Vivienne Henwood story

I wrote this 10 years ago, at the beginning of my motorcycle life journey!

It’s still relevant and true, even though I now mostly ride my own bikes!

We’re off on another adventure today - photos to follow….

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Biker Chick Observations

What I have observed in my short time, so far, as a ‘Biker Chick’!

You are more ‘at one’ with nature on a bike – you can smell all the smells, feel the wind whipping about you, you feel the wetness of the rain and the heat (if you’re lucky) of the sun.

There is no lady-like way of mounting/dismounting a big bike – just swing your leg over and hope for the best!

There is a definite advantage to riding pillion behind a tall man – I cannot see the speedo, but I know we’re going fast when cornering and my knee gets closer to the ground!

Helmet hair – don’t fret about it, just go with it.

All of the bikers I have met so far (and some of them are tall and hairy, some of them are petite ladies) are polite and friendly, and they all love tea and cake! Even complete motor biking strangers at a road side café will stop and have a friendly chat – it’s a friendly community. Generous too – giving £££s to charity through fund-raising bike rides.

The biking community love to laugh.

There is always varied and diverse conversation amongst the ladies and the men. However, ladies, I have hints and tips about ‘Tenna Lady’ products – see below…

Ladies: there is no such thing as ‘popping to the loo quickly’. Have you tried wearing those bike trousers with Velcro, poppers, buckles and who knows what else. Then trying to get them off while feeling hot and sweaty! Then getting to the under-trousers. I have learned to ‘go’ at every opportunity so as not to be caught struggling against the odds in a moment of desperation!!

Burping, sneezing or coughing into a full-face helmet is not advisable.

Some people warn me against falling asleep on the back of the motor bike. However, I can manage it with relative ease! I suppose that is due to the considerate rider I sit behind. He knows I’m asleep (again) when my helmet gently hits the back of his as I drift off………. So far I haven’t fallen to either side or backwards!!

When I feel the above soporiphic state creeping up on me, I have taken to singing as much of the choir repertoire as I can remember. At full volume. On my own. On the back of the bike. For the rider in front’s sake, this is a perfect example of when NOT to have helmet intercom! (He says he can’t hear me, or is he just being polite?)

I have also learned how to pack for a 3 day camping trip into one carrier bag! It’s surprising how much camping gear you can carry on one bike, with two people too. The beauty of travelling on a bike, too, is that you can stop almost anywhere to admire the view. Unfortunately, my experience of camping was rather wet, but we did stop to admire the misty, rain swept views on Exmoor a few times!

It’s a satisfying feeling having something warm, large and throbbing between your thighs (THE BIKE of course!!)

Potholes – try to avoid.

Cattle grids – oh my!

But most of all, what I have observed as a Biker Chick so far, is that I absolutely LOVE IT. And the bloke on the front is pretty good too!