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!

Calling All Female Riders - Harley Davidson Wants Your Stories

Harley-Davidson is trying to build out its Women & Motorcycling section on the website and they are looking for women who would like to share their personal stories about why they want to learn to ride or why they ride.

Here are some examples of woman riders who wrote about their riding experiences:

http://www.harley-davidson.com/EX/KNO/WOME/en/storiesf.asp?locale=en_US&bmLocale=en_US

If you are interested you would need to submit your story to Kelly Yahr(Kelly.Yahr@harley-davidson.com) along with the following information, which will serve as your profile if your story is chosen:
First name, middle initial, last name
Username (if you already have an existing online profile at H-D.com)
Email address (this will be used as your username when logging into the community)
Zip code
Birth date
Community screen name (your screen name will be used to identify any content you submit on Harley-Davidson/Buell websites)

Sasha Mullins - Gotta Roar!!!!!!

Let's hear a big huge shout out for Windsisters everywhere! Here is a great song by Sasha Mullins to get you in the Motorcycle Soul mood!!!

Gotta Roarrr!!!!

Harley Davidson contacts IHG

The other day I logged into MySpace and found a message from Kelly Yahr the Community Outreach Coordinator at Harley Davidson. She said that she had been surfing the web and found my blog. I was like...could this really be true? She requested that I send her my e-mail addy, so I did and she sent me a link to a free ebook geared toward women riders. The e-mail subject line was Harley Davidson and The Many Thoughts of Harley Girl. I must admit it gave me goosebumps. I had to smile when I saw the e-book because it's the perfect thing for B. B. right now with her new beautiful Sporty and her journey toward not having to be a backrest anymore!!! :)

http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/media/downloads/women/HD_GTR_eBook.pdf

Here is another link for women riders and passengers http://harley-davidson.com/womenriders.

Hopefully I can grow my relationship with Harley Davidson and they'll share special stuff with me so that I can pass it on to all of you. I'm crossing my fingers and toes! I'm actually pretty darn excited. Thanks for finding my blog Kelly and for contacting me!! :)

On another note...If Joker and D-Day read this...Have tons of fun guys! May Joker and the rest of the Blackstone HOG family, that is making the trip with him to the 105th, have a safe one!! I can't wait to hear all about your experiences and everything you see. I bet we'll be ROTFL when they get back and post their many tales!

Have a great week everyone! Even though the rest of us can't make the 105th we can still celebrate it...go for a ride...come home...pop in some Skynard...and have a beer or two...and give a salute to the motorcycle company that we do so LOVE! All Hail Harley Davidson!!!!
Good Night!

IHG :)