Sunrise On A New Journey

The time is come, that I open up my laptop and begin clicking and clacking my fingertips on my keyboard. It has been a while since an update. Actually 8 months since the last update. I have decided to come back home to writing. I love writing and showing progress on the Snake Shaker. I feel about writing is it has to be the right time. I can't force it. It felt like a voice that I had that I could summarize into few words and relay a huge message upon emotion. Something that I have to dig deep for.

A lot is changed since my last post. I had started on the XS650 project. However, as the tides of life that constantly change, I realized the project just wasn’t for me. It just wasn’t the right place and the right time. It totally saddens me to even say that because I don’t like admitting that I’m giving up on a project, but I had some other influences on my life happened. 

Number one, I lost my job a week after I bought the XS! (I have since gained an incredible employment opportunity that makes me happy like nothing else) At the time though, without the funds I could not continue the project. We did get the engine fixed and repaired the broken valve with used parts Cal had laying around, but I started to feel my heart falling out of it the XS project. It was so hard for me to admit that because the building the Snake Shaker was an incredible journey and I wanted to experience that again. I remember being so excited and being super pumped to get into the garage and actually start working on it. I also had this incredible guilt that it sat in my basement. Every time I would go downstairs to do laundry, I felt like I had eyes watching me. Almost like I was leaving an animal at an animal shelter or abandoning a child at a bus stop. I know that sounds incredibly dramatic, but it was just a hard really hard decision to come to. I felt really frustrated about it. However, without the money it was going to be an incredibly hard project to try and finish. I still had all these ideas I wanted to fulfill with this project, creative juices were flowing hard with this bike. Selling the project was a really hard decision to make.

As time went on, most of you know that I’ve become engaged to Cal. The one thing that I truly wanted, (and yes this is a girl part of my brain) was I wanted to feel good for our wedding day. I decided to sell the XS650 for the dress. (That was a tough decision.) I can assume that most men have stopped reading by now, which yeah, it’s sucks. Or maybe I could tell myself that that’s a sexist view, and those who really truly know me, could understand that was an incredibly hard decision. But I knew in my gut was telling me it was the right decision. I am a BIG believer that things are recycled in this world for a reason. I also self-reflected and knew that this was the thing that I wanted the most. The dress that I picked out for my wedding is incredible and gorgeous. 

My thinking was also reframed. It made me realize what I have, which sits in my garage. The Snake Shaker. I LOVE that motorcycle. It is a part of me because I built it from the ground up. I know that bike and I know how it rides. I am comfortable on it, I built it exactly for me. Building the XS had the potential to be a bike that wasn't comfortable for me. We had ideas for "konging" the frame to lower it but what if it was still top heavy? What if I couldn't handle a long front end on it. It honestly started making me depressed! I wanted so badly to go to the next level of chopper building however, I felt sick thinking of spending so much time and money on a build. A build that I would pour my heart and soul into and it not be something I could ride devastated me. Yes, you can learn to ride anything or get use to it, but I'm also a big advocate for safety. My gut started to tell me otherwise on the XS build. I say listen to your gut, always.

Then one morning Cal and I were sitting at a diner talking about the XS and the Snake Shaker. Out of no where ideas started flowing about the Snake. It seems obvious but it hit me like a ton of bricks. Why not take all the creative energy and ideas I had with the XS and apply it to the Snake?? I suddenly no longer felt upset about the XS. It never really occurred to me to change up the Snake because it had such a classic look and it fit me perfectly. I've had it the same way for 3 years now, so why not change it up?

With that said, I have decided to do some serious modifications to the Snake Shaker instead. I can't help but think how amazing it will look for the wedding too. Oddly this kind of balance is some justification on spending money for the dress. I want to have the bike as a full chopper on my wedding day. I could only imagine now how beautiful the Snake Shaker is going to be parked by the aisle. Representing the milestone of where I’ve been, who I am and how I’m about to marry the person who has helped me, taught me and created with me. We get to create a beautiful life together and maybe in the future, there will be another build, but the RIGHT build. 

I feel like Mundy and Snake Shaker go hand-in-hand. It’s a part of my personality and it makes who I am. When I think of my accomplishments in life, it makes me feel whole and I don’t think that there’s any problem with sharing that. So, I decided to come back to the blog and document the next version of the Snake.

Getting back into the hobby of writing and updating the progress on the Snake Shaker feels right. I also want to get back into photography. My uncle gave me a killer camera and I plan to be more creative with my outlets. I most certainly believe that creative workings of the mind are connected to a higher power. These are the connections to the good around us. I want to go to EVERY event this year and document everything. I want to feel connected to community. It could be the wintertime blues setting in, but I feel the urge to create and post new blog entries. So, here is to a new year and a promise to myself to stay connected to the things that bring me joy, and to let go of the things that no longer serve me in the universe. 

Freedom is in Our Hearts; We Just Use the Motorcycles to Get to It

I know with recent events cancellations it has been hard to reconnect with our friends and motorcycles, but in this stillness, I thought about reflecting. It made me think about the absence of events and missing out. And just like that, that dear motorcycle FOMO (FEAR OF MISSING OUT) strikes like a punch in the stomach like that of an early 1960’s “Batman” episode.

With COVID, swift wings of disappointment to all that were hopeful for a fun event packed summer of 2020.  What a buzzkill fear plays on the event. I mean, who is really going to reach into that cooler and not think of million of hands that had been in there before.

Linking COVID to missed bike events is easy. But what is moto FOMO made from? What fibers connect out psyche of fun-loving events with friends or being by yourself.

It makes me ask the question, are we hooked into our phones? Events mean being around people, sharing fun and usually showing off on the bike process we built. Other times, I see people (and myself) sunken into our technology or posting immediately what would be cool. Some of us look forward to our summer events all winter. But at what costs? But it made me look a little deeper. I think it also unraveled a little bit of a deeper hole in society’s soul. (and blessed are those who ABSOLUTELY do not care about social media. Teach me your ever loving, “living off the grid” ways. Really, I could see myself living off a mountain with goats, chickens, and choppers)

Are we now so intertwine in the depths of social media that it rules us? Is it possible to break away and not feel the urgency of having to repost to have your friends see what we are doing? I cannot knock social media totally. I mean, it is a part of what we do. It is how we share our stories of travels. Because of the internet, the Snake Shaker has a blog that you are kind enough to be reading, while probably on the toilet.🚽🚽🚽

And hell, it has brought friendships together and linked people who are like minded to events like the ones we love. Sometimes I do look at my newsfeed and wonders who owns my phone. A fifty-something-old -man, that enjoys choppers and butts.  I have a lot of lady butts that come up on my feed, and occasionally, my own cheeks. I am not complaining, the chopper lifestyle is about freedom. Freedom to express who you are, or body parts (heh). Maybe it’s more about “not caring” the ultimate 1960’s rebellion of the “man” sticking it to the “government” or the version of a woman who burns her bra at the idea of being “held back” by restrictions and obtain the right to be free.

So, let me ask you this, what brings you back? What peels you away from all superficial media ego and reground your feet back into the Earth. What makes that honest (non-publicized) “sweat” pour from your brow.

Could it be hobbies? jumping on the bike and having no set destination and just a full tank of gas? Or could it be grabbing the tent and sleeping bag and going into the wild where you wake up with the Sun and fall asleep with the Moon, only to carry the phone as a layer of comfort in case of an emergency.

It’s also refreshing to come back to the world where people catch you up on what you missed, not you manually refreshing Instagram news feed and the snooper’s mind catching yourself up on missed news of others.

We all look for reprieve from life. as of lately I have been studying some Ayurvedic practices and introduced yoga into my life, and I'm not going to push that on anybody but I do want to share, that when were unhappy with parts of our lives we tend to numb out with substitutes. Substitutes like drinking, mindless snacking/overeating, technology binging and Netflix watching. I’m sure with events being cancelled, we have more of an excuse to look at our phones and wish we were surrounded by people. Also, constant updates from media and news... kind of, well, feels like things are not getting any better. That depression and FOMO steeping into the cracks of our wishful thinking. As I mentioned in my last post, maybe this is just the chance to make ourselves and our bikes BETTER. Learn more, Take deeper looks at ourselves. We get so focused on what made us disappointed, but maybe we should give thanks to the people of trying to keep us safe. Let’s give thanks to those who are making really hard decisions (and knowingly, they will be met with disappointment and unhappy people) but these event creators are trying to do the right thing, which is keep us safe.
BUT MAN, that does not mean you can’t still go camping. That does not mean you can’t grab that tent and sleeping bag, jump on your bike and spend time with yourself. (THE BEST COMPANY OF ALL TIME) we still have access to the great DIVINE (NATURE) which is all around us. Freedom is in our hearts; we just use the motorcycles to get to it. 
  
I have had an incredible Yogi experience where my teacher (@yogicselfcare Catiebelle Bulmer) has taught me so many valuable lessons that I've been applying to my life, and then I feel so is important to share with the blog. Live in the NOW. You can take your eyes to so MANY beautiful landscapes, but in the end, it isn’t the landscapes, it’s the eyes that see what they want to. Unhook the brain and take technology in moderation. Vibe on a higher creative level, now is the time to make modifications to your bike. Get on the bikes, just because events are canceled, do not let it sink your ship. Take the bike out and ride to yourself and a better mindset. Think about how groovy next year will be. 

https://www.yogicselfcare.com/theseasonofyou

Packing Your Bike

We are souls learning new things everyday in this human experience! It's not easy asking for help, especially if you don't have anyone to ask help to. (Thank you to the blessed internet, but sometimes we need guidance of a person to person experience.) I realized that the ultimate gift of gratitude is being thankful to learning new information, especially to an uncomfortable situations where it can feel like you are in over your head. I also realized as women, learning bike life isn't exactly the easiest to learn on your own. Especially if you come from a background of no one riding in your family (admit it, we are all black sheep in our families if you are reading this blog.) I am thankful to the fact of my significant other knowing more then plenty and coming from a background of bikes, but I wanted to add to my blog some resources for women on the road. It is so empowering to encourage each other to learn new things and share our experiences. 

So I wanted to share some things I've learned, and be super open to anyone wanting to share tips and ideas of their experiences on my blog. Today, I learned how to roll up my yoga mat on my bike. I missed a yoga class this morning and decided to do some yoga at the lake while Cal was working in the garage. BUT I HAD NO IDEA HOW TO ROLL UP MY MAT TO MY BIKE.

I have never tied anything to the front of my bike, and I hate asking other people to do things that I need to learn. With packing the bike, it can be a science. I lack patience, but if you are ever rolling down the road and have something fly off, its a HUGE pain in the ass. (and obviously, it can be dangerous.) 

WHAT YOU WILL NEED: 2 bungee cords

• When rolling up your mat or blanket, roll it up tight and point the edge down. (This is so the wind doesn't unravel anything)
• Place the rolled up mat tightly to the front but UNDERNEATH any cables. Don't pinch anything. 
• Hook the two hooks on the handle bars facing down. Make sure they mirror each other. 
• Warp your bungee cord in an "X" formation. 

Make sure they are nice and tight. this is for when you are riding the down the road, the wind doesn't take anything, and there you have it, a rolled blanket or mat attached to the front of your bike. 

I hope this helps you in your travels. I know camping, life is about comfort. I'm thinking of writing a camping list for my next blog. Feel free to share any stories or tips!

We hit the ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY of the SNAKE SHAKER last June. Hard to believe this little betty has fully developed from a daydream, to a mile munching machine.

We hit the ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY of the SNAKE SHAKER last June. Hard to believe this little beauty has fully developed from a daydream, to a mile munching machine.

with everything that has been going on in the world, I thought it would be important to share it's endeavors. After a long winter hibernation on the east coast, it's a beautiful time to get back out there and on the road. 

The Snake Shaker slithering around Cheap Thrills, Asbury Park NJ

Due to unseen circumstances of COVID-19, a lot of the summer events have been cancelled. Which sure, it's a huge bummer, but part of a mentality I have been inquiring is to look on the bright side. We all are able to connect via internet (SEE YOU ON THE INTERNET) and you know that next year's events will be SPECTACULAR to make up for it. We all have good things waiting for us and our motorcycles. We just have to remain positive and strive for the times we can be together. So, this season would be a great time for change. Change up your bike! I installed (with the help of Cal, of course) a USB battery tender charger under my seat. Do you know how many times my phones dies on trips? Part of riding a bike confidently and being comfortable is a back up plan in case of emergency. I do get bitten by the bug to do some modifications, but they are little ones. I think about changing out the buckhorn handle bars for some pullbacks, but I still hesitate because it already has such a clean classic look. Sometimes I think, should I put 4' over tubes, change out the headlight for square ones? Aren't we ever evolving people?
One thing we did change is we ended up putting a bigger front sprocket on the bike. The Snake used to scream in the high gears, and by replacing this with a bigger one, quiets it down tremendously. The only thing I am getting used to reworking the throttle with this, which takes a bit more "pizazz" of the wrist when pulling out of stops. I even picked up a great book bag from @biltwell that holds everything. I picked up my own wrenching tools.

I do have some fun surprises in store relating to Retrofit Cycle Works... more information coming soon!

I will tell you that the last three months have made me reflect on life and weave more positive strides into my personal life. I want to be a better human being (rewiring healthy lifestyle habits and revamping routines for better mental health). I once wrote that my bike is my church and my home. This is so very true, yet, there are times I get road jitters. I listen to my body and rely heavy on my gut when it comes to the bike. I think when you ride you develop a third sense (I'm going to call it, the "third GEAR sense"), your eyes scan the road or possible dangers. your stomach tightens. I stay humble to the road and watch my throttle. It's ironic because the balance with the mind of this wild sounding machine is tranquil peace, like a meditation. Isn't that life? the balance of good and bad?

A spiritual path calls out to us all, and when we pick up a bike, aren't we listening? Listening to the roads of freedom? I hope everyone can get a chance to sit with themselves and truly listen to what they want out of life.

Ride with the moon.

On that note, here is to many more miles on the machine I call my home and my church!

-Mundy Builds A Chopper

Summer updates..

It's October already!

The time has flown by! The Snake Shaker has been on the road for five months and I managed to put just over 1,500 miles on it.

So here are updates!

My bike made an appearance in issue #10 of Gnarly magazine, where I spoke about the build journey and inspiration on the bike.

Here is a photo link to check out more pictures!

https://gnarlymagazine.com/blogs/news/snake-shaker-photo-feature

 Here are some shots from the summer...

Rode to Strange Days!

A few snaps from my birthday....... I turned 30 this year!

Road the Snake Shaker to the Gypsy Run.

Small photoshoot for Weird NJ magazine!

 I ended up putting 2' over tubes on the snake. It made a huge difference in the ground clearance in the front.

To The Secret Bike Show.

I try to ride every chance I get, and now with colder weather creeping in, it makes me feel a bit nostalgic for the summer. My main concern is becoming a better, experienced rider. Although the colder weather is coming, I'll still try and squeeze as much riding out that I can. I started school and it's been a wild ride of balancing work and school. Sometimes I get stressed out and focus on the happiness my bikes brings me. 

Here were some rad shots by taken by Cal for the Gnarly shoot. 

I couldn't be happier with the way the Snake Shaker came out. I am so proud of it. Once winter comes, I do plan on doing some more modifications to it.

ON the move...

I received a little token in the mail from Sara Mulvery at @revelerytintype. I had the chance of meeting her on my first Babes trip over a year ago, and I really dug her personality (not to mention her killer tattoos). I see her all the time at bike events, working her butt off. She sets up her booth and takes actual tintypes of people. Her website sells beautiful art. It’s almost like reading an old book and imagining the scenery of a cabin or flowers in a field. She’s definitely one of the people I’m really happy to have met during moto events. Here is her website where you can check out her stuff! I’m really excited to see her art take off and see her portraits of people.

www.revelrytintype.com

On a side note, I find that the outdoors literally is another heaven on earth. Since building the chopper, I’ve been dying to explore the area around me, especially abandoned sites in NJ and old history. I have been a huge fan of strange oddities since being a small and (slightly) morbid child. Cemeteries fascinate me. So much history that seems almost forgotten. Here is a photo I took for “Weird NJ”, which is a magazine that is super fantastic. If you are looking for ghost stories or old history, it has it for you! 

www.weirdnj.com

I can close my eyes and think back to the countless “goosebumps” books and “Scary Stories To tell in the Dark” that I would read in my clubhouse. I had a small black and white notebook where I would write scary stories. I could smell the summer air in the back yard and think back to my mom calling me for dinner as dusk broke down the day, being trailed by my trusty companion dog. It was such a fun age, I was nowhere near makeup or what was popular. I was totally unaware of my looks or how much pressure society would put on me to grow up. Nostalgia hits me so hard. 

I think camping has a weird root to that feeling. I know that a lot of people would disapprove of a woman camping on her own, I and get that. There are some Forensic Files episodes that cloud my thoughts. I know that there are risks... but I am more interested in being independent and careful enough to take care of myself. I love the idea of waking in the morning being totally self-sufficient and making my own coffee by a percolator. Maybe there is a part of me longing for freedom in the sense of doing something myself. I have my motorcycle which gives me the freedom, why not use it? 

I’ve been doing my research on the wilderness and I just received a book in the mail.

I have vivid daydreams of the heavenly treasures that are among us. It’s hard for me to go to church and understand everything because I’m not sure how I feel about it, but being connected to nature. I feel like that is my church. Riding my bike down winding roads, that is my church. 

I feel closer to heaven and the moon, and even my mom because she’s back in nature, sending me signs.

MUNDY BUILT A CHOPPER

MUNDY BUILT A CHOPPER.

I did it. We did it. My heart is exploding. I'm riding my machine that I built. The machine that I poured so much of time, money and effort into. The machine that my friends and lover slaved over. The machines that have MY welds holding it together.

Babes Ride Out East Coast was another one for the books but this year. It was so special. We squeezed the bike out three days before Babes. Like I mentioned before, a friend once said... "if you aren't rushing for an event, then it isn't a chopper".

When the bike came together, I felt so emotional. I was feeling so many things and I was NERVOUS to get on a bike that pretty. (how silly is that??) I decided to bite the bullet, ride it for the first time to work. So MANY nerves!!!!! The bike RAN GREAT.

Chopper riding is SO different. You learn fast that a rigid is no joke. I got so many looks from people. The bike fits like a glove. The Snake FITS my soul.  The seat feels great. I am getting used to feathering that throttle more, for more power. I wasn't used to that, I realized my old bike powered like a VESPA (LOL).

I had planned a "pre-babes" party at my digs. I had BUTTERFLIES in my belly. My house was filled with pre-babes giggles, plans, and laughs. It was amazing. I had girls I had never met in awe of our motorcycle themed house. I had the backyard set up for photo shoots.

(I live next door to a horse farm, so it was perfect background. 

We did have a slight setback. Upstate Kate was in a accident coming down. My stomach dropped when I read her group text. I saw the words "Went down" and I felt woozy. The good news was, she was ok... unfortunately, her bike was not. The woman warrior STILL came for Babes. I know it was hard to be around bikes and I'm sure it was tough to internalize the motorcycle accident, but she STILL wanted to come. I'm really proud of her. She just recently updated me on her new bike... a sweet little Triumph.

The morning came, and I was ALL NERVES.. MY BIKE WAS READY. It was time for the group ride up to Narrowsburg and start our babes adventure. My heart RACED when I turned the motor over.

I kissed Cal goodbye, and started the journey. Riding with Amy, Sarah and her friend Tara...

The ride is always fantastic. Except for dodging them POTHOLES. Rolling in with the girls is always soul shaking to me. When I rolled into babes I instantly saw Jessi Combs. My heart leaped out of my chest (THAT woman is incredible.) and to think she saw MY bike???!?!! Seeing that dust kick up from your tires is surreal. To be honest, I think I looked forward to Babes more than Christmas this year.

Setting up camp is always fun. It literally is like summer camp. I love seeing old friends.

I entered The snake into "The Real Deal" moto show. I was loving every minute. Jessi Combs came around and she snapped a couple of photos of my bike. She even touched my bike!! My heart literally melted. 

I was incredibly PSYCHED when Jessi, herself, announced "The Snake Shaker" as the winner of the "Judges's Choice". All the hard work we poured into it, all the late nights, the sweat, blood and tears paid off.

Jessi Combs pulled me aside later that night and gifted me a bag of welding equipment. I couldn't believe it. I am so proud and empowered. Three weeks before last year's Babes Ride Out, my mom had passed away from cancer. I didn't know if I had it in me to get out of bed and go.. I felt so much grief and loss. The first thing I ever learned how to weld was a hand made marker her grave.

I have truly changed since putting a power tool in my hand. I realized how short life is and how bad I wanted to make every moment in this life count. Untamed and wild. I felt this vibe of my mom when I carried my bag back to my tent. The fabulous women I am surrounded by, the healing and empowerment. 

We danced. Abby, Amy and I RIPPED up that dance floor in the after party.

I walked under a moon lit sky with Sara pan. I ate ice cream with Kelly and Upstate and shared person stories. I got tattooed. I had to celebrate my witchy ways ;)

I wouldn't of traded any of those moment for anything. I realized I had more treasures to take home than I could carry on my bike so Cal rode up with the side car. Sunday is always bittersweet when it comes around at Babes. It is literally like summer camp. It goes to saying goodbyes and watching how their lives unfold until you see them next year. parting ways is ALWAYS so bittersweet.

I was tired, I was beat but the snake shaker and I bonded. Riding my machine with Cal on Sunday felt beautiful. 

Fast Forward, it's July. I have been riding the Snake every day (that isn't raining) We added longer fork tubes, and my turning ratio is much better. I love this bike. This bike is a part of my soul. It's everything I have ever dreamed of. 

So, Now that I have built a chopper.. it certainly doesn't end there. Now... this blog will be dedicated to where I travel to and camping trips on "The Snake Shaker"

That was Babes Ride out, folks! Next weekend, Strange days............