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2009
Dear VTwin Mama,
Hello All, my name is Mayra Valentin. I'm 28 years old from Puerto Rico.
Motorcycles have always been one of my passions but for some reason I
wasn't able to do so. Now I'm interested to start riding and I'm in the
process of buying a new motorcycle for me! I can't wait to start riding
and take a trip around my island. I would like to know if you girls know
if here in Puerto Rico there are clubs regarding this matter. I was
searching on the web and found this web page!! Awesome! I'm proud of you
girls!
– Mayra V.
Dear Mayra,
We're so happy that you are entering the magical world of
motorcycle riding! One of my most favorite supporters of this site,
Maria Hernandez, is in San Juan. She started like you and now is an
instructor and has her own certified teaching school. Her Spanish
language site is En
Dos Ruedas P.R.
You will find an email contact and phone number and I
also see she has a page of club listings, in many cities and some are
just for women! –
Mama
Dear VTwin Mama,
I live in Tampa, Florida and I am looking for other women riders. I have
been riding about a year now, mostly alone, and would love to find
new people. – Sonya
Dear Sonya,
Congrats on your year-long riding adventure! If you head to my Women's
Sites page you'll a chart of women's riding organizations, groups,
and clubs. Some specifically show a city/state while others are national
and even international and within those sites you'll find local
chapters.
Then it's up to you to email or call ... I always think
the first best step is to learn when the next meeting will be and
attend. That way you can find out first-hand what the focus of the group
is and if that meshes with your ideas. – Mama
Dear VTwin Mama,
Hi! I am a new rider, my name is Dana, I live in Marianna and spend a
lot of time in Panama City Beach, my husband works at Captain Anderson
as a deck hand on one of the boats. I would like to get involved
in a club to help raise money for kids, cancer etc. Do you have
any suggestions for a good chic biker club in the area?? Thanks in
advance for your help in this matter. – Dana D.
Dear Dana,
You're going to love the Thunder Angels, an all women's riding
group based in Panama City! They ride and do a lot of charity work ...
including their annual October "Tickled Pink" fund raiser for
breast cancer awareness. Their next meeting is Monday, July 6th ... more
info at http://www.thunder-angels.org.
Say hi to Nancy Castro is she is there ... I've got it marked on my
calendar to try to be there in October (as I live in nearby Mobile, AL).
– Mama
Dear VTwin Mama,
I am 47 yrs old and I will be a new rider this Spring
2010. I am looking for women in the Chicagoland area that I can join to
ride and won't mind that I am a newbie. I am very excited since I have
been thinking about riding for quite some time now! –
Maria
Dear Maria,
We are sooo excited for you! Your type of request is the main
reason that I sat down and built the Women's
Ride Map! When you first see the map loading it'll look like a mass
of color, but use the zoom tool and you'll quickly be able to navigate
to your area and see what women's riding groups are in the area. I see
two for Chicagoland ... one more central and one further north in
Northbrook (as Chicagoland encompasses a pretty far stretch). Click on a
pin and you'll find basic info and how to get in contact. Simply say hi
and determine when the next meeting is to start your new sisterhood!
Once you get to know a few folks you'll find out what mentoring level is
available.
I also noticed that Chicago is hosting one of the
International CycleWorld Shows ... February 19-21. This is something you
really don't want to miss. In the last couple of years, the show has
been including a special women's section on the main show floor and
you'll also find women-specific booths within the show. Hang out! I find
it's useful to have a business card type of thing for quick exchange of
info ... this can simply be your name, contact info, and that you're an
upcoming rider. Easier than searching for a bit of paper, which gets
lost too easily. – Mama
Wednesday,
February 17 Women's Ride Map ... New Ride Mentor Category!
Dear Readers,
A reader of the VTwin Mama site, Brenda, emailed in asking how
she could be a ride mentor for the Northeast Alabama area. Well, that
just got my brain cells a chuggin' away! While we have a decent email
mentoring system with volunteers for one-on-one communication, this
idea is a bit different.
So today I added a new pin category on the Women's
Ride Map ... we show women's riding groups, individual riders,
women's and general events ... and now have a new pink heart pin for
Ride Mentors. These are gals who are willing to help a new rider in
parking lot practice or road rides crafted for their skill level ... or
whatever the Ride Mentor feels they can offer.
A number of moons ago, Sherry Walrath, who runs the Lace
Wheels - Women and Motorcycles site, noted she was starting a
state-by-state mentor program, and I added her link on my Get Started
page. I hopped on her site this morning and am happy to report that
since our last email contact she's signed up a number of women ride
mentors. Yahoo!
It's an excellent idea as so many new women riders need
a mentor but aren't always comfortable contacting a women's riding
chapter or independent club ... or simply aren't near one. So, let's see
what we can build together. Beneath the actual Ride Map you'll see the
online submission form to join up! – Mama
Hi there VTwin Mama,
I think it's great to find a site like this. I
live in Australia and ride a 600cc Honda Shadow Bagger. Have recently
test rode a Victory King Pin ... wow! what a bike and may upgrade to one
later. Meantime I'm in love with my "Queenie" ... she's got a
hot note and has not let me down yet. It seems there are many more women
riding in the States that in Australia ... we tend to be a bit of a
minority. – Ruthie
Dear Ruthie,
I can remember a time when seeing a woman riding her own
bike was fairly uncommon here in the States, but it's certainly changed
a lot in the 30 years I've been doing it! I've heard from a number of
women in Australia (especially Western Australia) lament that it's
difficult to find other women to ride with. So, depending on where you
are, I have some pins on my International
Women's Ride Map ... individuals and women's riding groups ... if
you haven't seen that yet, take a look and consider submitting your pin!
I'm so happy that you're having a great time on "Queenie" ...
my BMW "Bumblebee" says hi! –
Mama
Hi VTwin Mama,
I am now riding as a newbie in Chicago and I ride a 600 Suzuki Katana. I
am just wondering where would I find a female motorcycle club in
my city that's riding sports bikes and would accept a newbie into her
club. – Star
Dear Star,
Congrats on your new adventure and getting the Katana.
Yummy! Skip runs the Chicago
Motorcycle Guide site. I clicked on the Clubs/Orgs link and there
are a ton of listings, including a lot of women's groups. Now, many of
the women's groups have more cruiser riders, but my thought is that if
you get some riding time in you'll get the experience you need so you
can branch out. In my quick glance I saw one sports bike group, which is
Christian (which may or may not be your flavor).
I also see that the events calendar page
is chock full of upcoming and regular gatherings ... having spent 12
years living in Chicago I know how spread out the city and burbs are ...
so look for things in your area ... a good bike night will draw all
sorts of riders. Also, feel free to email Skip and ask him ... I met him
a few times many moons ago and he's a really nice person!
I'll also suggest that you visit your
Suzuki dealer again and see what input they have ... geez, I can't seem
to find a motorcycle magazine for Chicago ... surely one exists! –
Mama
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