Profile of a Female Motorcyclist Meet Sarah. This is another post that makes me want to vacation in California because we’ve met so many wonderful women riders from this state. Today I’d like to introduce you to another, Sarah from Sacramento.
Profile of a Female Motorcyclist Meet Sarah
How long have you been riding a motorcycle?
Six years pillion, five years pilot
How did you learn to ride?
I took the MSF course, but the bulk of my learning happened while eating mile after mile in the saddle! Being able to talk to my dad (a.k.a. riding buddy numero uno) over the radio helped a lot too.
What was your first motorcycle?
Suzuki VStrom DL1000
How many have you owned?
Only one has been registered to me, but I have enjoyed long term use of four or so – the aforementioned VStrom that was my first, the Suzuki SV1000S that I own now, the Honda 230 dirt bike that made me realize trail riding isn’t really the type of activity one should take up after age 25, and the Suzuki VStrom 650 I share with my dad for commuting.
Why did you want to ride a motorcycle?
Because my dad couldn’t go any faster with me on the back. I wanted to go faster. Like, aren’t our knees supposed to touch the pavement or something? I’ve seen those guys on TV.
Tell us about your riding.
Commuter, pleasure AND vacation … and for the record, a motorcycle is about the only thing I’ve found that makes commuting pleasurable.
What advice do you have for women who ride or want to ride a motorcycle?
Take the MSF course. Don’t buy a bike until you can afford good gear too. Buying a brand new machine is for suckers. Make friends with other women riders (we’re all over the internet!). Never, never, never listen to any voices that say you can’t or shouldn’t do it … even the ones in your own head.
Don’t quit if it’s a little scary–it SHOULD be a little scary at first. Don’t let anyone give you too much sh** for dropping your bike because everyone has done it, and I mean EVERYONE. Start looking for a motel or at least take a rest if you’re really tired, there’s no glory in having a wreck because you pushed.
Stop and put on the extra clothes if you’re cold, even if you’ve only got a few more miles to go. Drink lots of water and wear sunscreen, even in your full-face helmet, even in the winter.
Accept that your buddies will laugh and take tons of pictures of you if you get pulled over by a cop or stung in the eye by a wasp. Treasure them anyway, because buddies are a wonderful thing to have out there.
What is the longest trip that you’ve taken on your cycle?
Longest in a day was 700+ miles, home to Sacramento from Salina, Utah through Nevada on Desert Hwy 50. That was part of what was probably the longest trip as well … I tend to just tour around the west for a week or so at a time because there’s so much to see. I never get particularly FAR from home as the crow flies per se, but I cover tons of miles.
Do you belong to any motorcycle groups? Off or online?
Nothing official.
Do you have a favorite riding story?
I think some of my favorites have to do with taking in local color on the annual Pashnit Girly Ride, but any details are strictly classified.
What do you do when you’re not riding?
Hang out in my hammock, work on my yard, check out live music, and knit.
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!
17 Responses
Great advice Sarah! Going faster than dad!!! Love it!
Hi, Sarah! How cool that your Dad is your riding partner! I had to chuckle at “aren’t our knees supposed to touch the pavement or something?”
Thanks for the chance to participate, Pamela!
In the pic with my dad I’m behind him on my SV… I’m only faster than him every once in a while!!
Ah…this is so much fun to read. Sarah is another awesome riding partner that I have the privilege of riding with, but not as often as I’d like!! Now her dad…hell, i’d never keep up!
I forgot about the wasp, now I am laughing all over again. Looking forward to this years Girly Ride.
Marion,
I’d love it if you’d join in and share your story! Let me know!
LOL I’ve earned at least *some* of my infamy on the girly rides through pain and suffering.
Hellllo Sarah. I love, love, love your advice for women riders. Yes the damn bike will take a nap and damn if your buddies aren’t always taking pics at the most inopportune time. Good stuff. Thanks for the chuckle.
Great advice and ditto Trobairitz’s comments, made me chuckle too 🙂
Dad here…….I’m very proud of my ‘little girl’ and her ability on the bike. I love her attitude toward life too. She’ll kick my butt any day on hwy 193 !!
Xo, love you, Daddy. I’m closer to 40 than ever and I’ll always be your little girl. Don’t forget about the time I kicked your butt on Skagg Springs.
Mom here…. I remember that day, it was my first time as a pilot on Skagg Springs … the way you told the story… he had a big lead on you, so he didn’t expect you to catch him…so as you came up behind him you radioed to him….
Sarah: “Hi dad”,
Dad: “OH! Hi Sarah”,
Sarah: “…are you gonna move over or what?”
…. (I think you were inspired by the Italian boys in white leather that were chatting you up at the bridge) You have always been my inspiration to ride!
Wait, Sarah’s MOM rides, too?!? Elizabeth, you need to add your profile. 🙂
I am glad you wrote that! I’m hoping she will say yes too!
Yeah… my family is pretty awesome. 😀
I hope your awesome mom will join in too!