Cross-Country Rider Tamela Rich Speaks at Greenville
(Press Release Issued by Tamela Rich) Feb 18, 2011 – In the summer of 2010, Tamela Rich, then 48-years old, completed a 20-state, mostly solo motorcycle trip from North Carolina to Oregon and back. She learned to ride a motorcycle three months before launching the trip.
“It sounds foolhardy until you understand what was involved in those three months,” she says. “I enrolled in formal training and took trip preparation seriously. Trip prep was nearly a full-time job.”
In addition to the Basic Rider Course offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, Tamela had the benefit of two days of private instruction at the BMW Performance Center in Greer, SC. http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Experience/Events ...
“I studied everything I could get my hands on but there is no substitute for getting your fanny on a motorcycle and practicing your skills. The training at the Performance Center was essential to my success not only because the curriculum and facilities are world class, but also because I was able to ride the Performance Center’s bike. I didn’t have to worry about dropping my own bike, which meant I focused on learning new skills.”
For aspiring cross-country riders or those who are new to motorcycling, Tamela says, “Don’t be afraid to stretch and grow. Training is out there, communications devices are reliable, and there’s a community of fellow enthusiasts eager to bring you into the fold.”
Social media sites Facebook and Twitter played a critical role in Tamela’s safety and success in finding fellow women riders. “On Facebook I found a group of Canadian and American women riding to raise money for breast cancer research and I joined their cause. My fundraising partners rode with me through six of my 20 states and cheered me on through the states I rode solo. Riding behind experienced bikers put me on a continuous learning curve. While my overall ride was 70 percent solo, it was front-loaded with co-riders who taught me a lot about the road and riding.”
Tamela used Twitter to update friends and family on her location. “All I needed was a cell signal,” she observed. This year, when she travels across 17 states and four Canadian provinces, she plans to use Google Latitude to automatically update her position on the web from her smart phone signal.
When asked why she decided to take up long-distance motorcycle travel, Tamela replied, “Therapy. A few years ago I had to close an unprofitable business that took a toll on me financially and emotionally. I needed a personal turnaround strategy. My sense of accomplishment after my trip, combined with being part of a group that raised nearly $40,000 for breast cancer research, helped me redefine myself as a success.”
Tamela will tell her story at the International Motorcycle Show at the CAROLINA FIRST CENTER GREENVILLE, S.C. in the Women Ride area. She is scheduled to speak Fri., Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 26 at 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 27 at 12:30 p.m.
“It sounds foolhardy until you understand what was involved in those three months,” she says. “I enrolled in formal training and took trip preparation seriously. Trip prep was nearly a full-time job.”
In addition to the Basic Rider Course offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, Tamela had the benefit of two days of private instruction at the BMW Performance Center in Greer, SC. http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Experience/Events ...
“I studied everything I could get my hands on but there is no substitute for getting your fanny on a motorcycle and practicing your skills. The training at the Performance Center was essential to my success not only because the curriculum and facilities are world class, but also because I was able to ride the Performance Center’s bike. I didn’t have to worry about dropping my own bike, which meant I focused on learning new skills.”
For aspiring cross-country riders or those who are new to motorcycling, Tamela says, “Don’t be afraid to stretch and grow. Training is out there, communications devices are reliable, and there’s a community of fellow enthusiasts eager to bring you into the fold.”
Social media sites Facebook and Twitter played a critical role in Tamela’s safety and success in finding fellow women riders. “On Facebook I found a group of Canadian and American women riding to raise money for breast cancer research and I joined their cause. My fundraising partners rode with me through six of my 20 states and cheered me on through the states I rode solo. Riding behind experienced bikers put me on a continuous learning curve. While my overall ride was 70 percent solo, it was front-loaded with co-riders who taught me a lot about the road and riding.”
Tamela used Twitter to update friends and family on her location. “All I needed was a cell signal,” she observed. This year, when she travels across 17 states and four Canadian provinces, she plans to use Google Latitude to automatically update her position on the web from her smart phone signal.
When asked why she decided to take up long-distance motorcycle travel, Tamela replied, “Therapy. A few years ago I had to close an unprofitable business that took a toll on me financially and emotionally. I needed a personal turnaround strategy. My sense of accomplishment after my trip, combined with being part of a group that raised nearly $40,000 for breast cancer research, helped me redefine myself as a success.”
Tamela will tell her story at the International Motorcycle Show at the CAROLINA FIRST CENTER GREENVILLE, S.C. in the Women Ride area. She is scheduled to speak Fri., Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 26 at 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 27 at 12:30 p.m.
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About Tamela Rich: Tamela Rich is a business ghost writer, author, and motorcycle adventurer who lives in Charlotte, N.C. with her family. Inspired by the women she met raising money for breast cancer research during her 2010 cross-country motorcycle ride, she is writing the book,"Live Full Throttle: Life After Your Cancer Diagnosis." The book will feature women motorcyclists who have faced cancer. Tamela will interview subjects for the book during her 2011 road trip across the United States and Canada, which is dedicated to raising money for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Her business website is http://tamelarich.com and her travel blog is http://roadtrip.tamelarich.com
