It’s the third day of this series Profile of a Female Motorcyclist Meet Marilyn and I am more excited than ever about sharing these stories of other women riders. Each one has made a connection with my heart making me feel like we all would be instant friends if we met. Come on and join us!
Today I’d like to introduce you to the incredible Marilyn (Chessie), from Tennesse! You can find her on Twitter @chesshirecat or on her blog along with her fabulous photographs Chessie’s Tales, Motorcycles and Rides!
Profile of a Female Motorcyclist Meet Marilyn
How long have you been riding a motorcycle?
42 years
How did you learn to ride?
I was told by a boyfriend “If you can start it you can ride it.” I kick started his 650 Triumph (Bonneville). I then rode his motorcycle around the German countryside until I moved stateside and took the bike with me.
What was your first motorcycle?
1969 650 Bonneville Triumph
How many have you owned?
5
Why did you want to ride a motorcycle?
It’s always been the adventure. The fact I could do the adventure “SOLO” and not have to share the lime light with anyone gave it even more pleasure to me.
Tell us about your riding.
I’ve enjoyed Flat Track racing. Many years I’ve owned nothing BUT a motorcycle. It was commuter, pleasure, and vacation all rolled into one. It still is. It’s my life.
What advice do you have for women who ride or want to ride a motorcycle?
If you’ve just taken your MC courses, find a mentor to ride with. She can help you with your confidence level with encouragement and leadership.
If you want to ride, but don’t yet, be sure to take a rider’s course, and if you’ve been riding for as many years as me, take an advance riders course.
What is the longest trip that you’ve taken on your motorcycle?
Over 10K. I toured Central America on my 1978 FLH 80CI for 3 months.
Do you belong to any motorcycle groups?
No. I’ve tried to be a “group” rider and I’ve found I’m not cut from that cloth. I ride alone. I will ride with 1 or 2 other riders, but groups are out.
Do you have a favorite riding story?
Everyday on a motorcycle is the best day of my life…at that moment. Guess my fav. story is when I brought my daughter home when she was 3 days old on my motorcycle. Guess it’s child abuse these days.
What do you do when you’re not riding?
I take photos and write about riding. [Check out Marilyn’s blog! Fabulous photography.]
Wow! Marilyn has been riding for over 42 years! Thank you for stopping by and reading Profile of a Female Motorcyclist Meet Marilyn.
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!
6 Responses
Wow, Chessie is a real veteran. I admire how long she’s been riding.
The best part is when you moved back to the states your took his Triumph with you – LOVE THAT!!! You are an inspiration!
Awesome. Nice to learn some more about the lady riders and their blogs we enjoy reading.
I think it is just cool she brought her daughter home on the bike. How times have changed.
Wow, ladies…I’m sorry I missed your comments until now. (Not being snobby, just missed this section!) LOL ladies, I did what I did because I knew that I was a true woman’s libber. Now that I’m gray headed, I’ve discovered the real reason I did what I did is because I’m hard headed. NO ONE was gonna tell me I couldn’t have things my way…have my cake and eat it too. Now I’m gray, I’m content to do things the old fashioned way…with grace…my bra burning days are gone. (I love my bra now…ever since gravity discovered my “GIRLS”.)
Well said friend!