Date: October 10, 2005
Section: Motorcycling 2005
Edition: All
Page: 1

Women's groups pop up all over Chicago area
   Linda 'Jo' Giovannoni

Don't be surprised if you find PTA members and possibly a few "desperate housewives" mixed in women's motorcycling groups. Any of them could be the "girl next door." These diverse groups have some similarities to male riders. Both span a broad range of careers, nationalities, religions, personalities and physiques. You will find everything from executives, professionals, truck drivers, housewives, secretaries and construction workers. All with one common bond ... a love of motorcycling.

Since the early 1900s, the number of women motorcycle riders and their organizations have grown, with a dramatic increase in the mid-1980s. True, we are still in the minority when compared to our male counterparts. Thirty years ago, there was but a handful but today there's a variety of women's motorcycle groups cruising the roads.

The groups all seemed to be formed with common bonds - a love of the sport and a yearning to share it with other women. Let's meet some of these ladies.

Women in the Wind (WITW): Unlike many women motorcycle riders, Becky Brown from Toledo, OH did not start out as a passenger. As a child, she rode horses and later graduated to motorcycles. Most people who ride horses and motorcycles will tell you they often feel a similarity. Of course, upgrading from one horsepower to nearly a hundred brings you into a whole new dimension.

That was the early 1970s - female riders were few and far between. She found herself riding mostly with men, which was fine, but there were times she desired the camaraderie of women. Becky placed an ad in her local newspaper promoting a "women's motorcycle ride." Eleven women joined her for a cruise along the scenic byways of the Maumee River. Little did they know that day would earn them a place in the history of women in motorcycling.

Becky was the driving force behind the creation of one of the oldest, still functioning women's motorcycle clubs, which began with that ride. 'Promoting a Positive Image of Women Motorcyclists Since 1979' is one of the first things you see when you click on the WITW web site. I am proud to say through Becky's encouragement I co-founded the second chapter of WITW in 1983, in the Chicago suburbs.

Q. Becky, tell me where WITW is today?

A. Seventy chapters and 1,600 members later, WITW now spreads throughout the USA, Canada, Great Britain and Australia. We hold two national meetings in different locations each year. Our 2006 meeting is in January and will be held in Las Vegas. In July, we will meet in Athens, Ga., in conjunction with the AMA's Women in Motorcycle Conference. Full-membership is available to licensed female riders. Our "Safe Mileage" program promotes safety and gives members a chance to win awards. We added the 100,000 Mile Club to honor our members who love to put the miles on their tires. Members have the option to wear a back patch bearing our club logo and name.

Six times a year we publish a club newsletter, 'Shootin' The Breeze." It's a way of tying the chapters together and bridging the hundreds or thousands of miles that separate us.

Q. What is the main purpose of WITW?

A. WITW strives to educate our members in motorcycle safety and maintenance, unite women motorcyclists with friends of common interest and promote a positive image to the public of women on motorcycles. We also raise money for a variety of worthy causes.

Becky appears in the '90s film documentary "She Lives To Ride." In 2002, she was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame for her work in promoting women in motorcycling. Something tells me she's only just begun.

Windy City Women Riders: As the home page for WCWR opens you see their back patch and their mission statement:

- To foster a bond of sisterhood among women motorcyclists for mutual aid, support, strength and friendship.

- To promote a positive image to the public regarding women motorcycle riders.

- To help educate its members on motorcycle safety and maintenance, making available information on safe riding techniques and encouraging participation in motorcycle safety courses.

- To ride together and experience the many wonders of the road.

Jodi Maddocks, vice-president of WCWR, gave me some background.

Q. What year did your club start?

A. In 2002, as a chapter of Women on Wheels (WOW) then branched off in 2004 and formed our own club. We have 37 female members, all solo riders.

Q. What is the combined number of riding years for your members?

A. Off the top of my head, I would say 100 years, but I think this would be a fun thing to find out exactly.

Q. Do you hold meetings, and can you give us a little info on your members?

A. We hold monthly meetings, currently at Russell's BBQ, in River Grove. Our members ride a variety of motorcycles; Harley, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha. Full membership is available to women but men can join as associate members. We always act respectful while wearing our vest (club patch). And we attend at least four rides and meetings each year. We are a bunch of fun- loving women but we do not like to stop at bars we prefer to stop at ice-cream parlors or coffee shops.

Q. What is the age range in WCWR?

A. I don't really have to answer that, do I? Just kidding! Our ages range from 28 to 58.

Q. Do you hold any charity events?

A. WCWR held their first "Ride For Trina" Sunday, October 9th to raise money for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. It will be donated in the name of Trina Jo Hull, who we lost May 2005 at the young age of 31. We plan to make this an annual event. We've ridden in the Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade the past four Decembers.

Sheri Pyle, president of WCWR added, "Our members are made up of homemakers, lawyers, upper management, clerks and everything in between."

Chrome Kitten Cruisers: Candy, a member of the Chrome Kitten Cruisers, a Chicago Chapter of Women on Wheels (WOW), filled me in on their group.

Q. Who started the Chicago chapter?

A. Audrey Olson and Deborah Brougham in 2003. The first chapter of WOW was started in 1982 in California by Arleen Ruby, who designed it specifically for women, but men and family members can join as support members.

Q. How many chapters are there?

A. WOW is an international organization of 3,000 members, 600 support members in 100 chapters throughout the U.S.A., Canada and Switzerland!

Q. How many members are in your chapter and what is the main purpose of WOW?

A. We have 13 members. I am in public relations, and we also have an art teacher, architect, office managers, printer/copier salespeople and stay-at-home moms. Our main purpose is to unite all women motorcycle enthusiasts, whether they ride their own machine, are motorcycle passengers or future motorcyclists. We had our first awareness run this season to benefit a local organization, Save Abandoned Babies.

Q. Do members wear a patch with your insignia and what is the age range?

A. Yes, you can see our back patch on our Web site. We prefer to be called an organization rather then a club. As for age, we don't count past 40 so our oldest members are no older than that! I am 29 and the youngest member.

Q. Does WOW have yearly national meetings?

A. Yes, the WOW Yearly Ride In is held in a different location every year. All national chapters gather to discuss important issues related to WOW and women in motorcycling. Our chapter often gets together with other local chapters for lunch or a ride or to discuss ideas.

Q. What type of image do you want to portray?

A. Not necessarily an image but we want to underline the fact that many different types of women can be avid riders enjoying a variety of motorcycles while stressing the importance of safe riding.

Q. How many events/trips does your chapter do yearly?

A. It varies - depending on which members can attend which event ... we do not have mandatory rides, meetings or events like some groups. That said, it should be noted we have almost 100 percent participation. I think it's because we stress having fun in a relaxed atmosphere as the most important part of rides or meetings. Our ride calendar is put together every January so if anyone would like our chapter to participate in their event they should contact us early. During the winter we get together at least once a month. We do an annual getaway - last year Galena and this year we put 800 miles on in Wisconsin.

Chrome Divas: "Diva" Kate Halma, director for the Northern Illinois Chapter of the Chrome Divas, parked her bike long enough to talk to me about her group.

Q. Where did this chapter originate?

A. In Woodstock, Ill. I was the first member to sign up for the club in 2004. A five-member minimum is required to start a new chapter. We became official in January 2005 and now have 25 members!

Q. What is the age range of your members and who can join?

A. Ages range from early 30s to mid-60s. We welcome any woman who supports the practice of safe motorcycle riding. Only women are members but men can support the cause and ride along as Diva Dudes!

Q. What is the combined number of riding years for your membership?

A. Nearly 200 years for our chapter alone! There are 35 chapters nationwide.

Q. What type of image do you hope to portray?

A. We are intelligent, independent, professional women who enjoy riding motorcycles as a means of freely expressing our desire to be who we are - separate from the roles life routinely assigns females. Our goals include raising awareness of community needs through fund-raising events. We meet the second Monday of each month at Hooper's Grill in Elgin. We're an exciting, diverse group of women who support each other - both on the road and off!

Q. Do your members keep track of their mileage?

A. Most members do. Some are approaching their first 1,000 miles while others do that in a month. We have monthly rides - if the roads are dry, we're on them! Our chapter is made up of insurance brokers, administrative assistants, accountants, Realtors, public relations experts and a few professional single moms who work hard raising good children! One of the nice things about the Chrome Divas is that we accept all makes and models, it's 'riders choice' when it comes to your bike!

Women in the Wind

www.womeninthewind.org or e-mail WITWUSA@@aol.com

Windy City Women Riders: www.windycitywomenriders.org

Chrome Kitten Cruisers: www.chromekittencruisers.com

WOW chapters: www.womenonwheels.org

Chrome Divas: www.ChromeDivas.com