Kandi Spangler

For those of you who competed in the U.S. GS Trophy Qualifier 2 weeks ago, please PM me if you want access to the professional photos from the event. I can send you the links.

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but if you participated in the GS Trophy this past weekend and you’re questioning ALL of your decisions - the sacrifices made, the endless hours of training, the money and time spent to get you and your bike to SC - this is a tough time for you. And if you’re anything like me, you replay every error made, knowing you’re a better rider than you showed the judges. You’re angry with yourself, you’re angry with the results and you may even be swearing off ever doing another Trophy competition.

Let me offer you this…

Give yourself grace. The challenges this year looked incredibly hard, it was muddy and slick, and the pressures of competition can get the best of us. What I found to be incredibly cathartic after my own Trophy Qualifiers was to write down my observations from the event, what I would do differently and notes about each of the challenges. It helped. Then, give yourself time. Time to process the event and how you may have benefited from doing the event despite not going all the way.

This s**t is fun, but it’s also hard. And you’re a badass for even participating. Don’t ever forget that.

Remember… you only lose if you quit trying.

This article seems fortuitous being as I'm at the BMW U.S. Rider Academy this weekend taking their Authority School!

Ease into your Friday with Kandi Spangler.
Kandi, at 5'2" tall, is a "fun sized" and accomplished motorcycle rider who is driven to always improve her riding skills. In this article, she draws some fantastic parallels between motorcycle training and her aviator training. Check it out: https://riderjustice.com/an-aviators-take-on-motorcycle-training/

To say American Supercamp was a blast is an understatement. The Colorado GS Girls we’re there in full force and fit in well with the super fun, two-wheeled shenanigans that the coaches of Supercamp bestowed upon is. Not only was Danny Walker highly entertaining, astute and a fabulous coach, we got to hang out and get coaching from 3x MotoAmerica champ, Jake Gange, who was humble, down to earth and yet a total badass on a motorcycle. I decided to finish the up the weekend with a training day out at IMI on the GS for some Trophy training. I’m probably going to need some Aleve. 🤣 **tisfun

Weekends are better on two wheels and surrounded by friends. Photo credit: Lezlie Martin.

Comparing notes: Short or tall, you can get these big bikes leaned over and really tighten up your turns. Form is everything.

It’s better to have a black dog next to your GS than on it. AltRider

Not sure how, but their website is showing FIVE more spots available for the GS Trophy Qualifier. If you were bummed last week when they were sold out, this is your lucky day! Sign up now!

If it makes you uncomfortable and a little scared, you’re probably on the right track.

You can’t change the past, so focus on what you can do going forward to reach your goals. Be purposeful in your day and how you spend your time. **t

At the time I won 1st Place, I had no idea it would be my last GS Trophy Qualifier. Under the new rules, I am no longer eligible to compete because I am an off road riding coach. No matter, I had decided before the new rules came out that it was time for me to pass that torch because I wanted to share my passion and knowledge of the GS Trophy with others… especially women. More importantly, I wanted to share my passion for training and mastering riding skills on these superior machines. So I have done just that.

I am on a quest to find and support at least TEN WOMEN to compete in this year’s U.S. GS Trophy Qualifier in October at the BMW U.S. Rider Academy. So if you are a woman who is thinking about competing, please reach out to me. I have created a private FB page for female GS Trophy competitors to share information, wins, challenges and create camaraderie with our fellow teammates. Because we all benefit when we train together. **tisfun

A FEW SPOTS REMAIN for next weekend's FIRST LEVEL Adventure Rider Training here in Denver, Aug 5-6. Visit our website to learn more and to sign up. Remember, the best adventures start with great skills, and great skills start with proper training. **tisfun
Sign up here: https://motoikandi.com/training/

Sign-up is now LIVE for the GS Trophy U.S. Qualifiers! Sound off, competitors - who's going?!?! https://bmwperformancecenter.com/motorrad/gstrophy/?fbclid=IwAR1vya9gaLJp5KF38I2uGwuUFeKWAsFzSsgRRpqYFuPwXRscomwACxsGf6A

The GS Trophy | Motorrad Come to the BMW U.S. Rider Academy for BMW Motorrad On- and off-road school, and Custom Moto Tours. Ride the latest BMW Motorcycles.

I’m not going to lie; this was a pretty awesome weekend of training. Everyone knows I love slow-speed maneuvering and drills, but breaking traction is NEXT LEVEL fun! And this weekend I worked with one of the lead instructors from Yamaha Champions Riding School, Michael Henao, on a couple TTR 125s to help my students get more comfortable breaking traction before translating those skills over to their big adventure bikes, resulting in some good ol’ fashioned rip-roaring fun. I loved the team coaching approach and I can’t wait to develop this curriculum even more for next time! **tisfun