| Freedom. Throwing caution to the wind. Oneness with | | | | strength than men and many of them are not as tall |
| nature. This is how many women are feeling about | | | | as the average male rider. One thing Tammy dreads is |
| their motorcycles and they are taking the roads by | | | | picking up her bike if it falls over. |
| storm. The notion of women being perceived as | | | | There is a special bond that exists between |
| backseat ornaments on motorcycles is long past. | | | | motorcycle riders. For example, the wave that |
| Women are suiting up all over America and the world | | | | motorcyclists use when they pass each other; bring |
| to experience the exhilaration that until recently mostly | | | | your hand down to your left side and point your finger |
| men had the pleasure of experiencing. They're | | | | down. |
| controlling the throttle while their husbands, significant | | | | Tammy's husband Jim has been riding motorcycles |
| others and men in general are embracing their new | | | | since about 1975. As a teenager in San Antonio, |
| found independence. | | | | Texas, he realized he could obtain a license for a |
| When it comes to forming motorcycle groups, clubs | | | | motorcycle before obtaining an automobile license and |
| and organizations, women are setting their own | | | | to him this meant freedom, in a different sense. It gave |
| standards. We should reflect on the past and give | | | | him the opportunity to leave the house without his |
| credit to the rebels who made this possible by defying | | | | mother having to chauffer him. His mother was not too |
| the norm. | | | | pleased about him riding a motorcycle though. He |
| In the 1900's motorized bicycles opened up a new | | | | traded his first motorcycle in for a Harley and twenty |
| world of adventure for women. Take Dot Robinson | | | | years later discovered it in a private collection at a |
| who was considered to be a pioneer in the arena of | | | | motorcycle shop. He regained ownership and plans to |
| female motorcyclists. Dot won her first trophy in 1930 | | | | restore it. According to Jim, one of the safest |
| at the Flint 100 Endurance race. She rode until she was | | | | motorcycles you can purchase is the BMW. |
| 85. It is estimated that Dot has ridden about a million | | | | Early on when Tammy first began riding, Jim |
| and a half miles. | | | | accompanied her quite often for safety reasons and |
| Bessie Stringfield also known as "The Motorcycle | | | | to help her gain confidence; but it was also much more |
| Queen of Miami" was one of the first African | | | | enjoyable when riding together. |
| American women to challenge gender and race in this | | | | Jim's view of women riders? If they want to ride, then |
| arena. She was known for her "Penny Tours". She | | | | more power to them. He suggests that first time |
| would toss a penny onto a map and set out to ride | | | | women riders should purchase a bike that is less |
| her Harley to that location, which took her all across | | | | expensive and easy to maintain. That's what Tammy |
| America. Bessie received her first Harley in 1927 at the | | | | has done. |
| age of 16. She joined the Army as a Motorcycle | | | | Donna Pfoff on the other hand has always been a |
| dispatch Rider during World War II. Bessie was | | | | backseat rider. It makes her feel alive and as though |
| inducted in to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2002 | | | | she's a part of the scenery that surrounds her and her |
| subsequent to her death in 1993 at the age of 82. | | | | husband as they glide down the road. Her first |
| Let's not forget Adeline and Augusta, the Van Buren | | | | experience on a motorcycle was an enlightening one |
| Sisters. In 1916 the sisters were the first to climb Pike's | | | | but also frightening. When her husband purchased his |
| Peak a 3,300 mile trip and the first to travel from New | | | | first Harley, she didn't exactly take to the idea. "Was I |
| York to California on motorcycles. | | | | supposed to lean when he leaned? Was I to sit |
| It was the tenacity, boldness and rebellion of such | | | | absolutely still like I was a mannequin?," she states. As |
| women that cleared the road for today's women who | | | | time passed she began to relax and literally sit back |
| ride with passion and finesse. | | | | and enjoy the ride and the scenery. |
| In 1940, Linda Dugeau formed the Motor Maid | | | | When Donna and her husband traveled to vacation |
| Organization, which gave women of that era the | | | | spots on their motorcycle, they experienced some of |
| opportunity to share their experiences with new-found | | | | their most glorious rides. One experience she'll never |
| friends. | | | | forget she says is when they rode from Cody, |
| Today's women are taking the lead, continuing the | | | | Wyoming to the Beartooth Mountains. Standing in the |
| trend of hitting the open road and even the race | | | | snow at a 12,000 foot elevation was truly breathtaking, |
| tracks, in groups and alone. | | | | scenery you would normally only see in a photograph. |
| As I spoke with Tammy Mullins about her riding | | | | I gather from my conversations with the Mullin's and |
| experiences, I could tell she embraced motorcycle | | | | the Pfoff's that motorcycle riding places you in a |
| riding with great passion. As a young kid, Tammy | | | | completely different state of mind where you gently |
| enjoyed taking turns riding a dirt bike with friends. It | | | | release your worries and stress as you blend with |
| was something she looked forward to every chance | | | | nature. Who knows, maybe I'll give it a try. |
| she got. From that point on she became hooked on | | | | There is a side of motorcycling that must be discussed |
| the idea of riding a motorcycle. During one Christmas | | | | and that is safety. On motorcycles there is no such |
| holiday, she was deeply disappointed when her brother | | | | thing as a fender bender; the slightest bump will knock |
| received a motorcycle and she did not. Her parents | | | | you off your bike. As I conversed with Tammy and |
| were unaware that she had a passion for | | | | her husband, they offered a few points about safety. |
| motorcycles. Over the years, Tammy continued | | | | - Until you become an experienced rider, be careful |
| meeting people who rode these two-wheeled wonder | | | | with acceleration |
| machines. For a long time she was a backseat rider | | | | - Always wear a helmet with a face shield or eye |
| which she admits was also a thrill. After years of not | | | | protection |
| knowing how to go about obtaining a license, her | | | | - Wear a heavy protective jacket with padding at the |
| husband encouraged her to take the exam. She | | | | elbows, shoulders and back |
| admits that the exam challenging because "you have | | | | - Wear heavy boots that cover the ankles |
| to be aware of your surroundings. You're out in the | | | | - Dark clothing is not the best choice, especially if you |
| elements and there's no padding around you such as | | | | are riding at night; if you choose to ride after dusk, |
| with driving a car." No longer the backseat rider, | | | | wear reflective clothing |
| Tammy owns and rides a Buell Blast made by Harley | | | | - Allow tailgaters to pass by slowing down, pulling over |
| Davidson, which she loves because "it's loud which | | | | and waving for them to pass; |
| allows others to become aware of my presence." | | | | And here are a few more points if you are new to or |
| Tammy always gravitated toward people with bikes | | | | have an interest in motorcycle riding: |
| because it represented a sense of freedom and | | | | - Take a motorcycle safety course first |
| independence. | | | | - Find friends and/or a mentor who rides |
| Driving out in the open, the wind in your hair, feeling | | | | - Consider purchasing a used or less expensive bike |
| oneness with the road is what attracts so many | | | | Female motorcycle groups are extremely diverse in |
| people to motorcycle riding and Tammy's no different. | | | | age, the style and make of their bikes, their |
| She expresses it as communing with nature, and "it's | | | | professional and ethic backgrounds, and they range |
| the best feeling." Her Buell is more of a learning bike | | | | from novice to the seasoned fast-lane race track rider. |
| for her because she is still fairly new to the world of | | | | One thing remains constant, the friendships and the |
| motorcycle riding. | | | | special bonds that bring them together. It's not all about |
| Women feel a deep sense of independence when | | | | coming together for leisurely rides. While enjoying their |
| riding their bikes that they can't get from driving a car. | | | | new-found freedom and independence, these women |
| She would like to see the motorcycle industry cater to | | | | are making a difference in their communities. They are |
| women a little more by building bikes with power but | | | | participating in charities, donating gifts and riding for |
| less weight and width. | | | | causes such as breast cancer. They are forming |
| Some dealers are now beginning to take women | | | | friendships that enrich their lives and the lives of people |
| riders more seriously. It is a growing market for them. | | | | around them. |
| Companies like BMW and Suzuki are beginning to | | | | Riding motorcycles is no longer a "man's thing", it's also |
| design bikes that are tailored to the female physique. | | | | a "woman's thing" and they're doing it with style. Move |
| Generally speaking, women have less upper body | | | | over Easy Rider, the ladies have arrived. |