I knew that it was inside of me all the time.

Not just a knowing, but a feeling. A restless child inside my soul who couldn’t be still. The whispered voice that wouldn’t be silenced.

I wanted to RIDE.

But not only did I not know how, I didn’t know anyone else who did, and I didn’t know how to go about learning.

But the desire was always there. Every time I would see a beautiful bike cruise past me on the street or roar past me on the highway, something would stir inside of me and I knew without a doubt that one day that would be me. So much so that I would purchase and wear t-shirts of my motorcycle of choice Harley-Davidson. As I think back I realize that perhaps I was getting ready.
Good thing I did because it was coming. The universe has a way of giving us what we believe we deserve.

I met my future spouse who had already been riding for many years. After we had been together for a few years we decided that it was time for me to learn how to ride. I was told that if I was going to learn how to ride that I had to learn on the most practical bike available to us. Our 100 year anniversary Harley-Davidson Fatboy. Of course I had reservations about learning on this bike because it’s beautiful and I didn’t want to mess it up in any way.
Logically, my first thought was maybe I should learn on something smaller because I was a woman. The response I got was, “Why? You’re going to ride it, not carry it. Besides I’ve seen women make that mistake for years. Invest in a bike that they out grow in no time and now they’re stuck. That’s not going to be you.”

So at 5′ 4″ tall I learned how to ride that Fatboy with the 18″ apehangers that were already on it. We both had confidence in my abilities; although, my biggest concern was the carpal tunnel that I have in my right wrist and how it might affect my riding. Well there was only one way to find out.

We headed east one Sunday morning to ride as far as possible to see how far I could go. 225 miles and one state over we stopped to have a bite to eat. Then headed back home. 225 more miles. Not bad. So four days later we tried it again just to be sure. About 400 miles and four states later I took a picture by the state sign. Utah, Life Elevated. Seemed appropriate because that’s how it feels when I ride. Of course I had to make the ride back home through the desert heat. I was ready. For my accomplishment I was given that beautiful Fatboy as a birthday gift.

I know that you get me when I say that when I am on the road the bike and I are one. There’s nothing like moving down the highway with a 360° view of God’s beautiful creation. Nothing. No other experience can compare.

In the 3 years that I have been riding, I have been out of my home state on ground multiple times and my rides have taken me to Mexico and Canada. Unfortunately, I have also experienced the downside of this life as well having been hit on the freeway at 70 mph. But we all know that you can’t keep a good woman down. 2 days after I got my bike out of the shop from being repaired you know what I did to celebrate?
Got on that motherfucker and rode out of state like I stole it. Still sore as hell, bad weather, and all.

Growing up as a kid, my Dad’s friends would come over and give me rides on their bikes. I loved the feeling of it. When I got older, I had a few friends who rode and would take me for quick rides around my city. I never purchased a motorcycle of my own, because I was a single mom and figured that my time, energy and money should be spent on my child. Well in 2003, my son passed at the age of nine. I was heartbroken and realized that we only live once and that we could go and anytime.

I started saving for my first bike. I wanted to pay in cash because I didn’t want a monthly bill. Once I got all of the money needed for a motorcycle, I took the motorcycle course at the Community College here in my area. After completing the class and passing the test at the DMV, I purchased my first bike and named him “JR”. It was a small bike, but I rode that thing like it had done something to me.

At one point, I was the only female riding with the guys in my area. They took me out and helped me craft my riding skills. They told me that I was a great listener and that I could ride with them ANYWHERE. It was times when they would take off and book down the road, but they always made sure that I was ok, by waiting for me up the road somewhere.

Time went on and I started saving for the motorcycle that I have now. This motorcycle is called “DREAM”. I love both of my bikes and they both have taught me so much. YES, I said it; they both have taught me so much.

It is not always easy being a female rider, because there have been plenty of trips where I had to ride on my own. I made sure that I had directions, my gps, or I just knew where I was going. I would check in with my husband at every gas stop, and just prayed and kept it moving. People would always say “You rode all the way here by yourself?” And I would tell them, “How else would I get here.” I am glad that I made that step to take the class, purchase my motorcycle, and get out there. One of the reasons I ride, is because I have met so many great people; and so many of you have changed my life.

I ride, because it was something that I always wanted to do. I ride, for the freedom. I ride, because it clears my mind from all the troubles in the world. I ride, because I can do it on my OWN. I ride, for the new TRUE friendships. I ride, because I LOVE IT.

Hmmmmm….This is a good question ? I have thought about this question and could give you 100 reasons “Why I Ride”. If you look around an take stock of, and pay homeage to, and learn from of the ladies who rode before us and what they’ve done, and the ones who ride now and what they are now doing, and the ones who will ride in the future because of what the past and present ladies have done and are doing I can answer that question with just 3 words……BECAUSE I CAN

What motivated me to learn to ride…
Being told by my brothers that I had to learn how to ride and to never jump on the back of anyone’s bike.

What inspires me to ride…
The fact that I am able to represent females on two wheels. Although these bikes are powerful machines I have a sense of control and independence.

What keeps me inspired…
It is freedom, relaxation and also creates a separation from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

I was first introduced to motorcycles through my godbrother Ruben. Ever since I was little anything he did I followed behind doing the same. He got a vw and raced it. I got a mustang and raced it.

When he bought his bike, cbr 600 rr, I was super excited. I told my mom I want one and I’m getting me one. His mom told him it was not lady like and don’t put ideas into my head. So I chilled for awhile. Then in May of 2008 he died in an accident on 287. I got a call in the early early morning from his cousin telling me he was dead. I was tore up and broken beyond belief.

As we prepared for his funeral I sat my mom down and told her I was going to buy a bike as soon as I could pay for it in cash. A family secret we did not publicly tell people was my mothers health was not well. She had been suffering/living with systemic lupus. At that time she had lost her ability to speak due to strokes she had in 2005 and was having frequent seizures among a plethora of daily ailments. Not to mention her dialysis.

My mother and I had our way of communcating through sounds and faces. She expressed to me she was ok with my desire and asked how I would learn. I told her not to worry I already had my endorsement since I had previously taken a rider course. Whoops I forgot to tell her that but heyyy at least I was safe. lol.

I got my first bike in 2009 and I was hooked, it was a 2005 gsxr 600. My mom saw it and approved. Although she was getting worse I wanted her to see me ride. I had a friend who would go out with me and he helped me to get her out of the house and I made a few passes so she could see. She was crying and amazed. She gave me the “mothers love hug” and was crying. At the time I didn’t know this would be the last time she would see me ride as she lost her fight in Feb 2010.

I ride for my godbrother who saw it in me and my mother who lived life to the fullest. I know both would tell me to remember each day is a blessing so live it true and to the fullest.

I grew up in an abusive household and was kicked out onto the streets at an early age. I spent many days not knowing where my meal would come from or where I was gonna lay my head. I moved in with a family member to finish school, get a job and get myself together. While continuing on my path to better myself and prove my father wrong, I had to battle my depression and insecurities. I was on the right path and I started dating a guy who rode a motorcycle.

One day he asked me to take a ride with him from NY to MD. I was terrified at first but then I said “you only live once”. He gave me a spare helmet and I got on the back of his bike. At first, I was terrified and kept my eyes closed tight. His only instructions were hold on tight and lean with him. Once I felt the warm breeze on my face after dealing with traffic, I fell in love.

I felt free of worries. I felt free of stress. I had a clear mind and enjoyed the beauty of the environment. No more thoughts of my struggles. No more thoughts of my father. No more daydreams of my past. No more depressed thoughts. Just the feeling of being free like a bird. I got addicted and wanted to go on more rides. Riding felt like the medication I needed to get me past my thoughts.

One day I asked his opinion about getting my own bike and learning to ride. He said “absolutely not, my place is on the seat behind him”. Needless to say I was signed up for the Tramas Riding School that spring. My coworker owned a few bikes. I explained my plans and he sold me a Yamaha YZF 600.

During the summer it was hard to find people to ride with me until I felt more secure. I grew impatient and since I had my motorcycle license, i started going on the road alone. It started with just around the area. Next my destination was to ride to friends houses and when I got comfortable I started hitting the highway.

Now…I’m crossing state lines and loving it. Not only did I love the ride but it taught me so much. I learned to love me more.

Well in the beginning it was just something to do with my husband. I never had a desire to ride a motorcycle let alone get on one. I RIDE for ME and thrill I get every time I mount up. I will tell every woman that ever thought about riding to try it, it may be for you or it may not but do it. When I’m riding I have a peace that comes over me that no one or nothing can take away. I get personal with my motorcycle when I’m on him or when I’m in the garage cleaning him up.

Your WHY need to be why you ride not someone else. The question is why do I still ride after so many close calls and I always say because MY ANGELS ARE SOME AWESOME ANGELS. God hasn’t decided to take me higher so I continue to ride.

Riding is a passion that I continue to visit weather hot, cold, or raining I love my Softail.

Well, in the beginning I didn’t know any females that rode. But I thought it would be cool. My brother and his friends all had bikes. I would ride on the back, but knew after a few times that I could not stand the feeling of someone else being in control. So I started to hound my brother to teach me.

At the time, he parked his bike, a 900RR, in a garage that was at the bottom of a steep hill. He told me if I can get the bike up the hill without it shutting off he would teach me. So I tried. The first time, I went up the hill and got stuck right in the middle so I rolled back down backwards. I tried again and the second time I made it to the top.

I was excited and kept pushing for more, so he decided to let me go up and down the block with him on the back a few times and then by myself. The next day I went to Orchard Beach and rode around in the parking lot learning how to switch gears and so forth. That same day I rode back to the garage on my own and the rest is history.

I ride because its my passion and the only thing I love as much as my children, family and self.