support – the feminist motorist

Moto Miss Monday

August 13, 2019August 13, 2019 feministmotorist

Grey, rainy, overcast – that’s the Monday we woke up to here in Chicago. Thankfully, it’s Moto Miss Monday which means there’s something to brighten up a dreary start to the week! Today, as opposed to covering a female rider from history, I am going to talk about an outstanding artist, small-business creator, Lieutenant and adventurer extraordinaire from the riding community.

Kayla Koeune

As I mentioned in my last post about helmet safety, Kayla Koeune of Inferno Art Studio designs some fantastic helmets, motorcycle tanks and even canvas prints that leave me wishing I wasn’t a poor college student. Her work is absolutely splurge-worthy.

What I love about keeping up with Kayla’s adventures is, frankly, that they are so constant. I find that most people hear ‘motorcycle’ and think stunts, racing and biker bars. In actuality, what many people in the riding community seem to love is the access to simultaneous freedom and adventure – that’s what Kayla’s personal riding account captivates. Keeping up with her evident wanderlust makes me incredibly excited for the riding journeys that lay in my future.

Something I also love about the way Kayla captures the true spirit of being a rider is the way she showcases the people she meets along the way. Certainly, many of her photos are filled with breathtaking scenery, her spouse and plenty of motorcycles – but what people don’t realize about riding is that you generally have a chance like no other to meet some incredible individuals. From riding in India, Europe, Mexico and all around the United States – Kayla has interacted with all kinds of people from all around the globe.

While I am admittedly inspired by Kayla’s plentiful riding adventures, which you can keep up with on her own blog, I am also amazed by her ability to capture the spirit of riding in her art.

Art by Kayla Koeune, Photo courtesy of Pinterest

Kayla’s work is incredibly detail-oriented. From portraits and gorgeous landscapes to incredible looking helmets – if you feel like adding a canvas to your wall or want some sweet looking gear it is certainly worth contacting her if commissions are open. If any artist successfully captures the spirit of riding adventure in cohesion with the peace of mind it provides, it’s Kayla Koeune.

While I have yet to ascertain one of Kayla’s pieces, I will gladly be following along with both her adventures and her artwork. If you are interested in checking out this outstanding modern example of what it means to be a female rider, definitely give her a follow @kaylainfernoart and @roadsareforjourneys!

If you have any suggestions for future Moto Miss Monday posts, please feel free to message me as well! Until then, ride on, lades.

Moto Miss Monday

July 29, 2019 feministmotorist

P!nk

Alecia Beth Moore, born in the little city of Doylestown, Pennsylvania would grow to grit her teeth at social norms and pave the way for other ladies shining an “I don’t care what you think” attitude. Alecia, who we all know as P!nk is notorious for making waves. Rocking a pixie cut since stardom, tattoos and dark makeup through the neon and glitter phases of the early-2000s, and being sure to stay true to exactly who she is has left this lady with a lot of support and criticism alike.

While there are a myriad of reasons I find P!nk to be quite admirable, I really love her family dynamic and the interests she and her husband are able to share. Her husband, Carey Hart, a former professional motorcycle racer and freestyle motocross competitor has definitely not fallen into the stereotypical role of a man telling his wife not to do something because of some strange gender norm.

In fact, Hart made P!nk a custom Indian motorcycle as a “push present” when their son Jameson was born. With a Rosie the Riveter painted beautifully on the back, you really can’t deny this rock star is a genuine feminist motorist.

Photo courtesy of Carey Hart Instagram page

As for my continued admiration for their family dynamic, P!nk and her husband set an excellent example for both of their kids as well as fellow riders. Just because you have experience and know what you’re doing, you should never become overconfident. Riding can be dangerous, but that danger increases when you don’t wear proper gear.

This hardcore lady and her husband both wear proper gear when out riding. P!nk notoriously sports a wide array of amazing looking helmets, boots and other gear when she hits the road on two wheels. The two know how to represent what smart and responsible motorcyclists do, and I totally admire them for setting this example, in style no less.

As for the nature of their family, the couple have gained much criticism from the “parent police” of Instagram for exposing their kids to the joys of riding. Despite being with a parent who has professional riding experience, and wearing proper gear, people still find room to let the stereotypes that exist about riding culture pervade a representation of a fun, healthy family experience. While other kids sit on the couch and stare at screens all day, parent’s like P!nk and her husband are off showing their kids what life is really about – cultivating opportunities to take adventures and make memories.

Mama Hart – Photo courtesy of P!nk’s Instagram

P!nk is a true representation of what being a member of the motorcycle community is. Despite her fame and popularity, she manages to stay humble by attending riding events and participating in charity rides, such as the Ride to the Flags in commemoration of those who lost their lives in 9/11. Beyond riding dirt bikes and motorcycles, this lady and her husband racked up over 100 miles while pedaling for charity on their bicycles, raising over $75,000 in the process as well.

Whether you like her or not, you can’t deny that P!nk is definitely deserving of a spot for Moto Miss Monday. She represents a modern version of what a woman who rides is like. She is carefree but careful in her demeanor and I admire her adventurous spirit as well as her style in fashion, riding, performing, parenting and as a spouse. Let’s just hope the internet trolls manage to lay off of her for a while.

If you feel inspired to know more about P!nk, check out her Instagram page! If you or a fellow lady rider are interested in being featured, message me via email or through Instagram and Facebook @feminist_motorist. If you have any suggestions for future Moto Miss Monday posts, please feel free to message as well! Until then, ride on, lades.

Moto Miss Monday

July 8, 2019July 8, 2019 feministmotorist

Dorothy “Dot” Robinson

The more exposure I get to the women in the motorcycle community, the more excited and impressed I become. In an ambition to generate more consistency with my mission as The Feminist Motorist, I have decided to reformat the way my posts function to align with my intentions.

For this reason, I have decided to dedicate my Monday posts to individual women in the riding community who are doing outstanding work and are relevant to building the history and legacy of lady riders. These posts will vary week by week, but will be based on interviews with fellow riders, business owners, and even cover women in history who paved the way.

I am excited to start this writing feature, and given that today is Monday, I decided to begin right away and focus on the admirable adventurer and Motorcycle Hall of Famer – Dorothy “Dot” Robinson.

Dot was born in April of 1912 to a father who was an amateur racer and sidecar designer. By 1918, Dot and her family made the move from Australia to Michigan where her father ran a motorcycle dealership. It was through this motorcycle lifestyle that Dot met her future husband, Earl Robinson, who would stop at her father’s shop daily while the two were in high school.

After their marriage, Dot and Earl participated in endurance runs and races, eventually making a record transcontinental run in 1935. After such riding successes, the couple were approached by Harley-Davidson and opened their Harley dealership in Detroit shortly after which they ran until 1971.

Despite these immense accomplishments for a woman of her time, it is not the dealership nor the endurance racing that drew my attention to Dot, it was her work with other women, like Linda Dugeau, to help pave the way for other ladies passionate about riding. Through the founding of the Motor Maids, Dot helped create opportunities and an organization pivotal in encouraging other women to ride.

After many busy years participating in the riding community, Dot and her husband sold their dealership and spent their retirement riding around the globe. By the age of 85 Dot had totaled a million and a half miles on her bike. She passed in 1999 at the age of 87, leaving a well-paved path for many future female riders to follow for years to come.

If you feel inspired to know more about Dot Robinson, check out the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame page. If you or a fellow lady rider are interested in being featured, message me via email or through Instagram and Facebook @feminist_motorist. If you have any suggestions for future Moto Miss Monday posts, please feel free to message as well! Until then, Ride on, lades.

BlackCat Motorcycles & Coffee

April 15, 2019April 15, 2019 feministmotorist

Motorcycles, coffee, community building, charity, supporting local artists and small business…honestly, BlackCat Motorcycles & Coffee embodies the spirit of the motorcycle community perfectly. It is for this reason I want to talk about them today while also promoting their amazing work and products.

As I have covered in the past, there are plenty of stereotypes and stigmas surrounding motorcyclists. While many people think riders are all about tattoo sleeves and bad-attitudes, it is businesses and organizations like BCMC that represent the actuality of the riding community.

Working with the community in Orange County, California to aid and decrease homelessness, 10% of each purchase from BCMC goes to “self care” kits for their homeless population. These kits include toothbrushes, small snacks, socks, and the like. BCMC also supports other small businesses and nonprofit organizations across the United States through coffee partnerships. Their work is embodied by their story, detailed on their website, ending with the message –

“Coffee and motorcycles are our hobbies, but people are our passion.” – BlackCat Motorcycles & Coffee

Owners Nick Galaura and Cory Linman are equally enthusiastic about having a positive impact by supporting the people around them. BCMC emphasizes this sense of community through their company blog. Posts written by Galaura cover stories and events in the community, personal life, and the like. These posts are personal and achieve something you won’t get out of most other businesses – a connection with the owners.

The reason why the motorcycle community is so amazing is not just because businesses like BCMC exist and effectively make a positive difference, but because other members of the riding community gather to support these ambitions. The Litas Los Angeles, for instance, are constantly keeping up with BCMC on Instagram. This realm of support is not surprising given the way BCMC works to support female-centered brands and women’s empowerment in the motorcycle community as well.

If you still aren’t convinced that you should switch from Starbucks to BCMC in the morning, then go check out the way they interact with their amazing intern, Megan. No other business would put the spotlight on their intern, but Galaura makes an effort to playfully emphasize Megan, her work, and their goofy relationship. It is clear that the company and its owners care for the well being of the people around them. From my experience following their #MondaysWithMegan stories on Instagram, it seems like she landed the best internship out there.

As for their efforts promoting local artists, other small businesses and nonprofits, BCMC has a feature on their Instagram highlights called “friendship”. That’s right. Supporters of their cause are referred to as “friends”. I have yet to come across a business that is this rooted in kindness. These featured brands are plentiful, but include Babes Ride Out, Efficacy Clothing, and any individual supporting and posting about their brand.

The stigmas surrounding the motorcycle community are prominent and misguided. I hope that the growth of businesses and groups like BCMC succeed in dispelling these stigmas and showing the reality of the motorcycling community. Sure, we might rock a bunch of tattoos and wear lots of black, but I have never come across a more caring collective of people than those in the riding community – BCMC highlights just that.

How Being a Rider is Not Like “Sons of Anarchy”

April 5, 2019April 5, 2019 feministmotorist

In light of addressing stereotypes with my last post, I thought I would continue the trend today. A lot of people tend to have some truly misled perceptions on what it means to be a motorcyclist and what the members of the community are really up to. I think a lot of this stems from what the media highlights as “biker culture” as opposed to what this community is really involved in. While I am admittedly a fan of Sons of Anarchy, I definitely see the ways it perpetuates certain stigmas and contributes to some of these misleading stereotypes. I want to take this as an opportunity to address what being a biker is really about as compared to what shows like Sons of Anarchy and other forms of media seem to display.

Rolling Thunder Memorial Day Ride/Rally – Summer 2018

One of the biggest stereotypes I can probably point out is the concept that every motorcycle club is actually involved with organized crime. From my experience, many clubs are actually contributing positively to the communities around them. A few favorite examples are the Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA), Justice Rescue, Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club, Bikers for Books, and American Bikers Aimed Towards Education. Among the work these specific clubs accomplish, motorcyclists are constantly riding for a cause – from raising awareness about mental illness, to participating in Relay for Life, these clubs are building up the people around them – not taking them down SAMCRO style.

Another stereotype that exists thanks to media is that motorcycling is for men. Scarcely do you see women leading the pack, riding alone, or not on the back of some guy’s bike in movies and television. This is another stereotype that needs to be dismissed, especially given the growing number of women independently joining the riding community. What’s more, shows like Sons of Anarchy represent negative views towards women or, at the very least, unhealthy relationships. This sort of representation is also a fallacy in my experiences. Men in the riding community, like Adam Sandoval, are very supportive of female representation and participation. From having his girlfriend ride to Sturgis alongside him and vlogging a day riding with The Litas Sandoval is just one great example of how women are being welcome with open arms as opposed to stigmatization.

I find another stereotype that media brings about surrounding motorcyclists is that you need to fit a certain “mold”. If you aren’t tough and mean, smoking and drinking, denouncing the law, inked up and wearing black, sporting piercings and a long beard – you don’t fit in. This is anything but the truth, especially today. Anyone walking down the block could be heading over to their motorcycle. I think this stigma is one that may potentially deter others from riding, when truthfully, there’s no mold to fit. As long as you are excited about riding and the promise of adventure, you are good to go.

While the list of stereotypes goes on, and while they come with some occasional truths, it is important to know that these stigmas are often far from accurate for most riders. If you feel hesitant to join the riding community because it seems like a “scary” place – don’t be fooled. Bikers are really just everyday people, only slightly cooler because they ride, of course.

Lady-Owned Moto Brands You Need to Check Out

March 30, 2019March 30, 2019 feministmotorist

I want to start out by saying this list is in no way exhaustive. There are so many women doing truly amazing things within the scope of the motorcycle community and that makes me beam with excitement. This list represents the brands that spark my interest and also represent the intimate and kind-hearted nature of small-businesses that I absolutely adore and appreciate. When you order from these brands, you are helping to put meals on tables and fresh tires on the bike. If you are looking to gift the lady rider in your life, or even just treat yourself, these brands offer some truly amazing options.

Desert Condor

If you want to sport some of the most amazing handmade jewelry ever, definitely check out Desert Condor. Besides jewelry, she also makes boot straps, gremlin bells, hats, leather wallets and other unique custom items. By supporting Desert Condor, not only are you getting some beautifully made work, you are also supporting a lady rider and a mom. Check out her Instagram and you’ll know right away how important her family, her work and her bike are. I cannot rave enough about unique and beautiful her creations are.

Breaking Hearts & Burning Rubber

If you are a lady struggling to find boots or gear that fit you well, then BH & BR is going to be perfect for you. Started by a woman frustrated with her lack of options after riding for over a decade, BH & BR was born. As someone who is extremely small, finding gear that fits well can be a struggle. BH & BR is all about making women’s motorcycle gear and leather goods that are trendy but also fitting and functional. As opposed to clomping around in boots that just don’t seem right, or looking like a linebacker in your over-sized riding jacket – check out BH & BR for some sweet looking helmets, boots, jackets, gloves and the like. Nothing better than being safe, wearing gear that actually fits, and looking cool as hell at the same time.

Boozetooth

Image courtesy of Etsy – Obsessed with this decor.

If you’re looking to spice up your hardcore decor, check out Boozetooth on Instagram, also known as GlassByRome on Etsy. Her work with stained glass is definitely not what you’d find in a church. Using deeper tones like blacks and reds along with designs ranging from vampire fangs to skulls, her stained glass definitely stands out. If you are looking for some unique decor that will fit your motorcycle style, absolutely check out her handmade, unique and beautiful work.

ATWYLD

Image Courtesy of WomanRider.com – Off-road gear that actually fits.

Similar to BH & BR, ATWYLD is a brand centered on making functional women’s riding gear fashionable. Unlike BH & BR, ATWYLD is less focused on your leather must-haves, and offers other gear options that are simply made for female frames such as their armored shirts, off road gear, riding jeans, and even armored leggings. If you struggle to find heavy-duty gear in lady sizes, ATWYLD is absolutely a must.

She Wolf Moto Co

While this company is still relatively new and small, I am excited to see what it grows into. Their playful apparel that offers an array of options focused on lady riders is unique in both design and purpose. Unlike many leather-centered motorcycle brands, this once focuses on vegan apparel and donates a portion of all proceeds to animal charities on a monthly basis. If you’re looking to support a brand that empowers lady riders and cares for creatures – definitely check out She Wolf Moto Co.