I participate in the Avon Breast Cancer Walk in NYC as a member of the Motorcycle-Safety Crew every October. I am also a certified birth doula through DONA International and I am an active volunteer with the American Red Cross of Northern NJ.
Deb
Hi, my name is Deb Ireton, I got my motorcycle license at the age of 40 and started riding my husband's old bike, a Yamaha Maxim that was not very reliable and so I never took it out of my 25mph community. I ended up pushing it home as often as I rode it home and longed for a bike I could trust. That wish was finally realized when I overheard someone in an elevator saying that her father was selling a '94 Yamaha Virago 535. Perfect! My first day on the bike I finally left my community and hit the 40mph big leagues. Riding with my husband was not "fun", since he is not the most patient person and I was soon discouraged and started riding on my own.
That is until I met a chapter of WITW and was invited to do a ride. I was very excited and nervous too but I put on my sneakers, leather bomber jacket, jeans, and summer gloves to take a ride with the ladies up north in late October. I was shaking so bad from the cold I thought there was something wrong with my bike; one of the ladies had an extra pair of winter gloves, which she lent me for the rest of the ride. Wearing the right gear was just the first lesson I was taught and the learning experience continues to this day. I am now very happy and comfortable in the fast lane thanks to the great ladies of WITW. The NJ Renegades Chapter hopes to pass on the support and encouragement that was bestowed upon us to other new riders!
Paige
Hi! My name is Paige, aka "CB", and I'm the tail gunner for the NJ Renegades. I started riding dirt bikes and quads when I was 27 and shortly after, I took the safety course and got the `M' endorsement on my license. Over the past 8 years I've been through my share of bikes, starting with a Yamaha Maxim XJ 650, a Suzuki Marauder, a Yamaha V Star 1100 and now I'm riding a Harley Road King. I think this should be my last bike for a long time to come!
I found WITW as I was online looking for a local chapter of women riders to join. I've been very lucky to have such a great group of women to ride with, who share the same passion for riding as I do. Even though the NJ Renegades are just starting out, I know that we have a lot of room to grow and to share the positive aspects of riding a motorcycle with all.
Hope to see you all on the roads and to have the chance to meet you at Nationals!
Beth
I’m Beth, a/k/a “Paws.” I was given my club name because I am a volunteer for Basset Hound Rescue, and am the proud mom of three rescued hounds, Spencer and Jasmine, and Flash (at the Rainbow Bridge).
In May ‘05 my friend and I took the MSF course just for giggles. We figured what the heck, we could list “ride a motorcycle” as one of our life experiences. I’d only been on a motorcycle once in my life, on the back. Even if we didn’t like it, we decided, it would be a fun weekend. But since then, I haven’t looked back. I fell in love with riding that weekend.
I joined a local chapter of WITW before I even had a motorcycle. I got my first bike, a 2004 Honda Shadow VLX Deluxe from eBay in July ‘05. The women in the club gave me so much support, pointers and encouragement, all the things a newbie needs to build up her confidence level. August ‘06 was my first real “road trip” with the club (riding from NJ to NH), and of course, I needed a bigger bike! So I bought my current ride, a 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan Classic LT.
Several of us branched out and formed our own chapter of WITW, The NJ Renegades, in 2007. We ride together every weekend. It might not always be every member, but we’re out there. We have several different riding levels within our group, and those with more experience guide those of us with less experience, pointing out ways for us to improve our skills. Riding a motorcycle is a continual learning process, whether you’ve been riding for two years or 20 years!
In August 2008, Paige, Deb, and Lisa and I hit the highway and rode our motorcycles to Sturgis, South Dakota and points beyond, for the Black Hills Rally! Eleven days and over 4,500 miles is a lot of time in the saddle, but it was it was so worth it! Can’t wait to see what new adventures 2009 will bring!
Hope to see you on the road, and keep the shiny side up!
Lisa
Hi Everybody! I'm Lisa aka "EZ"! I'm a current member & Road Captain of the NJ Renegades Chapter, WITW.
I've been riding since March '02. When I decided that "Riding B*tch" wasn't for me. I needed to be in control of where, when and how I wanted to ride. Not to be at the mercy of someone else's bad decisions. So at 31, I finally went out and got my MC permit. Took the NJ Rider ED Beginners Course, got my MC Lic and was ready to ride! Learning to ride on an beat up, crashed twice and rebuilt '81-'82 Yamaha Virago 750 that was a freebie hand-me down from my Brother John when he got his new ride. It ran great just as long as you took care of it! With its do-it-yourself paint job, I had no worries about if and when I dropped and/or scratched it. It didn't really matter. All I needed to focus on was improving my riding skills. Which I did every chance I got to ride. Towards the end of Sept '03 my Brother helped me out again by loaning me the down payment (which I still owe him for) on a new bike. Thanks John!
I now ride a '04 H-D Sportster 883XLC. It's a Great ride and I'm loving every minute of it! I spent my first 2 1/2 years riding with the "Boys"! Watching and learning. trying to keep up with them. Pushing my riding skills forward. It wasn't easy but I improved! I'm now able to hold my own with them! They were and still are great! Very supportive and Yes, very protective of me! Even though I can take care of myself and have many times! I loved riding with them and still do whenever I can! I also do a lot of riding with my Dad and Brother. We try to get together each year for a long 4-day weekend road trip to wherever. If that doesn't work out we do a day trip whenever we can.
I found WITW doing a search on-line looking for women's riding clubs/groups. I joined a WITW chapter in the Fall of '04. I had a wonderful time with them! I learned a lot! Met some great women and made some really great friends! In the Spring of '07, myself and a few others decided it was time to branch out to form a new chapter. So the NJ Renegades Chapter, WITW was born! We're a small close-knit group. Just recently they elected me their "Road Captain"! I'm honored that they chose me! Even though I kinda just took over when it can to planning our rides! I enjoy planning the routes to take to wherever they want to go. Finding those great roads out there to ride that we all can enjoy as a group! Whatever our personal riding skills level may be! They don't seem to mind it too much when I get us lost or miss a turn! Eventually I find my way back to where we need to be. It's always an adventure! Half the fun of a ride is finding those great roads on "accident" by missing a turn and getting lost!
The support and camaraderie of these Women is amazing! We're all there for each other! Helping each other to improve our riding skills. Be it someone who has been riding for many years or someone who is just starting out. Supporting each other in whatever is going on in our lives! Having a great time together! Whatever we do, where ever we go! Sharing our stories and experiences along the way! I'm going to really love watching and being a part of the NJ Renegades Chapter as it grows! If you are ever in Northern New Jersey area look us up and join us for a ride! I look forward to meeting you all out on the road sometime! Ride Safe & Have Fun!
~ Lisa aka "EZ"~Road Captain~NJ Renegades Chapter, WITW~
Maria
My name is Maria. I was told as a young girl “girls shouldn’t ride motorcycles”. I was always fascinated watching my cousins ride dirt bikes and watching my neighbor on his motorcycle as a young girl. I decided after being a passenger all the time that it was time that I got my motorcycle license. I took the Rider Education class eight years ago and got my license. I didn’t tell anyone I was doing it because I didn’t receive any support being a woman. I was thrilled to show everyone the “M” endorsement on my drivers license I do recommend that any beginner take this training as I didn’t realize how much I didn’t know about riding a street bike.
I joined my first Women in the Wind chapter in 2003 and made many friends. I received the support and confidence I needed to become a safe rider. During that time I met my husband who also supported me. He also rides and helped me buy my first bike a 1999 Suzuki Savage 650. I rode it for four years and I just bought my second motorcycle a 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan. As a group we compare motorcycle stories, share our skills with each other if we are an experienced rider or beginner, have fundraisers, socialize, support each other, laugh, cry or just take off with the wind in our hair. There is nothing like the freedom I feel being a woman motorcyclist and having friends that share it with me.
Melissa
My name is Melissa a/k/a "Spike", for as long as I can remember I always said that someday I was going to own a motorcycle, feel the wind blow through my hair and see the world. Well, I ride a 2008 Harley Davidson Dyna LowRider, and, I haven't seen the world yet, but while riding with my fellow Renegades, I am seeing places that I never seen before, having lots of laughs, meeting lots of people, and learning how to ride safely. I know that if I am ever in need, my fellow Renegades will be there to lend an ear or helping hand. Riding has taught me a lot. But most of all it has given me a total sense of freedom, that nothing can hold me back.When the weight of the world is on my shoulders, I know that I can hop on my motorcycle and all my problems disappear. Life doesn't get any better than this!
Nancy
Hi, I’m Nancy and I ride a beautiful purple haze Harley Davidson Fatboy. In August of 2006 I met my current boyfriend who rides a Street Glide. I would ride on the back of his bike and we took great trips together. In March of 2007 I took the riders course and got my license thinking I would surprise Bob by renting two Harleys when we went to California that June. I soon realized a class in a parking lot did not qualify me to ride the coast of California. Not being able to afford a bike at that time, I just continued to ride with Bob. We went to several Harley factories in PA & MO and I would dream, sitting on different models and look at colors – since my first choice - purple was not available. Unbeknown to me, Bob had decided I looked best on a Fatboy, and he searched the country for a Fatboy in the new purple custom color Harley had for that year. On Valentine’s Day 2008 he totally surprised me with this incredible gift. Yes, I still say OH MY GOD whenever I think about it. Learning to ride the Fatboy (over 700 lbs) was a challenge. But I decided to just go for it - got on - and mile-by-mile became more hooked. I loved the wind in my face, that burst of cool fresh air on a hot day that seems to come from nowhere, and the brightness of the world as viewed from a motorcycle. I rode 5,000 miles that first summer and I’m really looking forward to this year’s riding season. I found the NJ Renegades online and a woman’s riding group sounded intriguing. I am very glad I decided to contact them. I learned about group riding, gained valuable riding experience and am truly enjoying the Women in The Wind sisterhood. The Renegades have provided me with wonderful new friends that really love to laugh – and RIDE ! Riding with them always seems like an adventure waiting to happen.
Roe
Hi there-I''m Roe "aka" Trey! Not only am I the newest member to the Renegades, but I am the only Trike Rider. I took the Motorcycle safety course years ago and promised myself I would get a bike right away. Well, 2 yrs later I bought a Honda Rebel. Now I've had Vertigo since 1997, and that small bike might as well have been a huge Road King because I was petrified that I would turn my head and get dizzy and drop the bike. I knew the only alternative would be to get a Trike. Well, after researching for about a year, I found an awesome Trike Dealership. Problem, they were in South Carolina. Well, it took alot of planning, borrowing from my 401(k), which I swore I would never do, getting that long weekend so that me and my fiance could make the trek to SC and back in 24 hrs. I did it, got my Trike, and have been riding ever since with no fear of dropping my bike. I love riding with the Renegades, they are a cool, funny, and very supportive group of women!! So if you hear a thunderous roar coming down the road, take a second look, it's not only "the boys" who enjoy their toys!!
