January 9. 2004 > ju s t o u t
organization founded by a California woman in
enjoying the pleasure of revealing the fact that
1982, W OW now has more than 3,500
you’re a woman.”
members across the United States, Canada and
Mosier adds that the motorcycle industry is
several other countries. The group’s mission is
not doing an adequate job of marketing to
“to unite all women motorcycle enthusiasts for
women. “We’re constantly talking to local
recreation, education, mutual support,
dealers and shops, begging almost for them to
recognition and to promote a positive image of
pay attention to our disposable income. It’s
motorcycling.”
starting to come around, but it’s very slow. It
The Portland-area chapter formed in 1998
dixzsn’t make capital sense not to pay atten
and has grown from a few founding members to
tion. If you’re marketing to us, then you’re
about 50 strong. Women of the Rivers co-
listening to us. If you’re listening to us, then
director Laura “Garhot” Mosier grew up in a
you’re handing us pnxluct that we want. I
motorcycle family.
i think you can ask almost any woman out there
“Motorcycling is extremely demanding,” she
if she has a pair of gloves that fit and the
says. “There’s you, your bike and the environ
answer would be pretty much ‘no.’ ”
ment. And nothing else.... It’s a commitment
Women of the Rivers gtxis on day and
to oneself to be on a bike and riding well.”
overnight rides, three- to four-day retreats and
The group meets monthly and plans rides
week long getaways. Some recent trips have
through to the next meeting. During gcxxl
included Mosier, Cave Junction and the
weather they have a trip planned every week
Astoria Bridge (a group favorite).
end. “We want to keep people’s wheels in
Mosier rides a 2002 BMW R1200C and a
motion,” says Mosier.
1980 Suzuki G S1000 and kxiks forward to her
The group consists of expert, intermediate
“helmet time.” She explains: “We get on the
and beginning riders, with the more experienced
phone with each other and say: ‘It’s been a
kxiking out for the least experienced. “Motor
rough day. I need some helmet time.’ It’s better
cycling is very challenging, and we don’t want
than therapy because you can’t think about
anyone riding beyond their limits,” says Mosier.
anything else. And sometimes that’s better
“To improve you need to push those limits, but
than talking about all the problems.”
pushing limits is very different from riding
Women of the Rivers members range from age
beyond them.”
25 to 60. “When the visors come down and the
Women of the Rivers holds clinics, attends
bikes fire up, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone
open houses at different motorcycle shops and
not smiling inside those helmets,” says Mosier.
has a fxxuh at the Seattle International Motor
Mosier’s love of riding is evident and in
cycle Show.
fectious. “You’ve got you, your bike and the
Mosier is a part-time instructor for Team
environment, and all three are awesome,” she
Oregon, an organization that provides motor
exclaims. “Sometimes you’ll see a bald eagle
cycle safety and skills training. She emphasizes
or flowers or meadows or mountains and
that motorcycling is not a gendered activity.
that’s your wonderful environment; the bike
“They’re always going to assume you’re a
because it handled that turn awesomely; it’s
guy out there, especially when you’re riding
you because you’re so excited you actually
well. If you’re tearing up turns and coming
scream inside your helmet with joy. It’s a sen
through at a gixxl speed, they’re always going
sory delight.” i n
to assume you’re a man,” she says. “You get to
kind of live in a man’s shoes and take the
C ontact P o r t la n d W omen R iders at
viragovyxyn@yahoo. co m .
Join the listserv at
autos. groups. yahoo. com/group/
pdxwomenriders.
Annual dues for WOMEN OF THE
R ivers is $30. The group meets
the .second Sunday o f every
month. Visit them at
www.heva.net .com/chamalwow
or e-mail andulthots^yahoo. com .
It's a you parade.
Chris Mercer/George Kettner
Herzog-Meier
5 0 3 644-9121
Drivers wanted.
-
Know Someone With a
Drug or Alcohol Problem?
Free, confidential, statewide telephone assistance and crisis intervention for alcohol and drug problems
Call the HelpLine
800-923-HELP
w
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J am ie B olyard is a Portland
free-lance writer and executive
director o f the Lesbian
Community Project.
She can be reached at
littlemac2@earthhnk .net.
T.
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