Please join me on SidestandUp.com motorcycle radio Tuesday August 28 5-6:30 pm PT, I talk with Jan Plessner, one of the most respected pros in the motorcycle industry, about her new gig developing LadyMoto.com. You've heard us chat  before when Jan was head of PR at Kawasaki USA - but this next talk will focus on this new position where she is perfectly poised to influence riders and reach her goal of doubling the number of women riding motorcycles. Hey, how can we help, Jan!?

That was the question she posed to attendees of the AMA Women & Motorcycling Conference earlier this month, after announcing her goal at the Women in the Industy luncheon to overwhelming approval and committed enlistment of about sixty influencers. It's a great start, but there's more. Tune in to hear more about it, and join the lively chat room to pose your own questions. Read more below...

Jan Plessner is a 23-year industry veteran, PR consultant and guest writer/product tester for Motorcycle-USA.com, Powersports Business, American Motorcyclist and All About Bikes. Jan parted ways with Kawasaki earlier this year after an action-packed 18-year tenure. Since 2003, Jan served as the Kawasaki Public Relations Manager overseeing a team of eleven individuals and covering all products (street bikes, dirt bikes, ATV, Side X Side, personal watercraft and utility vehicles), corporate PR, crisis communications and PR for professional and amateur racing programs.

Her first ten years with the Flying K was spent in the public affairs and government relations side of the business for the JET SKI watercraft division. An advocate for women and motorcycling and a true enthusiast to the core, Jan recently discovered her love for other makes and models including the Ducati Monster 696, the Triumph Street Triple R, the BRP Can-Am Spyder three-wheeler and the Kymco scooter line.

Jan was recognized as the 2008 Motorcycle-USA.com “PR Person of the Year,” and was the only female PR manager for any of the Japanese motorcycle brands. Jan has earned a variety of other accolades including the 2005 “Image Award” from the Women’s International Motorcycle Association and the 2011 Dealernews “Women Who Roll.” Be sure to stay up to speed on Jan’s latest adventures via her LadyMoto Facebook page or follow her on Twitter @LadyMotoOnline. 

Responding to those who can only attend Tahoe Adventure Motorcycle Ride & Rendezvous for just a day, they're providing day rates. I'll be there for the whole event, so please find me and say hi - I'll be checking my @missadventuring twitter account pretty regularly, and updating where I am. Register and get day passes here.

Friday Only All Access Pass $95

• Includes ride maps (Dirt and Pavement), morning coffee, after ride refreshments, Emergency Medical Workshop, Dakar podium winner Jimmy Lewis demonstration and BBQ dinner on the beach.

Saturday Only All Access Pass $95

• Includes ride maps (Dirt and Pavement), morning coffee, after ride refreshments, Motorcycle Repair Workshop, the legendary Dick Mann presentation and Dakar podium winner  Jimmy Lewis seminar.

 Sunday Only All Access Pass $49

• Includes ride maps (Dirt and Pavement), morning coffee, after ride refreshments and Dakar podium winner Jimmy Lewis demonstration.

Day passes do not include the goody bag but souvenir T shirts will be available for purchase.

 The day passes are in addition to the Full Access Pass for $249 that includes entry into all event activities and an incredible goody bag. 

I'm so excited to ride with Jimmy Lewis next week at the Tahoe Adventure Ride & Rendezvous. 

More information is available at www.tahoeadventuremoto.com, including a schedule, lodging information and registration information. See you there!

Carl Ribaudo on his GS 1200 with Carla King on her KLR 650 in the mountains above Lake Tahoe scouting the Rendezvous road trips - Photo by Joe Berk

Are we having fun yet or what? Here I am with Carl Ribaudo, co-organizer of the 1st annual Lake Tahoe Adventure Motorcycle Ride & Rendezvous, checking out the roads and the good times to come August 23-26 when they hold the inagural event. Join me on Tuesday June 12 for our talk on Sidestand Up motorcycle radio 8-9:30 Eastern (that's 5-7:30 for us on the Pacific coast), and find out what's in store. 

Tuesday, June 12
Sidestand Up Motorcycle Radio
5-7:30 pm Pacific Time (8-9:30 Eastern)
Join the lively chatroom online
http://sidestandup.com 

Carl Ribaudo talks with Carla King
Lake Tahoe Adventure Motorcycle Ride & Rendezvous
August 23-26, 2012

Rendezvous is your invitation to a blowout of motorcycle enthusiasts who love discovery and the adventure of riding in remote and exceptional natural environments, a unique adventure motorcycle gathering located at Lake Tahoe. 

Rendezvous is for riders who pursue personal skill, discovery and adventure in motorcycle riding. The more dirt on your bike the better. 

Find out more, and book now, to say you were there at the first annual Lake Tahoe Adventure Motorcycle Ride & Rendezvous.

Already sponsored by the tourist offices of Tahoe, the AMA, RawHyde, and RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel.

(Why didn't anybody think of this before?)

In last week's great guest blog post by Liz Jansen, author of Women, Motorcycles and the Road to Empowerment, was a free ebook offer by drawing from the people who commented on the book, and Deborah Hymes won. Congratulations Deborah! Coincidentially, I know Deborah aka her smart and funny Writer Vixen blog. In fact, she attended one of my Self-Publishing Boot Camps last year and was a pleasure to have in the seminar. Deborah wasted not time downloading and reading the book, and she offers her comments here:

----------------

Hi Carla, I'm so excited that I won this book. I'm embarking on several new adventures at the moment, and although none of them involve an actual motorcycle, the spirit of taking to the road suffuses my life right now. I immediately found inspiration and a kindred spirit in "Getting Past Go":  

"I was heading into the unknown . . . and had a whole blank slate in front of me, waiting for me to write the script. I . . . ultimately would have to let go of behaviors, thoughts and beliefs that not only no longer served me, but also hindered my progress. The trick would be to recognize fears that were creating resistance, identify self-limiting beliefs and destroy them one by one, rather than let them continue to hold me away from who I was."  [Jansen, Liz (2011-12-01). Women, Motorcycles and the Road to Empowerment (p. 80).  . Kindle Edition.]

I am revved up! Thank you so much. ;)

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Thank you Deborah, thank you Liz! Liz is on to the next stop in her virtual book tour, check out 10 Life Lessons I Learned from Being a Biker in the Amazing Women Rock blog.

BMW Motorcycle Owners to Converge in Yosemite & California's Gold Country for Unparalleled Riding & Events at 40th Annual 49er Rally, May 24-28, 2012 in Mariposa CA

Mariposa, CA, May 09, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The BMW Motorcycle Club of Northern California invites riders, families and friends to attend the 40th Annual 49er Rally celebration at the Mariposa Fairgrounds, Mariposa, CA, May 24-28, 2012.

Experience the outstanding scenery and history of Yosemite and California’s Gold Country while riding hundreds of miles of world-class roads from the paved to the unpaved, all from your secured campsite at the Mariposa Fairgrounds.

Enjoy four nights of secure camping/showers at the Mariposa Fairgrounds, food, drink, events, and tours with hundreds of like-minded BMW motorcycle riders for an online pre-registration fee of only $40. ($49 at the gate). $16 additional for Saturday dinner. All riders are welcome. Non-BMW riders require a sponsor.

The 49er Rally also welcomes several speakers to Mariposa:

International adventure rider Carla King, author, cofounder of the new online magazine MotoSFO.com will talk about her worldwide motorcycle adventures.

Rene Cormier, founder of Renedian Adventures and author of "The University of Gravel Roads" will discuss riding in wild Africa – its beauty and unique challenges.

Best of the West on a Single GS highlights paved and unpaved riding from California’s Lost Coast to Montana’s Going to the Sun by rider Wynne Benti.

In addition to vendors, travel and tech sessions, the 49er Poker Run with gold and silver coin prizes, English Trials, motorcycle skills and safety clinic, GS Ride, Concours judging event, over $2,500 in door prizes will be awarded.

Register online at: www.bmwnorcal.org/49er/ before for May 17, 2012 for $40 ($49 at the gate). Vendor info: Mike Morlin (415) 587-5158

Contact: Z Ortiz
Phone: (415) 587-5158
E-mail: registration49er@yahoo.com
www.bmwnorcal.org/49er/

I'm thrilled to be the first stop on a virtual book tour for Liz Jansen, an author, speaker, coach and motorcycle aficionado.  Her book Women, Motorcycles and the Road to Empowerment resonates with stories of adventure and self-discovery.  She says that "The Road to Empowerment may lead around the block or around it world.  It always brings us back to who we are."

I agree! I've gotten to know Liz over the years via social media and phone conversations, and we finally met last year and became fast friends. We found that we shared many of the same experiences as motorcycle travelers timidly starting out, working through our fears and doing that thing we really wanted to do - get on a motorcycle and explore. If you are, similarly, trying to figure out whether you're brave enough to work through the fears that have stopped you - well, we're here to gently push you toward your dream. If you've done it, you'll recognize yourself in these 7 Steps for Adventure Travel, so wonderfully illustrated in her book, which is discounted for this tour -- 25% of signed books from her website and reduced ebook price to $6.99 for the tour from Amazon and other ebook retailers.

Now... here's Liz's 7 steps for getting past fear and hitting the road.

Hitting the Road: 7 Steps for Adventure Travel

Excitement tinged with fear framed where I stood looking forward on August 1, 2003. Forty-nine, single, healthy, unbound by work commitments, I was about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime: a two-month solo motorcycle odyssey across North America. 

Recognizing I had migrated into roles which no longer fit me, I had left a thirty-year relationship and a successful corporate career in the preceding eight months. I was footloose and fancy free. 

I had a new bike, been riding for more than thirty years and was confident in my skills. The opportunities ahead of me were endless. 

So why the fear?

That little self inside of me was keenly aware that a tectonic shift was occurring.  She was concerned for her survival, scared and throwing thoughts at me about things that could happen. She even questioned my judgment. The anxiety wasn’t based on motorcycling at all.

Not all adventures are on this scale. Some are smaller, some are grander. In all cases, following these simple steps opens the door to adventure. 

1. Follow your heart. When your heart speaks, listen. It’s telling you something for a reason. Ignoring it or turning back only creates anxiety. You will hear from naysayers. Remember, they are projecting their own fears on you. 

Walls designed to protect me had built the perfect marriage and the secure career. In fact, they had constrained me. My fear wasn’t about going for a ride; it was about leaving an illusion of security. 

2. Realistically assess the situation. Sit back and think about the reality of the situation. 

While I had initial concerns about physically managing the trip, I knew I could ride a motorcycle, read a map, had good gear for various weather conditions, had a cell phone, was resourceful, was not on a set schedule, had sufficient financial resources and wasn’t traveling to foreign countries where I couldn’t read the road signs or ask for directions. Besides, I could always turn around and go home.

I even had an offer that to pick me and my bike up if it became too much. That was out of the question!

3. Prepare. Plan, but avoid overdoing it. Leave room for those magical, serendipitous experiences.

Know a few basic proactive steps – like how to check tire pressure, oil levels and adjust your chain. Consider what maintenance you’ll need, when you’re likely to need it and where you can get it. Depending on the length of your trip and travel conditions you may need things like oil changes or new tires.

I knew I had two months and had some places I wanted to see: my mother’s birthplace in northern Saskatchewan, the small Alberta town where my father grew up, the Badlands, friends in San Francisco and the Grand Canyon. I connected the dots and had a general outline.

4. Expect amazing people and experiences. These are the treasures adventures are made of and show up with perfect timing. 

I met Verna over breakfast on Day Four. Seventy-five years old, she’d been camping solo across Canada every year for the past ten since her divorce. Although I was beginning to catch my stride, her joie de vivre left an indelible impression. 

5. Go. Perhaps “Let Go” is more accurate. This is the hardest step. All you need to do is take one step at a time.

Even though I was excited and looking forward to the adventure, I had to give myself a nudge to move off. I got up each day and went for a ride. The next thing I knew, I was at the Pacific Ocean.

Even now, before an extended trip, there’s last minute resistance I have to get past. I know that as soon as I start up my motorcycle, the Universe is in order and I’m ready. 

6. Enjoy. Enjoy the gifts of each moment. 

When you catch yourself worrying about the “what-if’s”, come back to what is. Most of the things we worry about don’t materialize and while our thoughts have taken us into an unlikely future, we’ve missed the beauty of the present. 

Riding through the Rocky Mountains, a mountain stream carrying ash and pine cones appeared alongside the road, in an area ravaged by forest fires. In the middle of blackness and destruction, water rushing over the rocks was already carrying the seeds of new life with it. What a poignant message!

7. Repeat. You will have such an amazing time, you’ll wonder what all the fuss was about. 

You discover a lot about your strengths and shadows on such adventures. Nothing you do is ever wasted time. Experiences become mulch in which the seeds of new growth germinate.  

Little did I know it was the beginning of a whole new life. Looking back, I wouldn’t trade that experience or the intervening years for anything.  

Thank you, Liz! You can find out more about Women, Motorcycles and the Road to Empowerment: Fifty Inspirational Stories of Adventure and Self-Discovery. and where to buy it on her website, and hey, check out this great morning show interview with Liz on Global Toronto. You can also follow the rest of her book tour - I will!

WIN A FREE EBOOK!

Just post a pertinent comment on this blog post between now and 3:00 pm EST Friday May 11, 2012, and Liz will draw randomly from those who post a comment. Do remember that the comments will have to be pertinent the theme of the post – perhaps offering your own story of getting past fear. 

It's my birthday, it's International Female Ride Day, and it's the day I launch my new website, MotoSFO. It's been a blast to develop this site with a community of local rider-riders who share their favorite places in Northern California. I hope you'll ride along with us, my friends. We can't wait to see you here!

MOTOSFO - WHERE LOCALS SHARE THEIR FAVORITE PLACES TO RIDE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, May 4, 2012 -- MotoSFO, a new website devoted to motorcycle touring in Northern California, launches today. The online magazine was created by motorcycle adventure travel writer Carla King, who lives and rides in the San Francisco Bay Area. She developed the site for her Motorcycle Misadventures blog readers who asked for information and advice about motorcycle travel in this very popular tourist destination. The site combines travel stories with maps, resources, news, and events of specific interest to motorcyclists.

The site serves a variety of motorcycle touring styles including the business traveler who has just one day to rent a motorcycle and take in the highlights, the fly-n-ride travelers on the vacation of a lifetime, and motorcyclists on a budget. Recommendations and reviews include hotels, campgrounds, state and national parks, restaurants, motorcycle rentals, repair, events, and gear. The site will also be of interest to local riders who want to break out of their usual weekend groove, says King, who says her team of writers have already surprised her with new information about areas she thought she knew well.

MotoSFO is a team of local riders and writers who live in the region from San Francisco to the Sierras, and Big Sur to the Mendocino Coast. King says that "not only will MotoSFO readers discover our favorite roads, but the quirky tourist destinations that rarely make the guidebooks, our favorite places to eat, to hang out with other riders, and the places we pull out to get the best view. We might take you to a hot springs, or an overlook where you can see elks grazing or elephant seals mating, or a quiet redwood grove where you can be alone." 

Along with King, the initial team of MotoSFO local guides are Lisa Alpine in Mill Valley, Sandy Borden in Davis, Kathy Hensley in Aptos, Cat MacLeod in El Sobrante, Carl Ribaudo in South Lake Tahoe, and Cindi Servante in Novato. At launch, guest bloggers include Christopher Gil of MAD Maps and Issa Breibish of WeLove Motogeo. Find out more about them on the site.

"MotoSFO brings all my favorite activities and areas of expertise together," says King. "It combines motorcycle touring, travel, writing, editing, photography, and web design, all in my favorite place to live and ride in the world, Northern California."  

http://motoSFO.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/motosfo
Twitter: @motosfo

 CONTACT: Carla King | contact@motosfo.com 

I would LOVE to go to this event in the Smoky Mountains, if I were not on the opposite coast! Sigh. But report back... Here's what Christa has to say about it so far, but stay tuned for more developments:

This year will be the biggest Touring Weekend yet, with more tours, the addition of an off-road guided tour, select vendors, seminars by RoadRUNNER editors and vendors, outdoor live music, door prizes, great food, and even vintage motorcycles!

The Touring Weekend is held in memory of RoadRUNNER’s founder Christian Neuhauser. Each year around July 15th, like-minded motorcyclists meet for a long weekend of riding, seminars, and making new friends. The event has been held at a different location, for the past six years, providing great new scenery and roads to enjoy!

Register now to join the fun in Maggie Valley this year.