Windsisters

Meet Michele…

Imagine what you will be doing when you turn 50 years old… if you’re already at the golden age, think back to what your life was like and what you were striving for at that peak moment. For Michele Wierzgac, the rug was pulled out from under her and everything she loved was taken away. Oh, the rug wasn’t pulled nicely… it was yanked and Michele went down hard… real hard. But with the help of a special friend, Michele was able to get up, dust herself off, and make a life changing decision. She bought a Harley.

Michele had grown up around motorcycles and had always wanted to learn how handle one herself. However, thinking of her mom’s wishes before her own, she did not participate in motorcycling but rather watched from the sidelines. Michele’s mom worried that something would happen to her out on the road… “Please wait until I die” was her request.

Michele with her mom

A couple of weeks before Michele’s 50th birthday, her mom passed away. Michele just lost her best friend, her confidant, her rock. On top of her grief and sadness, her life’s work was slipping away. Her career, the driving passion of her life, was a casualty of the downturn in the economy. There were days that Michele couldn’t even drag herself out of bed…

The sound of a Harley Davidson had awakened Michele out of her sorrowful sleep. Deb Trowbridge, a strong supportive friend, knew what would heal a wounded soul… a ride on her Heritage. She just knew that the road would have a way of working Michele’s grief and sadness out. The wind would blow away the sorrow and the sun would warm a chilled heart.

Michele took a courageous step… she did her research, took a course through the Harley Davidson’s Rider’s Edge program to learn how to ride safely, and a month later, was welcomed into the Harley Davidson family. At 50, she was the proud owner of a black and maroon 1200 Custom Sportster! Too old to learn how to ride a motorcycle? According to Michele, it’s never too late to find your freedom!

In her first year of riding, Michele put more than 11,000 miles on her bike. She was a rookie rider who experienced more miles in one year than most people ride in 5 years! If you were to start in San Francisco, CA, it’s just under 3000 miles to New York, NY. You’d need to ride from San Fran, to New York, back to San Fran, and almost back to New York to hit 11,000 miles. Now THAT is a road trip!

For her, Michele’s road trip was therapy… one gas tank at a time. She lost the person most endearing and influential in her life and the road was where she rediscovered herself. She found comfort. Freedom. Love. Release. Restoration. Peace. On a 1200 Custom named LUV BIG, she honored the memory of her mom with every mile.

“The bike is dedicated to my mom. The plates are LUV BIG because that was my mom’s philosophy. Whatever you do, do it well and with passion. Whoever you surround yourself with, love them big too. Whatever you love to do, do it BIG!”

Michele and her Windsisters

Michele has surrounded herself with a pack of windsisters who fuel her passion for riding. They offered support when she needed it most and have encouraged her to turn her face to the sun and ride on. Michele speaks fondly of her friend and mentor, Deb. Deb is a veteran rider who has taken Michele under her wing and instructed her on the finer points of being a responsible rider. It was Deb who challenged Michele to grab hold of the handlebars and take control of her own journey.

“While riding, one of my favorite things is to glance over at my windsisters and see the huge smiles on their faces.” There is a certain, unspeaking connection they make on the road… feeling the power and freedom that the other is experiencing. “Riding with women is a ‘go with the flow‘ feeling. If we stop, we stop – no explanations are required. The rule of thumb with this group is to ‘ride your own ride’.”

Michele stresses that it is important to know your limits and not to over-ride your skill level. She has taken her message to the streets… literally. With only one year of riding under her chaps, Michele became a certified Rider’s Edge instructor. She is now teaching other women, and men, how to ride safely and responsibly. She’s living her passion for riding and encouraging others to roll on the throttle in their lives.

Michele on LUV BIG

Michele has proudly logged over 23,500 miles on her Sportster. All her road time equates to just over 2500 miles a month… a veteran rider’s mileage in any book. She earned an award from the Harley Owners Group in Racine, WI for the highest mileage by women riders in 2010. She ranks third in overall mileage among the entire group with 13,990 miles. Not bad for her sophomore year!

There is talk of trading up to a Heritage Softail but lots of memories adorn LUV BIG. It won’t be an easy choice. But Michele will make this choice, just as she has made any other choice in her life… with passion, conviction, and an eye for the freedom of the road.

“I used to think that I was too old to start riding. Who picks up a bike for the first time at fifty, especially if you’re a woman? But I learned that it’s never too late to follow your dreams and to find happiness. I hope my story inspires others to trust their desires and to have the courage, and encouragement, to transition to a new stage in their lives… at any age.”

To learn more about Michele, visit her at www.micheleandco.com or friend her on Facebook.