Some pics around Colorado.

BMW of Denver - great stop - oil change, coolant and a new front tire. Loved the peeps here. 

The mountains are huge in Colorado...and quite beautiful.

Hoosier Pass.

Breckenridge, CO

Sunrise in Breckenridge. 

Met Christina almost 15 years ago in Glens Falls. We moved to Glens Falls around the same time and kept running into each other. One day at a Chamber lunch - we finally said hello. We both had lived in Manhattan for some time and we appreciated each other's glasses. Next month she and Alan will marry at their home. It was great to stay there 2 nights.

Motorcycles Use EXTREME Caution

How many times have you stopped doing something because you were unsure or filled with uncertainty or fear? 

How do you consistently move through something with the constant of said, fear?

Out on the road on 2 wheels, you feel everything. And everything is way different from a car. From smells, to sights, to challenging your mind and to your heart opening. When you are in a car on the highway moving at 80 mph, you don’t necessarily feel the wind a truck produces in front of you or when a car passes you. I can tell you, when I’m just about to pass a truck - I can literally feel the air, that the huge truck on my right is splitting in front of us. It’s kind of crazy.

Hoosier Pass in Colorado. Loved my time here.

So when there is road construction and all these orange signs start to appear- the signals are clear - be prepared, "something" is just ahead. Will there be uneven lanes? loose gravel? unpaved roads? did you ever notice a sign that says, "Motorcycles use caution”. When I see this sign, there is a deep tightening of my entire body, my hands are gripping the handlebars hard, my mouth tenses, my heart drops into my stomach…it really is not a feel good situation for me. I’ve seen so many orange construction signs that it struck me when I came across the latest one…"Motorcycles Use EXTREME Caution". I've never seen an extreme caution sign before...therefore it was natural that my body was reacting in an extreme way. And that's when I noticed what I was experiencing. 

My mind wondered, which it does excessively on a 6-8 hour motorcycle ride without radio or music. It's at some moment in the ride I asked what if I just relaxed every time I saw an orange sign. Is this the opportunity I've been searching for to work on breath, relaxation and mindfulness? The irony of the construction zone sign - did not pass me by.

I made it to Denver, Breckenridge, Frisco, Vail, Glenwood Springs, Grand Mesa Pass and now Paonia. I’m tenting with 500 other BMW riders (well some are at hotels too). We are tenting in the middle of this beautiful town park. Last night it cooled down - so it made sleeping pretty awesome. Well as good as a first night of camping sleep can be.

There are plenty of male riders at these Rally’s - some are a lot of fun - and some not so. The women are always interesting. Met another solo woman rider last night - she lives in Vail, has a boyfriend in Georgia and regularly crosses the USA solo on her motorcycle. We were going to ride today - but I needed a rest day. My eye is completely swollen and not liking the wind at all. I’m fairly certain the sun and the wind at 80 mph has not been good for it.

Sitting around the tent, in my camp chair, with my laptop - writing, thinking, resting, talking with my neighbor, watching people roll in and set up their tents. One of the vendors is smoking some meat - looks and smells delish. Will def be eating there tonight. Embracing this moment for what it is…a gift. 

Relaxing. Writing. 

My neighbor. Enjoying the company and the day together.

A fellow just walked by - met him earlier - old navy man (have met a number of vets) - he’s been very nice. He mentioned he knows one of the locals that has some nice botanicals…he said he will stop by later. I’m down with that, I like the locals. 

Riding a motorcycle definitely adds a layer of cool for both men and women. I have met so many people from all walks of life - digging the chance to meet, talk and share life.

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So how does one move through the fear?

Keep the constant vision of what it feels like to be on the other side of it. Wear it, breathe it and believe it.   

This post is dedicated to all the women who are solo riding. I have loved meeting each one and soaking in their enthusiasm, inspiration and their sense of adventure. 

As seen at the largest truck stop on I80.

Welcome to Colorful Colorado!

Scenes From The Rally

Bringing people together to create community is one of the most important things we can do. I love being a part of this community. I've met some of the nicest people - and where ever I went - I made some new friends. Some random shots from around the rally....

Todd was my welcoming committee. He was a really fun guy and a highlight for me.

There were about 4600 people at the rally!

I volunteered to sell 50/50 raffles. Was a great way to meet peeps and raise some money for a children's cancer charity. 

The irony...had to walk around a mostly male rally asking for a screw - it was missing from my hand guard Ha! I did find one. 

I parked next to 2 twin bikes. Later on, I met the owners - who turn out to be twins too - Rick and Ron. It was truly by coincidence that they bought the same color bike. 

She was very cool. She was facilitating a women's meet and greet session. It was a good turn out and a wonderful opportunity for women to network and ask any question! Fun.

Holly is 73 and she has travelled all over the world. She mostly travels solo and loves it. Really loved meeting her and hearing about her tips for travel. Especially one in Europe. I'm on it.

Just when I thought I haven't seen another bike like mine, I found this one. Each bike is special.

Not Tenting It.

A few years ago, cousin Beth and I took a hiking/camping essentials class over a weekend at the Adirondack (ADK) Mountain Club Heart Lake property near Lake Placid, NY. It was conducted by the ADK 46'ers, a volunteer group of real outdoor people - all of whom have hiked the 46 high peaks in the ADK Park. (fyi...highest peak in NYS is Mount Marcy - somewhere near 5k.) This class was about raising awareness of how to prepare for hiking in the mountains. When you are miles in - you are in some remote places - there is no cell service and you really need to prepare properly. It was a great weekend, we tented (Yes!), we met some great people, and we learned a lot.

One of the most important things I learned...it's OK to abandon the destination. Let me explain.

When you're on ground level (before you start your trip), everything may seem so lovely and the weather is just simply gorgeous. When you start trekking into the mountains and you get further away from your normal, things can change both slowly and rapidly. There are some things you control and there are some you can't (God give me the wisdom to know the difference). Most important is to be aware. Aware of what is happening not only around you but within you too.

What happens too many times, we become so hyper-focused on the destination we forget to pay attention to the details. I must make it up this mountain...it becomes a mantra. I must make it to the top, I must make it to the top, I must make it to the top, I must make it to the top. All the while, you don't notice the clouds coming in, or the lack of water, or that there is ice forming as you enter the higher elevations, your trip is taking longer than expected and you don't have a headlamp to walk you out at night, etc. Now you may understand more, I must make it up the mountain becomes the danger as you are unaware of the red flags. And because of this, you may place other people in danger too. They may have to share their limited resources with you or you may need to be rescued.

That weekend pounded this lesson into my brain. Be aware and be strong to embrace "abandon the destination". It is not easy to do. Ego is never easy.

If you read an earlier post, you know I went over to the campground and set up my tent. I met up with some great guys and gals - all of whom are tough! And kind of awesome. I really wanted to be one of them. Something started happening to me yesterday...I had been sweating profusely, literally dripping down my body type of sweating, and I felt as if my body was starting to break down. I've been drinking so much freakin' water it's ridiculous that when I finished my 64 ounces of water and felt as if I was still so parched and had to find more water immediately - it was a sign I started to pay attention too. This was after a major allergy attack began a few hours earlier, my breathing seemed to be altered and my eye started to swell. It was after the water incident that I thought to myself..."how many signs do you need Sloan to abandon the destination?".

I really wanted to tent. I went to great lengths to prepare to tent. My mantra was "I am tenting at the BMW MOA rally in Iowa". In my mind, it is a rite of passage...an honor. I wanted to be a part of the hard core group that tents...anytime anywhere especially in 95 degree weather. I can do it. I just drove 1,000 miles to Des Moines, I am going to tent!

I felt so bad about this decision, I couldn't even tell the guys that I was abandoning ship - I had to go back to the hotel. I did kind of laugh though when preparing to leave the campsite...I said to myself, "I'm riding solo and I don't have to explain shit to anyone." I closed up my tent, suited up, and put my badass self on my badass bike and drove back to my badass 4 story walkup hotel. I did smile all the way home as all I could think of was the cool air conditioning, the clean shower, and a beautiful comfy bed that awaits me.

When I climbed into bed, I know I made the right decision, for me.

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In the morning....
Jill, another solo woman rider, got in yesterday and I helped set up her tent. We connected via Facebook before the rally and plan to drive out to Colorado together. I texted her last night to let her know, I abandoned ship and there is a second bed in the room - if she needed it - it would be there for her. She texted me at 5.36 am this morning - "I may take you up on your offer." It was a hot one last night.

Final words, this AM at breakfast, I met Valerie, another solo woman rider who is teaching an off roading class at the Rally. She's been riding for 40 years and she's from Colorado. She too brought tenting gear and basically said - it is absolutely insane to tent in this weather. It kind of made me feel really good. I like Valerie and I think Jill is taking her class this AM too. Funny how things work out. 

Tenting It.

So I did extend out the hotel through the weekend...it's really hot, it's supposed to rain, and truth be told - I was really unsure what I'd find at the Iowa State Fairgrounds and what the tenting situation would look like. So I hedged the options - went to grab a site and held onto the hotel room. Not ideal - but hey, why not.

I made it over to the fairgrounds - registered - and promptly set up my tent. I met Todd - who has been there since Tuesday night and he was sitting on a bench - waiting. Waiting for arrivals to  watch everyone set up their tent. He was really funny - and took some pics while I set up camp. Turns out - was unable to cancel my hotel reservation for tonight but will move out of the hotel tomorrow morning (Thursday) and become a fixture at camp. Signed up to volunteer tomorrow morning selling some charity tickets - great way to meet peeps. Just being around so many BMW motorcyclists is kind of amazing...will post more pics when I can.

Found a nice shady spot.

Had to add those guy lines!

Mattress pad.

Found the fish! Ha. Todd brought this on his bike. BTW, check out the rig in the back right - they have an air conditioner!

Love seeing all these motorcycles.

Just getting started with the tents. It will get larger!

Yippee!