Happy Anniversary to the guy who makes my heart the happiest,
the one who gets me to smile the largest,
and the one who allows me to love the deepest.
Cheers to many more years of love and laughter.
Links to Our Wedding Recaps:
Harley Davidson
Women of Harley: Chris Y
Harleys & Heels | Biker Bitch Feature | Chris Y.
Meet: Chris
1. How long have you been riding?
45 years
2. What do you ride?
2003 Harley-Davidson Dyna Low Rider
3. How many bikes have you owned and why did you choose your current model?
3 bikes
4. Does your bike have a name?
No .. I think that’s silly.
5. Tell us the story behind why/when you decided to ride your own bike?
I was never a girlie girl like my older sister. Riding dirt bikes was far more appealing and began riding with my dad and brothers at a very young age. I always rode dirt had a 50, 70 and 125 Honda, then added on Yamaha, Bultacos and Benellis. I also rode a Yamaha 500 TT. That thing had a compression release that if you didn’t get the head in the right position to kick start it would throw you clean off. At the age of 16 I was legal to take the bike out on the streets, however, the first love always took me back to the dirt.
Fast forward several years after teaching and riding dirt with my son. It would take me too long to recover from riding and he was getting to be the age where being with your mom was not cool. So, I decided to get me a street bike and landed with a Harley. They said that once you sit on a certain bike you will feel it. So, off I went to kick some tires with one of my brothers at Dillon Harley-Davidson. I must have sat on almost every bike there. I felt the “aha” moment when I sat on my 2003 Dyna Low Rider. I said in an instant “I’ll take this one”. Lately I have been looking at Street Glides. Maybe next year?
6. Do you have a biker who is your inspiration?
My Dad and older brothers
7. What are some of you favorite things about the biker lifestyle?
- Biker always have your back.
- The looks. What? A girl riding her own bike?
- Freedom and empowerment
8. Give us one of your favorite two-wheeled stories.
1) I remember being the only girl in Council Bluffs, IA that rode her own bike and the guys would always want to ride. Of course, I always responded with “If you let me ride yours”. Their response?
“I don’t have one”
2) I have fond memories of riding dirt bikes down by the river with my dad and brothers when I was a kid. I remember trying for the first time to cross a 2X4 board that was across the stream, and I didn’t make it. Needless to say, I got the bike out but was muddy from head to toe. All you could see were the whites of my teeth and eyes.
I have many other stories, but those stand out the most to me.
Chris and her son when he first started riding at age 7. He is now 20.
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9. What advice would you give other females who are thinking about riding their own?
I say go for it. Do NOT wait for a man to take you riding. But don’t start riding for the wrong reasons. Believe me when I say that you can tell if a person (man or woman) is comfortable on a bike by the way they ride. Don’t let anyone stop you if its what you want. But don’t get cocky once you start riding. You may ride well, but don’t get over confident.
Remember: it’s not IF you go down, its WHEN.
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10. Final Words?
Ride and ride like you stole it. Don’t wait. Just do it. Before you know it you’re old and standing there saying “I should have or could have”.
Not this chick. I did it.
I love to see women riding. When I first starting riding as a kid, there were none. Now there are many. I call them my wind sistas.
Cheers!
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Keep up-to-date on all Biker Bitch Features:
#1: Ashley H.
#2: Jen M.
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A Few Words From Jordan:
I have to take a moment to echo Chris’ words. The biggest piece of wisdom given to me when I first started riding a Harley years ago:
There are two types of bikers:
Those that have been down and those that are going down.
The Weekend in Review – 8.24.14
Another weekend has come and gone and I’d say this one was done up right, yet again!
Man – I am getting GOOD at this weekend living stuff. I should figure out how to make everyday a weekend day.
Are ya in, or are ya in?
Friday Night: Out with my man for an evening BBQ at our friend Andy and Heather’s to celebrate their 1 year anniversary.
Gosh I love this guy. Scowl and all – can’t be too smiley ya know – messes w/ that rough biker exterior.
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Andy and Heather had quite a house full of people helping celebrate their 1 year. Such a cute couple and fun friends they have. Glad we could partake in the festivities with them.
Entertainment was offered up by Andy and his best buddy Mike.
Koozie boxing. It’s the new thing, y’all.
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Saturday: I subbed for an 8am class at the YMCA. Had a blast! We did Insanity and for some reason it felt 10 times harder on a Saturday morning than it does during the weekday mornings. Makes no sense – but we will take it. It was a KILLER workout!
Then it was time to play. Tyree and I hadn’t gone for a Harley ride just the two of us since before her surgery in May, so we were LONG overdue for a girls day out. We managed to hit up multiple small town bars including:
- The Back Room in Lake Ohana
Malibu and Pineapple for Jordan – Blue UV and lemonade for Tyree
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- The Hood in Silver City, IA
Super cool bar with car hoods and old album covers decorating the interior.
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- The Dog House in Tabor, IA
- The Junction in Pacific Junction, IA
- DC’s Waterhole in Plattsmouth, NE
Apparently old habits die hard and as two former school teachers know – the only way to get something is to raise your hand.
Hey, bartender…
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This basically sums up our afternoon.
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This is our new friend, Duane. He was a friendly fella and even bought us a drink. Thanks, Duane!
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Yep, I love this girl!
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We support Plattsmouth Main Street as well!
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- The Anchor Inn in Omaha, NE.
Last stop where we met up with two of our favorite boys to end our fun filled day.
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Tyree and Cole-Man
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My main squeeze
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Good friends, good conversation, good ending to a Saturday night.
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Sunday: Lazy day and dinner with the in-laws for my birthday. We met up at The Cracker Barrel in Council Bluffs and had some SERIOUS dinner. I had grilled fish, rice, broccoli and baked apples <— To DIE for. Delicious.
My in-laws then gave me this antique music cabinet. We think it’s from the 20’s or 30’s. It’s absolutely beautiful. Surprisingly my MIL has had it in her possession for almost a year. It’s shocking that they’ve kept it a secret for so long.
I’ll be 34 on the 29th!
Bring it on, baby.
I freaking LOVE the thirties!
And weekends.
I need more weekends.
Cheers!
Women of Harley: Ashley H.
Welcome to the FIRST of many Biker Bitch Features
I am beyond excited to introduce you to some of the most beautiful, confident, bad ass women I have the privilege of sharing the open road with. I’m always intrigued to learn more about why fellow females choose to ride two-wheels.. Years ago you didn’t see women riding their own bike as often as you do now. Why is that? What shifted? And what are the stories? I love asking questions and learning more from the females that I meet out on the road. I figure it’s high time I start sharing their stories with you as well.
So, without further ado – I introduce you to our very FIRST Female Feature.
Ladies and Gentlemen…
Meet Ashley H.
1. How long have you been riding? 11 years
2. What do you ride? 2002 Harley Davidson Sportster 1200
3. Does your bike have a name? Bitch – because she’s cold blooded
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4. How many bikes have you owned and why did you choose your current model?
I have had 2 bikes. I have my current bike because it was what my Dad had when he got back into riding and then the bike my mom learned to ride on and rode for a couple years and then they gave me the chance to buy it. The Bitch actually joined our family the day of my Junior Prom so of course I had to sit on her and ended up getting my dress all dirty!
From the Left: Ashley’s sister Cathy, mom Connie and Ashley
5. Tell us the story behind why/when you decided to ride your own bike? My family got me into riding. I used to ride behind my Dad and my Uncles and one day decided I wanted to try it out. Ended up with 5 guys chasing me down the driveway toward the ditch, but I didn’t let that scare me!
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6. Do you have a biker who is your inspiration? My Dad, he is an awesome person and has taught me so much over the years. He’s one of my favorite people to ride with and even though we don’t get to do it very often, it is definitely one of my favorite Daddy/Daughter activities. Also, before I even learned to ride, my Dad and I built a Rail Buggy together that was street legal so I could get the idea of shifting before really trying to learn to ride. He’s a pretty amazing guy!
Can I have two? My Mom is also one of my inspirations, she has always been there for me and we actually took our riders test together and got our actual motorcycle licenses at the same time! How cool is that? I can’t express how much these two people mean to me!
Ashley and her Dad, Buddy
7. What are some of you favorite things about the biker lifestyle? I love that the biker lifestyle is like a family! They base everything on respect and with most bikers, you know where you stand.
Ashley and I – cheesin’
8. Give us one of your favorite two-wheeled stories. If I have to pick just one, I would say the wiener dog biker games. There were a couple of guys that kept going through the game and decided that my sister and I should do it as well. She got on the back of my bike to be the wiener biter and we completely dumped it in front of everyone. I had a nice bruise on my back from her boot but as we were laying there laughing my buddy and brother-in-law were picking up my bike for us. I so wish someone would have gotten a picture of us laughing on the ground that day!
Ashley competing in the slow ride with her bro-in-law
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9. What advice would you give other females who are thinking about riding their own? Do it! It’s so much better than being stuck on the back of the bike!
Ashley and her sister
10. There are many “Biker Codes” out there. If you had a favorite what would it be?
Respect
2014 Biker Bitch Crew
11. Final words? Get on your bike and ride!
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