We traveled to Road America in Wisconsin to catch the Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. races and learn more about the program. Photos courtesy Royal Enfield. Women in motorcycle racing have always been the exception, not the norm. To change that, Royal Enfield’s Build. Train. Race. was created as a one-of-its-kind program that invites women riders to build their own Royal Enfield motorcycle and prepare it for racing, train with professional coaches, and compete in a series of races in either flat-track or roadracing.  Shea MacGregor finished in 6th on the wet track on Saturday. This is MacGregor’s first year at BTR, and she hopes to continue racing after she graduates from the program. Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. hopefuls send in their applications each season, and those who are chosen compete for one or two seasons. In the roadracing category, the women are given Royal Enfield Continental GT 650s, while the flat-trackers get INT650s. At the end of their time in the program, the competitors keep their bikes. One of the goals of BTR is to provide women with a starting point from which they can launch a career in racing.  The 2024 season includes four races and 10 competitors for flat-track and five races with 13 competitors for roadracing. The second roadracing event of the season was held June 1-2 at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, and we were happy to accept Royal Enfield’s invitation to the Royal Enfield Experience Center in Milwaukee to find out more about the series and ride to Road America to see the action.  The Royal Enfield Experience Center in Milwaukee showcases historic Royal Enfield bikes, as well as the current model lineup. Photo by the author. The Royal Enfield Experience Center is located in a brick building that was once a dealership. Upon entering, you’ll notice significant historical Royal Enfield motorcycles and memorabilia displayed around the room, as well as examples of the current lineup. In the back of the building, bikes were on stands being worked on. It doesn’t take long to tour this small center, but if you’re a Royal Enfield fan, a visit and some riding in the area are well worth the trip.  Royal Enfield offered a variety of bikes for the journalists on our ride, including the INT650, the Scram 411, the Shotgun 650, and others. With the other journalists who would be joining the ride gathered, we each swung a leg over a bike in front of the Experience Center and took off through the streets of Milwaukee. I was mounted on a Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650, a bike I’d ridden and reviewed before in Dallas, Texas.  The Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 provided a relaxing cruise through the Wisconsin countryside on our ride to Road America. GEAR UP Helmet: Scorpion EXO Covert FX  Jacket: Joe Rocket Wicked  Gloves: Fly Racing Street Brawler  Pants: Alpinestars Daisy V2 Women’s Riding Denim  Boots: Highway 21 Axle Leather Waterproof  We took a scenic route up to Elkhart Lake, following flowing roads through the countryside and weaving into and out of forests and farmland. It’s a beautiful ride and another great reason to visit Road America for the MotoAmerica events. About halfway through our ride, rain began to fall, and it would continue falling throughout the day, resulting in a wet track for those competing.  Rain began to fall about halfway through our ride, but the roads weaving through wooded land were still fun to ride. Photo by the author. When we arrived at Road America and the Royal Enfield paddock, motorcycles screaming down the track drowned out the sounds of Royal Enfield racers and crew members checking over the bikes and discussing the upcoming races. Build. Train. Race. was scheduled for later in the day, so we had a few hours to chat with the competitors, explore the track, and watch the other races.  Road America offers motorcycle parking that’s a short walk to the paddock area. Photo by the author. The first thing I noticed in the Royal Enfield paddock was the sense of friendship and community. The racers and crew members joked with each other as they checked over the bikes. Everyone was there to compete, but they were also there to enjoy the experience, improve themselves, and learn.  Lauren Prince working on her bike hours before the first race. Photo by the author. Shea MacGregor is new to roadracing this year. A motocross racer for most of her riding life, she came to the Build. Train. Race. roadracing series to try something new.  “We’re all very competitive and we all want to win, but it’s a great community,” said MacGregor. “Everybody wants everybody else to be here too because we all want to race. I crashed this morning, and as soon as I got back, everybody was like, ‘How can I help you? What do you need?’”  Miranda Cain checking her tire pressure as the other racers in the Royal Enfield paddock also get ready for Race 1. Photo by the author. Another newcomer this year, Lucy Blondel, has been riding on street for seven years and started racing last year. Blondel is a picture of resilience, and even though she had a rough opening weekend at Barber, she showed up to the races at Road America ready to try again.  “Barber was really awful for me. I didn’t expect how intense it was going to be,” said Blondel. “I was having panic attacks, and I was just done. I’ve worked through that since. I put a lot of pressure on myself. I come from a family where that’s always been a thing, and you think through that failure if you don’t meet the expectations you set for yourself. So I’m just mentally prepared to be in the race by myself, improve my times, and then I’ll eventually get in the race with everyone else.”  The wet track on Saturday created a challenge that many of these racers had never faced before. Mikayla Moore is the dominating force in BTR. During her first year in the BTR program in 2023, she won every race. The opening double-header at Barber in May continued that streak with two more victories for Moore. But as I walked around the paddock on Saturday, Moore was noticeably absent.  I found out that Moore, who was also planning to debut in the BellissiMoto Twins Cup class that weekend, had an accident in the Twins Cup qualifying rounds that caused an injury to her thigh. X-rays showed no broken bones, but her muscle was injured.  The BTR ladies in pit lane getting ready for their warm-up lap. Photo by the author. As the women rolled into pit lane to begin their warm-up laps, the rain had slowed to a light sprinkle, but the track wouldn’t have a chance to dry before the race. Moore joined the riders in pit lane for the warm-up lap, but she dismounted the bike after one lap while shaking her head, clearly not feeling up to a race that day.  With Moore out of the race, an opportunity opened for someone else to score her first victory of the season. Moore quickly changed out of her leathers and joined the crew in pit lane to cheer on the others, while those still mounted on bikes put their heads down and got ready. These women who were so jovial in the paddock a few hours ago were now serious competitors determined to cash in a win.  Miranda Cain and Emma Betters finished Sunday’s race within 0.04 second of each other. Off the start, first-year racer Cassie Creer leapt ahead of the pack and continued putting distance between herself and those behind her, gaining up to a 5-second lead. However, Emma Betters continued improving her lap times and slowly closing the gap. Many of these racers were unfamiliar with racing in wet conditions, but they continued improving and gaining confidence on each lap of the 4.05-mile, 14-turn track.  When Creer crossed the checkered line, Betters had gotten within 0.225 second of her for a close 2nd-place finish. Camille Conrad, another first-year racer, finished in 3rd.  Even though Mikayla Moore (right) had to sit out of Saturday’s race due to injury, she was the first at the podium to congratulate the other racers. Photo by the author. At the podium, Mikayla Moore was the first one to congratulate the racers and give everyone a pat on the back. All the BTR ladies smiled widely as Creer, Betters, and Conrad took their podium spots. Just as quickly as the women had gotten serious and competitive when the race started, they became convivial friends again once the race was over.  Cassie Creer took home her first win of the season at Road America. Emma Betters and Camille Conrad filled out the podium. Photo by the author. While I was on a flight back home the next day, the BTR ladies headed onto the track for the second race of the weekend. Moore, with a full day of rest to recuperate and a dry track beneath her tires, took the victory ahead of Aubrey Credaroli and Cassie Creer. Moore is leading in the standings with 75 points, but her absence from Saturday’s race allowed Emma Betters and Camille Conrad to narrow the gap, both with 65 points.  The Royal Enfield Build. Trian. Race. roadracers compete again on June 30 at Ridge Motorsports Park in Whelton, Washington. They’ll have the chance to catch their breath before the final race of the season on Aug. 18 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.  Mikayla Moore was back in action on Sunday, once again taking the victory, followed by Audrey Credaroli and Cassie Creer. If you haven’t seen the BTR action in person, I encourage you to get out to the races and see it for yourself. You’ll be witnessing the early stages of a greater diversity in motorcycle racing, and once BTR graduates are competing in other classes with bigger stakes, you’ll be able to say you saw them at their beginnings. We’ll certainly be keeping an eye on where these ladies go next.  Visit the Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. website for more information.  The post Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. at Road America 2024  appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Site has no Description

Kelly Clarkson calls these 5 sorority sisters "Rad Humans" when they see a vehicle go off the road, and they race to save a mom and two kids from their sinking car! In an unforgettable episode of the Kelly Clarkson Show, five sorority sisters from the University of Georgia recounted a heart-stopping rescue that has left audiences across the nation in awe. Molly McCollum, Jane McArdle, Eleanor Cart, Clarke Jones, and Kaitlyn Iannace, all members of Kappa Alpha Theta, had set out for a girls’ weekend in Savannah when their journey took a dramatic turn. As they shared their story with Kelly, it became clear that their craving for biscuits was part of a divine plan to save lives. RELATED: Rescuers Worked Tirelessly And Finally Saved A Toddler Who Fell Into A Well The Five Friends Decided to Stop For Breakfast Biscuits It was a typical Friday morning when the five friends decided to stop for breakfast biscuits, a detour that would place them in the right place at the right time. Driving through rural Burke County, the women were chatting and laughing, excited for their weekend getaway, when suddenly, they witnessed a terrifying sight. A white SUV veered off the road, tumbling 135 feet into a creek below. Molly McCollum, the group’s unofficial leader, described the moment. “We were just approaching a bridge and saw this car leave the roadway and roll over into the creek. Without thinking, we pulled over and raced down to the boat ramp area," she recalled. As they reached the submerged vehicle, panic set in. They could see a mother, Cori Craft, frantically trying to free her two young children from the sinking SUV. “We saw Cori pop out of the car, and immediately, we knew we had to help,” said Eleanor. RELATED: Something Shiny Catches Fishermen's Attention and Next Comes an Unbelievable Miracle Rescue The Sorority Sisters Sprang Into Action With no time to spare, the women sprang into action. Drawing on her lifeguard training, Clarke dove into the water and began pulling the children out. Jane and Kaitlyn assisted from the shore, while Molly and Eleanor helped Cori to safety. The youngest child, a four-year-old boy, was submerged for what felt like an eternity. Clarke performed CPR on the boy, using the tire of the SUV as a makeshift platform. “I just remember thinking, ‘God, please help me save this child,'” Clarke recounted. “When he finally started crying and breathing, it was like a miracle.” Their bravery and quick thinking did not go unnoticed. The Burke County Sheriff's Office praised their actions, stating, “The quick thinking and bravery of these women is absolutely admirable. We are grateful they were in the right place at the right time.” Cori Thanked Her Rescuers Cori, who was also a guest on the show, tearfully thanked her rescuers. She tearfully said, “I just want to thank each and everyone of you for what you all did. I cant thank each and everyone of you enough." As the episode concluded, Kelly Clarkson herself was moved to tears. “They were there at the right time. It's incredible," she said. The five sorority sisters, once on a simple quest for biscuits, ended up performing an act of heroism that will be remembered for years to come. Their story is a testament to how God can use the most unexpected moments to bring about miracles. YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: The Incredible Moment 40 Strangers Banded Together To Rescue Man Trapped Under Bus John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” WATCH: 5 Sorority Sisters See Vehicle Go off the Road & Race to Save a Mom and 2 Kids from Sinking Car  LISTEN: Chip and Joanna Gaines On No Social Media for Their Kids | Homeless Angel Saves The Day After Grandpa Ditches Grandkid h/t: People Featured Image Credit: YouTube/The Kelly Clarkson Show The post 5 Sorority Sisters See Vehicle Go off the Road & Race to Save a Mom and 2 Kids from Sinking Car appeared first on GodUpdates.

YAOUNDE, CAMEROON — The Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad basin says several hundred fighters from jihadist groups Boko Karam and Islamic State West Africa Province have fled to Chad and Cameroon after the task force attacked camps and killed more than 70 terrorists Sunday. The ongoing operation, dubbed Lake Sanity 2, aims to obliterate all terrorist camps around Lake Chad, the task force said. In a video circulated on social media and broadcast on Chadian state TV, scores of villagers shouted that at least two dozen relatives died in attacks in villages along Cameroon’s border with Nigeria, and that 12 more people were injured. The four-nation task force, created to fight terrorism in Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger, said the deceased seen in the video are some of the more than 70 Boko Haram and Islamic State terrorists “neutralized” in Sunday’s attacks. The joint task force also said many jihadists surrendered in the air and ground operations but did not give a precise number. The troops said they captured many fighters and recovered large consignments of weapons. None of its ground troops suffered injuries, the task force said. The task force’s operations are targeting terrorist hideouts in border villages, including Mokolo and Waza in Cameroon. Moubi, Menchika and Madagali in Nigeria are also part of the operation. A release from task force spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi said the goal is to wipe out terrorist camps in villages on the borders of Chad, Cameroon and Nigeria, as well as the portion of the Lake Chad basin shared by the three neighbors. Midjiyawa Bakari, the governor of Cameroon’s Far North region, asked civilians to watch for fleeing terrorists because, he said, they are infiltrating neighboring towns and villages. He asked local militias to help in the effort and for people in border towns and villages to report to government troops any strangers or groups of people entering the country. Bakari, who spoke on Cameroonian state TV on Tuesday, said the porous nature of Cameroon’s border with Chad and Nigeria makes it difficult for troops to single handedly stop jihadists without the assistance of civilians. Chad's government said it also has deployed what it says are enough troops to stop terrorists from hiding in its territory. Chad said that within the past two days, its troops had killed or arrested many militants but provided no details. Boko Haram began launching attacks in Nigeria in 2009. In 2013, Cameroon, Niger and Chad reported that the terror group had launched attacks in their territories. The task force, which was created in 2014 to fight the militants, says it has about 11,000 troops and rescue workers. The United Nations says the conflict has killed more than 40,000 people, mainly in Nigeria, and forced 3 million to flee their homes.

Cartoons Etc. LIVE  Join us for the pre-Independence Day special this coming Wednesday, July 3rd. where A.F. Branco and Gorman discuss the latest SCOTUS rulings and Bannon’s prison sentence with Tony’s toons and Gorman’s video.   DONATE to A.F. Branco Cartoons – Tips accepted and appreciated – $1.00 – $5.00 – $25.00 – $50.00 – it all helps to fund this website and keep the cartoons coming. Also Venmo @AFBranco – THANK YOU! A.F. Branco has taken his two greatest passions (art and politics) and translated them into cartoons that have been popular all over the country in various news outlets, including NewsMax, Fox News, MSNBC, CBS, ABC, and “The Washington Post.” He has been recognized by such personalities as Rep. Devin Nunes, Dinesh D’Souza, James Woods, Chris Salcedo, Sarah Palin, Larry Elder, Lars Larson, Rush Limbaugh, and President Trump.

Is Joe Biden just another compromised pedophile selected by the globalist elite to serve as a puppet president – or is there something even darker and more dangerous going on? Biden’s debate performance last week [...] The post Biden’s Family Admit Elite Replaced ‘Real’ Joe Biden Years Ago  appeared first on The People's Voice.

Released on June 30, 1993, Fugazi's In On The Killtaker may have been the Washington DC quartet's best-selling record, but it emerged at a time when the alt. rock 'revolution' was proving to be a "headache" for Ian MacKaye and co.