Profile of a Female Motorcyclist Meet Brenda

Staying with the international theme we are heading down under to the outback of New South Wales, Australia! My next guest, Profile of a Female Motorcyclist Meet Brenda lives there with her husband, is 41 years old, doesn’t have a Twitter account, but has started blogging a diary of her thoughts, trials, and tribulations while learning to ride her bike, The White Shadow Diary. Welcome Brenda!

Profile of a Female Motorcyclist Meet Brenda

How long have you been riding a motorcycle?

Five months

How did you learn to ride?

I learned to ride with the assistance of my wonderful husband after having ridden a scooter for about 18 months commuting to work. There is no rider training available close to the outback town where I live in so I never had to do the compulsory training that is needed to get your learners permit.

I am going to travel and do the training to get my full license even though I also don’t legally have to do it. That’s happening in a couple of days. I’m so excited! I believe the training is necessary and it annoys me that there’s none available here.

What was your first motorcycle?

Honda Shadow VT400c

How many have you owned?

One, and one scooter

Why did you want to ride a motorcycle?

I had wanted to ride since I was about 8 years old and my big brother got his first motorbike, when I got to about 16 yo. I talked a mate into teaching me to ride his bike, I got on, let go of the clutch and hit the throttle, took that baby bike over the curb and dropped her in the dirt. I felt so bad about it, I didn’t do much damage, just a bent clutch and a few scratches, if I remember correctly.

But I decided that I was just too short and small to ride a bike. So I made do with getting on the back with anyone who would let me for the next 20 years or so. It was my husband who really gave me the courage to give it a go, he could never see any reason anyone can’t do anything they want to do.

So I bought my scooter at age 39 and loved it. It wasn’t enough though so after about a year of that I decided a bike was a must! Why? Because I love riding! And because I love my husband and want to share everything with him, I talked him into buying his first bike about in 25 years. I know he’s glad I did.

Tell us about your riding.

I commute to work most days, and drag my husband out for rides on weekends whenever I can.

What advice do you have for women who ride or want to ride a motorcycle?

There is nothing you can’t do if you really want to do it. Go with your gut feeling and get the bike you like, don’t let anyone else tell you what is right for you, only you can know that.

What is the longest trip that you’ve taken on your cycle?

The longest trip so far is only about 450 km, but I did get to ride round a race track that day so that was exciting (even if I was going noob slow round the hairpins).

My husband and I are planning to do a big trip in three weeks, to Queensland and round the place when we get up there, approximately 1000 km each way plus whatever we end up doing while we’re up there.

Do you belong to any motorcycle groups?

I am a member of the Shadow Riders Australia. I found them though their forum, they are a small group (about 200 members) of shadow riders who are located all across Australia, so I’ve only ridden with two people so far.

But I get to pick their brains often on the forums. I’ve never ridden with a large group of people, I dont think I’d like to, though I love riding with my husband.

Do you have a favorite riding story?

Gee every day I go for a ride is a favorite riding story, it’s still all so shiny and exciting to me. So no nothing really stands out but I have plenty of riding ahead of me to gather up those stories.

What do you do when you’re not riding?

I’m a nurse and I work at the blood bank, the people I meet every day are all wonderful selfless people who are giving the ultimate for others, their blood.

It makes work a wonderful thing for me. Other than that I’m a bit of a loner and just love curling up with a good book, watching a good movie or going out for a good meal with my husband.

Thank you for stopping by Helmet or Heels female motorcycle community! And for reading Profile of a Female Motorcyclist Meet Brenda. I am always looking for more stories like your adventure into riding. Your experience, knowledge, and insight will encourage women in their motorcycling journey! Fill out the contact form and let’s connect!

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