June 2015

BMW Motorrad USA

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FOCUS. SPEED. POWER. LET’S DANCE. MAKE LIFE A RIDE.

Whatever you do, throw yourself into it. Give it your all.

It’s the only way to go farther than you ever thought possible. Learn more at bmwmotorcycles.com. ©2015 BMW Motorrad USA, a division of BMW of North America, LLC. The BMW name and logo are registered trademarks.

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BLACK GIRLS Ride

I D N A K E EYOTORCYCLE KLUB

Want your club featured? Email us! blackgirlsridemag@gmail.com

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FOUNDED: OCTOBER 2004 ATLANTA, GA

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e first met the ladies of Eye Kandi Motorcycle Klub at the 2015 PRO Convention. At first glance, it was clear that their sisterhood was strong and they were about their business. Founded in 2004 by Kim “KB” McRae, Miriam “Phoenix Rising” Pollock, and Nikita “Red Snappa” Franklin, Eye Kandi has crystalized their bond into a formidable Female MC brand in Atlanta, GA. This year marks their 11th Anniversary, and they continue to set the bar high. We’re honored to have Eye Kandi serve as our Atlanta hosts for our Coast 2 Coast Ride!

“THE SWEETEST THINGS

ON TWO WHEELS...”

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@EYEKANDIMC

PHOENIX RISING CHAIRMAN

RED SNAPPER

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

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“When one thinks of EYE KANDI, they will think of

GREAT THINGS...”

KB

FOUNDER & CEO EYE KANDI MOTORCYCLE KLUB ATLANTA, GA

Q. Give us a brief history of your club...

A. Eye Kandi, a female motorcycle club, brings together innovative, professional and beautiful women. We primarilly channel our energies into networking, fellowshipping, and supporting the mororcycle community throughout the United States. The club is dedicated to hosting a variety of social and professional events, promoting safety, helping others and building friendships. We provide a positive image for the motorcycle community and strive to build camaraderie loyalty and respect.

Q. What’s the club’s mission or motto?

A. Our motto is “The Sweetest Things On 2 Wheels...”

Q. What was your biggest challenge as a Female MC? A. Our biggest challenge is female hormones! We don’t all agree on everything and sometimes, female hormones kick in. At the end of the day, we work our all situations. We work to understand the motorcycle community and keep our femininity positive and professional.

Beauty lies in the true charisma of how women project their images and this club projects a very positive image that one will respect, honor, love and enjoy as we are encountered in any community.

Q. What type of member do you seek?

A. Joining any club is a “CHOICE”. For individuals to join EKMK, we want it to be a partnership. You like us, and we like you and this is the purpose for the prospect period. This time will give the individual a chance to check us out as we check

them out. Specifically, we are looking at an individual being committed to the club, not just joining and quitting after 6 months.

We also look at the professional demeanor of the individual. EKMK members are all professional women in professional jobs and this is important. This will allow for an easy transition for a new member with other females with similar values. Prospects of any club should look for: Camaraderie, Professionalism of the individuals, Structure of the club – leaders/leadership, by-laws established, Stability of members (have members been in the club for years, months, or days), and ultimately, does the club ride?

Q. What annual events do you promote?

Our Event, is the Kandi Krushing Klassic every April – A weekend of Parties and Motorcycle Racing.

Q. Are there any last words you’d like to leave us with?

Motorcycle is a sport, a fun and dangerous sport, but what makes it great is the individual(s) you ride with, and how you ride with your colleagues. Our club is a recognized and respected well known club throughout the United States. We believe in safety 1st, friendships, and camaraderie. We love riding and being a part of a great community, Motorcycling. The vision and mission for each member of this club is commitment and dedication. Our club and members show the professionalism and sisterhood of women throughout the United States. When one thinks of EYE KANDI, they will think great things, things women strive to be in any aspect of the motorcycle community.

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s the 2015 drag race season begins, we’ll be checking in with racers known for heating up the track. Petey Vee Verrett, has proven herself to be a formidable veteran in the grudge game. With her relocation from Atlanta to Baltimore, her race season has been thrown a curve. We’re honored to have her share her “Moto-VEE-Tion”; the passion that keeps her grounded and in the hunt for victory.

It’s been a minute since we’ve talked... what’s new with Petey Vee? Hey BGR!! It’s been quite a journey! I’ve moved back to my hometown of Baltimore, Maryland and raced in the MiRock for the last 2 years. Since we last talked, I was able to acquire several sponsors!! I have also agreed to be a part of a reality show in development called “Urban Curves”. Urban curves features the lives of women in motorcycle clubs and motorsports. They are focusing on myself and 2 other racers for the motorsports portion of the project. Our race series has undergone a facelift since we last talked, gone is the old MiRock series. The owners of the Maryland International Raceway sold the track and the new owners created a new racing league called the “International Drag Bike League” (IDBL). We’ve dropped from 8 races to 5 this season so all us racers are trying to race wherever and whenever we can. This calls for attendance at lots of independent events.

What’s it like racing in Maryland vs. Georgia?

Racing in Maryland is so very different than Georgia. I fnd it very difficult to practice here. There are fewer drag tracks in proximity and the one closest to me caters to car drag racing much more than motorcycle drag racing so I’m finding it so hard to get into my groove here in the north. A day of 5 1/2 hours at the track translated into 2 practice runs while waiting for the cars to finish, clean ups from breakdowns on the track and anything else that could possibly happen.

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The tracks in Georgia, Macon National Dragway and Troupe County Dragway would let me run until my bike overheated and wouldn’t start anymore! I could easily make corrections to any mistakes or difficulties I was having immediately and translate those corrections to my performance on the track. I find that I have had to ride my bike more on the street, find empty parking lots to practice my launch just to bond with the bike and get a good feel of the “sweet spot”. The problem is those surfaces don’t make for the best practice grounds and of course there is no tree to hone your reaction time (although, that is one of the things that has never been an issue for me, yay!). So I’ve had to get very creative with developing my racing in the north and I’m still working on it!

Tell us about your bike? What are you currently riding?

My current bike is a 2013 Suzuki GSXR-1000.

Except for the standard drag racing set up of extending the bike, air shifter, quick shifter, bazzaz box, on-board air compressor, braided brake lines and Shinko drag racing tires, the bike’s motor is still stock and I race with ordinary gas station pump gas! The bike will run 9.10’s in the quarter mile without motor work or race fuel so she’s pretty quick and will have the occasional attitude adjustment if I’m not on my game!

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What keeps you Moto-VEE-Ted to keep competing?

I love that you said Moto VEE ted :)!!! PeteyVee has GOT to stay MOTO-VEE-ted lol, that’s my racing theme! I can honestly say, it’s not easy. I have my own trailer that I have to get ready for race day, I load my own bike and take it to the track and if you’ve ever had to back up a trailer and hook it to a truck, it can wear you down lol!

Once I’m at the track I have friends that I pit with that help me get situated and help with any issues that may come up.

They are a Godsend! Shout out to Dana and Tanz for all the love they show me and to Kip for all his help and coaching! With the racing, I simply just LOVE IT!!! It is a pure an unadulterated love for this sport, the challenges that come with and the family you develop among your fellow racers is all a part of the love of the sport. It’s hard to imagine, when the weather warms up not being at the track and a part of all the excitement.

For as frustrating as it can be it is equally as exciting. As soon as the seasons change I’m pulling the bike out and getting it ready for racing! The smell of race gas is the best smell in the world!!!

What’s your season been like?

The season has been a struggle for me. Not being able to get enough practice runs has been the biggest issue this season. I’ve had small mechanical problems but not enough to put me out of commission so the biggest thing is getting enough seat time...NEED MORE SEAT TIME!! Our July race will feature the all female race “Paint the Quarter Pink”!

All the ladies compete in an all female event to raise money for the charity “Bikers Against Breast Cancer”. It is so much fun and such a worthy cause.

Are there any other ladies racing in your series?

There are a lot of ladies racing now and I love it. We are all like sisters at the track and we support each other and cheer for each other. Kelly Clontz, Dystany Spurlock, Crystal Dickerson, Jaleesa Minor and new comer Tanya Lovett are just a few of my sisters at the track. We gits it in!!

Who do you keep an eye on?

MYSELF! My biggest competition is me.

When I’m racing it is me against myself and

tree. I always want to improve my times, my 60 foot and my miles per hour! Since the class I race in is a bracket racing class you really are your own competition.

What advice would you give new ladies who want to learn to drag race?

I would say do it!!!! Don’t let anyone talk you out of it and go to a racing school or class!

I learned from 11 time world champion, Rickey Gadson at the Rickey Gadson Drag Racing school. He is patient and knows his stuff. Learning from an experienced racer is the best way you have to get the knowledge of a professional and seat time on a closed course. I also say be careful because once you get a taste of drag racing, it’s like crack and you WILL be addicted!!

Who are some of your sponsors?

Romney Cycles in Romney, WVa. graciously consented to partially sponsoring me for a brand new 2013 Suzuki GSXR-1000! Upon coming back home my old mechanic MRP Motorsports agreed to be my sponsor and proceeded to work with Rickey Gadson (my mentor) and Ben Knight at Brock’s Performance to get my bike set up for the track! Since then EVIL, SwingArms,Western Powersports and Shinko Tires have come on board as sponsors, friends at Defining Entertainment (Producers of the movie”Don’t Stop Believin’, Everyman’s Journey”) have given some sponsorship, Xtreme Kreations gave me that sick paint job, Route 21 Leather Suits created my one of a kind suit, APE Raceparts, Penske Shocks and my motorcycle club Black Tigers have all contributed to making sure I can follow my dream of drag racing!! I am so thankful and would not have been able to do what I do without each and every one of these contributors!

What’s your current race schedule?

2015 IDBL SCHEDULE Fast by Gast Spring Nationals April 24-26, 2015 Maryland International Raceway Fast by Gast Summer Nationals May 29-31, 2015 Maryland International Raceway WPGC Bike Fest July 24-26, 2015 Maryland International Raceway Orient Express Motorcycle U.S. Nationals September 11-13, 2015 Atco Dragway Fast by Gast Fall Nationals October 2-4, 2015 Maryland International Raceway How can our readers follow you online?

Readers can follow me at: www.peteyvee.com www.facebook.com/Petey Vee Verrett Instagram: peteyvee Twitter: peteyvee9392 Thanks Black Girls Ride for all your support!!! You put us and our dreams on the map and I love y’all for that!!!

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ur second annual Running The LAW Ladies Annual Weekend took place May 29th - May 31st, in beautiful Prescott, AZ. Hosted by Cynthia “Lil Hurt” Merritt, Toni “Toni 2 Fine” White, Yvonne “Woo Woo” Blanding, Michelle “Shell” Alexander, Shantell “Ms. Savvy” Denham, Tyesha “My-Tai” Barron, and Porsche “PT” Taylor, Running the LAW has become a luxurious getaway for those who love to ride. Ground Pounders travel from all over the west coast and as far as Killeen, Texas to join together for a weekend of Fellowship, Rides and Parties. This year, a portion of the proceeds from the weekend were donated to Bikers Against Breast Cancer (babcinc.org). R&B Legend Al B. Sure graciously volunteered to serve as our host for the entire weekend, with sounds by DJ JiJi Sweet of KJLH. On Friday, we kicked off with educational panels featuring Robert Savard of Law Tigers and Sylvia Salenius of the Womens Coalition of Motorcyclists. At the Sisterhood Meet and Greet, Prescott Mayor Marlin Kuykendall and Chief of Police Jerald Monahan joined us for the opening blessing, led by Showgirl of Buffalo Soldiers MC, Las Vegas. AZMotoMania.com showcased their great deals at the LAW Block Party. On Saturday, guests enjoyed 3 rides, ending at Grand Canyon Harley Davidson for a BBQ. Later, they enjoyed lite bites and at the LAW Pool Party. Everyone dressed to impress at the Stogies and Stilettos Red Affair, where Marian “Ms. Showtime” Peterson was awarded our first ever “Bessie Award”. She received one share of Harley Davidson Stock, for her groundbreaking contribution as a living legend in the Los Angeles MC Community. Guests enjoyed the LAW Luxe Hospitality Suite, with complimentary massages and an Black Mask Rum open bar. Chic And Curvy Boutique hosted a Sip and Shop Experience, where ladies enjoyed personal shoppers and complimentary champagne.

Early bird ticket holders were treated to LAW Gift Bags, stuffed with Mixed Chicks Hair Products, Citizen E- Cig Electronic Cigars, L8D Ryder Gear Tees, Law Tiger Custom Bottles, and more. Set Life Magazine also gave special discounts on their new apparel line for all guests. Special Thanks to all of our Ambassadors, Guests and Sponsors! Want to RUN with us next year? For more information, visit www.runningthelaw.com.

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BGR TEXAS AMBASSADORS TKAT & U’NIQUE

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