Chrome Cowgirl's Guide to the Motorcycle Life!

Hello!

The Chrome Cowgirl's Guide to the Motorcycle Life! hit bookstores 9/24/08. My friends, I am so happy that this book is finally birthed and into the world.

Sort of Zen, sort of bad ass with class, and definately all girl power, this book was written to encourage folks to follow their dreams in Chrome Cowgirl style. Grab life by the handlebars and charge after your destiny, live the life you KNOW in your heart you're meant to live. Abandon what doesn't fit in the saddle bags of your journey, and, yes embrace your saddle bags....hahaha!

What does it mean to be a Chrome Cowgirl? Well, it's to be the pioneer and forge your own path. It's saddle up and be true to yourself. It's to weather the storm and be exposed to the elements of change. It's to prance to your own rodeo. It's to have fun and lots of it.

Take a look at the first chapter here: www.bikerlady.com/chromecowgirl.htm

XO

Sasha!!!!

August 15th Book Release

Hello beautiful readers.

The launch date for my second book is August 15th. Chrome Cowgirl's Guide to the Motorcycle Life. It is not at all what you expect. This is not an instruction guide. It is not a how-to guide. It is an inspirational, quirky, fun, humorous look at the motorcycle life as it applies to living a wide open, full throttle, premium fuel life.

When I get the press release and new cover, I'll post it here. There will be an accompanying website for the book and the vision of the entire Chrome Cowgirl concept, which you will find highly entertaining, indeed! It will bring you lots of laughs and take you down the road of deep contemplation. Always good to trot that path.

Love and s'miles,
Sasha

The man of my world.

My beautiful Daddy Poppi, the man of my world. I adored my father beyond measure. While I was in Sturgis due diligently interviewing for the Miss Sturgis contest, I went to the mountain, Bear Butte, to find peace, and to be with my Daddy Poppi in spirit. To leave a prayer tie for him to let him know how GOLD he is to me. Pure. Precious.

My friends and family, I am crushed to lose my friend and father. Now more than ever I'd love to just crawl into his lap and feel his beautiful father energy just sooth my soul. I know he's transferred to spirit form and it was his time to be rescued from the ravages of Leukemia that took his strapping Irish build down to my weight and stature....tiny. I traveled with the bandana that I wore on my head, the day and evening he passed. That bandana which he caressed in his frail hands and looked deep into my eyes to let me know how much he loved his wild child, before he departed.

I couldn't bear to see my Daddy Poppi in a coffin, so didn't go to the memorial. I sat quietly in my home and on the banks of the river. To see a disintegrated body laying in a wooden box would have been a nightmare for me. The only place I could make sense of this was at home visualizing his spirit surrounding me.

The comforts of my Nashville home was a place I didn't want to leave to make that journey to Sturgis. But I was loyal...loyal to my entry into that silly contest that turned out to be weird. Dedicated to those who supported my entry and the goal of being a strong ambassador for Sturgis Rally and the sponsors, girls who ride, everything awesome about our rider lifestyle. My Daddy Poppi was happy about my trying for a contest like this. It took a long time for me to hit "submitt" on that entry form. I'd never done anything like it before. It was a goal to be a breakthrough I guess, as a real girl rider and true participant of the rally lifestyle, especially since Sturgis is my very favorite. Sort of like the way the Dove commercials feature real girls instead of models. After all, that's what the Sturgis Bike Week people kept bringing up to me during the contest process, how they would like to see more real female riders enter the contest.

I kept that photo shown above of my Daddy Poppi that I took and placed in the passenger seat. I cried and held that photo the whole time. I went through all kinds of weather, snow, sleet, driving rain....to get to Sturgis. I felt protected with my photo of my father clutched against me. I spoke to God and my earth father quite a bit. I don't think I realize the full impact yet...it seems like I can just pick up the phone and call Daddy Poppi. Not so. See how the photo is cradled into the rock? That's of one of my favorite stops along the Bear Butte trail. I recommend that you hug that rock and pray about whatever comes to your heart. The rock is warm and solid. so when you feel like you may have a chill from the darkness of the world, you can feel the warmth and be enlightened. Bear Butte is not about going for an exercise climb, like one local had mentioned she loves to do....I was hoping she'd follow her motive with, and to stand atop the mountain, is to be held in the arms high, by the essence of mother earth and you are her child and she is showing her child to the world and letting the world know that you belong to her; You are a child of mother earth and father sky. The perfect location to give thanks and receive spiritual direction.

God turns strange journeys into opportunities for divine intervention. Someday, you'll know all the details. I ended up driving to Denver after the Sturgis Bike Week committee meeting to see my aunt, my father's sister. She didn't get a chance to say goodbye. We sat and looked at photos. I didn't cry....because I knew if I let one tear fall, I was done fer. I'd be totally inconsolable because I hadn't gotten to that deep cry. It was important to be strong for her. I feel it close by...it's right here with me...the tears. That deep soulful movement. I'm trying to keep control over it. I don't know for how long I can hold back the onslaught of tears I need to have... I had a bit of it after he took his last breath, I'll tell you that. I sat in my car and screamed. I drove aimlessly around Dover, DE sobbing. Then I just drove and drove and drove, thinking I'd go to Bear Butte to climb the mountain and collapse onto Mother Earth and just stay there awhile talking to God and trying to find my Daddy Poppi up there in the wind. I'd then fulfill my obligations and have that meeting while I was there. Holy Cow. I made it to LaSalle, Illinois and there was one of my very best friends, Skip, waiting for me. He took me into his home, I slept there for the night. I was in no shape for any meeting whatsoever. I was in no shape to be alone in the car driving...I needed the comfort of my sweet Tennessee homestead and all my friends and family. Then I headed South to be home, with my kitties and poodles and Patrick and my friends. I pulled into the driveway of my home and sobbed. Patrick took me into his arms and we went down to the river bank and mourned our Daddy Poppi.

On the riverbank, we found the funniest piece of drift wood that looked like a silly characature of a snail laughing. I knew Daddy Poppi put it there for Pat and I to see. He was always carving and using driftwood for his works of wood art. In fact, there were many signs that Daddy Poppi was with me. That's for sure.

I faithfully climbed back into the cadillac and made my way to Sturgis three days later, with the heavy heart. But I did it, just like a windsister would do for her windbrothers and windsisters that she loves so very dearly, follow through with the mission that would benefit our beautiful and amazing motorcycle culture and rally. I'm sorry that I did not ultimately be that ambassador for us, our love of riding, and our deep passion for the rally.

Whew. I need to be alone now, all week. I won't be writing on this blog for the week dear ones. After having traveled all that long journey, which probably was used by the Lord as a healing grace considering Daddy Poppi was also a wanderlust and loved to drive endlessly, I'm going to rest, go to the gym which I have neglected for awhile with all the stuff going on, and work on the copyedit for my new book Chrome Cowgirl which needs a great deal of careful attention.

Thanks to all my friends and family, windbrothers and windsisters for your love and encouragement. You're precious and you make the world reasonable to understand. Your love is a healing grace.

xoS

Mourning, Morning in the wild west.

Hello my lovely friends.

I know, I haven't posted in awhile. You see...it's mourning time. Daddy Poppi went to heaven on the evening of April 5th and I still haven't processed this spiritual transformation and his physical presence not being here, with me. I was with him when he transformed. I cannot write more about it at the moment.

After Poppi passed on, I went home to Nashville and sat by the river. I worked on some music and kept to myself. I knew I had to make it to Sturgis, South Dakota, for the Sturgis Bike Week Committee meeting for the Miss Sturgis contest. It was hard to get myself together for it. I was feeling close to home, and wanted to just be quiet, but I am loyal and enthusiastic about winning this title to benefit all us scooter tramps who just can't get enough of riding our motorcycles and the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Well, I missed the first meeting which was for April 7th, due to the passing of my beloved Poppi. Though, I was bound and determined to be loyal to my entry into this contest and make it to Sturgis for the 14th. So here I am. The day of the last possible meeting before the committee would choose who will be Miss Sturgis. It ain't easy folks. This bohemian chick is up against some gorgeous hotties who are just so lovely, smart and all Bo Derek ten and tan. But, hey, I clean up good.

All of you know, that I am no super model. It's a big stretch for me to enter any kind of contest. The Bucket List movie, as I had mentioned, inspired me to enter with a mission to be like a female ambassador to all riders for my very favorite rally in the world, to celebrate women who ride, and to promote the legacy of Sturgis, South Dakota and surrounding areas related to the rally. And to have a hella fun time with everyone who would come to meet the Girls of Sturgis Bike Week. It's all about having FUN. So, I didn't enter it from a beauty standpoint, unless you count inside beauty.

My calendar shoot was me in my grease monkey looking road jeans, 8 inch clear platforms and a black and silver shirt, or orange leather shirt. I brought some sexy cool things with me, but considering the background, grafitti and art, and the words all you need is Love in the Beatlesque themed area of Art Alley in Rapid City, the outfit all fit quite well. Marla from High Maintenance Salon in Rapid City did my hair and makeup. She's awesome. She also does Jasmine Cain's hair, too.

Here I was proudly coupled with a black Harley-Davidson Cross Bones softtail. Oh, yes, I'm a small chick, 5'2, measurements oh about 33 2/3, 28, 36. I'm sort of like a Picasso painting come to life, where things have unique proportions. Oh, I gave good face....I gave good spirit in those photos. I'm an alley cat sex kitten. hahahhahahaha. But, I wasn't draped on the bike because quite frankly the only way I know how to drape myself over the bike is for a good night's sleep where I lay my head on a blanket, on top of the tank and stretch my legs up and over my bundle on the ass end of the bike. : )

The meeting with the Sturgis Bike Week committee folks was terrific. A fine bunch of people so loyal and dedicated to the wonderful rally operations and their customers. The meeting was held at Lehman Trikes. Now there's an interesting story. Read all about the founder of Lehman Trikes and learn more about how he took a Chevy Vega chassis and crafted his first trike in order to accomodate the comfort of his family and take them along for his motorcycle adventures. The trike is an important vehicle in the motorcycle culture. It's origins of course ...the tricycle. Read all about Lehman Trikes - Leader of the Three World here: http://www.lehmantrikes.com/ They offer an awesome variety of styles and models to choose from. Most of us who ride two wheels don't think often about the trike. ... but it is a sensational world to discover for us riders. I encourage women who don't feel comfortable on two wheels but want to ride, to investigate the trike. After all, you can carry a whole lot more shoes and accessories on a trike!

I went on air at 93.1 in Rapid City, and then on the air at X-Rock in Spearfish. These are some serious stations here in the Black Hills. I should say seriously FUN stations. X-Rock even played some snipets of the music we've been working so hard on back home in Nashville. What an honor to have appeared live on both stations.

I'm so grateful to everyone at Sturgis Bike Week, XRock, 93.1, Lehman Trikes and my dear friend Pepper. I'm also grateful to everyone who took the time to comment on my contestant page, to Cyril Huze, Rick Fairless, Vicki Gray, Tom Guest, Debbi Davids, and so many other terrific wind brothers and sisters who have supported my entry in this contest.

It's morning time here in Lead. My intentions were to make my way to Denver last night but I was told that there was a bunch of wild life on the road at night. Whew...I'm not in the mood to dodge antelope. So, I figured let me get some good sleep at the Ponderosa...and grabbed a cabin room. I'm snowed in...so I have no idea how far I'll get today. I didn't expect to be snowed in, considering the last few days reached upwards of 80 degrees here in the beautiful Black Hills.

It's been quite a journey ... this April 2008. I'm tired and I want to go home now. Last night I was all kinds of weepy because I just missed Daddy Poppi so much and here I am snowed in alone ... but the Black Hills comfort me, too. And so do all of you.

Peace, love and steady as she rolls....
Sasha

Harley-Davidson's EPIC Women's Day Parade.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON'S WOMEN'S RIDE 2008 WAS AWESOME!

Presented by Sasha http://www.bikerlady.com/:

Yeah, the skies were pregnant with a little rain all day. But I'll tell you what didn't wait to drop, TEARS of JOY. Oh, the 400+ women riding in the parade felt the tears take a cheekward stroll as we participated in a history-making event. Harley-Davidson's first ever women's parade. Apparently it was 500 strong. All I could gather was several lines of Harleys and Buells stacked up ready to ride -- I had no idea what the final count was.

From Music City USA, I rode the southbound twists and wide open highway enroute to my destination: the curvaceous celebration of Harley and Buell chicks riding together in the first ever Parade of its kind. Oh the power of our HOURglass - it is ALL in the CURVES as folks hailed the femme force of riders roarrring down International Speedway and onto A1A! Led by Karen Davidson of the Harley-Davidson empire and a group of six selected females who wrote compelling essays about their riding experience and mentors, including the female executives of Harley-Davidson's women's outreach program, we waved and revved blazing a new Parade trail.

The Parade was also a fundraiser for MDA.

The energy was full throttle excitement. Let the pictures tell the story.

http://picasaweb.google.com/chromecowgirl/HARLEYDAVIDSONSWOMENSRIDE2008

Enjoy!

Love,
Sasha

Finalist Round 2 Miss Sturgis Contest!

My dear friends and family and those new folks who I haven't yet met who supported the Miss Sturgis contest:

Thank you so very much for your love and support. I have made first place in the second round of the Miss Sturgis contest. There are two more rounds to go and then Miss Sturgis will be selected. Since I am now a finalist, one of 12 final girls from which Miss Sturgis is chosen, I am no longer in the voting catagory.

The Sturgis Bike Week committee will select the Miss Sturgis winner after the fourth round of voting and all 12 finalists are selected. With that, I encourage comments to be placed on my Miss Sturgis contestant page so that the committee understands why you voted for me, and how much you love Sturgis, and all about YOUR passion for riding. http://www.misssturgis.com/girls/?p=5 and place your comment.

I am truly honored by your support. The comments on my contestant page are breathtaking, I feel ya'lls beautiful glowing light in your hearts.

God bless you, treasured people in my life. I'm so happy about being a finalist and deeply grateful to the people who have supported this contest and voted for me. The passion that folks share for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally certainly shines; it's evident that the legacy of riders and racers over the 68 years is something to uphold and cherish.

To think it all started with Pearl and J.C. "Pappy" Hoel, an incredibly enthusiastic and generous couple who loved to share their passion for motorcycles with a family at large. Who knew this rally would evolve to be so big as to attract riders around the globe. The residents of South Dakota are warm and loving, and it's always a pleasure to receive their kind embrace during rally season.

To me, the Miss Sturgis title is to celebrate all that goodness and to recognize the female motorcycle enthusiast who journeys to the beautiful Black Hills on her own ride. I'd like to take this title to new heights, encourage people to follow their dreams, and to share the title to promote great causes.

Peace and love, Sasha