The (Surprisingly Long) History of Women Riding - International Women's Day

Not Such a New Concept...

Lately, it seems there's a HUGE focus on Women Riding - and not as passengers.  But a quick look at some history will show you, it's not such a new phenomenon after all...

For example, take the story of Effie N. Hotchkiss and mother Avis, the first women to ride cross-country on a motorcycle from NY to San Francisco.  There was a picture posted on a 1915 issue of The Harley-Davidson Dealer.

Or perhaps read the story of Linda Dugeau, the co-founder of the Motor Maids, the oldest Women's Motorcycle organization founded in 1940, with 51 charter members.  Her husband had taught her to ride on an old Harley-Davidson when she was 19 years old.  She actually moved from Boston to LA so she could ride year round.  She once took a trip that covered 3,500 miles in 2 weeks - talk about one of the original Iron Butts!  She was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2004.

The other co-founder of the Motor Maids was Dot Robinson, who, in 1939, rode all over the country looking for members to join her.  There's a great little story on the Motor Maids Website, related by "Hap:"

He tells of how he "chased that woman for two days, through mud and trees" and never caught her. At the end of the race, all the guys tramped into the local bar, but not Dot. She went to her room and got cleaned up first. "I'll never forget the picture: Dot walking into the bar in a black sheath dress and a pill box hat." Dot was always a lady.

Another great Women Rider story is that of the Van Buren sisters - the first women ever to ride up Pike's Peak.  In 1914, they set out on a cross-country trek from Brooklyn to LA.   Keep in mind, back then, women hadn't even earned the vote yet in most states.  They were often arrested for "wearing men's clothing".

Bessie Stringfield was the first African American woman to ride cross-country.  She served as a civilian courier for the US Army during WWII, carrying documents between domestic army bases. During the four years she worked for the Army she crossed the United States eight times.  Because of her skin color, she was often denied accommodations during her rides, and slept on her motorcycle at gas stations.  Once, she disguised herself as a man, and won a flat-track race.  When she took off her helmet and they saw she was a woman, they refused to give her the prize money!

As they say, we've come a long way, baby.  Let the stories of these women, and many more, inspire YOU.   If you've never ridden a motorcycle, maybe it's your time.  If you already ride, why not share your spark with some friends, and help them to see how it feels.  Because you can't really explain it with words.

Visit www.libertyharley.com/women for upcoming events.  And visit the Harley-Davidson women's site also for lots of information, links, and inspiration.

Just for fun - check out this link to "Don'ts for women riders from 1895."  Yes, I know, it's about bicycling, but some of the advice is just as useful (or completely non-useful) as it probably was back then.  I find this one to be particularly apt today:  Don’t contest the right of way with cable cars.

Gas prices rising again - and the riding season right around the corner...

Time to revisit an old concept:

A few years ago we at Liberty put together a few interesting factoids about possibly the BEST way to trim your budget - both your gas budget AND your therapy budget - at the same time!

RIDE TO WORK!

Doesn't sound that groundbreaking, does it?  Almost seems obvious..well, at least to us at Liberty.  But people have some serious hesitations, some spoken, some subconscious, about why they couldn't possibly ride to work EVERY DAY.

First, let's do a little quick math on how much you can save.

Let's say you drive 25 miles to work and back.  And let's say you have a car right now that gets 20 MPG.  And let's say, you were considering a nice Dyna to ride back and forth to work.  Is it REALLY that significant of a difference?

Well, a quick trip to gasbuddy.com shows gas in our area at about $3.59.  At 50 miles a day, that car costs you about $206/month, or $2,477/year.

That same trip on a Dyna will cost you about $77.16/month, or $952/year.

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For a savings of - $129/month!  That's about $1,551 a year!

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Now, can you ride EVERY day of the year?  Maybe, maybe not.  Depends on your personal constitution.

But there are less tangible benefits as well, as anyone who ever went for a ride "to clear my head" will tell you.  You can let the stress of the day melt away as you ride home - no, don't take the stupid highway, take a back road - and arrive home relaxed.  Your family will thank you.  :)

Visit www.loveyourcommute.com and try out the savings calculator based on your car and mileage, and see how it comes out.  Think you might be surprised.  Not a great savings yet?  Wait, wait until the gas prices hit the supposed $5/gallon as predicted this summer.

You can also check out a FAQ that addresses some of the more common concerns about the commute, including helmet hair, wrinkled business suits, and what to do with your laptop.

I'm telling you people, there is no better way to get to work.

EagleRider Franchise Convention - The Ride

Entering the Park

Part 3 - FINALLY Time to RIDE again!

So, all day Saturday we had meetings, and learned lots of stuff, and conducted business in a business-like fashion.  Just like one would expect on a business trip.

And so on Sunday, I think we had earned a little fun.

First Stop

So a whole bunch of EagleRider folks, corporate AND franchise owners together, went for a ride through the park again.

So, what's the point of all this?  I'll tell you a secret:

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The View from Above...

You don't HAVE to work in the motorcycle business to have a business trip like this.  You can have ALL this fun on ANY business trip you take.

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The View from WAAAY Above

Yup, it's true.  The secret's out.  If you have a motorcycle license, you can rent a bike from EagleRider.  EagleRider Newark is located right here at Liberty, across from the NJT Train Station, and less than 10 miles from Newark's Liberty Airport.  Hop on a train, land at Liberty, and RIDE to your next business trip, anywhere in the NYC area.

Not flying to the NYC area?  It's OK - EagleRider has locations all over the nation.  And internationally!  You can see all the locations on the EagleRider website.

The best part is - I bet some of your coworkers, or other people from your business trip, also ride.  You may not even know it.  But with a little social networking, you could probably put together a little ride like this, and tack it on one end of your trip.

Chase vehicle

"Business" Lunch

It's time to Think Outside the Cage!  You don't HAVE to rent a car.  Rent a bike.

And your next trip could look something like this.

Going round the curves

EagleRider Franchise Convention - or, Business looks Better from a Harley

Part Two - Do we REALLY have to go to work today??

So, the convention doesn't start until 2:00pm, and here we are, in the middle of a beautiful desert, with a few hours to kill and a Harley.

Well, what would YOU do?

Damn straight.

The view from the hotel room last night let loose to this incredible view the next morning.  Can't stay in.  Hills and rocks and weird-looking Joshua Trees are calling us.

So we head off to Joshua Tree State Park - after a quick breakfast at a local eatery.   The Country Kitchen, right on Twentynine Palms and next to a gas station - chili-cheese omelette with homemade homefries.  And a very special homemade salsa - mild, hot, or ridiculous!  And - she's quick to point out this picture of her - on a Harley!

Off to the park.   Daylight's burning, and we're a solid hour's ride from the ACTUAL business trip, once we set off for La Quinta.

Well, words won't really work here.  Best you just check out the pictures:

OK, fine.  I guess it's time to head to actual work.  Hard to sit in a convention center - as beautiful as it was in La Quinta - when all this desert and riding is waiting outside for you...but it is a business trip after all, right?

And, of course, EagleRider sure does put on a nice spread for dinner:

See all the pictures from Day 2

Check back tomorrow for The Grand Finale - when all the EagleRider folks get together and ride the Joshua Tree Park together!

SO much going on in May!

May means a lot of things to a lot of people. But in the motorcycle world, it’s jam-packed with events, rides, runs, and adventure. The weather is warming up (and drying up!) and it’s time to RIDE!

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, to begin with, and according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is a national initiative aimed at getting motorists and motorcyclists to "share the road" with each other.” Initiatives nationwide are aimed at raising awareness among car and truck drivers that motorcycles are on the road, and have exactly the same rights as any other vehicle. We see motorcycles on the road, but the average car driver doesn’t seem to, as we all know, sadly, someone who was unseen by another driver at a critical moment. As riders we have to be hyper-vigilant when we ride, and can’t afford to lose our focus. You can get lots of safety tips by visiting the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s website – or maybe even brush up your skills with an Advanced Rider Course.

May is also Women Riders Month! More women than ever are grabbing the handlebars for themselves, and May is a celebration of this new population of riders. On May 14th, women from across the globe will come together to celebrate women riders. There’s no reason to wait another day if you’ve been dreaming of riding. You can visit Harley-Davidson’s Women Rider website, or find a local Rider Safety Course. Or, start with a Garage Party – a special Ladies Night where you can learn all about riding among other women, women who either ride, or want to ride, or think they may want to ride someday. Ask your questions, get your answers, all in a no-pressure event, complete with munchies. And then, Jump on the Jumpstart!

From Hot Rods and Harleys 2010

More locally, May means Hot Rods and Harleys in Downtown Rahway! Saturday, May 14th from 11am to 6pm, join 10,000+ of your closest friends and enjoy a Bike Show, Classic Car Show, live music all around town, street vendors, and all around good times! So far, we know that World Within will be playing the train station, and One Too Many will be downtown. We know the local taverns will be having specials all day, and the Union County Performing Arts Center is putting on a 70’s Tribute Band show on the night before, and a Doo Wop Spectacular that night. Visit the UCPAC website for all the info!

Liberty’s also getting in the Summer Line of clothing and gear – and it’s HOT! We’ve got a great selection of Men’s and Ladies’ clothing, and all the brand-new Summer Gear is arriving daily. We’ve got clothing for the whole family – including kids and the family pet. Everyone loves Harley.

Here’s wishing YOU an awesome riding season – why not make this the year you check out Laconia, or Sturgis, or Biketoberfest? Think of all the things you haven’t seen – or haven’t seen from a Harley. But most of all, make sure you have a SAFE riding season.

We hope to see you soon!

Garage Party – What on Earth?

Come to Liberty's Garage Party on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 6pm! Visit www.libertyharley.com/women

So you’ve been invited to a “Garage Party,” or perhaps you’ve seen one of our ads for a “Garage Party,” or, maybe you even heard about it on Fox and Friends last week. But what does it mean?

Do I have to have a license? A Harley? A motorcycle? Do I have to know a biker? Do I need a helmet??

The answer to everything above is – NO!

The “Garage Party” concept is something Harley-Davidson began as part of their Women Rider outreach. A few years ago, Harley figured out something that we’ve all known for a long time – women like to ride too! And not just as passengers!

It’s like a Tupperware Party, but instead of looking at food storage in someone’s basement, it’s checking out Harleys at our dealership! We can promise you it’ll be more exciting than keeping your veggies fresh!

Here’s a quick summary of what happens at one of Liberty’s Garage Parties:

Station 1 – Orientation
Our friend Shari, who’s a Rider Education instructor from the Riding Center, will give you a basic overview of the motorcycle, including identifying key components. She’ll let you know where the brakes, shifter, and throttle are located, and how they work together. You’ll get to sit on a bike, put your feet up, and see how it feels. Shari will also be happy to answer any questions you have.

Station 2 – Jumpstart Experience
This is a new station just added this year, but we’re very excited about it! This innovative piece of equipment allows a Harley to run up to 60mph without leaving the safety of the showroom. The bike is securely attached to the Jumpstart, and the rear wheel rides over a roller, allowing you to actually start up the bike, slam it into gear, and feel what it’s like to ride. You can get a feel for the clutch, the shifter and the gas, and take it through all the gears – no traffic, no trees, no weather – no nothing – and best of all, you don’t need a license, or any experience at all!

Station 3 – Fit Shop
Our Fit Shop will let you sit on a specially modified Harley, and then swap out key components such as the handlebars and seat, to find the combination that best suits you. We can also use special mats to simulate a lowering kit. The possibilities for modifying a Harley are almost endless – and with this station, you can see exactly which combination feels best for you.

Station 4 – Gear Up
What sort of gear do I need to ride safely? Our MotorClothes experts will give a demonstration of all the gear you need, and why it’s important. Things like how to properly fit a helmet, fashion leather vs. riding leather, eyewear, and many other topics will be covered. Speaking of “fashion leather”…

Station 5 – My Inner Biker Unleashed
Just for fun, why not grab your favorite “biker” gear and hop on one of our bikes? We’ll snap a picture of YOUR inner biker, and make sure you have an awesome souvenir picture of your experience to share with your friends – ready for you before you leave.

The night is actually very laid back and loosely structured – if you have questions, ask ‘em. There will be some ladies who have already grabbed their own handlebars who will be happy to share their experiences. We’ll also have some light refreshments. It’s really a good time.

Are you already a rider? Bring a friend and share YOUR spark, and you’ll get a “Share Your Spark” pin!

If you’d like to join us, we’d appreciate it if you would RSVP so we know how many people to expect. We do have a limited number of spaces, so please let us know soon. You can RSVP either via Facebook or by visiting www.libertyharley.com/women.

What IS the JUMPSTART Experience, anyway??

Remember when you were little, and you put a quarter in that little motorcycle outside of the grocery store? Well, it's time for the grown-up version. No quarter required!

You may have seen or heard our ads for the JUMPSTART Experience and thought to yourself, what on earth could that mean? (It does sound like fun though, doesn't it??)

Here's the deal. The Jumpstart Experience is a piece of equipment we purchased to help people new to the riding world - or those who've only DREAMED of riding - to get a feel for a Harley.

It's basically a small Dyno machine - with a roller on the back. The Harley is attached to the Jumpstart, and someone with NO experience, NO motorcycle license, can sit on the bike, start it up, and slam it into gear. The back wheel spins, the bike runs - up to 65 miles an hour - and you can take the bike up through the gears and back down. And believe me, once you do that a few times, you'll be hooked.

This is not a training device - and CERTAINLY would never replace taking a state certified riding course - but is designed to give you a chance to feel a Harley under you, without having to worry about holding the bike up, traffic, lights, trees, whatever you may fear. Ride a Harley FOR REAL, no experience necessary.

The JUMPSTART Experience has been traveling to various Bike Nights over the season, but for now has a home on our showroom floor. You'll find it up front with the Used Bikes - all ready and waiting for YOU. No appointment necessary, just stop in and we'll get you on it.

What - you say you already ride, you don't need this? Well, you're probably right - you don't. But I bet you know someone who does! Bring 'em down, and they'll finally understand what you've known all along - that there's no feeling like a Harley.