"Women and Dual Sport Riding"


There I was, on my 1970 Honda 50, this was long before they had made
the automatic. I'm 5 years old and trying to learn how to shift gears on a
straight flat gravel road in our home town, Fort Worth, Texas. My father
cheering me on as my mother was watching in total fear. Before I knew it I
was full of confidence and with no doubt, "I was Evil Knievel". Much to my
surprise, I had forgotten about the sharp left turn that I had passed before
I turned to head back to my parents. Through the bushes and missing some
rather large trees I found myself tangled with the leaves and thorns. I
would have never let that stop me. Before my parents could get to me I had
turned the bike around and was walking it out of the timbers and ready to go
again after a few adjustments that my dad had to do to the small bike.

That was over thirty years ago. With alot of time and practice I've
become a rather good rider. The family spend numerous weekends and holidays
at the nearest motorcycle park, "Flying P Ranch" in Weatherford, Texas. I
out grew the park and went to New Mexico and Colorado for some bigger and
better rocks and some new trails. My friends have nick named me "Rocky" for
the rocks are the ultimate challange for myself. I've carried the tradition
on to my two sons as well.

About seven or eight years ago I discovered Dual Sport Riding. Since
I've graduated to a larger bike from the 50 I enjoy riding so much more.
I've riddin just about all sizes and types but I still have my favorite and
trustworthy 1983 Honda xr200r that carries me up, down and through anything
I want to go. I've learned to be just about the only female rider. The last
couple of years I have seen the population of female riders growing, slowly
but it is a definint improvement. I've riddin the "Fall Color Tour" in
Arkansas {www.dualsportmagazine.com/fct} for the last five years and enjoy
this one the best. Hosted by RL Lemke, He does a wonderful job with this
every year and with alot of hard work, but it sure pays off in the end with
the beautiful sceanery and the fun. Meeting the wonderful people who enjoy
the same thing as alot of you do. I would encourage all the women that have
family and friends that ride to get out and try to ride themselves, I would
hate for anyone to miss out on the fun that I have had for the last thirty
or so years.

I went to street riding in the year 2000 but I would still choose the
rocks and dirt over anything. The challange that you endure is more
invigorating than anyone could imagine. There are more women that ride
street bikes than dirt bikes, They just don't know what they are missing
out. I will still ride until the good Lord askes me to stop. In fact, the
years and experience of riding has convinced me of a couple of things. You
can and will become a better street rider by learning to ride the dirt.
And riding the Dual Sport trail is so much fun I think everyone, woman or
man, should have a dirt bike in their garage.

Susan "Rocky" Trammell - Texas