Who are you?
I'm lots of people - I've been married for 18 years to a guy from Jamaica, I have a 13 year old daughter who plays soccer and football and a 15 year old son who plays rugby, I work in the corporate world, I am on the board of a nonprofit (Ride for the Heart Foundation), I am a daughter to an artist mom and scientist dad, I am a sister to a brother 3 years younger than me, I am an auntie to a toddler nephew, I am a black belt in taekwondo and 2004 CA State Champ in sparring, I am an IronButt rider, I have done 4 half-marathons in the past 4 years, I lived in Jamaica for the 90's, I have traveled, I like helping people, and most of all, I like making people laugh.
How long have you been riding and what do you ride?
I used to ride a Vespa Primavera 125 back in the day, but that doesn't really count. It was so long ago, we didn't have to have a motorcycle license OR a helmet! I took the MSF course in April of 2004 and got my motorcycle license as soon as the class was done. My first bike was a 2001 Yamaha VStar 650 Classic, but when that kept breaking down I traded it in for a brand new 2005 Yamaha VStar 1100 Classic Silverado. I originally thought that I'd have a pretty bike, but it's a little MadMax'd out right now with extra lights, crazy racks, camera mounts, etc. so that I can do those fun IronButt rides. Yum. Funny thing - for the first couple of years, I was too scared to tell my mom that I rode. I even had a patch on my jacket that said, "Don't tell my mom I have a motorcycle." Finally the cat got out of the bag, and now she's my biggest fan -- she was even the first person to sign the Graceland Guestbook! I love my Mom.
Why did you start riding?
In 2003 my husband's friend offered to take me on a Sunday ride on the back of his Victory. After a few rides, I realized two things: 1. This man did not belong to me, so I couldn't order him to take me on a ride whenever I felt like it, and 2. This man would one day get a girlfriend, and I'd lose my seat. So I told my husband that "I just want to take the class so that I can learn something new...I don't REALLY want my own bike"...and a month later, I came home with the 650. For me, riding is prayer...I am hyper-aware of my surroundings and am so totally engaged in the moment that it frees my mind to feel profound gratefulness. Yeah, I could do that meditating on a rock on a hill somewhere, but then you're just in one place. On a bike, every turn brings a new sight and a new smell and a new reason to be happy and free and alive.
Why are you doing the Journey to Graceland?
I LOVE road trips...the bigger the better. And a biker road trip is even better, because you have a shared experience but at the same time you are independent. And when you can do the biker road trip with a phenomenal, hysterically funny, goodhearted group of women...well, can it get any better than that?
What, if anything, does Graceland represent to you?
Elvis is an icon - and Graceland is one of those kitschy iconic landmarks that America is so famous for. I can't wait to see the decor!
Name one obstacle you overcame as a child, and how that shaped you today.
I had a bit of a tumultuous childhood, but who didn't. I was lucky enough to have people who loved me, healthy dinners, and a family with a wicked sense of humor. They taught me that when the shit hits the fan, you might as well find something funny about it. Or duck and cover. That works too.
Name one thing that the Girlz of Graceland would be surprised to know about you.
I like to read romance novels. The ones with shiny tinfoil pink letters on the cover and on the inside cover, a full picture of a scantily clad woman clutching Fabio, with a castle in the background.
Return to Girlz of Graceland Page
|
