I’m so glad my friend Rene’ and fellow Minnesotan is joining with her story – Profile of a Female Motorcyclist Meet Rene’! I’ve known Rene’ about four and a half years. I always knew she could ride, just didn’t own a motorcycle until … let’s let Rene’ tell her story!
Profile of a Female Motorcyclist Meet Rene’
I grew up in the “country” and we had mini bikes long before we had pedal bikes. I started out on a Honda 50 before I even entered Kindergarten. I have two sisters and we each had our own little Honda 50 … then as we grew, my dad replaced the 50’s with 70’s and then ’90’s … then as we were older, our friends had dirt bikes and so we usually rode Yamaha’s 125’s and 250’s.
Then my dad bought me an 250 Exciter and my mom a 650 Shadow which is what I preferred to ride because the 250 was a little small … then I “grew up,” went to college and got married.
I have always wanted to get back on a bike but money was very tight when we started out, then “life” came … kids, work … but I never lost the desire to get back on a bike. I have been married 25 years with five kids. My husband finally agreed that it was “time.”
We purchased a Harley Davidson – 1200 Sportster full of chrome [can you say shiney?]. I have to admit, sometimes I just go out in the garage at look at it because it is just so pretty. But then, riding it … wow.
I was nervous at first to get back on a bike because it has been so long, but very quickly, I thought, “Yep…this feels right!” My husband also got a Harley so that we could go riding together as he really did not want to ride on the back of mine … plus, he wasn’t invited to ride on the back of mine 🙂
![Profile of a Female Motorcyclist Meet Rene - her sweet ride! Profile of a Female Motorcyclist Meet Rene - her sweet ride!](http://helmetorheels.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/renes-bike.jpg)
I enjoy riding because there is a sense of freedom with riding a motorcycle. Freedom from “everyday thoughts”…. when I am riding, I am only thinking about the motorcycle, shifting, looking at the rode in front of me, thinking about how the bike feels, the wind, the sounds … everything else such as work, responsibilities … etc … goes “out the window” when I am on my bike.
I only have about five miles to ride to work and back, but yet, it is enough to change my mood. I look forward to going to work because I get to ride my bike to work and then I find myself watching the clock for the end of the day when I get to get back on my bike. Also, I find myself constantly thinking about the weather.
Riding a bike takes some thought … what can I wear to work today? Did I grab my hair clips? Will my lunch and work shoes fit in my saddle bags? Do I need to stop at the grocery store after work today? What is the weather like? Do I have my sun glasses?
All that stuff – it takes longer to get going to work but it is all so worth it … just being on the bike, makes all the extra “thought” worth it. I find myself smiling inside when I am on my bike.
Other women usually say, “I just don’t get it” and I think … “Yep, if you have not been on a bike, then, yep, you probably don’t get it.” It’s something only other bikers can understand. And I am glad to be part of this group.
Advice … I have not been back on the bike long enough to have any advice – maybe … it doesn’t matter what you hair looks like after a ride – all that matters, is that you rode!
When I am not riding, I am at work or home with my kids – and if I have any extra time, I love to read but those are rare times.
40 Responses
Welcome back to the wonderful world on two wheels Rene.
Enjoy the ride!!
Good for you Rene’ and, yes, your bike is shiney and a beauty! I only ride 8 miles to work each day but ride most days. Sometimes I will tell my husband I need to go the long way home and he understands. Women that ride understand. Sometimes I get remarks/looks from women who don’t ride and you’re right, they will never understand. Their loss! Have lots of fun riding this summer!
Woot another lady rider! Good for you Rene! I commute to work everyday and the logistics and getting all the stuff together can be a little bit of a drag, but at the end of the day it is worth it! I love riding and could care less if my hair is messy at work, thank goodness for clips and hair spray! I have learned a few tricks, I keep make-up, toiletries and a spare curling iron at the office for getting ready at work. I also have a whack of shoes that I leave at work, this way I don’t have to lug all that stuff. Glad you got back on the bike!