Her first experience with motorcycles came when she was a little girl as a passenger sitting behind her father. Arms wrapped around his waist, she blithely blasted down the street as her dad held tight to the handlebars. No longer the passenger, Cindy Hull, of Longview, is now director of the Ladies of Harley?s Longview Chapter and enjoys her days in the driver's seat of her Harley-Davidson Touring bike.
"It's a great feeling to ride a bike, but to be in the driver's seat is the real deal," Cindy said. "You don't have to stare at the back of someone's head ... you take the lead, you're in control."
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Gail Calhoun and friend Cindy Hull, director of Ladies of Harley in Longview.
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Gail Calhoun, co-owner of The Harley Shop in Longview, has noticed a significant upswing in women riders in the past few years.
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Many riders attach the Harley Road Bell to their bikes to help ward off Evil Road Spirits. Harley enthusiasts believe the small bell with an angel etched on its side protects them from road hazards and keeps them safe.
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Friend and long-time Harley rider Sarah Radulescu agreed.
"It's like you're in control of your own destiny when you're on the road."
Growing trend
Gail Calhoun has seen firsthand the wave of women riding into the bike world. She's been co-owner of The Harley Shop in Longview going on 29 years now, and has witnessed an upswing in women buyers within the past three to five years.
"We're seeing a huge number of women riders," Gail said. "Years ago, female bikers were few and far between. Today, women are realizing that it's not just a guy sport anymore."
Gail estimates roughly 25% of her clients are female, and the folks at Harley-Davidson are sitting up and taking notice. Harley has designed bikes with narrower seats, making them more comfortable for women. It also has geared its clothing line to appeal to the growing population of female riders. Take a stroll through the shop and you'll find all sorts of Harley bling, from shiny pink helmets to stylish riding boots. Gals can sit atop their bikes and feel as feminine as Emma Peel and as empowered as trailblazer Dorothy "Dot" Robinson.
"We also hold 'Garage Parties,' which are women-only events," said Robin Saldana, general merchandise manager at The Harley Shop. "It's a national party designed to introduce women to Harley-Davidson motorcycles and the riding experience in an open environment. It's a hands-on event where experts explain the technical aspects of motorcycles, and ladies get to practice picking up bikes or trying out gear."
The last Garage Party was August 20, but there are more to come. Please contact The Harley Shop at 903.663.3838 for inquiries on future events.
Ladies of Harley
To ease into the sport, women often join a club for local tours and camaraderie. Look no further than Ladies of Harley.
"Ladies of Harley is an extension of the Harley Owners Group that encourages women to ride with other females who love motorcycles as much as the next biker," Cindy said. "It's a great opportunity to meet new friends, find new riding partners and compare stories. The group gives people new to Harley a chance to be more comfortable with riding."
LOH promotes participation by ladies in the world of Harley-Davidson. Sometimes, sports activities can become dominated by men — basketball, football, skiing, mountain climbing, track ... and the list goes on. Since HOG is all about just having fun and being a part of a family, the auxiliary group LOH was formed to provide an avenue for the ladies.
"This group is for all women interested in Harley," Gail said. "Whether you're riding behind your man or you're ready to move to the front and grab the handlebars, the Ladies of Harley welcomes all. We plan events and occasional rides, and we also do local charity work. It's a great group of women."
Tripping
One of the perks of being part of a group like LOH is meeting women who share the same sensational sense of adventure. A weekend trip is nothing for these ladies who yearn for jumping on their Harleys and hitting the highway. Gail and Cindy just got back from a 6,450-mile ride.
"There's something extremely freeing about sitting on your bike and hitting the open road with a friend," Cindy said. "I had an itch to see bridges and lighthouses, and Gail was more than happy to draw up a map and itinerary."
The gals went through 10 states in 20 days, and they made sure to stop and smell the roses every chance they got.
"That's what's so great about traveling on a Harley as opposed to sitting in a car or van," Gail said. "You really are out there exposed to all elements, and anytime you want you can just pull over and be in the moment."
They explored national parks, travelled through the Tetons and saw all kinds of wild animals while riding the open road.
"It's nothing for us to call a friend, gear up and hop on our bikes for a trip," Cindy said. "There are really no words to describe the feeling riding a motorcycle gives a person. I'll go with 'freeing.'"
