A while ago, we asked all of you biker women out there, if you had any interesting stories. As always you motorcycle girls have stepped up and sent us some wonderful articles and stories about women on motorcycles. Over the next few months, we will be posting some of the wonderful women motorcycle rider stories you have graciously email in to us, starting with an article by Lisa Desrosier of Innovative Business Services.

Too short, too old, too cold, too “female”….What’s your excuse?

I stand 4’11 ½ “, am 39 yrs old, ride in 38° weather and am ALL female.

In the spring of 2004 I had a scare of a possible MS diagnosis.  That was it.  It was time. 

I had sport bikes in the past and had given then up because being a single mom and supporting a riding habit were not the best uses of my time or money, or so I was told.  My son did and will still always come first.  But I also realized that “If I die tomorrow, am I doing what I want to be doing today” was a strong motto of mine.  I have responsibilities to my son, but also to myself and my quality of life.

For years I had taunted the Harley Dealership owner saying that when he finally came around to giving me a great deal, I would buy.  Fortunately, in the spring of 2004 he did!  Alone in the biker world, so far departed from my riding past, not knowing a sole that rode anymore, I rode away with a white 883 Custom Sportster.  Okay, so it had to be lowered in the front, back, and dawn a scooped seat and kick stand extender. I have to wear boots a size to big so that I can reach the shifter and have a 3 inch heal so that I can touch.….oh and I dropped it many times. 

But here I am today finding myself surrounded with all new friends who ride:  female friends at that! Some who had never ridden before and some who were new to the saddle.  There are about 4-6 of us on the road together at any one time along with some great male friends too. FRIENDS!!!!!  Life as a single mom isn’t at all bad!!!  As a matter of fact, on my son’s 16^th birthday he was introduced to my riding family on his own bike.  No, it isn’t a Harley, but I think he’ll come around someday!   (Actually, I think he has convinced me to take the fun onto the track with him and take a racing course.  Never too old for anything, right?)

I am always amazed by the comments that I get….Not the crude comments that you would expect….  They are about how refreshing it is to see a woman riding her own.  How nice to see that a “biker chic” no longer means “trashy and worn”.  There is great admiration and intrigue. 

I feel empowered and free when I ride.  I have beaten the odds on so many levels that riding is just another of the many accomplishments that have been driven by the simple phrase, “You can’t do that!”  How many times have people said “You can’t do that.  You are a single mom.” YES I AM, BUT I AM NOT DEAD!  “You are too short to ride and further more who are you going to ride with?” THAT’S WHAT LOWERING KITS AND THICK SOULED BOOTS WERE MADE FOR.  AS FOR WHO?  WHO CARES?!  “The season in Maine is too short for the amount of money that you are spending.”  NOTHING A HAT, SCARF AND INSULATED CHAPS CAN’T HANDLE. “Girls belong on the back.”  (My fave!) GUYS BELONG AT THE BACK OF THE PACK!!!  THE WOMEN WILL LEAD THIS RIDE!

Ladies, it’s time to become empowered and beat the odds!  Feel the wind in your hair beyond that of your blow dryer!!!

Life is meant to be lived not looked at!  Life without chances, means no chance at living!  And….If you die tomorrow, are you doing what you want to be doing today?