Hirst

Freedom. Throwing caution to the wind. Oneness with nature. This is how many women are feeling about their motorcycles and they are taking the roads by storm. The notion of women being perceived as backseat ornaments on motorcycles is long past. Women are suiting up all over America and the world to experience the exhilaration that until recently mostly men had the pleasure of experiencing. They're controlling the throttle while their husbands, significant others and men in general are embracing their new found independence.

When it comes to forming motorcycle groups, clubs and organizations, women are setting their own standards. We should reflect on the past and give credit to the rebels who made this possible by defying the norm.

In the 1900's motorized bicycles opened up a new world of adventure for women. Take Dot Robinson who was considered to be a pioneer in the arena of female motorcyclists. Dot won her first trophy in 1930 at the Flint 100 Endurance race. She rode until she was 85. It is estimated that Dot has ridden about a million and a half miles.

Bessie Stringfield also known as "The Motorcycle Queen of Miami" was one of the first African American women to challenge gender and race in this arena. She was known for her "Penny Tours". She would toss a penny onto a map and set out to ride her Harley to that location, which took her all across America. Bessie received her first Harley in 1927 at the age of 16. She joined the Army as a Motorcycle dispatch Rider during World War II. Bessie was inducted in to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2002 subsequent to her death in 1993 at the age of 82.

Let's not forget Adeline and Augusta, the Van Buren Sisters. In 1916 the sisters were the first to climb Pike's Peak a 3,300 mile trip and the first to travel from New York to California on motorcycles.

It was the tenacity, boldness and rebellion of such women that cleared the road for today's women who ride with passion and finesse.

In 1940, Linda Dugeau formed the Motor Mail Organization, which gave women of that era the opportunity to share their experiences with new-found friends.

Today's women are taking the lead, continuing the trend of hitting the open road and even the race tracks, in groups and alone.

As I spoke with Tammy Mullins about her riding experiences, I could tell she embraced motorcycle riding with great passion. As a young kid, Tammy enjoyed taking turns riding a dirt bike with friends. It was something she looked forward to every chance she got. From that point on she became hooked on the idea of riding a motorcycle. During one Christmas holiday, she was deeply disappointed when her brother received a motorcycle and she did not. Her parents were unaware that she had a passion for motorcycles. Over the years, Tammy continued meeting people who rode these two-wheeled wonder machines. For a long time she was a backseat rider which she admits was also a thrill. After years of not knowing how to go about obtaining a license, her husband encouraged her to take the exam. She admits that the exam challenging because "you have to be aware of your surroundings. You're out in the elements and there's no padding around you such as with driving a car." No longer the backseat rider, Tammy owns and rides a Buell Blast made by Harley Davidson, which she loves because "it's loud which allows others to become aware of my presence." Tammy always gravitated toward people with bikes because it represented a sense of freedom and independence.

Driving out in the open, the wind in your hair, feeling oneness with the road is what attracts so many people to motorcycle riding and Tammy's no different. She expresses it as communing with nature, and "it's the best feeling." Her Buell is more of a learning bike for her because she is still fairly new to the world of motorcycle riding.

Women feel a deep sense of independence when riding their bikes that they can't get from driving a car. She would like to see the motorcycle industry cater to women a little more by building bikes with power but less weight and width.

Some dealers are now beginning to take women riders more seriously. It is a growing market for them. Companies like BMW and Suzuki are beginning to design bikes that are tailored to the female physique.

Generally speaking, women have less upper body strength than men and many of them are not as tall as the average male rider. One thing Tammy dreads is picking up her bike if it falls over.

There is a special bond that exists between motorcycle riders. For example, the wave that motorcyclists use when they pass each other; bring your hand down to your left side and point your finger down.

Tammy's husband Jim has been riding motorcycles since about 1975. As a teenager in San Antonio, Texas, he realized he could obtain a license for a motorcycle before obtaining an automobile license and to him this meant freedom, in a different sense. It gave him the opportunity to leave the house without his mother having to chauffer him. His mother was not too pleased about him riding a motorcycle though. He traded his first motorcycle in for a Harley and twenty years later discovered it in a private collection at a motorcycle shop. He regained ownership and plans to restore it. According to Jim, one of the safest motorcycles you can purchase is the BMW.

Early on when Tammy first began riding, Jim accompanied her quite often for safety reasons and to help her gain confidence; but it was also much more enjoyable when riding together.

Jim's view of women riders? If they want to ride, then more power to them. He suggests that first time women riders should purchase a bike that is less expensive and easy to maintain. That's what Tammy has done.

Donna Pfoff on the other hand has always been a backseat rider. It makes her feel alive and as though she's a part of the scenery that surrounds her and her husband as they glide down the road. Her first experience on a motorcycle was an enlightening one but also frightening. When her husband purchased his first Harley, she didn't exactly take to the idea. "Was I supposed to lean when he leaned? Was I to sit absolutely still like I was a mannequin?," she states. As time passed she began to relax and literally sit back and enjoy the ride and the scenery.

When Donna and her husband traveled to vacation spots on their motorcycle, they experienced some of their most glorious rides. One experience she'll never forget she says is when they rode from Cody, Wyoming to the Beartooth Mountains. Standing in the snow at a 12,000 foot elevation was truly breathtaking, scenery you would normally only see in a photograph.

I gather from my conversations with the Mullin's and the Pfoff's that motorcycle riding places you in a completely different state of mind where you gently release your worries and stress as you blend with nature. Who knows, maybe I'll give it a try.

There is a side of motorcycling that must be discussed and that is safety. On motorcycles there is no such thing as a fender bender; the slightest bump will knock you off your bike. As I conversed with Tammy and her husband, they offered a few points about safety.

• Until you become an experienced rider, be careful with acceleration
• Always wear a helmet with a face shield or eye protection
• Wear a heavy protective jacket with padding at the elbows, shoulders and back
• Wear heavy boots that cover the ankles
• Dark clothing is not the best choice, especially if you are riding at night; if you choose to ride after dusk, wear reflective clothing
• Allow tailgaters to pass by slowing down, pulling over and waving for them to pass;

And here are a few more points if you are new to or have an interest in motorcycle riding:

• Take a motorcycle safety course first
• Find friends and/or a mentor who rides
• Consider purchasing a used or less expensive bike

Female motorcycle groups are extremely diverse in age, the style and make of their bikes, their professional and ethic backgrounds, and they range from novice to the seasoned fast-lane race track rider. One thing remains constant, the friendships and the special bonds that bring them together. It's not all about coming together for leisurely rides. While enjoying their new-found freedom and independence, these women are making a difference in their communities. They are participating in charities, donating gifts and riding for causes such as breast cancer. They are forming friendships that enrich their lives and the lives of people around them.

Riding motorcycles is no longer a "man's thing", it's also a "woman's thing" and they're doing it with style. Move over Easy Rider, the ladies have arrived.

Ms. Davis is Founder and Editor in Chief of Exceptional Magazine http://www.exceptionalmag.com, a publication that takes an innovative approach to showcasing some of the worlds most extraordinary people and their accomplishments; revealing why they are successful at what they do and the motivating factors that make them excel. The magazine promotes among people of all socio-economic backgrounds a renewed vision, unity and better living through positive media.

Few men would admit having a small penis because this is the ultimate embarrassment. A small penis is a curse for men, period. It even beats having a receding hairline or being short.

Yes, having a small penis can be a very stressful thing for most men. The psychological problem associated with a small penis acts has prevented many men from forming any kind of friendship that involves a certain level of physical intimacy. Its an ego problem because men are egoistic creatures.

If you have a small penis, you will dread changing in a locker room or going for a swim or any other activities that may "expose" your lack. Worse still, a small penis can affect a man's confidence when seeking a girlfriend because it makes a man ridiculous in the eyes of women.

The obvious adverse impact on both the social and private lives of men (with small penises) is enormous. It is a problem few want to talk about although it affects them the most.

If you have a small penis and it is affecting your life, don't just suffer in silence. There are ways you can handle this troublesome issue so that you can lead a normal and happy life. Here are some suggestions :-

1.) The most often recommended way is to try and get over the small size - accept it and move on. You should ask yourself if a small penis is really that important in life. Is it worth sweating over? Stop comparing yourself with pornstars with big penises. Some men are just born bigger while others are born smaller. There is not point comparing yourself to Tiger Woods if you are into golf. Its just not worth the stress.

2.) If having a small penis is affecting your search for a girlfriend, you can look for the more decent girls, those who don't move around too much. What she doesn't know won't hurt her and ultimately you. I mean size is relative, to a girl who hasn't been around too much, a penis is a penis. If she hasn't seen a bigger one, how can she know yours is small?

3) Look at the other aspects of life. Have confidence that your other qualities will more than make up for a small, pathetic penis. Sex is not the only thing a man can do in life. Once penis size is out of the way, you will teasure friendship and love and realize that size may not matter after all.

However, if you really cannot get over a small penis and it is affecting your daily life seriously, don't fret. All is not lost. Although nature may have given you a raw deal, science can help you get even, so to speak.

You can get bigger and regain your self confidence if you know where to look for help. You can increase your penis size with scientifically proven methods that are safe and work. Lots of men with small penises have benefited from products such as penis traction devices, penis enlarging pills and exercises. You just need to know which products can really the job for you.

Please refer to my author resource box below for a free guide on getting a bigger manhood. You will find which methods and products can help you overcome this embarrassing male problem.

Gary T is the owner of a website which advises men on how to get a bigger penis, AdultPenisGuide.com. Get free ebooks, tips & tricks plus visit this useful blog for male enhancement too.

I had been thinking about buying a car for two years. After another $1000 of repairs on my 1994 Buick Roadmaster (purchased new) with over180,000 miles, it was time. In the past, when I sat in a new car (at dealers and at auto shows), the comfort did not match my Buicks sofa like seat so I put off buying. During the past 24 months I determined the make and model but not the color; thus one Friday my plan was to check the colors at a local dealer. Later, the best price would be obtained via online bidding - a proven way to obtain a competitive price.

After arriving, the salesman took some basic information and asked how much time was available. My response was 15 to 30 minutes. Four hours later, I left without buying because the deal was on a car with the light interior not the dark that was my preference. In retrospect, what transpired in those four hours was a demonstration of classic car sales techniques at their best. This realization came to light a few days later when watching a movie where the sales manager highlighted the tricks of the trade, he gloated on how to manipulate the customer. After the movie, I said: this is exactly what happened to me. Of the 14 techniques used during my four-hour ordeal, all were referenced in the movie (except in the movie a secret microphone captured the conversation between husband and wife after the salesman left the room this did not occur). The amazing thing is that I did not realize the sales tricks during the process. What were the techniques?

First, in the parking lot the salesman turned his back and said follow me to the office and I did. Next, he obtained keys for the model of interest and positioned the car so I could sit in it. Although, I have driven the model before, he insisted it was no problem. After 15 minutes we returned to the office to say goodbye, how naive.

The third technique was offering a deal that could not be refused. He quoted a trade offer two times the value of my car and eight thousand dollars off the list price! My thought, this is too good to be true. My response, need to check with the wife. No problem, he offered the use of his cell phone, technique four, remove obstacles. Now the hook was set, he had a possible buyer. After driving a second car of my preferred color, we were back at the office.

My trade was the next topic. He filled out the paper work to determine the value via an online wholesale system. He offered one thousand more than the value which somehow made me feel good even though it was one thousand less than his first offer. This was trick five. Keeping my keys, trick six.

It was next revealed that the eight thousand discount first quoted was on a demo with 4,000 miles; thus we discontinued negotiations on that car, rather, the focus shifted to the one I just drove. He said they wanted to close the first sale of the day to get things rolling, thus a big discount, trick seven. The next question was what price would close the deal; He asked me to sign on a scratch pad how much I would pay, trick eight. Any amount was ok, if it were unreasonable, he would fight with his manager for me, technique nine, the salesman was on my side.

The manager arrives. He says he would be losing money on this deal, it cost more to produce the car than you are offering. Obviously, unreasonable offers were not acceptable. He then starts the negotiations with the msrp and drops a thousand; our prior negotiations were lost somehow, trick ten. Since the car has more options than requested, a lecture on their value follows. When I request a basic version, the manager actually gets mad implying how much better discount is available with options, trick eleven intimidation. After the manager leaves, the salesman uses trick twelve, ten thousand down with three year payments and list price. This came out of the blue since from the beginning the premise was a cash deal. However, it must be a standard practice.

The manager returned with a better offer, his lowest possible price. Actually he is losing money and will have to take the loss from his department budget, trick thirteen. Technique fourteen, a one-time offer, is highlighted by the question from both sales staff: do we have a deal at this price? By this time, I am not sure if the deal is reasonable since so many numbers have been discussed. The manager places a gong on the table to announce the first deal of the day. I am holding the pen to sign when my gut says no, wait for the exact car - do not compromise on the desired interior; and, do not succumb to these pressure tactics. Somehow I manage to obtain my keys and leave as an exhausted individual.

My story ends when I purchase the exact car I wanted from another dealer at a good but not great price, the negotiation involved an offer and a counter offer via email. Since my nerves were shot; I could not tolerate any more hassle or pressure. If acknowledging these crafty and subtle techniques will make the job of buying a car easier for someone, then my experience has some value.

Jim Johnson, July 2007

Retired person recently purchasing a new car.

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the US today with just under 150,000 new cases diagnosed every year. In addition, each year sees over 50,000 people lose their lives to the illness. But why do people get it? Is there a particular type of person who is at risk? Are there steps you can take to prevent it? In this article well discuss 5 methods that can used successfully to prevent this disease.

1. Lose Weight.

Obesity is associated with a greater risk of developing colon cancer. In studies it was found that the condition occurs much more frequently in those who are obese compared to those who have a healthy weight. A recent study published in the journal Gut showed twice the rate of colon cancer in obese women, as compared to their slimmer sisters. An increased risk is present in men who have a BMI over 30. Abdominal obesity is also thought to be a specific risk factor.

2. Attend regular screenings.

Without a doubt, attending regular colon cancer screenings reduces the risk of developing this illness. Screening allows for the early detection of polyps these are little, fleshy, bulb-like growths in the colon that often lead to cancer. If doctors can detect these early, and remove them, it significantly lowers a persons risk of developing the disease.

3. Be aware of the Age factor.

Age is a big factor in colon cancer as more than 90% of people diagnosed are 50 years or older. If you are over 50, making time for regular colon cancer screening is essential, to enable doctors detect the presence of colon polyps at an early stage. Polyps are an early and harmless form of the disease.

4. Eat a healthy diet.

With a poor diet such as one with low fiber, high cholesterol, fat, and sugary food the incidence of colon cancer is higher. Low dietary fiber in particular, is associated with this, and other forms of bowel disease.

5. Avoid Smoking.

Cigarette smoke is well known to contain carcinogenic chemicals and is associated with cancer. Smoking increases the sizes of polyps in the colon in particular adenomatous polyps, the dangerous kind. Research shows, that the larger the size of the polyp, the greater the chance of developing colon cancer. Numerous studies (including one by Harvard) have shown a link between colon cancer and smoking.

Several other steps exist, to help you prevent colon cancer and enhance colon health. To learn more about these visit: http://www.coloncancerbulletin.com or click here: Colon Cancer

When people want to dress well even when playing basketball or football, the clothes worn have to fit the part. This means wearing something like Fubu, Nike or Reebok instead of some cheap knockoff that will get torn after a few washes.

The quality of the thread used plays a big part in the cost of the shirt. Discounts or sale events only happen when the season is about to end so if the person wants to be in style, the customer has no choice but to pay for it.

Is there no way to get a good bargain? Yes there is because there are sites on the web that buy these from suppliers at wholesale then sell it to people at rock bottom prices.

An example could be a Nike pair of shorts that will cost $24.99 in the sporting goods store. Believe it not, these same item can be purchased off the internet for just $8.99. This means the customer can almost get three items for the price of one.

Things like these are considered to be a good bargain and those who want it will just have to give the credit card details and once approved, the company will have this prepared and delivered to the clients home in a few days.

There is another reason why many people are using online wholesale websites aside from the price. The individual can go online anytime since the store is open 24 hours a day seven times a week so there wont be any pressure in looking over any time before deciding to purchase it.

Though there might be a problem with the fitting, this can be avoided by going into a store and fitting a similar item.

Online sites dont only sell clothes but other items as well. If the customer is satisfied with the matching top and bottom, there are also sports accessories such as socks, shoes and bags that can be taken to the gym, court or field.

Being fashionable doesnt always mean shelling out a lot of money as long as there are online stores that are able to buy these and sell it at discounted prices. The person will just have to find it in the Internet to be able to look and feel good instead of waiting for few months to pass when these retailers go for the end of season sale.

Low Jeremy maintains http://sports-apparel.articlesforreprint.com This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included.