We've come a long way BABY!

[Voni]

I was reminiscing about one of the first panels of riders I was on in the early 90's in preparation for which I'd searched the internet to find information to share a snapshot of women riders. 9 1/2 out of 10 of the sites I visited featured women as decoration. Riding their own bikes? Well, not really.

Fast forward to this article Chris sent me today:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...rticle2271331/

The first statistic astounded me:

Many women are overcoming that trepidation. About 23 per cent of Canadian riders are female, says Jo-Anne Farquar, director of communications and public affairs for the Motorcycle and Moped Industry Council.

And I loved how the article went on to really note the importance of good gear - not just "pretty".

Which caused me to wonder, what changes have you seen?

Voni
sMiling

[AKBEEMER]

Next step.... more women mechanics.

[clowry]

Working on it! Not motorcycles, but our 22 yr old daughter is a 4th year apprentice auto mechanic! Not what we expected, but we're SO proud of her!

[PGlaves]

Working on it! Not motorcycles, but our 22 yr old daughter is a 4th year apprentice auto mechanic! Not what we expected, but we're SO proud of her!

Once she learns everything about cars, bikes are easy!

[Pauls1150]

A Harley-ridin' neighbor of mine has a daughter who recently graduated from MMI's Harley school in Arizona with excellent grades - and the U.S. Navy signed her up as a jet engine mechanic!

Guys have the brawn, gals have the dexterity!

[Walking Eagle]

will help a whole bunch! There are only a FEW times during any motorcycle repair job where a man's (usually) greater upper-body and hand strength is required, and maybe you can borrow one of these very SIMPLE tools to help crack that stuck nut. You all have your mysterious ways.

Also, just an observation that is NOT original with me: Men have "different" egos vs. women. This "difference" can be critical to avoid the biggest "gumption trap" of all -- (big) ego. (Thanks, R. Pirsig) It helps tremendously to admit to yourself that you don't know the answer, or didn't observe something closely enough to do a competent repair, nor admit that "maybe I made a mistake." This basic nature of the human operating system directly affects a mechanic's ability to SEE and UNDERSTAND what she is observing.

Example: Do you know why it takes 10,000 "tadpoles" to fertilize just ONE egg? Because NONE of the tadpoles will stop and ask for directions. (Old joke. Mod can dump it if offensive.) Yeah, like that.

Women who ride? Priceless.

Women who ride/wrench? Omygod!

Walking Eagle

[suttie]

Voni, I must say that you and Paul have added so much to the BMWOA over the years. I am new to riding and even newer to the club, but I am in awe of what you have done. I hope I can get to 100,000 km., let alone 1,000,000 miles one day. But hope springs eternal!!

My question is, how would you in TX, get to read an article in the Globe and Mail?

[Voni]

Voni, I must say that you and Paul have added so much to the BMWOA over the years. I am new to riding and even newer to the club, but I am in awe of what you have done. I hope I can get to 100,000 km., let alone 1,000,000 miles one day. But hope springs eternal!!

My question is, how would you in TX, get to read an article in the Globe and Mail?

Thanks for your kind words. Motorcycling has surely enriched our lives.

When I started out by not daring to leave my yard for my first 100 sMiles I never envisioned a million in my future. Surprise yourself!

As to the article, a friend sent me the link. The internet is a powerful learning tool when you learn to sort the wheat from the chaff.

Voni
sMiling

[AKBEEMER]

Elena Myers celebrates her SuperSport Race 2 win in Victory Lane at Daytona International Speedway.

[Barbara Jean]

Hi Ladies (and Gents),

Way back when the crust of the Earth was cooling, my father got me a 1959 Lambretta LD125 scooter. I was in high school when he brought the thing home, and it looked like heaven on wheels to me! I didn't have a driver's license yet, so I rode it around the rather large yard, and managed to break the little pencil-sized drive-shaft.

(Me) "Poppa, will you fix my bike?"

(Pop) "Nope, but I'll show you how."

(Me) "Ewww. Really?"

So I got gloves and old clothes, and with tons of help, changed out the shaft. That was at least 75 or 80 bikes ago, and I probably worked on 75% of them. At the time I was a bit miffed that my father didn't just fix it for me, but I have come to love and appreciate his wisdom in making me do it. And it's funny, when some guy remarks about one of my bikes, and asks who does my mechanical work, and I smile a bit and say, "Why, me, of course. You think I'd trust anyone else?"

And here's the thing: after raising a son, two step-sons and a step-daughter, working on a bike is *SO* easy!! Seriously, anybody can do it!

Besides, it's such wonderful therapy!

[BEDRT3]

Elena Myers is up and coming, saw her turn a few laps at Indy MotoGP this year. She very well for the amount of seat time she has had.

[Voni]

Barb! Love your story

And huge congrats to Elana!

Voni
sMiling

Hi Ladies (and Gents),

Way back when the crust of the Earth was cooling, my father got me a 1959 Lambretta LD125 scooter. I was in high school when he brought the thing home, and it looked like heaven on wheels to me! I didn't have a driver's license yet, so I rode it around the rather large yard, and managed to break the little pencil-sized drive-shaft.

(Me) "Poppa, will you fix my bike?"

(Pop) "Nope, but I'll show you how."

(Me) "Ewww. Really?"

So I got gloves and old clothes, and with tons of help, changed out the shaft. That was at least 75 or 80 bikes ago, and I probably worked on 75% of them. At the time I was a bit miffed that my father didn't just fix it for me, but I have come to love and appreciate his wisdom in making me do it. And it's funny, when some guy remarks about one of my bikes, and asks who does my mechanical work, and I smile a bit and say, "Why, me, of course. You think I'd trust anyone else?"

And here's the thing: after raising a son, two step-sons and a step-daughter, working on a bike is *SO* easy!! Seriously, anybody can do it!

Besides, it's such wonderful therapy!

[lkchris]

And here's the thing: after raising a son, two step-sons and a step-daughter, working on a bike is *SO* easy!! Seriously, anybody can do it!

Well, guys can ... to prove your point!