LadyBikerStuff.com

Wednesday morning was cloudy and overcast, the sun trying to peek through as I made the quick 15 minute drive to Rancho Cucamonga, CA. I had worked into the wee hours the past two nights but made sure I was up for this, my first experience of the “Run For The Wall.”  Not knowing what to expect, I arrived fifteen minutes before the planned riders meeting, prayer and ceremony and found a sea of riders in leather chaps and vests or jackets sporting the Run For The Wall patch. The Christian Motorcyclists Association (www.cmausa.org) San Diego Chapter was cooking up breakfast burritos while the Rancho Cucamonga Fire Department Color Guard stood by waiting to post the colors.

RFTW Mission: To promote healing among ALL veterans and their families and friends, to call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW/MIA), to honor the memory of those Killed in Action (KIA) from all wars, and to support our military personnel all over the world.

Riders and well-wishers alike removed caps and saluted the flag, bowed their heads for a prayer of thanksgiving and for safe travel and then Taps was played as overhead helicopters flew by. Without much fuss, riders and passengers split up into their platoons and prepared to take to the road. The Rancho Cucamonga Fire Department raised the Stars and Stripes between their ladder trucks over the driveway where the riders would depart from the staging area.

“We don’t give political speeches or stage demonstrations. Run For The Wall gets its message across to the public by riding through the United States. We obey traffic laws and treat all citizens with dignity and respect” www.rftw.org

The thing that suprised me most was that after all of the years this run has taken off from our area, there was not one person here from the news media. This moment was meant to honor our fallen heroes and to raise awareness of the men and women still unaccounted for from all of our wars. It was a time meant to bring healing to so many who have had to deal with their war experiences. 

 Riders and passengers, old and young, Vietnam Vets and FNG’s, bikes and trikes filed out; some pulling trailers, one sporting a yellow mohawk on his helmet and one who brought tears to my eyes, a vet in a wheelchair. His custom trike is made for his wheelchair to roll up into and strap down. He rode off with his Run For The Wall family, headed for Washington DC where they are expecting 700,000 bikers this year at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on May 30th, 2010, Memorial Day.

 Though the well-wishers numbered less than one hundred, our enthusiasm was not to be outdone. Watching as the  platoons left in double file lines, first the Central Route riders and then the Southern Route riders, we cheered them on, waving and clapping, waving our flags. As I walked back to my car, I chatted with a veteran from San Diego, who had ridden his Gold Wing up to wish his RFTW family farewell. He told me about the times he had made the trip, showing me his bike and the iPod his grandson had set up for him to enjoy his music during his travels.

 I know I wore a grin all morning as I gazed at row after row of motorcycles and leather clad riders and passengers. My heart, already worn on my sleeve, must have grown a few sizes reminding me of that scene from the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. My last order of business as I left was to call my husband and let him know we would be joining this run in 2012, as soon as he retires. “No worries” he says, “we’ll need a new bike and we can start shopping any time!”

On Saturday, May 29th the Run For The Wall group will meet for a group photo at the Lincoln Memorial and present a “Mission Accomplished” plaque at the Wall. On Sunday, May 30th, the group will depart from the Pentagon parking lot in preparation for their participation in the ROLLING THUNDER Parade which travels through downtown Washington and ends at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

I would encourage anyone who lives in an area near the Run For The Wall route to go out and greet the riders as they pass through. They will be participating in veterans and memorial ceremonies, visiting Veterans Memorials, VFW and American Legion groups. For the dates and locations the Run For The Wall riders will pass through check www.rftw.org

Central Route travels from CA through AZ, NM, CO, KS, MS, IL, IN, KY, WV, VA, DC

Southern Route travels from CA through AZ, NM, TX, LA, MS, TN, VA, DC

 I have recently read and enjoyed a great book called Chicks on Bikes. From the provocative cover to the  rider portraits and profiles, it is a work that shows the true spirit of women bikers. The author sets out, from the first line, to stimulate our senses and shake up our stereotypical ideas about women on motorcycles.   

“IT’S SEXY. IT IS. COME ON, LET’S FACE IT. THE IDEA OF WOMEN BIKERS IS SEXY. THERE’S PROBABLY SOMETHING ABOUT MOTORCYCLING ALTOGETHER THAT’S SEXY.”    

The biker chick behind Chicks on Bikes is lifestyle and portrait photographer Christina Shook from San Francisco, California. Curious to know a bit of the personal side of how Christina got started riding motorcycles and came to create this work of art, I contacted her for an interview.   

Hailing from Michigan, Christina got her start in both photography and motorcycling in college where she was a journalism major. She shared with me that she quickly found that taking the photos was “vastly more fun than the writing aspect.”  Christina went on to receive a masters degree from the San Francisco Art Institute in California.  Her first  motorcycle ride also took place during her undergrad years when a house-mate took her on a “late night rampage across Michigan campus-up sidewalks and all.” From that first ride Christina had the bug and at 23 years old, while traveling in Thailand, rented a motorcycle and basically learned to ride on her own, with the shop guys cheering her on. She  related that the cool thing about 3rd world countries is that women ride because it’s an economical mode of transportation.     

I asked Christina some questins about her first bike and how riding makes her feel and here is what she had to say:   

LBS: How old were you when you purchased your first bike? What was it and did it have a name?   

Christina: I was 25 and I named my Honda Nighthawk Keiko after a Japanese friend of mine.   

LBS: Did you feel, at that time, that you had to ride? How did riding make you feel?   

Christina: I did [know] as soon as I bought my first bike in San Francisco! I just wanted to ride my bike all the time and I thought I was the coolest chick in town. I thought I was a pretty good rider too. Riding made me feel fast, cool and free to park on the sidewalk.   

LBS: Have your feeling changed now that you have been riding your own motorcycle for years?   

Christina: Somehow the cool factor has worn off except rare moments. I still love fast but I ride a little more sensibly these days. They give out $100 tickets now if you park on the sidewalk. But, yes, I still get butterflies of joy in my stomach when I’m riding along. Sometimes just an evening ride across the Bay Bridge in the city can bring a thrill.   

LBS: How does riding make you feel about yourself?   

Christina: These days it gives me an identity outside of being a mom out in the “burbs”.   

LBS: Did you take a Motorcycle Safety Course? Did riding come naturally or did you really have to work at it?   

Christina: Yep, I recommend that class to every single rider even if you’ve already ridden for a while. Riding did come very naturally to me, but safety must be learned.   

LBS: What advise would you give to a new rider or woman who wants to learn to ride?   

Christina: Take that class and do what feels right for you. Wear ATGATT. Find a bike that fits you.   

LBS: Tell me about ATGATT (All the Gear, All the Time), and your favorite piece of gear.   

Christina: I’m ATGATT for sure. I think motorcycling is not nearly as dangerous as people think if you use your head. Ride defensively and confidently, wear good gear. You get used to it and feel naked without it.  My yellow custom leather jacket from Z Leather [is my favorite piece of gear.]   

LBS: Do you ride with a club or prefer to ride alone? Do you have family members who ride?   

Christina: I’m not much of a club person but I do like to ride with friends or other clubs sometimes. Alone is great too. I taught my husband to ride when we were first dating, now he is an avid rider and commutes everyday on his bike. Everyone else in my big mid-western family thinks I’m the wild motorcycle California girl and wouldn’t dream of riding.   

When it comes to her riding adventures, Christina’s farthest ride was from Michigan to California to commemorate finishing grad school at the San Francisco Art Institute and her 30th birthday. As for where she likes to ride, there are many, many great northern California roads, “anything twisty and remote gets my engine running.” She has also ridden dirt bikes a few times and says it was crazy fun. “I crashed a bunch riding dirt down in Mexico and came home bruised, scraped, filthy and grinning.” If she could go anywhere in the world to ride, we would hear about Christina in the Alps.   

 “I feel compelled to photograph the real women bikers I see in part because the media has so absurdly represented us.”   

GOTHGirl (Photo by Christina Shook)

I asked Christina a few more questions about her book and the women she photographs, and the passion she has for what she does really came out. 

LBS: What is your favorite thing to photograph?   

Christina: People, it’s really the thing that captures something unnameable to me. I can connect to people and express things that are almost like magic. Shooting women bikers is pretty much always a ton of fun for me.   

LBS: How did you get the idea for Chicks on Bikes?   

Christina: When I first moved to SF I didn’t know many women. They seemed harder to meet than men. I was studying photography at SFAI and I loved riding my bike. So combining all three interests, I started shooting women biker and haven’t stopped since. I feel compelled to photograph the real women bikers I see in part because the media has so absurdly represented us. I finally decided the work needed to be a book.   

LBS: What has been the most rewarding thing about publishing Chicks on Bikes?   

Christina: The most rewarding thing is seeing my work spread across the world – I love getting book orders from all over and knowing the message is spreading. I hope it helps change and form the perception of women bikers and also inspires people who have always wanted to do something – anything really – to go out and do it despite whatever barriers, be it gender, age, size, etc.   

LBS: Of all of the women riders you’ve met, who inspires you and in what way?   

Christina: They all do really. Every woman biker I’ve worked with has some story that gains my respect and inspiration. A motorcycle is a vehicle for passion and that comes through.   

Thanks to Christina for a fun and inspirational interview that encourages me to go out and chase my dreams. The confidence that comes from accomplishing something you thought was unattainable is an amazing feeling.    

For a beautiful book and lots of inspirational stories, order a copy of “Chicks on Bikes” from  www.ladybikerstuff.com   

For more on Christina, visit her blog site at http://cshook.wordpress.com/ or her professional website http://www.cshook.com/   

Check out this interview with Christina at the International Women and Motorcycling Conference in 2009   

When I think about the names I’ve read and heard applied to women on motorcycles, I find myself at a loss concerning who I am. I have neither the riding skill nor the biker confidence to see myself as a Biker Chick. I’m not hip enough to be a Chrome Cowgirl, and while I like the sound of Road Diva, I’m not her. Asphalt Angel, hmm, my halo tends to hang off of one horn. I rejected Motorcycle Mama thinking she’s the one who pampers and wrenches on her own bike. And so, Lady Biker was my choice, after all I am a lady even if I don’t always act like one. But then I started thinking about my path to the two-wheeled life and had to rethink Motorcycle Mama.

The first time I ever rode a motorcycle was on the back of a street bike, navigated by the first love I thought would never end. An ill-fitting full face helmet was my only claim to proper riding attire unless you counted shorts and a t-shirt; no leather jacket, no biker boots. I later wondered if Prince Charming was hoping I would fall off the back of the bike, never to be seen again. It wasn’t until ten years later that I would revisit the two-wheeled world.

I married a man who grew up riding dirt bikes and racing desert. When we first met, he had a Honda street bike he rode to work but it moved out of the garage sometime before the wedding. I don’t remember disapproving of the Honda, I think he just got rid of it so he could complain to his friends that he had to give up his toys in order to live in wedded bliss. When our boys came along they were “initiated” on the Harely their dad rode for work. The oldest was 2, the baby only 7 or 8 months old. They never made it farther than the end of the street, but they were grinning from ear to ear. At 5 and 6 years old the boys had their first rides on the dirt bikes of friends we were camping with and they were hooked!

It wasn’t long before we bought a PW80 and a 4-Zinger quad. Dad had an old YZ250 in the garage so new helmets, boots and gear sealed the deal. After a couple of day trips until we purchased a Weekend Warrior so our adventures could be extended from Fridays after school until Sunday nights. Under Dad’s tutelage two avid and skilled motorcycle riders emerged and the concept of the “Family Ride” was born. Because we were going on “long rides” our youngest son rode with Dad on his bike, older brother rode the quad and Mom got to ride the PW80. And really, how hard could it be, there was no clutch which was good because I can’t even drive a stick shift.  Dad would lead the ride, Mom next and young son number one would ride last “in case you fall down, I can help you get the bike started again.” We had a lot of fun in those early days, camping and riding with friends and neighbors, until one day we needed bigger bikes.

My mother-in-law kindly purchased a Honda XR80 that she and I could ride. It was then that I was cruelly introduced to the clutch. By the time I could manage pretty well on that bike the quad was outgrown and a Honda XR100 came to join the party. The boys moved up and I kept falling down.  I just could not manage to turn and down shift at the same time. After more than a few episodes of stalling the XR100, throwing it down, kicking sand on it and cursing at it, I quit riding. The boys were older by then and could ride near camp with their friends so it wasn’t an issue. After several years of loading and unloading that bike without me ever riding it again they finally refused to bring it along.

At 12 the boys could race in the desert and my job became Starting Line Photographer, Pit Support (I’m in charge of goggles and GOO), and Finish Line Hydrator. I am the preparer of lunches, maker of motorhome beds, biggest fan of my college aged desert racers. Young son number one has hung up the race numbers while in pursuit of a BA in Accounting but young son number two continues to chase his dreams of winning a #1 National number plate. He won the 1st place AMA National Hare and Hound Amateur 250A class in 2009 and moved up to Expert in 2010.

It was at a national race last weekend that I realized my true identity. I have no wrenching skills and even the pampering of bikes is done by the men in my life. But I am, truely, a Motorcycle Mama and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Raising two boys on motorcycles has been a priceless experience and I am constantly reassured that is where I belong. It doesn’t matter that I am not a confident rider and prefer to be chauffered on the back of my husband’s bike. It is of no consequence that I feel too old to be considered a chick of any kind. My halo is tarnished and I don’t shine my own chrome but I am a Motorcycle Mama through and through.

Spring is coming and in parts of the US it is starting to thaw. We all know that means time to ride! At Ladybikerstuff.com we are working on new T-shirt designs. We would love to know how you feel about the names that are out there describing women on motorcycles. Are you a Lady Biker out to enjoy the wind in your face, exhilarated by abilities you never knew you had before you learned to ride a motorcycle? Are you a Biker Chick out to show the boys that girls ride too? How about a motorcycle mama lovingly working on your own baby? Beneath the leather biker jacket and motorcycle helmet there is a confident, strong and unique woman who is much more than the name she may be called by people who see her riding down the road. We would love to hear what biker name you relate to. If you don’t see the one you prefer, leave us a comment so we can add it to our poll.

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Here is a list I found on WomenRidersNow of what to expect when you are a beginner on a motorcycle. I found this list actually made me feel pretty good, normal actually. There is nothing worse than feeling like you are the only one struggling with something. Once I realized that other women have gone through the same trials I experienced I felt encouraged to try, try again. See if you can relate to any of these items.

1. You’re going to drop the bike… at least once.

2. You’re going to be nervous for awhile.

3. You’re going to get frustrated.

4. You’re going to hear crash stories from non-riders whether you like it or not.

5. You’re going to get advice from others whether you want it or not.

6. You’re going to find you’re not wearing proper fitting gear at some point (wrong sunglasses so eyes water, gloves too bulky, etc.)

7. You’re going to struggle with how to manage your new hairstyle called helmet hair.

8. You’re going to spill gasoline all over the tank…at least once.

9. You’r going to realize riding your own motorcycle is cooler than you ever imagined.

10. You’re going to find yourself smiling more often.

 Thanks WRN!

If there are other lessons you learned as a new rider, we would love to hear them! Leave us a comment.

I recently had the pleasure of spending two weeks in Europe with my 20-year old son who is studying abroad. We spent the first few days in Scotland and then flew to Germany, spent a couple of days in Luxembourg, a day in Paris and four days in Italy. Being from Southern California where everyone drives everywhere, we were struck by the differences when traveling by public transportation.  We traveled by plane, train, subway, taxi, and I put more miles on my new, black suede Keds than I ever expect to walk again. I was amazed by the number of bicycles in Oxford and Edinburgh, and the tiny cars, scooters and motorbikes throughout Europe.  But the places I got a real kick out of were the ancient cities of Italy with the remnants of the walls that protected them from attack in earlier times. Their narrow, cobbled roads wind around tall buildings with shops on the ground level and residences above.

On an unseasonably warm Saturday morning in October I set out with my foreign exchange sister-in-law from Luxembourg. Our mission was to hit the open air market in Florence and shop until we dropped. I had exchanged all but $20US for Euros and was armed with a camera and a map of the “Jewel of Renaissance Italy,” Firenze. We took the train from Pisa to Florence and walked across a bridge spanning the Arno River. We spent the morning walking among tourists and residents alike, looking for the best deals on Italian leather and taking picture of the ancient Duomo, basilicas, museums and piazza’s. My son had wisely opted out of a day of shopping since he had been to Florence on an earlier trip. We wandered back toward the Arno in search of a pizzeria and much to my surprise we came upon street after street filled with rows of parked scooters and motorbikes, not your big, American Harley type bikes.  And suddenly, there she was. 

A beautiful Italian woman, early thirties, stylish clothing and gorgeous Italian leather boots. She walked up to a scooter and opened the square gear box on the back. She tipped her head back and a quick shake sent her long, dark hair cascading down her back, her neck exposed as if to a lover’s kiss… and she pulled on a full face motorcycle helmet and rode off down the road. I wondered then if they had helmet laws in Europe since every bike in every row had a gear box on back. Or maybe it is just wisdom that leads these beautiful people to wear helmets on the streets where dozens of foreign versions of the Smart Car whiz by at breakneck speeds, barely missing the pedestrians who spill over from the sidewalks. Whatever the case, I had to take a picture of these rows and rows of scooters and bikes so I could share my delight with the rest of my boys that I left back home. 

After a lunch of pasta that was to die for we put more miles on the Keds, winding our way through the city. We decided to search out the Piazzale Michelangelo with its panoramic view of the city and a copy of the David in all his naked splendor. As we climbed what must have been a millions steps I wished for a motorbike that I could ride up to the top. But we plodded along, all the way up and then all the way back down. We crossed the Ponte Vecchio, over the Arno and back into the city where the rows of bikes were thinning out; shopkeepers heading home or young couples going out for a night on the town. Into the blackness of the night they zipped in and out of traffic to get to their destinations. 

Each of the ancient cities we visited had their rows and rows of scooters and motorbikes with gear boxes on the backs. It made me wonder what it is about Southern Californians who live in the land of fabulous weather almost year round that makes us drive cars everywhere we go. What an incredible impact it would have on our traffic conditions and air quality if more of us rode motorcycles more often. Hmmm, I wonder… if I rode a motorcycle everywhere I went could I look like that beautiful Italian woman?

 

Have you ever noticed that women motorcycle riders on the streets are usually always wearing  protective gear?

• Here are a some things to remember about the gear that keeps us safe while riding. 

•   Biker Boots 

Women’s boots come in many styles and heights.  Boots that reach above the ankle offer protection in the event of an accident or fall.  Boots that fit firmly offer support as you balance the weight of your bike.  Thick, rubber soles are important so that you won’t slip on wet or oily surfaces, and they can also absorb vibration.  One additional factor is this; waterproof or water resistant boots will not only keep your feet more comfortable in poor weather, they will last longer. 

• Riding Pant or Chaps

While a pair of denim jeans might look good with a black leather jacket, they will protect you in a fall and slide on asphalt for about a heartbeat before they rip to shreads. Riding pants come in leather and other textile fabrics designed to protect you, not only from abrasions, but also from the weather. Before you purchase a pair of pants be sure you consider the temperature and type of weather you will be riding in. When deciding on the length of a pant remember the legs may ride up when you are sitting on your bike. 

• Motorcycle Jackets

Many motorcycle jackets come with built in padding on the elbows, spine and shoulders. If a jacket is too large the padding isn’t in the correct spot. Additionally, an oversized jacket can become a balloon on a windy day. If you are looking for a jacket with room for an under layer, consider one with side laces that can draw snug if you are wearing something thin like a T-shirt, or expand for a sweater. Jackets that are too small may expose wrists, stomach and hips to the weather or to asphalt in the event of a fall. 

• Helmets

We hope you choose to wear a helmet and remind you that the safety derived from a motorcycle helmet comes from your helmet habits. For a helmet to protect you it must be worn, every time you ride, with the chin strap fastened.  If you choose a helmet without a face shield you should always wear eye protection.

All helmets should be DOT approved and display a DOT sticker. This means the helmet meets or exceeds the standards set by the Department of Transportation. Additionally, some helmets are SNELL approved which means they have met a different set of standards set by the Snell Memorial Foundation.

Motorcycle helmets are designed to absorb the force of an impact ONLY ONE TIME. Even dropping a helmet can reduce its ability to protect you in an impact. Even if your helmet looks fine on the outside, if it has sustained an impact it should be replaced. 

• Gloves

Most importantly, be sure your gloves are the correct size and fit you snugly. Excess material on your palms will cause blisters and make it hard to feel the controls of your motorcycle. Likewise, be sure there are no seams on the palms of your gloves. Many gloves come with carbon fiber on the knuckles to protect you in the event of a fall. Gloves with cuffs or gauntlets keep cold air and rain out, and gloves with vent holes can allow some air in on a warm day.

We are working on our new website to provide Lady Bikers with the best  leather motorcycle jackets, biker boots, motorcycle helmets and information the industry has to offer.