I bought my first motorcycle in April, 1986; a Black Cherry Red Yamaha Radian.  The Radian was a sleek, high profile street bike with a smoke windshield that went from 0 to 100 on most highway on-ramps.  I lived in Erie, Pennsylvania at the time and a small group of us, ‘riders’ would take our lunch period and ride around Presque Isle (the peninsula off of Lake Erie).  I was the only lady rider in the group and always looked forward to those midday rides.

Fast forward to 2003.  After several years of bemoaning the fact that he didn’t have a motorcycle, Merle bought his 2003 Anniversary Dyna.  However, compared to my Black Cherry Red Radian, the Dyna was a little ho-hum.   In 2006, Merle and I were at a HD dealer in Seattle buying T-shirts and stopped mid-transaction when we saw our blue and silver with maroon striping Electra-Glide Touring bike.  The dealer gladly added that purchase to our t-shirt bill.  And since my motorcycle endorsement is still valid, one of these days you may see me (and not Merle) taking it through it’s paces!

My Favorite Ride? Last summer we rode to Sacramento to our favorite restaurant for table-side guacamole.  The weather was beautiful once we reached the California border and stayed gorgeous all the way back.   We took a small detour on the return ride to Mount Shasta and the Black Bear Restaurant.

My Worst Ride? On the way to Sturgis, Merle and I rode from Yellowstone over Beartooth Pass through the switch-backs in thunder, pouring rain and near zero visibility.  Although I will admit the severe wind gusts during the ride back from Las Vegas last May with Cal and Ann Clark through Mountain Home, Idaho ranked a close second.  More than a year has passed and I still have a kink in my neck.  If you doubt me, talk to Ann.

Most Humorous Ride? A couple of years ago, Merle’s daughters took off to Africa to see the animals and left their respective spouses behind.  His youngest daughter’s husband, Luke, having nothing better to do while his wife was away, agreed to take a road trip with us to where else but Sacramento for that famous guacamole.  Along the way, we stopped to see the Sea Lion Caves, Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, the Dinosaur Exhibition and the African Safari Wild Animal Park in Oregon where we took lots of pictures of us holding Isabel, the 3 month old teething baby lioness, Lots-of-Spots a 6 week old baby cougar and her two brothers and The Boys, twin tiger cubs. Needless to say, when the daughters returned with their bevy of African Safari photos; we had our own African wildlife pictures to share!

Ride Motto? Be prepared for anything and remember that you are a lady.  There is enough bad press and speculation out there about women riders. Cursing, raucous behaviors and being scantily dressed only fuels those fires and the latter could cost you your life in an accident.  Bared tattoos and road pavement don’t mix well.

Ride Advice? Go with the flow and savor the moments.  Last year as we were leaving a thickly forested area in Oregon, we suddenly came upon a mother moose and her baby intently munching on leaves.  “Mom” stopped eating to look at us and sensing no harm, went back to her dinner.  What a truly special moment!