take a breath. Running here and there, working on the bike, taking care of Ian while his folks are looking for an apartment in Utah, working on the bike, meeting with the outplacement agency, doctor appointments for me and Ian, working on the bike, more errands. And of course the weather is really getting nice for riding :-)
When you get laid off, even if you know it was for financial reasons and not personal, there comes a time when you do take it personal. Then you get it out of your system and move on. Many people we know have been unemployed for a long time and it has cause a great deal of hardship on people all across the country. I am fortunate that being out of work for a while will not ruin us financially. On top of that, Deb supports me in finding what I want to do and not just taking a job. Now I am looking forward to the next professional chapter in my life. Stay tuned for more details.
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