I had an idea. What if we created a space where woman riders could share their favorite rides, roads and routes, in a true blog format? Instead of just posting a bunch of photos and trying to tell the story on a crowded social media platform or forum, what if we made a place where we could write our stories and share our experiences with other like-minded riders — sharing ideas, inspirations and dreams?

So I did it. It’s a new section of this website called WR Rambles (if you linked directly to this story, you’ll find it under the “Community” category at the top of the homepage). I’ve posted a couple of stories of my own to get you started, but here’s the gist:

If you want to contribute to WR Rambles, send me an email (jsmith@epgmediallc.com) with photos (as many as you’d like, but try to pick out the “best” ones), captions if you want, and whatever you’d like to write about your Ramble (keep it to 1,200 words or less if possible).

Pro tip: Since photo files tend to be large, it’s easiest to use a free file transfer service like WeTransfer to send me your photos.

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Easier said than done, I know. Here are some tips to help get those creative juices flowing, and you’ll be a moto-journalist pro in no time:

  • Instead of “first I went here, then I turned here, then I went there,” try to focus on the intangibles: what makes that road or route so enjoyable?
  • Tell us about some of the history of the area or even of that particular road.
  • Are there any interesting way points or stopping points along the way? And don’t forget to tell us where to stop and eat!
  • Did you go alone or with friends? Did you meet anyone along the way?
  • Most importantly, tell us why YOU enjoyed this ride!

I’m looking forward to seeing — and sharing — your Rambles and stories.

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2 COMMENTS

  1. I have had quite a few bikes starting out with enduro’s before they called them dual sports. When I was 16 I got my L license to be able to ride anything 150cc or under. I bought a Honda XL125S and rode that thing everywhere around town and nearby usually doubled up with friends. I didn’t care much about mileage though it was great on gas and changed the oil when it was dirty not caring much about the oils weight. I sold it with about 12,000 miles on it 3-years later and a cracked frame rail by an engine mount, as the previous weld broke. A couple years later I bought a still in the crate XL350R and that was a fast bike and showed over 90 mph on long straights but was stolen a couple year later while living at my first apartment.

    In 2008 I bought the next generation KLR650 and rode that thing for 8-years and 53,000 miles, mostly commuting to work. I did buy it for the idea of a long distance ride which I heard they were capable of. In 2009 I rode it from Illinois to Texas to visit an old high school friend who lived outside of Austin, Texas. During that 2,600 mile trip and had two 650 + days in the saddle. The bike did very well but got blown around a bit with the high winds in Kansas. It was a great adventure and I had Givi hard cases, Michelin Anakee tires, UFO low front fender, and a backpack tent that served me well. In 2016 I got tired of the bike and needed a change but it was a great bike for the time and hard to forget as it could do most anything.

    In 2016 I bought a CBR500R that was descent but had a very poor fit and finish and was actually a poorly made bike in my opinion as everything seemed to be cutting corners to build, but it did get great mileage as a commuter and I regularly got upper 70s mpg with a best of 81 mpg. I ended up totaling it out in an accident around a corner that I had taken hundreds of times previous going at a slower pace but the November conditions were not good as the road was cold and it was riders error going down at 40 mph when the front tire washed out on the way home from gassing it for winter storage. I walked away from it as I always wear full gear but did scrape the back of my Nolan as I slid on the pavement.

    The following year I bought a 2018 Ninja 650 and couldn’t believe the difference. Not just that much more engine but so much more technology and refinement than the CBR for what some call a budget bike. I have achieved a best of 71 mpg with this bike in daily work commutes. It looks and performs like a premium bike but is not quite a super sport. So, I would say this is my favorite bike of all including others not mentioned.

  2. I am a woman who was told by several men, including my father and two husbands, that women don’t ride motorcycles, it took me longer to get my first bike than many of the women riders I have met since the 70’s when I began looking for my first bike.
    I finally bought my first bike in 1990, just after buying my second house. I had to lie to get the man to sell it to me. I told him I have a son who is about my height and he then sold it to me.
    It has been an uphill battle here in NW Pennsylvania. Now that I am on my third bike, a 2004 Honda VTX 1300, I seem to be taken more seriously. I just got back from a short ride to Lake George NY having been there with about 300 other women members of Women On Wheels. It was one of the shortest I have been on since my first Ride IN year of 2006. That was to Springfield, MO and it was 965 miles one way. I had the encouragement of women members via emails and text messages since I was making the trek as a solo rider.
    That was my most memorable ride because it was my first. Along the way I met so many nice people who asked me where I was from and where was I going.
    They all wished me well and I thanked them. I was smiling, knowing that now I was accepted as a women rider.
    My longest ride , so far, was to Colorado Springs, CO in 2017, again as a solo rider. I do want to add that people were still nice to me along the way. Kansas was the most difficult to get through because of the constant wind and flat land. I came back via Nebraska, Iowa into Indiana and Ohio.
    At age 72, I am still on two wheels but have been looking at three-wheeled transportation, one must face the fact that two wheels may not be feasible in a few years.
    That being said, be safe and rubber side down.

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