The above pictures are taken at different events we have attended and different rides we have gone on. They represent the memories and shared experiences of our members.
"I was born in Pensacola, Florida. My bike experience started when I was living in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and bought my first bike at 19. It was a Honda Dream 305. I rode for about a year and a half before selling the bike and moving to St. Louis. I met and married my husband, Ken. Shortly after buying a house I bought my second motorcycle a small Yahama. I rode for a couple of years but had nobody to ride with so I sold it.
Shortly before I sold the bike I started riding and showing horses. I ended up with a two year old colt named Poco 49 that I trained and showed in pleasure classes and in barrels races. Next, I bought a German Shepherd named April, and started training classed with a friend of mine and decided to show her in AKC Obedience Trials. She ended up being High in Trial at the St. Louis German Shepherd Club show. Then I bought a Brittany Spaniel a couple of years later and trained and showed him. The second year I showed him on the Obedience trial circuit he won top Brittany in the United States. The next year he won his Championship, so he ended up double titled. Shortly after Jesse, the Brittany, received his second title we
received our first daughter. I gave up the dog training for kid training. I used the same methods to train the kids as I did my dogs: Patience, practice and persistence with lots of love thrown in.
Two years later our second daughter joined us. I spent the next 20 years raising and enjoying my daughters. After they married I was feeling the affects of the empty nest and couldn’t figure out what to do with my life, I had always been busy. I decided to take a vacation to San Jose and visit my sister and brother. My brother was now into Indian motorcycles. He took me to the Hollister Rally and I started getting the bug to ride again. My sister-in-law had a Honda Shadow that she never rode so next time I went out I rode her bike all over the coastal area.
When I came back to St. Louis I hopped on the internet and started searching for women motorcycle riders or groups. I ended up finding Brenda. She rode with me for a while and schooled me in group riding. She also told me about a group she belonged to, and it happened to meet at a Hazelwood Library, which was about two miles from my house so I met her there for their next meeting and have been a member now for seven years. And, that’s my story."
"I have been with WOW® for a couple of years now. 2011 as Ride Coordinator and 2012 as Director. We are truly a group that is very diverse and has a lot of fun while letting riding clear our minds.
I was a 'surprise' - but I don't mind. My sister is 7.5 years older. My father was a master automobile mechanic. Growing up I wasn't at the mall - but in the garage helping him or going to the auto/bike shows. I guess that is where my love of motors, chrome and cool paint developed.
I went to Lindbergh High School, graduated Saint Louis University with two degrees - one in B&A: Marketing, another in A&S: Fine Art. I have been in Marketing/Graphics ever since. I have also worked in retail for many years and have even sold motorcycles as well.
I married my best friend and high school sweetheart, Eric over 10 years ago. Our kids are our Harley's. They are our pride and joy! I have had my M license since 1997 but could not always afford a bike, so I consider myself to be very lucky.
I have owned a 2008 H-D Nightster and currently a 2009 H-D Dyna Lo Rider. I call it my 'little black dress with diamonds'. It has diamond accents and is Orange/Black/Chrome - and YES chrome can be a color!
I have been to many rallies, ridden in 6" mud, creeks, miles of deep gravel, tire deep chip and seal - then it rained top of it - it was 'baptismal by fire'... but with a SMILE. I am one of the biggest 'cheerleaders' for women riders. I feel that most women don't ride their own bike because by the time we think of doing something for ourselves, it is midnight and we put it off yet another day, week, year. We forget that adventure of when we were little. Then, if we finally do commit to riding, that voice in our head doubts... saying 'I can't do that' - causing us to mess up in reality. YOU CAN DO THIS! I believe women can ride well if they really want to AND look GREAT doing it!
Dream Rides:
'Road of 10,000 Curves' Stelvio Pass, Italian Alps (Like the Tail of the Dragon on steroids!)
Trail of Tears Ride. My Great Grandfather was a Cherokee Indian and his redheaded wife was the tribe mediator (where I inherited MY red locks!).
My dream bike: a spring front end dyna, 100+ lace wheels and a twisted down-tube hand-made frame that looks like chrome diamonds. Amazing!
Biggest impression: Those ladies our there who began riding when women were only supposed to be 'fender fluff'. So, I would toast those ladies that paved the way for today. You Rock!
I hope to meet you all sometime but until then... life is an adventure, enjoy the ride!!!"
Sandy served as the Secretary in 2010 and is excited to take on the challenge of Director of The Heartland Chapter of Women On Wheels® in 2011. She has done all kinds of jobs from being a private detective to a chuck wagon cook on a working dude ranch.
"The first motorcycle I rode was actually an 1949 Cushman Motor Scooter with my father; I was three years old. This ride lit my fire for motorcycles and my uncle's 1954 Harley Hydra-Glide just reinforced my love for anything motorcycle. I learned to ride on my friend's Honda 125 and then her Honda 175. I've owned a Honda 350, Kawasaki 400 Limited and my current bike is a Kawasaki Vulcan 900."
Cris, a member of Women On Wheels® since 1997, is a founding member of the Heartland Chapter, and served as our first Director (1997-2000). She has served as Missouri Assistant State (2000-2001) and State Ambassador (2001-2002), on the Board of Trustees (2006-2011) and as the association's president (2009-2011). She is the chapter's Assistant Director and Ride Coordinator for 2012.
"Inspired by my mom who rode a motorcycle in the 1970's, I have ridden various motorized two-wheeled vehicles for more than 40 years. I currently ride a 1996 Harley-Davidson Softail Custom with close to 230,000 miles. What better way to share the passion for riding than with a group of like-minded women (and men)?"
My name is Diana, better known as Dee, Rooks. I've been riding six years and starting my third year with Women On Wheels, Heartland Chapter, out of St. Louis, Missouri. I also belong to the Patriot Guard Riders. My family includes my husband, Roy, and my sons, Chris and Jared. We have a cat named Dakota and an Engish Bulldog named Mufasa Meat. I retired on December 31, 2009, from GKN Aerospace (formerly McDonnell Douglas and then Boeing). My love of life is riding my 2009 Harley Davidson Triglide, named Fire Lake, which has carried me 53,600 miles so far. The camaraderie shared in WOW has introduced me to numerous new friends across the USA, that share my love for riding, and led me through 29 states. WOW! YES!