Forever a Biker Chick - It's in Her Soul!

I always loved Harley Davidson motorcycles but didn't really know any women that road them.  I would see an occasional woman rider and think how cool it was.  I moved to Des Moines around 1999 .  A few years later my sister moved to town.  If you know the "Boom Girls", then you know that our hair is our thing.  Little M found a hair stylist named Kristen Herridge and we both in trusted our locks to her to cut, color, and style.  To say that Kristen is one totally cool chick is an understatement.  She is such a free spirit and so much fun to talk to.  Through conversations with Kristen, I found out that she road a Heritage Softail and had been riding since she was 15.  We'd talk about motorcycles non-stop when I'd visit the salon to have my hair glamorized.  I started hanging with her and her dad, Don, at Porky's bike nights.  One bike night we were sitting around talking about Sturgis and some how I got invited.  I was so stoked because it was something I'd always wanted to do. 

Before Sturgis, Kristen decided to sell her Heritage and purchase a Road King.  I had told Kristen how much I had always wanted to ride my own.  One evening Kristen told me to come over and we'd go up to this church parking lot, by her place, and she'd let me try to ride her Heritage.  I was excited and freaked out because I'd never ridden a motorcycle by myself.  I can't believe how much Kristen trusted me to ride her Heritage.  I remember her encouragement and patience because I did not understand the whole clutch thing.  Finally I got the hang of it and made some circles around the parking lot.  I was so excited and happy that I'd accomplished this step.  I had the riding part down, now I had to get this rather large motorcycle stopped.  Well, needless to say I dropped Kristen's Heritage.  I was so freaked out that I'd damaged her motorcycle but she just calmly walked over and said, "Take your hand off the throttle."  We got her bike picked back up again, Thank God for crash bars.  We inspected the bike and there was no damage.  I couldn't believe how calm she was about the whole thing.  I remember leaving that night with the hugest smile on my face.  Even with the less then desirable finish, I had ridden a motorcycle on my own.  I still smile whenever I drive by that parking lot.  Thanks Kristin for giving me that memory! 

Months later, Kristen had her new Road King and Dan had given his blessing for our travels to Sturgis for the 2004 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.  I'm not sure if Kristen realizes how special that trip was for me.  Even though I've gone since, the experience that Kristen and I had together, because of our kindred interest in motorcycling, can't be matched.  From Billy Lane, Rhett Rotten, and our Indian Larry sighting at the Full Throttle Saloon, to the wild nights at the Buffalo Chip.  And all the other cool trips we took through South Dakota, when we'd meet up with her dad, Don, and go riding.  It was a trip I'll never forget and we still conger up the memories now and then.  I always giggle when I think about her and I and our crazy times!  I'm smiling and laughing as I write this post!  Good Times!

Life kind of happens and a few years after Sturgis Kristen got hitched, opened her own salon called Blondies Beauty Parlor, and started a family.  Kristen sold the Road King but that Biker Spirit has never left her.  We still talk about motorcycles non-stop and laugh about all the good times we had.  I look forward to the day when Kristen gets back on two wheels, so that her and I can ride together again.  Thanks Kristen for all the encouragement you gave me along the way to my own ride.  You really put up with listening to me talk about riding my own for way too long.  I'm sure at some points in our conversations you were thinking, "would you do it already"!   I feel like if our paths hadn't crossed I would probably still be dreaming of my own motorcycle and never realized my dream!  You Rock Sister!

Sunday Morning Thoughts...

Good Morning America How are Ya? Not sure why that song just popped into my head but it did. It looks like a beautiful Sunday morning here in lovely Johnston, IA. I'm sitting here listening to some Soft Rock and drinking my coffee. The thoughts are just swimming around my head so wow...this could all be kind of random so bare with me.

Brittney Spears...why the heck do we keep pushing this nut case to the top of the spotlight. I find it very sad that she had kids with K-Fed just so she could say that she had them and now she has turned into psycho nut job mom of the century. Seriously her handlers or parent's need to guide this girl down the right path and maybe get her some help because I think she might have a major case of Post Pardom Depression or something. And once again we reward someone for their fame even though they are not emotionally stable and parade them on a stage at the VMA awards. Sad...it's very sad how this beautiful girl went so out of control. She seriously could have been a role model but now she's just a headcase.

Michael Vick...I think this jerks sentence should be getting duck taped and setting pit bulls loose to attack him. What right minded person participates in dog fighting. SICK! And to all the parent's in this country who continue to let their teenage kids sport his football attire...what the hell...do you even pay attention to your kids and what they are doing? Do you actually condone dog fighting? Burn the shirt for godsake!

Ok...off the celebrities. I seriously try not to pay attention to them but those two kinda have gotten under my skin. And please boycott the MTV VMA awards with me. These people are not our Heroes!

Last night I was at Border's chilling and looking at magazines. This couple comes in an sits down and about 20 minutes later the woman's cell phone rings. Instead of getting up and going outside to talk, it was a nice night out, she blabs for 15 minutes so we all could hear. What ever happened to the days of letting people leave messages and calling them back later? This whole cellphone thing is out of control. Has society forgotten how to be cordial to their fellow man/woman? Is your life so important that you need to share your 1/2 of the conversation with all of us? Please...when you are in public turn your phone on mute. Let the call go to voice mail. Worry about the call when you get home and if you can't go to a place where you are not broadcasting the conversation to everyone else!!!!

On a lighter non-bitching note. My bestest biker girl friend Kristen and her business partner Monica, celebrated their 2nd year of business at Blondie's Beauty Parlor. Yea Girlies! I went out with Kristen and the girls of Blondie's to celebrate on Thursday and we had so much fun. Those chicks are a hoot. And I found my Pretty Woman Movie quoting soulmate, Betsy....she and I were standing at the bar ordering and she started quoting Pretty Woman and I was like...OMG, I thought I was the only one that did that. LMAO...too cool! "Gimme a name...a name? The pressure of a name...Cinderfuckingrella! OMG...too funny.


Wow...this song brings back memories. Bon Jovi...Never Say Goodbye. I think that might have been my Senior Prom theme. LMAO. I can't remember though, but I think it was.

Need more Java...

So I haven't blogged at all about Billy Lane because I pretty much wrote him off my list of favorites. I was wondering the other day though what was up with him. Looks like he'll be in court the 21st of Sept and could face up to 15 yrs in prison. That's all I have to say about that...

Because of my new blogger bud KT DID I've found some truly cool new blogs. One being Rippin Kitten. She's a cool biker chick and has a very cool site. I've added it to my list of blogs I visit so you'll have to check it out.

I'm pouting...I wanted to go riding today but it looks like it's going to rain. Rain Clouds BE GONE! Didn't work! Well...Have a great Sunday and a great week! Ride Safe...Ride Free...Ride it like you stole it! LOL I sound like a t-shirt.

Have a good one and Support Our Troops and Vets!!! Remember the Fallen Heroes and boycott the MTV Video Music Awards with me!!!

:)