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As I write this, our very own Backroads With Betsy columnist, Betsy Huelskamp, is on a plane on her way to New York City to view the first installment of “Everest 2: Beyond the Limit,” the TV series on Discovery Channel that starts airing Tuesday night, October 30th.

I just returned from giving two speeches to a group of riders at Chesters Harley-Davidson open house event in Mesa, Arizona, this past weekend. What a fun dealership! The staff was very friendly, and lots of interesting customers to talk with. I even loved the southwest decor of the place.

The Dyna model family, which goes by the designation FXD, consists of six motorcycles all built around the same chassis. The Twin Cam engine is rubber mounted to the frame thereby reducing vibration versus the counterbalanced engine on the Softails. The rear spring loaded shocks are also visible versus the hidden rear shocks on the Softails. The Dyna models offer a very smooth ride and boast the lightest clutch lever effort of any of the other platforms. Shown is the Dyna Street Bob.

Seven models make up Harley-Davidsons touring family. At a minimum each bike has sidebags and a windshield and/or fairing for riders who like to tour. All touring models are equipped with a new six-gallon fuel tank, and an electronic throttle so wires are hidden inside the handlebars and can accomodate the optional cruise control system. Shown is the Ultra Classic Electra Glide.

This years Sturgis rally was all about the women. While attendance numbers were down Sturgis Rally Director Pepper Massey said unofficial estimates were around 350,000 (versus the 500,000 its been the last few years) the presence of women riding their own motorcycles was more powerful than ever.

Those of you who regular read my Editors Thoughts column will notice the change in the title of this link. Its now Genevieves Blog. I decided to change the format of my column to a