Want to improve your motorcycle riding skills? Judy Mirro is putting the final touches on the 2010 Women’s Riding School (WRS) event. This years event is Friday July 23, 2010 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire.
Judy has agreed to share some great riding tips with us in the near future. But right now, the WRS volunteers are focused on putting the final touches on the annual event.
Take a look at the video below. It sounds like a great learning experience… and a whole lot of fun!
I caught up with Judy and asked her a few more questions:
David: What are the general details for the event?
Judy: Young and old, new and experienced – the Women’s Riding School (WRS) aims to educate. The actual school event is Friday July 23, 2010 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon New Hampshire. We hold our Meet-N-Greet dinner party the evening before the event – this year, on July 22 at the Red Roof Inn in Loudon. Of course, there is social networking and prize give-aways that help make the event a blast.
David: What motorcycles are allowed? Are motorcycles available to rent?
Judy: Virtually any bike can be used as long as it passes our basic safety inspection. Cruisers, standards, sport bikes, dirt bikes, we’ve had them all. We offer Ducati’s through our partners at Penguin Roadracing for those who wish to rent.
David: Do riders bringing their own motorcycle have to do anything special to them before arriving?
Judy: Riders can prep their cycles at NHMS the morning of the event, or if they are trailering in for the event, before they arrive. We do put all motorcycles through a technical inspection, so not to worry! We’ll help you out if there is any doubt — but here are the basics:
All accessories that are not bolted to your motorcycle (saddlebags, tank bags, top bags, soft bags, etc.) must be removed. Mirrors must be removed or completely taped over and folded in. Headlights, brake lights, taillights and any other lights must be completely taped over. If possible, we also ask that the fuse be pulled. No light can show through the taillight when the brakes are applied. Blue painter’s tape is a great way to cover up all the lights.
David: What type of riding gear should riders wear?
Judy: For our course, full-face helmets are required. Riding suits must cover all your skin. Motorcycle boots and gloves are a plus, but good substitutes can be made. However we cannot allow chaps, mesh or jeans. Just contact us about substitutions. We do have rental leathers available. (Additional information about Motorcycle & Rider Prep and WRS FAQs can be found at the WRS website under the Documents section).
David: What if riders are NOT interested in racing or riding fast… is this a good event for them?
Judy: Racing is not allowed at the WRS, period.
However, riding fast is acceptable if you are in the “experienced” rider group. We do break the gals into three groups: beginners, intermediate, and experienced. We keep the groups separate so that everyone is comfortable within their riding group and instruction works accordingly. Riders can be moved from group to group as they (along with their instructors) see fit.
David: Can participants ride at their own pace?
Judy: The school is set up so riders set their own learning pace. No one is pushed to ride faster or harder, unless of course, they want to be pushed. Some of the more experienced riders do prefer to have someone push them a little more, but then again, some of the riders prefer the slower pace and have a great time learning at slower speeds.
David: Is there a minimum level of riding experience necessary?
Judy: Any licensed rider has a place at the WRS. We’ve had women just weeks out of the MSF Basic Rider Course, with little experience, and they truly benefited from the program.
David: How much does the event cost?
Judy: $280.00
David: What can riders expect to gain from the event? Is it ‘all work’ and ‘no play’?
Judy: One of our past students coined the phrase: “You’ll have so much fun, you’ll forget you’re learning!” We like to think that says it all.
David: What if a rider is struggling with a particular skill/technique. Will instructors be able to help with specific problems?
Judy: We boast a low student to instructor ratio, so if a student is having a problem, we can certainly work one-on-one with that student to make certain they are receiving the attention they need. All a student has to do is ask.
David: Is the event ‘Just for Women’?
Judy: The Women’s Riding School, L3C was established to provide women motorcycle riders a safe learning environment where riders can thrive. Sorry gents, this is our day, but you are welcome to come out and watch.
David: What can you say to riders who are interested, but are a bit apprehensive about participating in a ‘Track Day’?
Judy: This isn’t a Track Day… this is a Riding School. There is a difference.
We spend a lot of time in classroom, on the closed course, and with the added infield WRS exercises, we have a packed day of educational riding – with instructors by your side. Of course, we do give you “free” ride time in the afternoon, but we have our instructors monitoring your riding at all times, so that you can be corrected if you stray. Track Days are more open with little to no instruction, and great for the very experienced rider – but for someone that is looking for structure, guidance, and rider education (at any level), the WRS is the place to be. Whether you want to make better turns or learn to smooth out your shifting, you’ve come to the right place. Building rider confidence is one of our main goals.
David: What’s the best way to contact you if someone wants to get more information about the event?
Judy: Take a look at our website Women’s Riding School for more information. There, you can download our event flyer, read testimonials, and watch videos of the actual event. My phone number is on the flyer as well. Or follow us on our Facebook Fan Page!
David: Good luck to the WRS. It sounds like a great way to improve your riding skills… and to have fun in the process.
Judy: Thanks David. The WRS is a great way for women riders to get together and be enthusiasts. We share our experiences and our tips and tricks about gear, mechanics, touring, commuting, clubs, racing, other riding programs, and well — just about everything to do with motorcycles! We even hope to have some demo bikes available this year. We surround ourselves with experts on all the subjects so it’s the perfect place for our riders to ask questions, make new riding friends and just have fun – and yes, all while learning.
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16. June 2010 at 8:47 am
I can certainly attest to the more experienced riders asking to be pushed. It’s very easy to say, “I have experience I don’t need a school.” But in reality, as riders we should be doing some sort of riding education all of the time. The instruction I received at my 2009 WRS day was one-on-one in the advanced group, and I learned a whole host of things to work on! The best thing is, what I (and you would too) learned is transferable to the street, and that’s what it is all about! Some think, “well I’m not interesting in learning to track ride.” You won’t be! You’ll be learning in a safe and fun environment, things that transfer into your daily street ride. Invest in your riding safety and skills with WRS!
16. June 2010 at 9:21 am
Great job of explaining what the school is about. It’s most often mistaken as a racing school but it’s anything but.
Jay
17. June 2010 at 11:14 am
@Cassie: It certainly seems like a day full of fun and learning. If I was a female, I’d be there.
@Jay: Since the event is held on a ‘track’, I figured there were misconceptions about the goals of the WRS event. OK, I’ll admit, I too figured it was a ‘track day’ full of racing and such — before asking Judy.
20. June 2010 at 7:29 am
Judy Mirro is one of those special teachers. She is knowledgeable, is enthusiastic and really funny! You couldn’t ask for a better person to be running this school!
10. December 2010 at 12:36 pm
I agree with Cassie, there’s no time a rider is so “experienced” they can’t learn something. IMO, the danger for long-time riders is becoming over-confident or complacent. The road, and obstacles out there are just as tough – tougher – on a body and bike at 50 as they were at 15.
Looks like a great school!