Cycle World's "TWIST"

To promote motorcycling as an economical, fun, safe and environmentally responsible mode of transportation, Cycle World recently introduced TWIST (Two-Wheel Inspired Secondary Transportation). This online resource is a good starting place for newbies and re-entry riders to shop for starter/commuter-friendly bikes and scooters.

The website includes a tool to "ask an expert," a link to a related Facebook community, and motorcycle test articles. www.cycleworld.com/twist

Ride to Work Day - June 15

The June 15 national grass-roots effort is more relevant than ever. Motorcycles and scooters are a great way to save some green while being more environmentally green. Just the thought of two-wheel commuting can make the work day more pleasant. You arrive to work with a smile and throughout the day have the ride home to look forward to. What a pleasant thought. When I worked for a large, mad ad agency, I would sometimes restore my balance by peering out a ninth floor window to imagine myself on an adventure, riding one of the motorcycles parked below.

Motorcycles and scooters really can help reduce traffic congestion, economic, and ecological troubles if more people ride to work. With gas prices inexplicably rising again, the economic rationale to ride to work is more compelling.

While motorcycle population is growing (up 19 percent from 2003 to 2008), less than 10 percent American households rode a bike last year. Ride to work and introduce motorcycles to your colleagues.

Have you got an interesting commuting adventure story. Post it here now.

Postie Bike Challenge

Can you speak Australian? This outback adventure, Brisbane to Melbourne, concludes with the voluntary donation of the Honda CT110 "postie" bike you ride for the 9 day, 3,000km trip. The light-weight 4-stroke 110cc machine, designed for commercial and agricultural use, is used by the Australia Post. Rather than being herded around in a tour-like fashion, riders are encouraged to travel at their own pace, using route maps and route markers. October 3-12, 2009. www.postiebikechallenge.org

"One Week" - the movie

What would you do if you learned you had "stage 4" cancer?

Ben Tyler (Joshua Jackson), buys a vintage Norton on impulse and embarks on an ill-defined cross-country trip on the renowned Trans Canada Highway before returning to Toronto to take his medicine. Ben has a strange desire to visit all of Canada's "World's Biggest" monuments, which tend to be ridiculous, giant statues of random objects. He meets two significant people along the way, who show him the meaning of their lives.

I know from experience that the Trans Canada Highway make for fantastic riding. A great route for adventure and self-exploration, even if you aren't dying soon.

This small indy movie is currently showing in Canada only. But you can see the movie trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14RGvWQzC6I

2009 AMA BMW National Adventure Riding Series

Aimed at big-bore adventure bikes, the AMA BMW National Adventure Riding Series features weekend events, with one-day rides optional, where riders come together miles and miles of primo two-track. Event includes detailed route sheets of some of the greatest roads and trails in the country, some also include evening activities. The series is open to street-legal bikes of all makes and sizes. The Series kicks off April 18-19 in Bybee, Tenn. The schedule includes California, Ohio, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Washington, North Carolina, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, New Jersey, Alabama and Arizona. A regularly updated schedule is available at http://www.amadirectlink.com/roadride/adv/

"SPOT" Satellite Messenger

While visiting BMW Motorcycles of Detroit, I learned that mechanic extraordinaire, Don Lusk, was on a motorcycle excursion in Central America. Equipped with a SPOT satellite messenger, he is able to periodically report his location, allowing friends to track his progress using Google Maps.
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0iO5pLdD1QpvTHlfrcAD29eca1PyrqZSz

SPOT features include a 9-1-1 emergency alert function and "Ask for Help" to instead request help from friends and family. Aside from the safety and security this product could afford a rider, it might be of some comfort to loved ones thousands of miles away to know you've got it.

Uber Excursionist: Nick Sanders

Nick Sanders has traveled around the world seven times. Remarkably, the last four circumnavigations were accomplished on a Yamaha R1. He estimates that he has ridden 150,000 miles on R1s, across every imaginable kind of terrain. Says he likes the crouched, fetal position.

His last global circumnavigation, undertaken on an R1, is chronicled in his book and 3 volume DVD "Parallel World." He traveled solo across 41 countries and over 35,000 miles in less than five months!

Feeling adventurous? Nick, a renowned tour guide, is taking bookings for Timbuktu 2009. The trip entails riding across Northern and North Central Africa. Excuse yourself from work and go! To learn more: http://www.nicksanders.com/