Women of Harley: Jen M.

Harleys & Heels | Biker Bitch Feature #2 | Jen M.

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I met Jen a few years ago at a bar outside of Glenwood, IA.  A small group of us were meeting up to go riding for the day and Jen just happened to also be at the same bar with one of her friends.  We chatted for a little while, but it wasn’t until the summer of 2014 that I was able to spend some time with her and truly get to know her.   She is bubbly, vivacious, has a gorgeous smile and a sweet as can be personality.  This chick knows what loyalty means and is a girlfriend that you can definitely always count on.

Without further ado ~ Ladies and Gents:

Meet:  Jen

 

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1. How long have you been riding? 

7 Years

 

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2. Why do you ride? 

For my SANITY! I also love the beauty of the back roads, I meet amazing new forever friends, since I have no family here, the biker community has somewhat adopted me… pretty much riding my own Harley is one of the coolest things I’ve ever learned how to do.

 

jen m group

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3. How many bikes have you owned and why did you choose your current model? 

My first bike was a METRO Scooter! It wouldn’t even go 30mph so I upgraded to a Ruckus.  I was actually in the Omaha Scooter club! HAHA! I have had four other bikes since… V-Star, Vulcan and now I’m on my second V-rod (my current model, MUSCLE, is my fave by far!)  She’s sexy and mean!

 

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4. Does your bike have a name? 

Baby

 

5. Tell us the story behind why/when you decided to ride your own bike?

My ex-husband had a plan. He wanted a motorcycle so he started himself on a scooter, I felt left out so he bought me one.(here’s where his plan starts) The Scooter wouldn’t even get up to 30mph.. Giant FAIL! So, he bought himself a V-star.  I then purchased a faster scooter but felt like a nerd riding alongside his motorcycle.  So, 1 month later he upgraded to the Volcan and I took over the V-Star.   Of course my V star was a slow pig and I needed some speed..  I mean, the 950 was cool for a little bit, but it wasn’t a Harley.   The ol’ ex took me to Dillon Brothers Harley-Davidson one afternoon and said, “BABE you have to ride this V-Rod”.   I’m looking at it like… Nah.  

He begged, I caved, got on and well…

clearly the rest is history.  

 

Jen M.

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6. Do you have a biker who is your inspiration?

I actually used to ride behind my dad a bit.. he’s a cool dude! He rides horses now.. but loves and swears he’s going to buy another Harley one day.. he LOVES that I ride, and thinks my bike is pretty bad ass! That’s cool!

 

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Jen and her dad

 

7. What are some of you favorite things about the biker lifestyle?

I love how once someone see’s your a biker they pretty much accept you into their family.. It’s amazing how welcoming people are.. I’ve met some of my best and most loyal friends riding. It’s also just so much fun! I love hopping around to the little towns and having a beer and a laugh with some super cool people I would of never had a chance to meet. I just recently met a double recipient of the Purple Heart on my last bike trip! That was amazing!

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 Jen, her friend and the double Purple Heart recipient.

 

8. Give us one of your favorite two-wheeled stories.

I have to say my weekend trip to Awesome Biker Nights this year was so cool! It didn’t start off the best as I was super hung over, got pulled over on my way to meet a group of people I didn’t know, was a half an hour hate and it was HOT HOT HOT!  I was not in the mood to hang with (Bling we call her) sparkly butt that day and by the second stop after meeting up with this new crew, Cowboy Hat Sassy Girl was giving me the evil eye and I was just ready to ride out on my own.  Then something happened.  My mood changed, the atmosphere lit up, the cameras came out, the music started playing and it’s all history from there.   20 bikes, 35 people and now some of my best friends, ever!  I haven’t laughed or smiled that big in a long time! They adopted me and gave me the road name McSassy!  HA!  I think it fits!

 

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9. What advice would you give other females who are thinking about riding their own?

Don’t over think it, just get on and ride, it’s such a great experience and it gives you the independence and identity that you need in life. It’s fun to jump on the back sometimes but there is nothing like getting on your own, starting her up and knowing you can go wherever you want!

 

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Jen and I

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10. There are many “Biker Codes” out there. If you had a favorite what would it be?

Respect! Always respect the road! It’s like the ocean, it’s powerful and can change in a second! Always keep your eyes open! Nobody can see you! NOBODY!

 

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 Jen and Tracy

 

11. Final words?

Ride Fast, Live Hard and LOVE… Love the life that you’ve been granted because it doesn’t last forever!

 

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Cheers!

Keep Connected with all Biker Bitch Features:

#1: Ashley H.

The Making of the Biker B!tch Crew

Allow me to introduce you to some of the coolest chicks you will ever meet.

Image2013 Biker B!tch Crew

Some of these girls I have known for years while others only for a short time, but what I can tell you about this particular group is that we share a unique and special bond that only female bikers can truly understand.

Let me take you through the making of this pretty fantastic group.

Background

Fall 2004 I bought my first Harley.

Summer 2005 I started riding with a crew I had only met a couple of times (including my now bestie, Sara).  They welcomed me with open arms, and I am eternally thankful for that being a new rider at the time.  Sara and I quickly became close friends.   She is one sassy lady with the kindest, most caring heart.  Sara and I have been by each others side through some pretty major life events and I am forever thankful for her friendship.

Summer of 2006 Sara and I officially formed the Biker B!tch Crew…. or Duo I guess we should have called it at the time.

Even with just the two of us, we knew we were on to something pretty great. 🙂

ImageSara and I: Summer 2006

Each year we started to recruit a few more girls to our Crew.

There is something pretty darn awesome about being a woman in control of your own bike.

Sara’s sister, Liz, joined us next.  Liz cracks me up with her sense of humor and say it like it is personality.   You know where you stand with these two sisters and I love that about the both of them.  Good people.  Good hearts.

ImageSara, Me, Liz

Then came Tammy; Sara and Liz’s step-sister.  Tammy actually bought my Harley-Davidson Sportster which was fun for me to see it passed on to another kick ass chick!  Loads of fun the four of us gals had that summer, let me tell you.

Soon after Tammy joined us, my friend Heidi came aboard.  Heidi and I met in 2006 when we both started working for the same company.  We bonded and survived that nightmare of a job, quickly became great friends and a few years later I had the privilege of helping her search for her first Harley.

And, this is where the years get a little blurry and I have no photos.

Sad affair, but we won’t dwell.  The best is yet to come!

Fast forward to 2010.

ImageHeidi, Sara, Tammy, Jordan and Liz

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The photos above were taken at Heron Bay in Louisville, NE.  Fun little dive bar on the river.  Highly recommend for a summer pit stop.  Don’t expect fanciness.  It is definitely a dive.

ImageLiz, Sara, me, Heidi, Tammy Chrome Lounge, Omaha, NE

Bottoms Up, Ladies!

2011 Biker Bitch Ride we added my girl, Tyree.  Tyree and I met in ’07, a year after I moved to Omaha, and she quickly became one of my closest friends and confidants.   We have some pretty wild things in common that helped us bond in just a few short weeks.  Tyree didn’t have a Harley when I first met her, but she invested a few years after.  I also had the privilege of joining Tyree while she made her first Harley purchase!  So much fun.

I can’t help feeling like a proud momma when my friends purchase new bikes!

In true B Ride fashion, it rained the day of our 2011 ride.  It always seems to rain on us, but usually passes through pretty quickly.

NOT. THAT. YEAR.

Seriously….

We were poured on.  But, we didn’t let it damper our spirits.  Nor were we going to be called fair weather riders, so off we went!

2011 biker bitch

Me, Tyree, Liz, Heidi and Sara

Shiddle-E Dee – Clarinda, IA

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ImageEssex, IA.  We started a tradition of chalking the tables in 2011.  😉

2012 we added CB, Lara and Kayla to our crew.

CB is an old friend/step-mother figure of Sara and Liz and is such a caring and kind woman.

Kayla is one of my very best friends since our High School Days.  She and I were often up to no good, but we have some of the best memories together and I am forever thankful that we have remained besties in our adult years.  The shenanigans just don’t stop, especially since her husband and mine are inseparable.  They honestly should just move in together and Kayla and I could just pay them a visit every now and then. 🙂

Lara is one of Kayla’s close friends and is an absolute ball of fun.  I love this woman’s humor, compassion and zest for life.

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ImageNever truer words.

The day of our 2012 Ride a few of the gals were just meeting each other for the first time.  I was the only one that knew all of them, a couple of the others knew all but maybe one or two and then there were a couple other gals that didn’t know but only one.   By an hour or two into the day it was as if we had known each other for years.

This is the kind of friendship that can’t be explained.  I can say it until I am blue in the face, but there really is something about bonding over two wheels.  We share the danger, the excitement, the adrenaline and the enhanced sense of caution.  We look out for one another, we never leave someone behind, we encourage, poke fun and genuinely care for each other.

But don’t let all that fool ya…. We are often up to no good. 🙂

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ImageBottom Right – Clockwise – Kayla, Me, CB, Sara, Lara, Heidi, Liz and Tyree

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No shame in saying it how it is…. 😉

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For the record, it did rain that day.  Why would you think any different?

2013- 8th Annual B!tch Ride

Our largest group yet!  We added three new ones this year!

Regeana- Tyree and I met her at the Holstein’s 2013 All Women’s Run about a month prior to the Bitch Run.   She showed up to the run by herself in hopes of meeting a few other ladies to ride with.   We started chatting her up at the first bar stop and we have shared the open road with her ever since.  Regeana has two kids and a husband overseas.  She is a rockstar of a woman.

Ashley – a friend of my husband’s who I reached out to and invited her on the B!tch Run spur of the moment.   Remember that talk about building fast friendships on 2 wheels?  Ashley didn’t know a single one of us until this day.  I was even just meeting her for the first time!  So glad she stepped out of her comfort zone and joined us.  She is an absolute sweetheart and we all loved her from the get-go.

And Katina, didn’t know anyone but me (she grew up with my husband), but the gals literally took her under their wings within minutes.  Katina is such a quiet, sweet soul with a sneaky side to her (um, she just up and moved to Colorado for goodness sakes).   Thankful Katina was able to join our rowdy bunch and didn’t run away thinking we were all too crazy.

I am blessed to know such strong, kick ass, beautiful, fun loving women that I can call dear friends.

ImageHeidi, Regeana, Me, Kayla, Sara, Katina, Tyree, Liz, Ashley, Lara

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Our first stop on the 8th Annual B!tch Ride landed us in Macedonia, IA for lunch.  Our second stop (above) landed us in Griswold.  And this is where we remained for longer than anticipated due to…… you’ve got it…

Rain.

That’s ok though.  We had more then enough fun while stranded.

ImageOur attempt at recreating our 2012 hand in pocket photo.

Can we say, FAIL?

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Stop 3- Red Oak, IA

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Stop 4 and 5 – Essex, IA (chalk table) and Imogene, IA for none other then Little Beer Shots.

So. Good.

       So. Lethal.

                You’ve been warned.

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Case In Point – You may end up in a kiddie pool….

ImageTyree and Yours Truly

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And that my friends, is the History of the Biker B!tch Crew.

Awesome Girlfriends, Crazy Shenanigans, Lots of Laughs, Forever Memories.


			

Why I Ride

 

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Freedom, self-determination, choice, inspiration, therapy, camaraderie, dad, LOVE, empowerment.
 
 

Freedom from my thoughts and worries. Nothing is more freeing than the feeling of the wind against my face, an open road and the sound of a Harley.

 

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Self-determination focus, strength of mind, control
 
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Choice Freedom of choice.  The choice to take the risk of riding two wheels. A risk that empowers me every time I roll that throttle.
 
 
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InspirationTo be inspired.  Riding clears the cobwebs and allows for new ideas and sense of purpose.  To inspire others.  Giving women a reason to go out there and do it for themselves.

 

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TherapyNo therapist can give you the kind of peace, serenity or clarity that comes with riding through the countryside, down tree lined roads, over rolling hills and riding into a sunset.
 
 
 
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CamaraderieNothing is better than a biker community. You find some of your best and longest lasting friendships among bikers.  They are Family.
 
 
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DadHarley Davidson was/is/and always will be my connection to my dad and is the one bond that will never be broken. Dad: Live to Ride~Ride to Live
 
 
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LOVE–  For love.  Love of riding.  Love of life.  Loving Me.  Love for us.
 
 
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Empowerment With freedom, clarity, focus and determination comes empowerment.  Two wheels and a few miles is sometimes all we need.
 
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