Hello! This is my first official column for Offroadmotorcycles.ca. I am very excited and would like to welcome you to Thrills and Spills! If you don’t know me, my name is Jillian Kings (or Bolsø… depending on which side of my family you ask!) I have been riding since I was three, mostly 4x4 trails and quad trails with my family, who are big into off-roading trucks. I started racing at 18, Oval Ice in 2006, then graduated to Motocross races in 2007 and Offroad racing in 2008. While pursuing my dreams of racing I can say I am taking a double major in Off-road Racing and Motocross, and hoping to graduate with honors and my body intact.

This past weekend was the annual Calgary Motorcycle Show. It couldn’t have come at a better time. As all of the western Canadian riders know, we have been recently been pummeled by a winter storm. More blowing snow than anything, but it was depressing none the less. It was awesome to get out of the weather and into the Roundup Center to check out, think about and dream about everything motorcycles. I was on hand, handing out high fives, Offroadmotorcycle.ca stickers, and rolling posters in the Kawasaki booth. It was a long weekend, but a blast none the less!

If you want snow, you got it. Noel Bolso photo

An exciting part of the Show was the Second Gear Club’s area, where they were putting on a trials demo. It awesome to bring that style of riding to a wider variety of people, and it was always busy! They displayed many ages, levels, and had both male and female riders. It was great way to break up dreaming about your next race bike, dual sport or street steed.

Indoor trials floored the crowd at the Calgary Motorcycle Show! Doug Newall photo

Another booth that I really enjoyed and had something every McLean-riding-off-roader requires was the Rocky Mountain Dirt Riders Association. They have put a ton of work into trial maintenance, GPS mapping, bridge building etc and have introduced a wicked trail map this year. This map isn’t just for the newbies; there’s nothing like taking someone you’ve never ridden with before on what you and your friends call “easy trails” and having them struggle or get hurt and not know a truly  ‘easy’ out.  Just join the RMDRA and take your receipt to a club meeting or guided trail ride and you can get your map! Visit www.rmdra.com Click on ‘Join now’ on the left hand side.

If you are itching to race, or watch some races, the Second Gear Club has its first oval ice race this weekend. It is located on Chestermere Lake, just 20 west of Calgary.  The racing is fast, with tons of competitors and spectators alike. I would suggest everyone check out the Ice Races this year! It’s a nice way to get even more motivated to mount those Trelleborgs and ride! Their schedule is available at www.secondgearclub.com . Definitely keep an eye open for the three fast chicks that are racing intermediate this year. My close friend Shelby Coonfer is one of them and has moved up to the Intermediate class. Word on the street is she’s flying! As a self- proclaimed advocate for ladies riding, giv’r heck girls!

Shelby Coonfer, hangin’ it on the ice. Mitch Brown SGC photo

Speaking of lady riders, this summer one of my goals is to help introduce some of my riding buds better halves to the wonderful world of riding! More about this in the summer months, but it’s always amazing, surprising and inspiring to see which ‘girly girl’(s) end up becoming a wicked awesome rider!! It’s a fresh reminder to never judge a book by its cover.

Play riding with the girls! Noel Bolso photo

Well I hope everyone is enjoying their winter riding, skiing, sledding, snowboarding and training! I look forward to the first local race of the Season…in 93 days. But seriously.. who’s counting?

Later hosers!! JK

Special thanks to my sponsors:

A & E Racing and Marine, FMF Exhaust, Steel MX Optics, Matrix Concepts, Ridepg.com, Bow Cycle and Motor, Troy Lee Designs Canada, Motocandy, Motovan, Sosa Orginal, Human Kanvas. Norscan Rigging, Offroadmotorcycles.ca and my friends and family for all their support!