Femmoto 2006 - Gettin' Dirty in Las Vegas

[rocketbunny]

Every October, hundreds of female motorcyclists from across North America gather at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for Femmoto.

Femmoto is a female-only demo track day. Besides being able to ride on a track without pressure from testosterone-poisoned riders, participants get to try out many different kinds of motorcycles. The manufacturers get to market to a quickly growing riding segment with special desires and learn how they can better cater to those needs.

Manufacturers bringing demo bikes this time included Kawasaki, Buell, Ducati, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, and Kymco. See the Femmoto website for a full list of sponsors.

Having done the demo track day last year, I decided to try the MSF dirt course offered as an alternative. Carolyn (Bluepoof, from CA), Kristina (Krismark, from IN), and Yosh (Stargzrgrl, from IL) from Sport-Touring.Net also decided to get *dirty*. While we certainly bantered frequently on the internet, it had been a year since I’d met Kristina at the last Femmoto, and several months since I’d seen Carolyn or Yosh. I was very excited about spending time with them in the flesh.


Friday, October 6, 2006

The weekend began auspiciously.

I got to the airport in plenty of time to enjoy a Starbucks soy mocha before boarding the plane, where I was seated next to a guy who had never flown before. We had a few spots of very bumpy turbulence coming into Las Vegas. I love turbulence. I wonder if the newbie was encouraged by my obvious enjoyment or couldn’t wait to get away from the laughing maniac?

The trick with Las Vegas is to take a private shuttle service from the airport to your hotel. Kiosks outside baggage claim sell tickets (around $10 roundtrip). I’ve had fast shuttles and slow shuttles, depending on the number of travelers on the shuttle. I was the 2nd person off in this case, arriving at the Sahara hotel around 3pm, only to find that Yosh had given me an incorrect cell phone number. I called Carolyn to get the correct number and found out that she and Kristina would be delayed several hours. This left me plenty of time to cool my heels while waiting for Yosh to get back from a dirt bike gear shopping spree.

Carolyn showed up while Yosh and I were *enjoying* a light snack of nachos and a green sour-cream mixture masquerading as guacamole. The three of us had liquid refreshment, reminisced, and tried not to deserve too many dirty looks from occupants of nearby tables.

Kristina finally arrived, swooping through the porte cochere in a pimpin’ Taurus with leather and gps. After a short-lived attempt to roll over my foot, she settled down to merely scaring us while we drove out to pre-registration at the track. Let’s just say that I’ll never again view the friendly admonishment “Drive Safely!” the same way (especially when the marquee blinds the driver right before she needs to make a sharp right turn). And there was much screaming.

Having experienced the *grand tour* of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway last year, we had a good idea of where to find the motorcycle pit area this time. After ascertaining that we had missed pre-registration by fifteen minutes, we headed back to the casino for dinner and bed.

Crappy cell phone pic 0f the four of us together. Left to right: Kristina, Carolyn, Becca, Yosh.

Carolyn modeling her new shiny boxers

 

[rocketbunny]

Saturday, October 7, 2006

Saturday morning was a whirlwind of activity trying to get four women out of bed and to the track by 7am. With dusty conditions in mind, none of us took showers before getting into our gear and guzzling mochas from the café in the Sahara’s lobby.

The shuttle over to the dirt course was a little late, so we hung out at the track rider’s meeting until it arrived. We smiled to hear the “Dirt? Whoa, they’re brave.” comments as we strutted from the meeting area to the shuttle.

Yosh reviewing the pit area

Waiting for the festivities to start

Kawasaki had a huge trailer and awning set up at the motocross track with several bright green dirt bikes and dual sports of various sizes lined up in front. We sat down for introductions after everyone had been outfitted with dirt bike helmets, goggles, and gloves.

Kristina checking out the Kawis

Green Machines

I struggled to keep my jaw from dropping as the coaches rattled off their decades riding and competitions won.

Part of our instruction crew...Bonnie, Charity Okerson, Tania Satchwell, Mercedes Gonzalez-Natvig, and I don't know the last lady's name. (Photo Credit – Krismark)

With six students in the Saturday morning MSF dirt class, the student:teacher ratio was 1:1. We split off into two groups. With no dirt bike experience, I went for the more beginner of the two.

Over the next few hours we went through several exercises from the MSF Dirt playbook.

First we just rode around the laid out arena to get a feel for the bikes, practicing starting and stopping. With a baseline for our skill levels, the coaches taught body positioning and braking.

Counterbalancing was next (the act of pushing the bike into the turn while keeping weight on top (or to the outside). I was quickly amazed at my ability to actually trust tires on dirt, leaning my lightweight 125cc over far more than I ever remember leaning my R1200ST.

After learning about body positioning while standing on the pegs, we rode in impossibly tight circles. I think I finally understand why experienced dirt riders laugh at newbies who think the DMV circles are too tight to ride around.

Standing on the pegs was effective for getting around tight turns, but I tired quickly of the unaccustomed position. I was adequate at slaloming through tightly placed cones, but when the cones were offset too far to take sitting, I had trouble keeping off my seat long enough to get through the course.

The best part of the class came at the end, when the coaches led us on a little 15 minute trail ride through the Motocross track. We rode through mud, sand, gravel, washboard, up steep hills, down *cliffs*, and generally managed to have a blast. The brief ride helped me mentally pull together all that I had learned during the class.

I think that my street experience helped get me through parts of the class. I already knew about turning my head to LOOK where I want to go from street riding. That was very important when going around the tight circle. My street-bike learned reflex of letting my bent elbows flex as shock absorbers and staying loose to go over obstacles helped make the washboard area fun.

One moment that sticks in my mind was going through a muddy area. The coach rode her bike to the side of visible mud. I followed her, but freaked when my rear wheel squirmed around. On the next lap of the course, I was ready for the temporary but harmless squirming and had no problems. After the ride, the coach who was sweeping commented that she'd noticed my improvement in that area.

Trail ride

Trail Ride on the Motocross track

I did a double-take during a water break when what looked like one of the official track photographers addressed me by name. Jason (Slingshot) from Sport-Touring.net had arrived at the track with his HUGE camera while we were doing our exercises. I had met him at the National in West Virginia last June.

Now that I've got some dirt riding under my belt, I'm eager to get some more seat time. I'm sure that the more I ride in dirt, the more comfortable I'll feel in loose situations on my street-bike. Hmmm - maybe the CB350 needs to acquire some knobbies?

We rode the shuttle back to the paved track for lunch and then loitered in the pit area for an hour before heading back to the hotel.

Kristina and I 2-up on a Kymco

Carolyn, Kristina, and I decided to walk downstairs for Daiquiris on the pool-deck before showering. We spent a few minutes in the huge spa and relaxed on lounge chairs.

After time spent primping for the Femmoto Banquet, Carolyn convinced me to join her at the blackjack tables. I've never gambled before, but decided that I could afford to budget $50 for a few hours of entertainment at the $5 tables. I probably drove the dealer batty with my constant questions about which actions to take.

The banquet included a catered dinner and women's gear fashion show by Hein Gericke, Icon, and Ducati. The hall was freezing, so we drank lots of coffee attempting to keep warm.

At the banquet

Afterward, I watched Carolyn, Yosh, and Jason play blackjack while attempting to keep my eyes open. We headed back to the room early; Yosh and Kristina needed to be up early to get to the track for the Sunday trackday.

 

[rocketbunny]

Sunday, October 8, 2006

We were back at the track at 7AM on Sunday morning so Yosh and Kristina could select motorcycles for their track day. Carolyn and I had flights out that afternoon, but we wanted to be there to watch and take pictures.

Kristina & Carolyn in line to choose bikes

Kristina & Yosh at the riders' meeting

Yosh prepping for her first session - Breakfast of Champions!

Yosh and Kristina cooperated by riding on the same track (there were two) for the two sessions before lunch. Carolyn, Jason (Slingshot) and I found some good vantage points for pictures.

Jason's pictures: http://s29.photobucket.com/albums/c280/redfury93/femoto2006/
Carolyn's pictures: http://www.bluepoof.com/pics/october06/100806-femmoto/

For the first session, Yosh was on a Buell something-or-other (technical term) and Kristina was on her coveted orange Ulysses. They rode on Track 1, with lots of straights and tight turns.

Grr!

Kristina fastening her helmet

Kristina on the Ulysses

Yosh leading on the Buell

Kristina

Kristina

 

[rocketbunny]

In the second session, both Kristina and Yosh were on Kawasaki Ninja 650s. They rode on Track 2, which has more smooth sweeping turns. Both Kristina and Yosh later said that they preferred Track 2.

Jason and Yosh - nana...Femmoto is for Girls!

Yosh in neon leathers on a Ninja 650

Yosh leading the pack

Kristina on a Ninja 650

Yosh leading Kristina

Time passed quickly watching the riders on the track. Before long, it was time for Jason to drive me and Carolyn back to the hotel to get our luggage for the flights home.

If they still offer the MSF Dirt course next year, I think I'll do the Saturday track day, and then Sunday morning dirt session.

A few more of my pictures and 3 movies of Kristina and Yosh on the track are posted at http://www.rocketbunny.net/uploads/Femmoto2006/Femmoto2006.html

Some on track pictures of me at Femmoto2005 are posted here

I'm definitely going to be at Femmoto2007. How about you?

 

[scratch]

Nah. No funds for a sex-change operation.



Looks like ya'll had a great time. Any more thoughts about the bikes you got to ride?

 

[dbdolan]

Good stuff Becca, glad to see you enjoyed yourself in the dirt. Looks ya'll had a blast in Vegas, I miss that place.

 

[Dirtrideroader]

Nah. No funds for a sex-change operation.

Oh come on, you can fake it!

 

[mlinkibikr]

That looks like a blast ! Some girls have all the fun ...

Dave.

 

[Red5]

Wait a sec, you girls actually get your own umbrella boys??! It's Fabio to the rescue

I wouldn't mind taking one of those Buell Firebolts out on the track.

 

[Tourmeister]

Does this mean you will be buying a DS bike? That class looks like it was awesome! Thanks for the report!

 

[Squeaky]

Does this mean you will be buying a DS bike?

It won't be long. She's a dirty girl now!

 

[Redd]

It looks like you had such a great time!! I looked into going this year, but never got around to it (mostly b/c of my lack of funds). Maybe next year!!!

 

[Faylaricia]

I'm definitely going to be at Femmoto2007. How about you?

Gosh, I am so kicking myself that this year didn't work out but I am definitely planning on it for next year.

 

[scratch]

Oh come on, you can fake it!

You've obviously never seen me in pumps and a skirt. Sadly, it's just not very convincing.

 

[Dirtrideroader]

You've obviously never seen me in pumps and a skirt. Sadly, it's just not very convincing. QUOTE]

What about that time down at the West Alabama Ice House?

Get the feeling they are just ignoring us? That is ok, I am used to it. 24 year of marriage does have it's advantages.

So, when is the "Men Only" Track day organized in this manner? Dirt School one day and Track day the next? On a weekend. Sign me up. In another 5 weeks anyway...

 

[Earthpilot]

Good for you going to that event - I have known Tania Satchwell since she came to the US from New Zealand, glad to see she is working those types of events with Mercedes. Tania will be here in Texas racing at two events in November- she is VERY fast!
Looks like the dirt course was setup in the retention area next to the Speedway where they have the World Mini GP every April.
Now get back out in the dirt soon!

 

[scratch]

What about that time down at the West Alabama Ice House?

Honey, that'll always be our special little secret.

(we really should stop it with the hijack )

 

[Faylaricia]

You've obviously never seen me in pumps and a skirt. Sadly, it's just not very convincing.

What about that time down at the West Alabama Ice House?

Honey, that'll always be our special little secret.

(we really should stop it with the hijack )

Hey, we had that topic last week at Bike Night. You really shouldn't miss Bike Nights, Paul.

 

[scratch]

Touche' !

 

[Cricket]

Glad you had a good time At Femmoto.

I like how you describe the mud and letting the rear tire get lose. So the big question did it help you with your street riding?

 

[stinky93071]

funny how small the MC crowd is, I know some of them from STN..

 

[Lil Squid]

Excellent writeup! I've been wondering what that event was like. Maybe I'll join you next year if I can get hubby to babysit

Yuliya