Profile of a Female Motorcyclist Meet Emilie

We are jumping the pond over to Teford, England (seems appropriate since the Olympics start this week in England) to meet Profile of a Female Motorcyclist Meet Emilie, or as her friends call her Em! You can find her on Twitter @emilie_rose46!

Profile of a Female Motorcyclist Meet Emilie

How long have you been riding a motorcycle?

Since I was 17, so about 3 1/2 years now.

How did you learn to ride?

I bought myself an old 125, took my CBT soon as I hit 17 and then was unleashed on the open road! I didn’t bother with a 50cc when I was 16 as none of my friends had them, and they aren’t too fun when you’re on your own!

What was your first motorcycle?

A 1994 Yamaha TZR125 RR Belgrada. Loved that bike so much, it was perfect to have as my first bike as it was a challenge to ride! Things would break on it fairly often, and it did have a lot of quirks, which has meant as I’ve progressed to better bikes I appreciate it more!

How many have you owned?

I’ve had 3 Yamahas, my TZR, an FZR400 RR SP which was my first “big bike” that I rode once I’d passed my full test, and my current bike, a 2002 Yamaha R6. Been riding my R6 for a year now and I love it to pieces, it’s a great fun bike!

Why did you want to ride a motorcycle? 

It’s never been a case of why really, I was brought up with 2 wheels being the most important thing in my life so it was always going to happen!

My granddad raced in the GPs and at the Isle of Man TT in the 1950s, and Doran’s Bend on the Island is named after him. So it’s very much in my blood!

I always used to go on the back of either my Mum or Dad when I was a kid, so it was just natural that as soon as I turned 17 I got my own bike.

Tell us about your riding.

Pleasure these days. Spent two winters commuting to and from work on my bike regardless of the weather, and it does take the enjoyment out of riding a bit.

So I reluctantly learnt to drive for boring journeys, so the bike comes out when I want to play now!

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

Just go out there and do it! Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t ride for any reason, and don’t be daunted by the fact motorcycling is mostly male dominated … once you get your confidence you’ll find that it is the best part about it!

I’ve met so many interesting people through motorcycling that I wouldn’t have met otherwise. It is the best feeling in the world riding through the countryside in the sun shine, you can leave all your troubles behind and just have the best time.

I would always encourage people, especially women, to learn to ride, it really is so rewarding.

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

I’m yet to go on a big expedition to Europe, that’s next on the list as the roads there are meant to be incredible! And also the weather’s better than England’s!

Furthest is probably a couple of hundred mile round trips riding in the Welsh mountains … I don’t tend to go for epic distance, just good roads!

Do you belong to any motorcycle groups? Off or online? 

No, I kinda like doing my own thing when I’m out riding, and socially I spend loads of time with like minded people when I’m away racing.

Do you have a favorite riding story?

We rode to Assen for Moto GP a few years back, and at the end of the day, instead of shoving the bikes down random roads to not disturb the locals and the day to day traffic, the police directed us all (when I say us all, there were thousands of bikes that day) straight through the town.

Outside every single house, the whole family was outside, picnic tables, bbqs, the lot. They were all cheering, waving, taking photos, and filming the procession, and having these huge gatherings on their front lawns.

And people who didn’t live along the streets we were riding down had gathered along the side of the road by the cannel, cheering us all like we were the main attraction of the day! It was amazing, I’ve never experienced anything like it before … the atmosphere is something which is so hard to describe, but it was incredible.

What do you do when you’re not riding?

I’m a mechanic for CN Racing in British Superstock 1000 and British Supersport Cup. So I spend most of my weekends away at racing, which has been my dream for as long as I can remember, I’m so lucky I’m getting to do what I’ve always wanted to so young.

My name is Pam and I am so glad you stopped by today! I started this blog to document my journey into motorcycling and along the way I met so many other lady riders with inspiring stories to tell I began to share theirs as well.

About the same time I started this blog I joined Twitter (@helmetorheels) and began to meet other female motorcycle riders. These ladies were so inspiring to me because I found other newbies like me to life-long experienced riders who were willing to share encouragement, tips, and their friendship. I was welcomed where I was on my journey. What an incredible community I found online to fuel my desire to ride. Catch us on Instagram @helmetorheels and Pinterest @helmetorheels – we are just getting started!