everythings more texan in texas

~Amanda Terranova

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Read more about why I chose The Wounded Warrior Project

"Hey Bulldog"

 I stopped by NPRDucati to pick up some donations for the Wounded Warrior fundraiser this afternoon. It happened to be a demo day... (how convenient right?). After a half of second consideration, I decided to try  the new Monster 1200 (the other tempting option was the Panigale 899, saved for another day ;)

The Monster 1200 on demo day at NPRDucati

 I spend a lot of time on my bike, and I haven't ridden a large number of bikes, so I was a little concerned that I would not ride well. Luckily, the Monster was well trained (and powerful) and she took care of me :) The placement and shape of the tank makes it seem HUGE when you look down on it. It was a good reminder of the power, but it didn't fit well with my long legs. The tank bulged where my legs wanted to rest flat against the tank.

 I left the shop and found a few comfortable, familiar roads. On Malcolm Bridge Rd I passed a small truck where I discovered the difference in power between my Multi and the Monster. Wellington will pick and pass a vehicle pretty quick, but not that quick... not nearly that quick.  I kept it easy through Rays Church Rd (where I found a hilarious and slightly offensive church sign- how am I still surprised by these distasteful signs after so many years in the south?), to Hillsboro Rd, Snows Mill... The Monster was really easy, light and fast through the curves; I didn't have to work hard at all. Turning onto Hwy 78 to head back to the shop

 I nailed the throttle, and discovered  that I was happy to have the bulges on the side of the tank AND what it felt like to ride a wheelie-- coming out of second gear. I bet my smile was a mile wide under my helmet. My Multi just doesn't have the power to do something like that, and thank heaven. Rolling the Monster's throttle put me at WAY-TOO-FAST in second and third. I don't need that speed or power. It was fun. Indescribably, incredibly, indiscriminately fun.

 I forgot how much the wind pulls on you when your bike is missing a windshield. If you want to talk to Paul about test riding the Monster or other Ducs you can contact him here. Paul, I don't think its the right bike for my father. One day I will find one that suits him, but that the 2014 Monster 1200 isn't the one.

I'm off to the islands for the rest of the weekend! Ya'll have fun at Twilight :)



~Amanda Terranova
Follow me on G+: Amanda Terranova
Facebook: FromTheRefuge
Twitter: FromTheRefuge
Youtube: Amanda Terranova

Read more about why I chose The Wounded Warrior Project

           

More Info:
NPRDucati Address: 4071 Mars Hill Rd, Bogart GA 30622

Springtime in Athens

Pastures of Rose Creek 

  There is so much going on in Athens this Saturday--- luckily, the weather is supposed to be an idyllic 75 degrees and sunny :) Okay, so..... The farmer's markets are back!!!! Nowadays farmer's markets aren't just for veggies.  You can find local cheesemakers, soaps, baked goods, flowers... You can buy locally produced meat, I could go on and on. With so many options, farmer's markets are a  fantastic way to support your neighbors and your community. I personally like to pick up a loaf of bread from Cast Iron Bakery. Their bread is dense, and travels well in my motorcycle bag. So when I leave The Refuge in the morning, I wrap up a little cheese to eat with it (so I don't have to choose between starving and spending money on fried fast food). Also, my friend Will Powers usually has delicious grass fed beef (that I HIGHLY RECOMMEND) from his farm, Pastures of Rose Creek, at the Oconee market.  Athens Farmers Market at Bishop Park opens 8a-noon this Saturday (and next Wednesday at City Hall from 4p-7p). Oconee's Farmer's Market starts April 5th as well, with Saturday and Tuesday markets in downtown Watkinsville. There are several other local markets... in Washington, Bishop (the tiny town just south of Athens), I'm sure there are others, please let me know about them.

 Also spring related, Plantapalooza is this Saturday. Plantapalooza three location plant sale. They are located at the Trial Gardens at UGA, State Botanical Garden of Georgia, and UGA's Horticulture club. According to the website you can collect discount stamps at each location to be used at local nurseries (for up to 15% off total). "What makes this event so special is the variety of traditional and unique plans that you would have difficulty finding anywhere else - plus access to horticulture professors, garden curators and master gardeners to answer questions and help with your selections." (quote from the Bot Garden site).  AND if you're really a garden nerd, the 17th annual Old-Timey Heirloom Seed Swap, in Crawford, GA, is Saturday, 1p-6p, at 10 Legacy Rd. I am putting it on my calendar for next year because I already have plans for this Saturday....

This Saturday afternoon I will be at NPRDucati's Monster 1200 unveil party (1p to 5p). I saw the new beauty at the shop yesterday (when I stopped by to fix my license plate- read about that mildly amusing debacle here). So come by, enjoy a beer (or other refreshment ;), and talk shop with me while ogling (oogling?) and drooling over the sexiness that is Ducati's new Monster. I am very excited to take it on a test drive. I will fill you in on my opinion after I get to ride her. 

Finally, holy pollen count Batman! I drove through a yellow haze on my way to work this morning. It's been a while since I've seen anything like that. Onto slightly less irritating things (pun intended), I've started honking and making obnoxious gestures at people I catch texting and driving. Its easiest on four lane highways, and hopefully no one will go road-rage on me. Mostly, people just put their phone down and try to not look embarrassed. I understand it is difficult not to text and drive (to be fair, I must admit guilt here as well). But I ask you to try-pretty please with a cherry on top- to put your phone down and watch the road. Because if you hit me on my bike (because you don't see me) the chances are fairly good that you will kill me.

 There's a lot of other things going on in Athens this weekend. As in tonight there is a benefit for MyAthens at The GA Theatre, followed by a show featuring The Whiskey Gentry, Radiolucent, and The Defibulators.

 You can view a Google Calendar I use to keep track of the events I want to attend, organized here: Upcoming Events Calendar.  As always, feel free to contact me with ideas for places for me to visit, suggestions... or help me by drawing my attention to typos ;)

~Amanda Terranova

Other useful info:
Seed Swap article 
Bishop Park Address: 705 Sunset Dr, Athens, GA 30606
NPRDucati Address:  4071 Mars Hill Rd, Bogart, GA 30622

My traveling partner

 While talking to a family friend about my upcoming trip he asked that I consider riding for a charity. (The idea being that I convince people to donate a certain amount per mile or a flat amount upon the completion of my trip.) Needless to say, I love this idea. I have a specific charity in mind, but they said I needed to wait for their approval from them for my event before I announce.

My traveling buddy, Margie

Two things while we wait to hear from them... First, I bought a HUGE folding map to take on our trip. Sadly, it probably wont work for navigating because it just doesn't have enough detail. They left out the old forgotten highways that are great for motorcycles :/  Rather than giving this map as a loss, we started using it to catalog couches (or spare bedrooms if we're lucky) of people we know across the country. I'm sure we will be camping some, but it will be nice to visit old friends with whom can share laughs, and spare bedrooms. Also, who knows what kind of trouble two motorcycle chicks will get into, and it always helps to have people nearby to lend a helping hand. I will let ya'll know when I find a good map (or maps). So far I like http://www.motorcycleroads.us/index.html, but I would really prefer something we can hold , spill coffee on, cross out the out bad roads, and tear accidentally, you get the idea... I love maps, I will probably keep it as the memento of my trip.

Taking a break on a recent trip

Secondly, I finally get to introduce Margie, the extraordinary woman who will be my partner-in-crime for this trip.  I love Margie because she is open minded and tough, She is one of the strongest women I know, second only to my mother (ily Mom!). I'm learning how to be a badass with a feminine touch from Margie.

Margie on the racetrack, yes...
the racetrack.... ON HER DUCATI
RACE BIKE. 

I barely had my license when she introduced me to the Tail of the Dragon. There's nothing like 318 turns in 11 miles to encourage bonding ;) I find Margie to be generous, giving, generally in good spirits, and she makes me feel at home with her dry sense of humor.  Most importantly, she has invested a lot of time in me and I am grateful for her friendship. She races a 2006 Ducati Super sport SS1100ie and her daily traveller is a 2010 Ducati Hypermotard EvoSP (like I said-- she's a badass). 

Margie and I (and a few others) at
2012 Women's Sportbike Rally, Tail of the Dragon.

 We had lunch the other day to discuss logistics. Looks like we will be heading south on May 17th with NPRDucati  on their Annual Shrimp and Grits Run so we can Start and End on opposite coasts.  A few of the places we plan to hit: the Devils Highway, the Grand Canyon; I want to see those giant trees in California (some of the sequoias are 3000 years old!!!), and drink some local wine. Margie and I may split up on the west coast while she visits some family and I go off on my own for a day or two, but we haven't figured any of that out yet.

Hopefully, I information to share on the charity by the end of the week! As always, if you have a suggestion to help me with maps (or want to share a road we need to ride on our trek) please leave a comment below!

~Amanda Terranova