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Howdyyyy from Nashville, TN

by Janet Pierce
(Nashville, TN USA)

I always enjoy connecting with other riders and especially women riders. I've been riding my own for about 12 years and rode passenger for over 20 years before that. I bought a bike and took the MSF course a couple of years after my divorce and after realizing that missing riding was not just emotional baggage after a 27yr marriage that started with a ride on our first date.

Many rides and many years and five motorcycles later I have around 80 or 90K miles under my belt, have ridden in all 'lower 48' states and hope to take a trip up the Alcan to Alaska (where I grew up and originally began enjoying rides), in the next year or two. I am soon to turn 66 and looking forward to a retirement check, although I can not yet afford to enjoy a full time retirement. Hopefully the extra income will help support a little more riding and less work.
I am active in the Motor Maid organization, North America's oldest women's riding group and the women I have met there are amazing.

At 53, my beginning riding career was filled with discouragement and upsets. I wound up taking the MSF course twice even though I passed on the first one. It wasn't until I found other women riders to ride with who supported and mentored me as I try to do newer riders now, that I got really comfortable and started to head out on my own as well as with friends.

I currently ride a '00 ultra classic which has kept my buns comfortable through many a long tour. However, so many bikes and so little time. I ran across this site while researching sport tour bikes. I found it very helpful and will be sending the site to some other women who I think will like it.

JP
Nashville, TN

Comments for Howdyyyy from Nashville, TN

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Jun 27, 2011

To Lois, Diane and Natasha
by: jp

I've not been on this forum long enough to figure out how to navigate it so that I can send each of you a private message.

I'm presently out of town for the next couple of weeks (part of that on the bike of course).

I'd love to be in touch with you gals to support and ride with.

Meanwhile, I hope I can figure a way of putting my email address where you can contact me.

Jun 27, 2011

Natasha Nashville
by: Natasha

Heyyyy, I just completed my class in May of this year. I have a Yamaha Virago 250 that was gifted to me. I don't know what took me so long!! I love riding!!!!

Jun 18, 2011

Howdy from Nashville too!!
by: Diane - Nashville

Hi,

I'm a newbie rider here in Nashville. I've ridden as a passenger all my life and finally took and passed the MSF course last October, but have not been on a bike since. Bad timing I suppose, with cold weather and the holidays. I have my motorcycle endorsement, but not my own bike yet. I'm looking for one... I don't want something too big, or too small, a 500 is the top limit of my comfort zone right now. I'm only 5'4 so I'm looking at cruisers with their lower seat heights - and besides, they just look cool :D

I'm actually thinking about re-taking the basic rider course since it's been 8 months since I took the course and because even if I bought a bike this weekend, I'd be afraid to drive it home in Nashville traffic! I'll admit to being a sissy.. lol.

Turns and leaning gave me the most trouble, freaked me out a bit, but I suppose that's normal. In the course, you only get above 20MPH once, during the braking test, and my confidence in my shifting and throttle control has waned.
At 55, I'm way more cautious than I was 20 years ago. I really don't have any friends that ride, women or men. Having an experienced mentor would help me a lot, preferably another woman who can relate! Guys just don't 'get it', they're all 'guts and glory'.

Reading the stories here from other women riders at least makes me feel a bit better.

May 19, 2011

Riding
by: Lois

Janet if you ever get over to the eastern part of the state send a post, I would like to meet up and ride some time. I'm in Waynesville, NC close to Maggie Valley they have a lot of rally's there in the summer or Deals Gap I ride there too.

May 17, 2011

Follow Your Heart
by: jp

Judy,

Thanks for your comments too. I get support from fiends on bikes and friends on line.

I'm sorry you're going through a tough time relationship-wise. No matter how good or bad, 25 years is a big chunk of life and I hope the adjustment goes well.

As for your ride I think you need to follow your heart. If you have the health and strength then the world is yours. Some of the older Motor Maids are in their 70's and even 80's and on two wheels.

When the time comes I like to know there's some choices out there to be able to continue feeling the wind in my face. Until then I look forward to the challenge of a new riding style. I know I won't catch on like when I was 30, but I'm pretty stubborn. Not stupid, I hope, but stubborn.

Funny thing is I have riding friends saying things like "You'll kill yourself on one of those"...they sound a lot like people who said the same when I began riding. Time will tell.

JP

May 16, 2011

Riding
by: Anonymous

JP,

Thanks for the great comments. I didn't start riding until 62. I have ridden pillion but never thought that I would ride . However, I have a motorcycle with a side car. I think my next class will be a 2 wheel class as I have noticed that there are more older women riding.

The more I read some of the womens' post the more it inspires me to try a 2 wheel motorcycle. Also that fact, that you ended a 27 year marriage I am about to end a 25 year marriage. I think connecting with other women riders is a very healthy thing to do.

Again thank you for your position post.

Keep on riding.

Judy

May 16, 2011

Thanks
by: jp

Thanks for the welcomes. I look forward to reading more about you all.

May 16, 2011

Howdyyy right back at you!
by: Sharon

Janet, I so enjoyed reading your post. I too started riding 3 years ago at 53 and really love it. My husband has been riding as long as he can remember so our skills are far between. He has been very patient with me but I know he is rolling his eyes sometimes. I plan on joining Women on Wheels next week and hope that I will get some tips from other ladies. Sometimes some of the advice he gives me may work for him but not for me. Maybe our paths may cross someday. Be safe.

May 16, 2011

Welcome
by: Lynn - Florida

Welcome and thanks for sharing your story Janet. I too enjoy this website. It is fun hearing from women riders all over the world!

May 16, 2011

Welcome
by: anonymous

welcome to the site.

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