Margaret Dean, Author at The Riding Obsession ~ TRO

About Margaret Dean

"Girl spectates through life no more" - Those six words capture it all. I used to spectate. I was one of the watchers of the doers of things. Then I became a doer.

Margaret Dean Feb 28, 2018 Comments

Motorcycle Sharing: Rent A Bike Near You

My husband Robin is excited about his new flagship motorcycle, a BMW R1200RS for 2018's riding season. He's also pre-mourning the eventual goodbye to a longtime love, his Suzuki Bandit 1200. Celebrating the Beemer feels like a betrayal to the (ready to rent) Bandit, who has taken him 55,000 miles through twenty-three states over five years.

She's been maintained, upgraded, repaired, updated, enhanced ... in a word: loved.

Robin doesn't want to sell her but as many riders understand, multiple bikes results in more maintenance and less time. Whether the motorcycle runs or is a project, you can only ride one at a time and no matter how much you treasure each bike, you tend to ride one more than most.

Margaret Dean Jan 5, 2018 Comments

Why Charcoal Foot Warmers Beat Electric

In December of 2012, Robin (our own TRO editor-in-chief) was still a newbie-ish rider. He loved riding and wanted to squeeze in as much saddle time as he could. No winter month in Chicago was going to stop this guy! Here's one example video that inspired him.

As long as the roads weren't icy or wet, he would ride his trusty Yamaha Seca 400. His riding gear consisted of basic ATGATT, balaclava and neck warmer + layers (LOTS of layers). No fancy heated gear for this Robin, the Robin of 2012, as his precious monies were earmarked for Seca upgrades.

Robin's main problem while winter riding, besides other riders thinking he was batshit crazy, was keeping his hands and feet warm. What to do?

Margaret Dean Dec 7, 2017 Comments

Meet Sara Altieri, A Helmet Artist In Motion

How many ways have you customized your ride? Aftermarket retailers like Bike Bandit or Revzilla offer endless options to customize your bike's (or gear's) functionality or aesthetic. My husband, an MSF rider coach, came home one day and mentioned another rider coach in the office custom paints helmets. I looked up with my left eyebrow raised and thinking face on. Hmm, interesting ... but why consider painting my helmet?

Custom painting isn't just for racing professionals or the world of four-wheeled motorsports. It's one of a kind wearable art. You can get your helmet painted to go with (match) your bike if your bike has a unique or specific theme or look. Or similar to why many get a tattoo, you can get a design to commemorate or represent something meaningful.

This is a no-brainer.

Margaret Dean Dec 22, 2016 NH53, FlickrComments

TRO's 2016 Year End Review

2016 is coming to a close and we here at The Riding Obsession (TRO) want to take a moment to thank you for your support and community. TRO is a labor of both passion and necessity. Passion needs no explanation, does it? Riding brings joy and excitement.

TRO is a necessity because it's our vehicle for sharing knowledge, building community and helping fellow riders. It allows us to immerse further into the motorcycle world beyond a pleasure cruise or summer rally. Every new product, initiative, app, route and bike we try, review and document has been the work of dedicated enthusiasts along with our in-house writers and riders.

As beginners continually learning and expanding our knowledge of wrenching, we vlog our journey. As experts who've been maintaining our bikes for 20+ years, we outline efficiencies that come only from years of experience. We wanted someone to show us step-by-step how to sync carburetors or bleed brakes. TRO is work. It is labor. It is difficult and it is time-intensive. It is also fun, interesting and personal to us and, we hope, for you.

Margaret Dean Dec 5, 2016 Comments

Chattanooga, TN: Trading Pegs For Pedals

Only two hours from Nashville (four hours the Riding Obsession way), Chattanooga is the destination Robin and I were most eager to explore. We'd both heard good things and just had a feeling about it. The population is about a quarter the size of Memphis or Nashville. It's bordered by mountains and the Tennessee River, home to several colleges and invested to rehabilitate and redevelop it's downtown and riverfront areas. It's ranked in the top 10 for most livable cities.

Tennesseans in Memphis and Nashville say Chattanooga is a "cute town." It could be a backhanded compliment but it's true, Chattanooga is a cute town in the best way. It's like the kid sister or brother of your friend you never noticed before until one day, you do and then it's all over, you've got a crush.

We found a great AirBnB place hosted by a musician in the Southside Historic District. The house is filled with instruments and has an open community atmosphere. It's warm and inviting and the house's inhabitants are happy to inform you about all things Chattown. Once again, we landed in a hot neighborhood near good restaurants, bars, shops and 10 minutes from downtown.

Margaret Dean Oct 9, 2016 Comments

Motorcycling In Nashville: Tips And Taps

Nashville marks the next leg of our Tennessee trip and we're looking forward to getting there via the Natchez Trace Parkway. NTP is a two-laner, much like the Blue Ridge Parkway but less traveled, following the countryside like any rider should. There are no commercial trucks, traffic lights, billboards or stop signs.

We're on high deer alert while enjoying the quiet and rustic scenery. The Trace between Memphis and Nashville isn't intensely twisty per-say but beats taking I-40 East direct hands down. Thanks to our Sena SMH10s, Robin and I have the option of listening to music, podcasts or e-books. Still, we often choose to talk as if we were in our car. We discuss life and our goals/dreams. We make each other laugh. We practice the art of communication.

Traveling on a gentler roadway like Natchez Trace facilitates that. You don't always have to fill space with noise but if you do, why not fill it with real conversation and connection?

Margaret Dean Sep 26, 2016 Comments

Motorcycling In Memphis: Bikes And BBQ

Every May, my husband and I take a long distance motorcycle trip to kick off the riding season. This year we chose Tennessee for its twisty roads and as a contender for future relocation. We'd both heard good things about Tennessee via friends in Memphis and Nashville but what about the riding? Many visit the state for dirt biking. Our plan focuses on all things paved.

We decided to explore Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville for livability while eyeing the tarmac, traffic and twisty roads between. Starting out towards Memphis, we rode down Illinois following the straight line of I-57 which is flat farmland, an opportunity for road-hypnosis if you're not careful. With an overnight stop in [tripadvisor]Mount Vernon, IL|Mount Vernon, Illinois[/tripadvisor] we continued another twenty miles before Robin found a rural route which took us through Shawnee National Forest.

Gotta say, [tripadvisor]Memphis, TN|Memphis[/tripadvisor] is a fun town. People outside of Tennessee generally think so, although it seems people within Tennessee view Memphis as "different." Memphis is full of flavor in food, people, attitudes, dress, housing, neighborhoods, attractions and of course, tourists.

Margaret Dean Sep 12, 2016 Comments

A Lady Rider's Guide To Motorcycle Packing

Let's admit it, shall we? Packing isn't easy for everyone. Only the most prepared A-types have a go-bag always ready. The rest of us hem and haw over what to bring and wear. What if I need this? We might do that so I should bring X or maybe Y.

Motorcycle trips make it easy because you know you have limited space and can't overpack. Motorcycle trips make it hard because you know you have limited space and the line seems to blur when deciding what is necessary and what is optional.

I'm writing to female riders and passengers as I am both. Also, I'm a recovering overpacker. I've adopted a minimalist mindset when packing for long distance trips with my husband riding two-up. I had to. I'm about to embark on my first long distance trip maneuvering my own bike. I decided it was time to form my own moto packing list, one that better suits my needs as a female rider.

Margaret Dean Apr 18, 2016 Comments

Grip-N-Ride: "Handling" Passenger Security

My husband attended the IMS in February armed with a press pass and eagle eyes for the latest and greatest. Was he looking for shiny new drool-worthy bikes? Of course (obvious). But riding enthusiasts are as much about their gear and tools as their bikes. He's always on the hunt for gear that will a) improve safety, performance and/or efficiency b) fix or maintain beloved machinery c) make the bike look good d) make the rider look good. This year he spotted the Grip-N-Ride.

A newer product, the Grip-N-Ride does something so obvious yet there's nothing like it on the market. Essentially a textile weight belt, it provides passengers with something secure to hold onto. The version I'm reviewing has one set of grips positioned on each side of the rider's waist and another resting on the rider's lower back, right in front of the passenger.

People often think of motorcycling as a single person kind of thing (and often it is) but there are people daring enough to get on back ... people like me, who grab on to the rider and hope not to slip during a low turn or while we're traveling at higher speeds.

Margaret Dean Jul 21, 2015 Comments

Soldiers Grove To Monroe: My Introduction To Riding Greater Miles

Preparing for your first "real" ride means commitment. It takes time, resources and a bit of gumption. Without gumption, the rest is null and void.

This is my second season as a motorcycle rider. After riding pillion with my husband on organized rides for a few seasons, I feel it's due time that I experience the responsibility of commanding my own bike.

After some discussion, we juggle our schedules and choose a free weekend, selecting a well-traveled route that Robin has ridden before. It's good to have experienced rider friends who know the area but even better when one of them is a Wisconsin native. Jeff Kopp knows the southwestern region and all of it's roads like the back of his hand.