BLISS IN FEMALE RIDERS SMILES

Have you ever noticed how anytime a woman is photographed aside, on, or with her motorcycle bliss radiates through her smile? You sense the happiness, you feel it. The emotion comes directly through the camera's lens portraying excitement, pleasure, pride, and her love of the activity. Just have a look at the National Female Ride Day photos!

Here's one photo in particular, a recent favourite I captured of fellow rider friend Andrea Goodman. In the mirror is a happy, enthusiastic face. Even though Andrea is always positive and an incredibly good natured person with a contagious laugh, I caught her "havin' fun feeling" reflection in her own motorcycle mirror. This was just prior to moving off for the yearly WROAR ride (Women Ride Out Against Rape), 10 June Toronto. The photo also shows the background image of another female participant as she heads out to join the main group.

I’m reminded of one of my own photo moments while exiting famed seaside Dutch Zandvoort Circuit spring 1999 —after my very first race!

I had a Ducati 750ssc at the time and this picture taken on 2 May 1999 captured the true "high" I was on. Now so many racing years later, I recollect those 12 laps of sheer adrenaline induced motorsport pleasure!

The smile you see under my helmet was an uncontrolled product of numerous genuine feelings, not a pose for the camera -- the very day I became hooked on racing.

HAPPINESS IS . . .

. . . a post-box full of National Female Ride Day photo submissions from across Canada and the United States. Each photo portrays the delight and enthusiasm enjoyed in this activity ---motorcycling.

Not only that, the photo here was one submitted on the CD by Clare’s Cycle & Sports Ltd in Fenwick Ontario, showing the T-shirt they designed and produced especially for NATIONAL FEMALE RIDE DAY. The logo is incorporated ---brilliant!
How fortunate being the recipient!

FLUSTERED BY A BUNCHA MOTORESS'ES

During National Female Ride Day, after the kick off at the beginning of our Toronto city ride—we, the females (and a few accompanying males) experienced an incident that's been supplying us with giggles ever since.

Here we are, a modest sized group of motorcycles, admittedly looking impressive. The young urban fashioned KYMCO team--the Benelli custom designed "cafe racer", Robin’s downtown film trés feminine style on her Harley Davidson and my MOTORESS DUCATI 1098S. A pack of motorcycle riders on a downtown Friday morning rush hour--a sight to draw attention amidst the usual bustle.

As we departed the Princes' Gates heading city North, passing under the downtown expressway, a fellow motorcyclist was stopped on the shoulder, curbside of the on coming traffic lane. His motorcycle had stalled and he was attempting to kick start it. He had his left foot on the ground and was leaning to the right, against the road side curb (actually sidewalk) as he attempted to steady the bike and kick-it into operation. It was some type of retro motorcycle. In the midst of kick-starting, along we came captivating his attention on the other side of the street. He kicked the bike, looked at us, looked back, looked at us, looked back at what he was doing, but is was too late—in a chaotic scramble for balance and coordination, over he fell! It was as a classic slap stick comedy routine—whoa WHOA, WHOA, over he went overcome by our approach.

We were laughing and laughing! Not intending to be cruel, it was just plain funny. The fella didn't have far to fall—the motorcycle was already leaned over somewhat against the curb while trying to kick start it. Certainly there'll be a scrape or two, nothing significant.

A priceless memento on Female Ride Day.
Still "giggling"--you too Carol Anne? (no that's not him in the picture)

National Female Ride Day-to-Remember

What a beautiful National Female Ride Day Toronto kick off last Friday May 4th under a glorious blue Friday sky at the Canadian National Exhibition entrance—the Princes’ Gates lending to a superb back drop and an easily accessed city location.

Women riders arrived from outside Toronto North, East and West to participate and share in the kick off. RTI (rider training Institute) management, also a sponsor of the campaign joined in. Then KYMCO Canada arrived with the team, the branded truck, their scooters. Bob Calwell, Kawasaki's Sales Manager arrived from Guelph en route to head office but stayed to join in the kick off as well. When I arrived at 7.15, City TV was already waiting to get this on film. Then Inside Motorcycles showed up and well we had a wonderful supportive group.

After the kick off we went on a city tour, very challenging on an early Friday morning—should have been called a city stop light tour as all we did was sit at traffic lights.
After the city riding we headed to the BEACH where we had breakfast. After, everyone dispersed going on required ways. I went riding around the city and stopped at a few dealerships. Ducati Toronto/Lamborghini who noted all the goings on this morning by Princes’ Gates. Then later by Cycle Canada where I spied the National Female Ride Day poster hanging in their entrance window. I spoke to a sales guy inside and mentioned it was National Female Ride Day today; he said, “Yes that’s right, I know all about it”.

A little later a phone call came in from Global TV saying they caught about 15 women pulling away from a stop sign and wanted more details of the day. Later I saw their TV bit on the evening news, they had captured and interviewed some members of the famous MOTOR MAIDS.

The Ottawa Citizen released an article on 4 May which enabled many females who still hadn’t’ heard about the day, to get out there on their motorcycles.

Many women riders enjoyed the day—their details including photos are arriving. Astounding to say the least. Some with a little story and many accompanying thanks for initiating such a day. I've even received a photo from Jackie, from the Ottawa area, of herself and her 1952 Harley—she had learned to ride in 1949. Brilliant!

Then there are the “VTwin Mama’s” in America who not only participated but also had members include a pink flower in their photo— terrific contrast. A delicate pink flower and the power of the motorcycle.

Yes very rewarding, the first National Female Ride Day a great success—awareness heightened, spotlight brightened as it shone on the varieties of women riders, all ages and all types.
National Female Ride Day also made obvious the numbers of women riders—those new to the activity and those who’ve been motorcyclists for most part of their lives.

One remark that's been shared in many of the emails is that next year should be international —this was always the plan so yes, International Female Ride Day 2008 May 2nd.

NATIONAL FEMALE RIDE DAY MOJO

This Friday is the first ever National Female Ride Day, an initiative of MOTORESS —something I’ve wanted to make happen for some years now. It’s going to take place every year on the first Friday of May, and will eventually be International Female Ride Day.

The response, the enthusiasm, the support from women motorcyclists throughout Canada and unpredictably, the United States has gone far beyond my expectations.
The day and I can say this based on the hundreds of emails and responses, is very well received --embraced by women riders everywhere. I consider myself fortunate as I get to view every email and comment--motivating.

Today in the postbox, I received a copy of the May/June 2007 Canadian publication called MOTORCYCLE MOJO. It was sent to me by editor Glenn Roberts to view a readers response in their ‘say what?’ section. I've scanned it and included the photo here--very nice.

Then, an associate of mine suggested I “GOOGLE” National Female Ride Day—and voila! The buzz that’s going on within forums, websites, blogs and the plans being put into place —excellent.
Even the website is busy with visitors, inquiries, viewings and today again hit over 1100 individual unique visitors—imagine outside your front door, 1100 people stand and in one click, enter your domain to look around every room. Now those numbers are ever greater!

So, Friday we ride, to work, to school, to meet friends—solo or in groups. National Female Ride Day brings all styles, forms, ages and brands together--that’s exactly the idea because at the end of the day, it’s quite simply about motorcycling and being female.