We’ve read a few stories similar to mine of ladies who started later in life when we learned to ride. Not our next female motorcyclist, she had a passion early in life! Ladies and gentlemen, Profile of a Female Motorcyclist Meet Andrea – is from southern California.
Find her on Twitter @ChickThatRides also check out her blog, Wrapter (gosh, I wish I had hair like that) and she has a YouTube channel Chick That Rides!
Profile of a Female Motorcyclist Meet Andrea
How long have you been riding a motorcycle?
I started riding when I was about 5 years old.
How did you learn to ride?
Originally, I think my Dad must have taught me. I did however get real professional training from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation when I got licensed.
What was your first motorcycle?
50cc Suzuki Quadrunner. Thank you Santa!
How many have you owned?
Five of my own.
Why did you want to ride a motorcycle?
I really didn’t know any better. We rode quads throughout my childhood and later it became dirt bikes.
I did ride pillion with my husband for about a month or two. That was difficult for me, having known what it’s like to ride my own, I got licensed to ride street right away.
Tell us about your riding.
I ride both street and dirt but my favorite of the two is dirt. I love the adventure off-roading has to offer. I love the desert and all its secret places. The challenges that come from unexpected obstacles; sand, mud, gravel, whoop-dees, trails, hills, burms, ruts, all of it.
I even like falling and am really good at it! But what I enjoy most about the dirt vs street, is that I can ride with my whole family. My son has been riding since he was 3 and now at 11 years old, I find myself trying to keep up with him.
I enjoy the street too, long distance touring with tons of twisties to play on.
What advice do you have for women who ride or want to ride a motorcycle?
Just do it! And of course, buy some decent safety gear and take the MSF class.
What is the longest trip that you’ve taken on your cycle?
On the street we took our son to Yosemite it was about a week long bike trip and a great time with the family.
In the dirt, I just did a 500 mile roundtrip last year from Ocotillo Wells, CA to San Felipe, Mexico (Baja). That was an awesome ride!
Do you belong to any motorcycle groups?
I do have a group of friends that I ride with, but nothing “organized.”
Do you have a favorite riding story?
I dodged a bullet once. [What?! Andrea this sounds like another story to share with us.]
What do you do when you’re not riding?
I like to run. Like how a motorcycle ride can ease your mind, I get that same therapy when I run.
Thank you for stopping by to read Profile of a Female Motorcyclist Meet Andrea! Ladies, whether you are looking to start riding solo, a casual motorcyclist, a seasoned rider, or enjoying riding pillion you are all welcome to join in the Helmet or Heels community.
I would love to share your story of motorcycling no matter where you are on the journey. It will inspire other women along the way.
Catch us on Instagram @helmetorheels, Pinterest @helmetorheels or Twitter @helmetorheels – we are just getting started!
4 Responses
Hello Andrea. I think it is reqlly great that you learned to ride at a young age and are now able to go dirt riding with your whole family so that you pass the enthusiasm on to your son.
That Wrapter looks pretty cool too. I may have to try one out, so far the only thing to control my mane when riding is braiding it.
I envy how Andrea got into motorcycles at such a young age. For me (and many others), it was a mid-life crisis and I regret the decades when I didn’t know what fun awaited me. Enjoy!
Hi Andrea,
It was great to hear your story. I understand and share your love of being outside. Running is my other outlet that augments the relaxation the I derive from riding. I want to do dirt next. I know that it will strengthen my street skills even more. Thanks for sharing your experience.
I love the “before” and “after” pictures. Once the seed is planted as a child it usually grows and blossoms. Thanks for sharing.