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Women Riders Speak is an interview series with female motorcyclists which appears every Monday. Through their stories, they illustrate the transformative role motorcycling has played in their life. In this interview, Mary Barry of St. Catharines, Ontario, relates how a working mom with two young sons discovered the joys of riding, and found a rare place for solitude.  

What prompted you to get into motorcycling?

I can barely remember a time when I didn’t have at least one motorcycle around me. My older siblings shared a step-through Honda that I snuck rides on when I was barely old enough to go to school. I loved rides from neighbors’ mini-bikes – the kind that had those big fat tires and only sat about two feet off the ground. I actually had my feet on the gas tank, gripping the handlebars in the center while the rider had his arms on either side of me to operate the bike. I can still remember what the entire neighbourhood looked like from that view – I suspect that view and the other sensory feedback I got from those rides stayed with me way beyond childhood.

 At age 37, I was helping my sister as she started a motorcycle touring company and thought it was a good time to get my license. I told myself I was doing it for her – i.e. helping her out by becoming a rider and lending credibility to myself and her. In fact, I was eager to finally become a rider and operate a bike on my own.

 What was your biggest challenge when you were learning to ride?

The only flack I got was from a few friends that suspected I was going through a mid-life crisis. These comments didn’t deter me at all. In fact, I theorized that the reason people have these kinds of crises at all, is because they aren’t doing the kinds of things that they have always wanted to do.

I got the adrenaline rush I expected but I also got a surprise. At that time, I was loving life as a stay-at-home mom of two and four-year old sons. As much as I enjoyed being with them, I craved solitude and silence. Ironically, riding my motorcycle became my quiet time – focusing only on the road, losing myself in random thoughts and just being alone.

Where have you travelled on your motorcycle?

Shortly after getting my license, I joined others on a 1,000 kilometer weekend backroad trip from my home in Niagara to Pointe Pelee. Since then I have travelled solo around southern Ontario, into New York State and Pennsylvania. At one point my work took me to San Diego. I rented a Ducati for a day and rode into the San Bernadino Mountains, skirting the Mexican border – an amazing ride with incredible views. A few times I considered that I was in the middle of nowhere, with the potential for plunging off any of the million switchbacks and no one knew where I was. But I continued and now look back on that ride as one of my best.

What impresses you most about another woman rider?

It’s great that there are so many other ladies riding. A few of my girlfriends have gone for their license and they all face the same challenges that any guy would– i.e. fear of failure, fear of dropping a bike and fear of not mastering the controls. It’s inspiring to see them master that!

What is your greatest joy from riding?

Solitude. I am a working mom who would be considered to be a classic example of someone in the “sandwich generation.” In other words I am in between young kids and aging parents. Once I know that everyone is looked after riding is a great opportunity for some me-time.

How do you look back on yourself as a beginner rider now?

I am happy that I went through the process and that I now have my full license. As with anything in life, new things usually leave you thinking that you may never really be great at it but then you get it and confidence builds from there.

Women Riders Speak is an interview series with female motorcyclists which appears every Monday. Through their stories, they illustrate the transformative role motorcycling has played in their life. In this interview, Alisa Clickenger, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, reveals her fascinating entry into riding - and how it's carried her around the western hemisphere!

What prompted you to get into motorcycling?

I was going through a painful divorce, and one night I had a dream in which I sped away on a motorcycle in order to escape the bad guy and save my life. When I woke up, in my hearts I knew I had to learn to ride. The first person I saw in a leather jacket I asked how to get started riding a motorcycle, and he suggested the MSF course, so that’s where I started. That was sixteen years ago, right before I turned thirty.

What was your biggest challenge when you were learning to ride?

Myself. Or I guess getting over my fear. I had a Father that scared the dickens out of me on a small dirt bike when I was very young, and a Mom that taught me growing up that motorcycles were evil. I couldn’t understand why I was so compelled to start riding when it was so against my upbringing and core values. But the first time I felt the wind in my hair, and the sense of accomplishment of getting over my fear, well, that was terrific. And then I started noticing that confidence and that can-do attitude carrying over to other areas of my life. Now I love motorcycling mind, body, heart and soul.

Where have you travelled on your motorcycle?

All over! I started with short trips aroundNew England, then started traveling cross-continent mostly by myself because nobody seemed to want to travel as much as I did. I’ve ridden fromViennato Gibraltar in Europe, and all overItaly,Sicilyand theAeolian Islands. Plus I’ve ridden all overFrance,SwitzerlandandGermanyby myself. Three years ago I rode the Trans-America Trail (crossing America East to West on all dirt roads and tracks) and then the Continental Divide Ride (crossing America North to South on dirt). That was about 15,000 miles of unpaved and paved travel in one summer. It was a fantastic way to see theUnited States. 2009 -2010 I spent seven months on the road solo riding from my home inConnecticutall the way toArgentina. And yesterday I just got back from 4,000 dirt miles riding around the empty spaces in the American West.

What impresses you most about another woman rider?

I see her as a Ground breaker. Rule breaker. Someone who follows her heart, and lives her passion. I see her as a person that takes control, one who takes a bold step forward. I envy her, and then I realize I have a piece of her inside myself as well.

What is your greatest joy from riding?

I truly believe that I am a better person when I am riding and seeing the world from the two-wheeled perspective. Motorcycling forces me to live in the NOW—it’s a technical challenge and I need to be “present”. There’s no worry about anything other than what I am doing in that moment, and for me that’s a form of freedom in and of itself. I’m open and available—and vulnerable—literally, in a way that I don’t allow myself to be in any other aspect of my life.

How do you look back on yourself as a beginner rider now?

I laugh. Because of my high tolerance for adventure and budget travel, and years traveling solo, I’m often seen as a die-hard motorcycle chick (especially since I no longer own a car). I’m an advocate of training and try to do one motorcycle rider training every year, so I’m developing some real skills now. But the truth is I am a clumsy person, and it’s a challenge for me to have mastery over machine and to be a good rider. I remember being newly fledged from the MSF class, shiny new license in hand, and I would not accelerate over 35 mph on the highway. I was terrified. Cornering or leaning the bike? Forget it. Yet the feeling of freedom, the sense of accomplishment, and the unique perspective motorcycling has given me on life make me feel invincible. Perhaps that dream I had in which a motorcycle saved my life really has come true.

Read more about Alisa and her adventures on her personal blog.

Women Riders Speak is an interview series with female motorcyclists which appears every Monday. Through their stories, they illustrate the transformative role motorcycling has played in their life. In this interview, Kim Harrington of Toronto,Ontario, reflects on her experience as a rider.  

What prompted you to get into motorcycling?  

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had the strong desire to ride. I am a single parent and that role been my primary focus for most of my life. It was only later in life I was able to take time for myself to nurture life long passions. Riding was one of them.

I didn’t get the opportunity to pursue this sport until my 40’s.  I’ve been riding a few years now.

What was your biggest challenge when you were learning to ride?

Getting into riding on my own initially seemed overwhelming. The Humber rider course taught me the fundamentals, but I found myself questioning my abilities and my choice of bike {Kawasaki Vulcan 500}.  Initially, my riding experience, although exhilarating, was slightly anxiety provoking. I was on a bike I wasn’t overly comfortable with and wasn’t sure if it was the bike or my ability.  I believe it was a bit of both and I changed from the cruiser, to a sport bike, {Buell Blast}.  I found myself hitting the road more frequently with a new sense of confidence and enjoyment. With the experience I’ve gained thus far, I’m ready to move to a third bike to suit my growing desire to travel.

Where have you travelled on your motorcycle?

So far, I’m a day-tripper exploring the country roads North West of Toronto.  I’m planning on riding across Canada in 2012.

What impresses you most about another woman rider?

Their inner strength, confidence and skill.

What is your greatest joy from riding?

Embracing the profound feelings I experience from the second I sit on it.   There is nothing I can liken to the thrill of traveling down an open road on my bike. The independence, strength, peace, and control.  I try to live my life in the moment. On my bike, this is an absolute. I'm very mindful of the ride and am fully aware of my surroundings; the smells, the temperature changes and the grounded feeling I have with the bike.  Thoughts of past and future don't exist. Only the present, only the ride. It is a very satisfying and peaceful state of being and it lasts long after the bike is parked.

How do you look back on yourself as a beginner rider now?

Looking back, I doubted my ability. Over time, I’ve taken myself out on the roads and increased my ride time to a point where I can now confidently spend the whole day on the bike. Even at the beginning, I felt great excitement and pride in myself for getting into the sport. I still feel that way.

Women Riders Speak is an interview series with female motorcyclists which appears every Monday. Through their stories, they illustrate the transformative role motorcycling has played in their life. In this first interview, Bridget Greer, from Burlington,Ontario, reflects on her experience as a rider. If you are interested in sharing your story, email Liz.

What prompted you to get into motorcycling?

I first started buzzing around cottage roads on a variety of mini or dirt bikes during the summer of ’68 or ’69. We rode in bathing suits and wrapped a piece of cloth around the shifter so it didn’t dig into our bare feet. In the evenings we sat around the campfire and picked the gravel out of our knees, and sprayed on some Bactine so we would be good to go the next day. The old photo is from the summer of ’72. At least we graduated to wearing pants and shoes, but still no helmets!

Changing circumstances and priorities in my late teens led to a hiatus in riding which came to an end thanks to my son. At 16, he went toParison an exchange and fell in love with the Vespa scooter. After working and saving madly all summer, he bought himself an ’85 200cc retired Italian Postal Service Vespa. He was just having way too much fun, and both my husband and I got the bug to get back into riding.

We now own a variety of BMW’s, including two classic 70’s bikes, and three dual-sports. Most days I ride a 2002 F650GS, but I also ride a two-stroke Vespa scooter on occasion. It’s very stylish!

What was your biggest challenge when you were learning to ride?

Learning to deal with traffic. Riding on the road is very different from being on private dirt roads and properties. I took the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) rider’s course to relearn how to ride, and to drop some bad habits. Once I got back in the groove, I was comfortable on the road quite quickly.

I’m a very focused rider and that carries over to driving too. I’ve avoided some serious rear-enders in my car because I’m constantly checking mirrors.

Where have you travelled on your motorcycle?

I commute on my bike for about 10 months of the year. Otherwise, I’ve been west to Wyoming, the entire east coast from Meat Cove,Cape Breton to Florida, primarily riding dual sports. I like to play in the dirt too.

Although I ride in groups to rallies and events on occasion, most of my traveling is just with my husband, and our son joining us on occasion. I like riding on my own and keeping my own time and schedule and groups can be too much work. It’s fun to go out and get lost somewhere.

The next step is to ship a bike to Europe. My son works and studies there, so it would be ideal for him to use it and then I could pick it up to tour on when I visit.

What impresses you most about another woman rider?

I love the courage than some women have to quit their jobs, sell everything, and travel the country, continent or world until they run out of funds. I keep telling my kids not to plan to come home after I retire, because there won’t be a home to come to. I’m buying a good tent and leaving! I also love the spunk of the senior riders who keep on riding well into their 80’s. That’s something I aspire to.

What is your greatest joy from riding?

Riding is very cathartic. I can totally let go of everything in my mind and just focus on the ride. All of the daily troubles disappear. I “see” so much more too, like a caterpillar trying to cross the road; things you would miss in a car.

How do you look back on yourself as a beginner rider now?

All the gear, all the time! I shudder to think how we made it through back then!