4 Things Riding Buddies Do

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I love the feeling of empowerment I have when I’m riding motorcycle with my friends.   It carries with it a certain sense of community between us and the feeling typically carries on into our conversations. 

Last week was the first ride of the season with my girlfriends.  (This photo is not us, BTW) We put on a few scenic miles and then stopped for dinner where our conversation went beyond work and kids.  We got into hopes and dreams and goals and things we want to accomplish.  As we were talking, I realized that every woman should have friends like these… riding buddies of life, if you will.   Riding buddies that will do these 4 things…

1 – Care – Don’t you want somebody to love?  Flashback to Jefferson Airplane…  I’d change that a bit and ask ‘don’t you want somebody to love you?’  We all need a friend just to care about us… warts and all.  We long for someone to simply listen and not offer any suggestions… any solutions… someone to just care about you and what you have to say.  Someone who will pick up the phone and say “Hey!  I was thinking about you today!  How’s it going?”

2 – Share – There aren’t many friends we feel comfortable sharing our deepest, darkest secrets or our biggest, brightest dreams.  We don’t want to expose ourselves or elevate expectations drawing other’s criticism.  It’s scary to open up and be vulnerable.  However, if you’re like me, you have to share your ideas, dreams, and desires or you’ll drive yourself crazy!  Can you find a friend that won’t stand in the way of your dreams?  That won’t be a “Debbie-downer” when it comes to your goals?

3 – Dare – One of my favorite quotes is “A good friend will come bail you out of jail, but a true friend will be sitting next to you saying…’Damn, that was fun!’”  Now… I’m not suggesting you do something that will get you into big trouble but what I am suggesting is finding a friend that will dare you.  Dare you to be the best person you can be!  Dare you to be adventurous and try new things!  Someone to push you out of your comfort zone so you can have more fun and accomplishment in your life!  Just the other day I had someone say to me, “I love having coffee with you because you make me think…”  To me, that is being a daring friend.

4 – Repair – When riding with a group of motorcycles, there is an unspoken rule that if one bike goes down, another goes down with it.  My friend, who was near the back of the pack, was having trouble on the interstate.  Her bike just wasn’t firing correctly so she pulled off to the side.  Those of us upfront didn’t see her pull off but the sweep rider did so she pulled off as well.  They worked out the kinks and stayed together until the bike was up and running again.  The same goes for when we have troubles in our lives… we need someone to fall out of line with us and offer help with what needs to be repaired.  And when all is fixed, get us back out on the road.

Do you have a friend that cares deeply for you?  That you can share your dreams and secrets with?  That will dare you to think bigger than yourself?  That will come along side you when you breakdown?  Better yet… are YOU a riding buddy like that?  I challenge you to find a friend like this and become a friend like this… a Riding Buddy for life!  And to my riding buddies… I am so grateful for you!

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Invoke 3 Feelings Riding Solo

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It’s a beautiful sunny day and you’re driving through a canyon…. The pines reach up to scratch the skies and the brook carves its way along the canyon bottom.  The road curves around and nature is unfolding before your eyes around each corner.

iStockphoto.com

Now imagine that you’re on the back of a motorcycle going down that same road.  You can now smell the pines and you can see the tops of the trees as they stretch to the sky… nothing but the canyon walls are blocking your view.   You can hear the brook as it babbles through the trees…

And now imagine that you’re in the front seat and actually driving the motorcycle yourself… you become acutely aware of the road under your tires as you roll on the throttle and lean your body into the curve.  You feel the wind on your face and the sun on your shoulder… you and your machine are one with the road.

For some of you… this is a scary thought.  For others of you, this is an opportunity of adventure.  I believe that every woman should ride her own motorcycle because of 3 feelings she will experience.

Empowerment – Ask any woman why she rides her own motorcycle and the first word that will come out of her mouth is empowerment.  When you grab the bars, you are in control.  You are taking that machine down the road of your choosing.  Your destiny is in your own hands and not that of someone else.  There is such a rush of having 1600 ccs under you and all you have to do it flick your wrist to feel it’s power.

Excitement – I have a Biker Bucket List… it’s a “Rides-I-Want-To-Take” list.  On my list is Pacific Coast Highway… all 318 curves of the Tail of the Dragon… Route 66…  There is a certain excitement that goes along with planning, riding, and finishing a road trip.  All the people you’ll meet… all the beautiful sights you’ll see… and the memories you’ll make.  It’s the excitement and adventure that we’re after.   And you’ll certainly find that on a motorcycle.

Accomplishment – Every year our local Harley shop holds an event where 5000 or more bikes line up to form a parade and raise money for Make-A-Wish foundation.  There is one year in particular that I remember that parade… I was riding my Heritage Softail when a little girl spotted me.  She looked up at her mom… tugged at her mom’s shirt… and pointed to me… Over the roar of the engine I couldn’t hear what she was saying but I could read her lips.  “Look mom!  It’s a girl!”  I was so proud to be a woman riding her own motorcycle that day because I hope I instilled something in that little girl… that she can accomplish anything she puts her mind to!

We’ve come a long way from when riding a motorcycle wasn’t very lady-like.  I’m very proud of the long line of women that have gone before me… literally paving the way for other women… and I pledge to take my place in that staggered line so that women who follow me can feel the empowerment, excitement, and accomplishment of taking life by the bars.

Ladies… we can forge new roads… we can be in control and be accomplished riders… we can take the adventures of our lives… and yes… we can ride big bikes… all we need to do is throw our leg over the saddle, flip the switch, and roll on the throttle.  

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Sturgis Hall of Famer – Gloria Struck

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It’s about time that the oldest member of the Motor Maids is recognized for her lifetime achievements in the world of motorcycling.  Gloria Tramontin Struck is a 2011 inductee into the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame.  She joins the likes of Peter Fonda, Jay Leno, Robbie Kneivel, and of course William Harley and the entire Davidson family.  Gloria’s in good company… Gloria IS great company!  I hope members of the Hall of Fame are ready to keep up with her!

Lisa and Gloria

Gloria herself will tell you that she’s no spring chicken but that hasn’t stopped her from hopping on a motorcycle and riding cross country… or around the world for that matter!  She is a spry 86 year old with a quick wit and kind eyes.  I got to meet Gloria at the Biker Belle ride in Sturgis, just after she was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

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Angels Among Us

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Two summers ago, I was looking to upgrade my 1995 Heritage Softail. After test driving a couple different Harley models, I settled on a Street Glide. One of the reasons I like my Street Glide is that it has a built-in radio. So when barreling down the road in “Crazy Woman Territory”, I like to listen to a little country. When in Rome…

Just last week, I was riding in 100+ degree heat… going 80 mph down Interstate 90… coming home from a weekend in the Big Horns of WY when a song came on… the song was the 1993 hit from Alabama “Angels Among Us”. You know the one… I recognized the piano solo and my mind wandered to the angels we had encountered on a recent trip.

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Calling Women Riders…

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When you hear the term “biker”, is it this guy that you envision? The road beaten, tattoo covered, grey bearded, skin weathered, hardened male road warrior? “Bikers” aren’t just men anymore!

In today’s biker community, you’ll find that a softer, edgier, more feminine version is emerging. Hey guys, move over… women now account for 23% of motorcyclists. Of the 25 million riders who are throwing their leg over the seat, just under 6 million are of the female persuasion. Women are the fastest growing demographic when it comes to new riders who are twisting the throttle.

Harley Davidson is one company who has taken notice. May is Women Rider’s month and HD has put a big pink X on the calendar marking Saturday, May 14th as the official “Women’s Ride Day”. Their invitation to women world-wide is to drop everything and hit the road on two wheels. Go solo… go with a group… just go!

Check in with your local motorcycle dealerships to see if they are hosting any women’s events in May. If not… why not just start your own!?! If you ride, you already know that you can’t wait for someone else… take life by the bars!

Leave a comment with details if you’re lining up a women’s only ride for sometime during the month of May… your event may be nearby so someone else can join!

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