Monday, January 19, 2009

Motorcycles Are For Girls, Too!

Following our October AMA cover story, there have been many supportive letters to the editor about the cross country trip my daughter and I wrote about. But they were all topped yesterday when I read this entry in February's letters.
Real Women Ride
Talk about timing! I was asked to read a story to my granddaughter’s kindergarten class in Manchester, NH and I had picked out the kids’ book “Patrick Want to Ride”. Then I got my American Motorcyclist and saw the stories by Gail and Lisa Hatch. I decided to bring the magazine to class and see what the kids thought about the Hatch’s adventure.
Just about all the questions about the “Patrick Want to Ride” came from the boys, so I asked the kids, “Who thinks motorcycle riding should only be for boys?” I was surprised that eight little boys raised their hands.
I then told them I have proof that girls are just as good at riding motorcycles. I then read them the Hatch’s story and showed them the pictures. It was great to see all the girls standing up to look at Gail and Lisa’s pictures. It was also great to see a lot of the girls raise their hands when I asked who would like to go on a trip like that with their mother or father.
Thanks to Gail and Lisa for opening the eyes of some great little kids to motorcycling touring with their parents
Dan Leonard
Quincy, MA

I don't know Dan, but want to shake his hand and say thank you, it means so much to me to learn about this use of our story. Inspiring others, be they girls, women, boys or men; this is why I continue to write!

(Manchester, NH is the largest town in NH, it's just up the road, 20 miles from where I live.)

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

haha, that's a great story Gail, good to hear your story is being put to this good use!

Anonymous said...

great story Gail, nice to hear your story

Baron's Life said...

Heart warming story. It will do a lot of good to the entire riding community
Thanks for sharing this story with us

Biker Betty said...

Which month was the Lisa and Gail Hatch story published? I get so busy I forget to read all the articles. That is very cool how you shared that with the class. On two different occasions I was surprised by getting thumbs up from little girls when walking past in my motorycle gear. I forget what an influence we can be to others. I work at a high school and the girls love that I ride.

SheRidesABeemer said...

It was in October's issue.

Anonymous said...

Not related to this post, but just had to thank you for the Alan Cohen quotation. I linked to your blog from a Google search on the 2009 BMW MOA rally, which I looked up as a result of my search for R65 knowledge. But amid all that fun, the Cohen quotation was exactly what I needed to hear today. Many Thx!

SheRidesABeemer said...

It's always good to hear that readers are getting something out of what I posted! Thank you.

Liz Petersen said...

Hi Gail: I read your story via the AMA website, about your travels across country with your daughter. Your story is a huge inspiration to me, and I want to start taking my own daughter traveling by motorcycle. I need gear suggestions for her, as she is a petite (athletic) 12-year-old. I could not find a way to contact you through your blog, which I found through my friend Stacy's blog (bolty.net).

Thank you for sharing all your wonderful adventures!