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Motorcycle Safety and Awareness
Welcome to think bike, the podcast about all things motorcycle and the voice of motorcycle safety and awareness in Alberta. Your host is Liane Langlois.
Liane:Hey, everybody. Welcome back to another episode of Think Bike. I am so super excited to have what I feel is Canada's fastest female road racer on our episode this week. Welcome to the show, Bronte Verbique. How are you today?
Bronti:I'm doing good, Leanne. How are you doing?
Liane:I'm I'm pretty good. I'm excited to have you here because, yeah, I've been out to the track a few times this year after a little hiatus last year and, really impressed with you and following a lot about what you're doing. But but before we get into that, can you let our listeners know who is Bronte and what really got you into riding?
Bronti:Yeah. So I mean, I guess a little bit of my backstory, I come from Ontario. I moved to Alberta. I love living here. It's awesome.
Bronti:And what got me into racing or I guess riding, right? Yeah. Actually, I never grew up around it. Like, I never had a family member who had a bike. I never dirt biked.
Bronti:I was in my last year of university, and I just I don't know. I just saw it on the road, and I'm like, I think I'd like that. I just had this attraction to And it, you so I saved money, bought a bike. I bought a Gixxer seven fifty in o five. And then, yeah, I just started riding around, and then that's how I kinda got into it.
Bronti:But
Liane:So you've just started riding in o five, which is pretty cool to see where you are now, and that's you know, it's it is twenty years later, but you've accomplished a lot.
Bronti:I started riding in 2016. I my first bike was a o five Gixxer seven fifty.
Liane:Okay. Even better. Even better. Like, so you start riding in 2016 on an o five Gixxer, and we're nine years later, and to see where you're at so you started on the street. What got you onto the track?
Bronti:Well, a friend at the time, she she had a street bike and she said, like, you should do a school, and I didn't even know that was a thing, so she bought me a school for my birthday. On Track Performance, actually, and that's a school that I've taught at for the last five years, which is pretty cool, full circle. Hey, you start there, and I've been working there as well, giving back to the community, and I love it. So, yeah, so she bought me that, and I ended up going to it was called Cashel Raceway, and but just to kind of preface that, before I went to the school, I was riding around on the street and I met a guy in traffic and he was on a bike too. We started riding around a little bit and then, you know, we stopped, we chatted.
Bronti:He's like, you're pretty good. He's like, you should go to the track. And I'm like, I am going to the track. And he's like, oh, what are you doing there? I'm like, the school.
Bronti:And he's like, well, I teach at that school. And I thought this guy was, you know, kind of full of it. But anyway, he's, you know, fast forward nine years, he's my husband and he's still changing his place and he's yeah. So it's funny how things just, know, you just fall into place sometimes. Right?
Bronti:So, anyway, so met him, went to the school, did the on track performance, and I just haven't looked back. Like, it just, you know, just there is no going back. It just opens your mind, and it's just so yeah, there's nothing like it.
Liane:So you you get to hang out with, well, your now husband and also that Justin Napic. I mean, friend of the pod, such a difficult guy to get along with. Hey?
Bronti:Oh, yeah. No. Justin's a great dude, and he he gives back to the community a lot, and he's yeah. He's been a part of the EMRA for years. Right?
Bronti:He's yeah. He's excellent, and his school is also excellent, and I have enjoyed teaching at it for, yeah, last five years. And so I did his school and then actually we went to watch the last race round in 2016 with the AMRA. And I saw that and I was like, this is what I need to be doing. So we yeah, we changed my bike over in the winter, got it race ready, my O five Gixxer seven fifty, and then, yeah, 2017 was my first year rookie year racing.
Liane:How'd you do in that first year?
Bronti:It was positive for sure. I can't remember how many races I won, but, yeah, I won I won some races and I was the women's open champion that year in my first year, which was which was amazing. So it was positive. I learned a lot.
Liane:Yeah. It's absolutely crazy because I think that I remember hearing your name, not too long after that. And, and then of course, in these last few years with CBSK and stuff, we'll get into that. What different classes do you compete in? Because I know you said you won the women's open in your first year, which is absolutely amazing.
Liane:But, like, you're out there with the guys at this point. So what are the different classes you're still competing in?
Bronti:So, like, regionally, I so my history was on that seven fifty, and then I have only ever raced or ridden superbikes. So that's my that's what all my years of racing consists of. This year, however, we switched to a middleweight twin, an r seven, a Yamaha. And we did that because in 2023, we heard about the plan to have the women's world championship, which has never existed before. So it's women racing at the highest level and it's in conjunction with world super bike.
Bronti:And so, you know, we heard about that, me and my husband and I'm like, oh my God, I that's what I wanna do. Like, that is my goal. That is my aim. That is that is what we're working towards. So we change platforms because of that.
Bronti:And I miss riding a super bike, like, I like the bike I'm on now, but I yeah. I like riding a super bike. I like the forces that go through your body and it's just gnarly and it's you know what I mean? But I love the bike I'm on and it's just a different kind of riding, you know. It's it's good.
Bronti:It's just good in different ways. So I compete in middleweight twins. I did that in CSBK, and I did that regionally as well this year.
Liane:That's awesome. And how was I mean, I was there. So tell our listeners how how your local season ended up this year.
Bronti:Honestly, it went really well. Like, if I had to rate it, it's 10 out of 10. It was I was fortunate and lucky enough to have, you know, knock on wood, but, yeah, nothing went wrong mechanically or, you know, injuries or, you know, that sort of thing. So it was very positive. I've won 10 races.
Bronti:I won the Western Canadian Championship Middleweight Thunder Championship. I believe I'm the first woman to do so. I also won two regional championships with the EMRA, middleweight twins and middleweight superbike. It was fantastic, you know, and there's some years where things don't go that way. Right?
Bronti:Like, there's there's it's hard. It's a hard sport, and I'm just fortunate enough and lucky enough that, you know, it went, it went well.
Liane:It's really great to see, you know, the women stepping up in road racing in Western Canada, specifically with, the number one plates that are going out to you ladies and in classes competing with the guys. And it's not about kicking guys' butts and I've I've had to explain this about the Salt Flats as well. It's about just getting out there and competing and it's gender neutral. And with the women bringing their game and with you solidifying these championships, it really does help take that gender neutrality into road racing.
Bronti:I totally agree. I agree with you. Like, I I think you're just you're doing the sport. You're doing the task at hand. Right?
Bronti:Like, it's it's the way I see it anyway for me is, you know, the playing field, like, it's equal. You're just you're doing the sport. Can you do the sport? You know? Like, that's that's how I look at it, and it's a very warm welcoming community.
Bronti:And, you know, nine out of 10 guys are are supportive, you know. That's been my experience. So I think it's it can be welcoming for women to come. It's just a little bit intimidating sometimes, you know, when you're just beginning.
Liane:Yeah. And there's always gonna be that one guy out there. Know?
Bronti:In anything.
Liane:We ignore them.
Bronti:Exactly. Exactly. And that's in anything. Right?
Liane:So Yeah. Yeah. It is in absolutely anything. So your CBSK season. So, again, just to refresh, we had Nadine on who's a mutual friend of ours to talk about CBSK.
Liane:Now this is Canada wide, and you're one of the few racers that goes over to Eastern Canada to compete in CBSK. Am I correct?
Bronti:Yeah. Yeah. That's right. In CSBK, it's it's it was awesome. It was my first full year doing it.
Bronti:I did the round last year when I came to Edmonton on the Superbike, and I believe I was the fifth woman or third woman to ever do that in superbike in CSPK. So, yeah, it was it was an amazing year. Was my first year on the middleweight twin on the Yamaha. So we went to Shenandoah, yeah, went to Ontario twice. We missed one round, which was in Nova Scotia, Shubanaki.
Bronti:Our plan was to to make it out there, but just honestly, budget wise, it's it's expensive and we couldn't swing it, so we did what we could. It was an amazing year. I was actually updating my race resume this week, and I was looking at what I wrote down for 2024 for my objectives, for my goals. And, you know, I I checked off every single goal that I had on there except for one, which, you know, I feel pretty grateful and lucky for. Like, the goal was to finish in the top five of the championship.
Bronti:I did that. The next goal was to win a national race. I did that, and I was the second woman to ever win a race in any category in CSBK in the last twenty years. Did that, and then I wanted to finish on the podium multiple times. I was able to do that.
Bronti:I wanted to make every round, which we, you know, we didn't make the the one round. But anyway, you know, this was only made possible by everyone who supports me, you know, Nadine being one of them. Nadine and Willie Bass. So
Liane:Well, and that's what I was gonna talk about. You talk about a race resume and people are probably sitting there going, why do you need to have a race resume? But your bike is full of sponsor stickers. Like, who are all these people that have come out to support you? And I mean, good on them because they're supporting what I consider one of the best racers in Canada.
Liane:How do they find you, and and what's it like to have all this crazy support for what you're doing?
Bronti:Oh, it's honestly, it means so much to me. It's yeah. It's huge. I mean, starting with, like, Willie and Adeen, you know, we go way back. Like, they've been supporting me since, like, I think I met Willie and Adeen in, 2018.
Bronti:So, you know, yeah, they've been awesome for a really long time, you know, and also just to mention the other people like Jack Carter Powersports, Emerine, they're in Calgary here, a local shop. They're huge. They're they're instrumental, like Rob Landgrill, Dave Smith, Gavin. Also LRX Performance, Paul Lavoie, Bret Hart, and these people like, you know, how did I meet them? You know, some of them are, like my husband, he's always been an excellent promoter of myself, and I always, I wasn't always good at that.
Bronti:So, you know, he's always been like, yeah, she's, you know, she's here, she's doing this, this is our goal, and so, you know, I've gotten better at reaching out to people and stuff. But anyway, like lots of friends and lots of companies who, you know, they've seen what we've done and, you know, they wanted to be a part of it, and I'm just really grateful I was able to prove them right, you know, this year and having some, you know, some good results. And also, Langley Krizer is another sponsor, Yamaha Canada. I just don't want to forget anyone. Sorry.
Bronti:Get people. I wanna make sure I don't RMM, Rocky Mountain Motorsports Park, which is an amazing track, and Carstairs. I don't know if you ever had the chance to go there, but it's, it's it's pretty epic.
Liane:I haven't gone there yet, and, it's I've talked about it with Rob Darlington a few times getting out there and Nadine as well. And I just I need to go see this new track. And one of these times when I'm down there or trying to, you know, coordinate when you guys are out there, I'd love to go see that track because all I hear is amazing things. And and what a great community build that was for for the South Region, you know, to have a track by you guys again.
Bronti:Oh, 100%. It's huge. Right? Like and it's one of a kind facility. Like, the track down in Texas, CODA, Circuit Of The Americas, has electronic flagging.
Bronti:So, you know, they put a transponder on your bike, then it tells them where you're at at all times. And they anyways, this track, RMM, has that as well. It's and it's run by really great people, Jen Young, Brad Young, Steven, you know, these are some of the people who supported me this year as well. And Hell Performance is also a supporter. Hindle, Alison at Hindle, thank you so much.
Bronti:I just wanna make sure I list everybody.
Liane:Well, I know how that is. And you always forget at least someone and it's really not meant to be anything other than there's a lot going on. With all of this support and everything, like what does it feel like to be such a successful female in Canadian road racing on the circuit? Because you are blazing a trail for young people coming up behind you and that's a big thing or even older people who should probably maybe give it a try. You know?
Bronti:Yeah. For sure. I mean, it's it's really nice. It's you know, I've realized for the last few years that I, you know, have had a positive impact on, you know, little girls who come to the track, right, and their parents bring them over and I sit them on the bike and, you know, they talk to me and they're like, oh, look at that girl out there, her bike, you know, it's white and pink and they see that. Like, I I realized it more this year doing it nationally about, you know, it is how much of a reach it it might have for some people, and it's great.
Bronti:I hope that it does inspire, you know, parents and women and girls to to get into it, right, and to see that it's an option. I just think also people realizing that it exists, right, like, it's just not as, popular as a sport, obviously, in Canada, right. If you're in Europe, you know, it's a different story, right. But I think just having people, people just realizing it exists and it's an option. So, also a sponsor I remember, John Bickel, DP Brakes, also Vertical Crane Rigging and Unified Consulting Group.
Bronti:I wanna thank you guys. Sorry to throw that there, but I just wanted to acknowledge.
Liane:Oh, no. Absolutely. Just just keep throwing them in there. I think you and I can bond a lot over, like our chosen racing and how it's not super popular in Canada, but but it's super fun doing it. I absolutely know how that feels.
Liane:I have nowhere in Canada to do what to to do what we're doing down there. But the one thing I do like is like you're a strong female competitor and and a really great spokesperson for road racing. So I can also relate to that. How do we encourage women to get more involved in any type of racing, really?
Bronti:Yeah. That's a good question. I mean, that's a good question. It's I think people knowing that it exists, I think having, you know, the facilities and, you know, like in Edmonton, you guys have two tracks, right? It's awesome.
Bronti:There's RadTorque and there's Stratotech. So it's an option. It's available, you know, and also down here having RMM, because we didn't have a track for shut down in 2011, right, Race City, so Yeah. There wasn't an option, right? And a lot of people don't want to drive, but now that, you know, there's a great facility there, you know, there's track days you can do, there's schools you can do, you know, and there are women's class, like, if someone wanted to get into racing, there there is a women's class with the EMRA and with the CMRA as well.
Bronti:And then also, you know, there's different track day companies, like there's Motorheads in Edmonton, you know, there's Hard Knocks down here for RMM. And I think maybe people even just coming to the track and realizing that it's it's a friendly environment and it's warm, like people genuinely care, and it's just you meet the best people. Right? Like, I'm sure in your sport as well. You meet, you know, you make lifelong friends.
Bronti:Right? And it's not just all all men, there's families and kids and people bring their dogs, and it's just it's really it's different than what people might assume, you know, and if they could like see that and experience it, maybe that would encourage them. But, yeah, it's it's a good question. I don't know how to the exact one answer to increase it, but
Liane:Yeah. It is it is hard, especially with women because we're still kind of I know when I got riding, it was very male dominated and it was really intimidating to just be a girl on your own bike. And that was something special. Now we've got a lot of women out on the street and how do we encourage them to continue to grow skills? Whether it's just doing, maybe it's going to schedule like on track performance or a track day just to see what that feels like in a non pressure.
Liane:And if you like it, great. You can move on to road racing. But if you don't, at least you've done something to enhance your skills. Like, that might be a a good way for some people to go in. What do you think?
Bronti:Oh, absolutely. I think I've told so many because I teach at On Track Performance, hey, and I've told a lot of people, you know, even spouses out there, whoever, right? I'm like, you need to do a school. It's not, even if you don't want get into racing, it just, yeah, it's, it's not the same thing, and you learn so much. This isn't like a sport where, you know, you're playing, you know, and I'm not saying anything bad about other sports, but just the risks with this sport are higher, right?
Bronti:It just is what it is, you know? So the ramifications if it's done, you know, incorrectly can be higher than, you know, basketball or pickleball or whatever, right? So it's, it really is, you know, it can be life saving techniques that you learn. Yeah. Not just for the sport, but just for your own life to keep you safe and keep you healthy and and just to enjoy it more to actually know what you're doing on the bike.
Bronti:Right? Because, you know, doing a basic motorcycle course is great. You know, that's excellent. I recommend that. I actually was sponsored by Motology Riding School here in Calgary, and they teach great stuff.
Bronti:Lots of parking lot drills, stuff like that. But I think learning advanced stuff as well about, you know, like turn in apex exit, you know, throttle control, all that kind of stuff, you know, just adds to it. Right? So
Liane:Yeah. No. Absolutely. We should all be learning the right way and then, you know, taking that in never stop growing. I will echo what you said though about, like, the welcoming environment and it really doesn't matter what gender you are.
Liane:I had a I think it was at your last rounds at the MRA. Had a friend of mine who's never been to the track out here. He had he's been to the TT, which I mean jealous, so jealous of that. I'd love to go to the Alamand someday and watch that.
Bronti:Me
Liane:too. Never never come to road racing in our area and just his reaction to walking around the pits and I introduced him to like a whole bunch of people. It was just it was very welcoming even for him as a first timer. And he's like, you're pretty popular. And I said, I just got to know these people over years.
Liane:You know? Like, there's different connections I've made specifically in the last couple years with Logan Evans for my race suit. I think we all have a Logan Evans race suit at this point.
Bronti:Logan is the man. He's awesome.
Liane:He is. He is. You know, and and so different connections there. But, you know, I go way back with, like, Justin, John, Brian, like, with those guys around here. The pits are probably I mean, there's baking that's offered up to you, bottles of water, like, is there.
Liane:It's just a matter of people getting past what they think it might be and come see what it actually is. And if it's not for you, that's fine. At least he gave it a try. Right?
Bronti:Oh, totally. Yeah. I I agree. And I think, like and I this might not be true, but I feel like I don't know if it's because, like, it's a higher risk activity. It just brings people together, kind of bonds you in a different way, you know, like it's Yeah.
Bronti:I've just met like lifelong friends and the best people through the sport and, people just, they get their foot in the door, they come out for a weekend or a day and check it out. Everyone that I've invited out has always said positive things at the end of it. They were never, you know, like, oh, man. That was exactly what I thought it was gonna be. Everyone always was like, it's a really good group of people and a great sport.
Bronti:So
Liane:I think even sitting up in the grandstands and watching and then the ohs and the ahs and the the gasps if there's something that that happens. And, you know, and then everybody you know, obviously, if something not so great happens, there's just this calm silence and then everybody just a sigh of relief when it turns out to be okay. And that type of camaraderie and, you know, with everybody is is really great to see. As a teacher with On Track Performance and and a very successful road racer, I'm interested in your thoughts on street racing and how we can deter that.
Bronti:Yeah. My so my thoughts I mean, I guess everyone when they start on a bike, or maybe not everyone, I'm, you know, assuming probably a lot of people, you know, you're so excited and it's incredible to be able to go these speeds on these machines, like, especially nowadays, like the technology in the bikes is incredible. They're so they're so advanced. Right? So, you know, yeah, it's tempting for sure to to go fast on the street and it's it's right there.
Bronti:It's just available. You just head out your garage, but I mean, you know, yeah, I I would always recommend to not do that on the street because just the ramifications are so high. There's so many variables that you can't control, right? Like, from other cars, to paint, to dust, to potholes, to police, to getting demerits, to losing your license, to wrapping yourself around a pole, like it's, it's just so much more, you know, unless you're going to the Isle Of Man or, you know, Ireland to do proper road racing, like that's something else, but just doing it on the streets, like it's, I don't feel like it's worth the risk, you know, and we have the facilities, right? Like we have a track down south, we have RMM, you know, there's two tracks in Edmonton, you know, there's on track performance, there's there's other outlets, you know, to properly to really test your bike too because you can't really do that on the street.
Bronti:And some people who just ride on the street have never been to the track, they don't quite understand that. They think that they're doing that on the street, but but they're not. And once you go to the track, it opens your mind, you know, like it did for me anyway. And most of the students that I've taught at on track performance, and they're like, oh, wow. Okay.
Bronti:You know, it's it's just much safer. So
Liane:So there's two sides to that then. So we'll start with this one. What do you say to the people who think it's too expensive to do race school or on track performance or track days?
Bronti:Yeah. I mean, it is an expensive sport. That's a fair comment. You know? It is, but I mean, you know, breaking your leg and not being able to work is pretty expensive or, you know, having demerits or losing your license or crashing your motorcycle and, you know, having to fix it, like, that all in the long run, you know, is more expensive and causes more problems, right, versus paying $200 to go to a track day.
Bronti:Like, it's not even the same thing. And I think once someone just gives it a shot and goes to the track, I think it's hard to go back. It just opens you up to to what the sport really is and what your bike can really do and being in that environment where it's, you know, controlled and there's paramedics on-site and the track is controlled and cleaned and, you know, there's not potholes and, you know, debris and people who could be, you know, running in the way of where you are. Like, it's just much more controlled environment and safer. So in the long run, it's I think that's the best option.
Liane:Yeah. I agree. And then yeah. I mean, there's also the potential of, like, you know, losing your life because you have wrapped yourself around a bowl or or what. That's pretty expensive.
Liane:That's a big cost to pay, not necessarily money wise, but the destruction left behind on that. There's the other side of it too if people who think that if you go to the track, you can't be a responsible street rider after that because now you got this need for speed. And what do you have to say about that part of it? Like, I think people are mature enough to understand the two environments, but what are your thoughts?
Bronti:Yeah. Like, to be honest with you, for me anyway, I I think it's the opposite. I think once you go to the track and you you learn all of the skills that you're gonna learn, I think that you're going to be safer and then you're going to want to test those skills those skills again on the racetrack where you can properly do so, you know. I mean, you can still obviously practice these techniques about, know, your proper turn in apex exit, you throttle know, control, that kind of stuff, you know. However, like, you can't really, you know, you can't really do that properly on the street.
Bronti:You just can't. You need a close course. You need, you know, you need a proper racetrack. So I yeah. I would say that's an immature response.
Bronti:You know, like even when people say like, oh, I could never get a motorcycle because I would just go nuts. It's like, well, what do you do when you get in your car? Do you just do you just go 300 kilometers an hour when you're in your f one fifty driving to work? Like, I don't really like that comment because it just you know what I mean? It just doesn't just doesn't make sense logically.
Bronti:I think we can make choices, and I think, yeah, just make a better choice.
Liane:Yeah. I agree. That's the best way to put it. You just hop in your F three fifty and go 300. Yeah.
Liane:Like, it's you don't do it in your car. Why would you all of a sudden do it on a bike? I understand that. I know the first time I got on my Daytona, I accidentally wheelied it because I didn't realize how torquey it was. And, after that, I was very careful with my throttle control with that bike and, you know, and and that's I control it.
Liane:So, you know, I guess you're saying you don't have the ability to control yourself for these people who think that, you know, think that way. But what are your big plans for next year? Any any ideas? Have you even laid that? It hasn't been that long since you got these championships at your belt this year.
Liane:Like, are we going bigger or going home next year? What's going on?
Bronti:Yeah. I mean, the plan at the moment for next year is definitely to compete again in CSPK. Yeah. To do the full season, we'll see on which platform definitely for Yamaha. And, yeah, we'll see, like, regionally too.
Bronti:Like, the plan this year wasn't to compete regionally, but it just lined up because we missed that one round. So anyhow but, yeah, definitely, CSBK. And, like, my plan is to have a wildcard appearance at the women's world championship at some point here. So yeah. Yeah.
Bronti:So that's that's the goal. That's what I'm working towards. Just keep chipping away.
Liane:Where's the women's world championship gonna be?
Bronti:It's run-in conjunction with world superbike, so they don't do every round. But I believe and don't quote me, I could be off on this, but I thought they had, like, six rounds this year. So it's across Europe. They were just in were they in Spain? Yeah.
Bronti:So it's across Europe, and it's usually starts in May and goes till September, October. So, yeah, that's that's the plan. So
Liane:That would be so awesome if you got overseas and competed in that. That'd be probably the coolest thing ever. I know you would make Canada proud and yeah. Bronte, I you know, if anybody wanted is listening to this in their business or or just somebody who maybe wanted to support you in this venture and all the cool stuff you're doing for yourself and for Canada and for women in racing, Is there a way someone could get ahold of you, or or would you like them to come through me and I can connect them with you? Like, what what would you like?
Bronti:I mean, either way works. Yeah. I have I have a website that I that I set up so people can people can message me through there too, or send me an email. I don't know if we could post that after this or however.
Liane:We'll put it in the show notes for sure. Yeah.
Bronti:Yeah. Send me an email or, you know, a DM even on Instagram. I've had a couple sponsors do that, reach out. Yeah. I mean, it's it's an amazing sport, and it's awesome.
Bronti:It is expensive, though. That's just hey. That just that happens sometimes, and that's okay. But, yeah, it's it be would pretty incredible to represent Canada. That'd be amazing.
Bronti:And I'm so grateful for the sponsors I have because it like, it's not what I did. It's what we did. You know? They these people got me here, and it's I'm just so grateful. So
Liane:Well, and I think the the last group that will that I'll let you say thank you to on our way out is your team because you're only as good as the people are there right with you in your pits. So I know you have a few guys in there.
Bronti:Oh, yeah. A 100%. Starting with, little Steve. He's our crew chief. He's awesome.
Bronti:Yeah. Steve Sand. He's he's been with us for, I think, like, four years, five years now, and he's he calms me, and he's very competent and confident, and he's a good friend, and he's an excellent mechanic. Yeah. I wouldn't and couldn't do it without him.
Bronti:The same with Point Break. That's his nickname, Ryan. Yeah. Ryan is Ryan Ratzleff. He's awesome.
Bronti:He's also part of the team, he's a great mechanic, and just a good friend and good all around dude. And and my husband, Brad, yeah, he's honestly, like, I'm very fortunate because he, you know, he's just done so much. He's he's the coach. He's drives the truck. He helps me stay focused.
Bronti:He talks me off the ledge. You know, he does all the things. Right? He wears all the hats and yeah. I just, you know, I wouldn't have gone this far without him.
Bronti:You know? Like, you have to have the ability, but you have to have everything else that leads you to that. Right? And it was with him that I've been able to do this. So yeah.
Liane:He's he's great. I mean, he walked right up to me on that Sunday out at, RadTarget. He's like, I'm Brad, Bronte's husband. Like, I know who you are, but nice to meet you. Like, he's very I could see the the confidence that he has, which is great for being your biggest cheerleader and being out there promoting you and what you do.
Liane:And I can see the the love and the care that he has for you and everything that you're doing and that support. And just off of like one conversation with the guy, like I can see it all. And that is like you two are a match made in heaven, know, relationship goals for everyone else of how to be a supportive man with a very strong, very capable, and very competitive woman is an art form in itself. And he does it very well and it's very great to see. So congratulations to you for an amazing season in 2025 and to your entire team that's with you.
Liane:And I cannot wait to see what you do in 2026 because it's gonna be awesome.
Bronti:Thank you so much, Leanne. Thanks for having me on here, and and thank you for everything you're doing with Alberta Motorcycle Safety Association and just trying to get people safer, keep them safe, and congrats on your, accomplishments this year too. That's pretty cool.
Liane:Thank you. Thank you very much. So next week, we are going to be doing our season finale. I'll pull in our VP, Sean, and our producer, Brynn, to join me to talk about our season five recap. And until then, everybody else hang tight for the mixed bag.
Leroy:Hey. This is Leroy with another helpful tip from Moto Instincts. We're gonna talk about motorcycle safety myths. While loud exhaust pipes may get some attention, they don't guarantee safety. Even if a motorcyclist is close by, the sound may not be enough to alert a driver.
Leroy:The only time a loud pipe can help a biker is when they are right next to a vehicle in their blind spot, a place you should never be in the first place. Being mindful of your position around vehicles will manage sideswipe risk much better than making lots of noise. The second safety myth, bright colors and reflective gear can make a rider more visible, but they don't guarantee detection. Other drivers may still not see you. The bike shape, your position, or the driver's angle can hide high visibility gear.
Leroy:Bright gear definitely helps, but it's not foolproof. If you ever see a driver oblivious to an ambulance trying to get by, you'll realize that being loud and bright is not a 100% effective. Given that motorists might miss hearing or seeing you, it's crucial to always be prepared for the worst. Riding as though you are invisible is a powerful safety strategy to do so. This means riding as if no one can see you, which causes high alert for collisions.
Leroy:By expecting to be overlooked, you will detect cutoffs early and favor collision avoidant riding tendencies. For those who wanna maximize safety, combining an invisibility mindset with brake gear will manage risk best overall. If you want to stand out, consider three relative areas that the brain uses to identify a motorcyclist. The helmet, torso, and motorcycle. The helmet is the most noticeable as it's the highest point of the rider, is visible from all directions, and has a distinct shape.
Leroy:Make these three areas clash visually to be easily recognizable. That's it for this week. Make sure you visit us at moto instincts dot com for more information. Ride smart, ride safe.
Liane:And that's our show for today. To make sure that you don't miss out on any of our upcoming podcasts or listen to previous ones, make sure you click on subscribe or follow wherever you get yours. If there's a topic you'd like us to cover or a guest you think would be great on the show or even a question for the mailbag, let us know. You can connect with us on all the socials. Email us at info@ab-amss.org or reach out through the website at a b dash amss dot org.
Liane:Thanks for listening to Think Bike. From us, always remember to ride smart, ride safe, and think bike. See you out on the road.