For those of you who do not know – I am a woman of a certain age. That age will not be revealed because I refuse to be pigeon holed into a stereotype. And said stereotype is as narrow as the stereotypee will allow it.

Women over ‘40’ need to be _______. Women over ‘50’ need to be _______. Women over ‘60’ need to be ________. Hell.. it’s not even just women that are stereotyped. Men. Children. Everyone in general. But because I am a women of a certain age, I’d rather address that – because i know the subject.

More and more people across NOrth America seem to be getting into biking. And with this, the ugly stereotype monster is rearing its head. The classic argument/debate rages of ‘what is a biker’ or ‘which brand of bike is better’. Frankly – these discussions that quickly evolve into arguments make me tired. Tired because it is an argument as old as 2 wheels themselves and tired because it is based on the premise that (more often than not) the person starting the exchange wants to feel or does feel superior to the other people in the discussion. ‘You’re not a rider unless you ride an Indian.’ “Harley’s are pieces of $hit”. “Sport bikers are irresponsible squids”. “Females can’t ride”. “Only people who ride 100K miles/kms a year are long distance riders”

Jeeez. Give it a rest! Nothing ruins a moment faster than some mouth piece who saunters into a group and drops the “your bike is shit if it isn’t …….(insert). ’ comment faster than a hail storm on a ride.

It’s March. In Canada. Most riders aren’t even insured yet – and it’s already started. Honeybunch – if I’m not considered a rider in your definition because I ride a Harley (because it’s the only higher cc bike that fits me) that I’m a woman (have no intention of changing this), that I don’t care who I ride with (as long as they don’t try and kill me on their bikes ) or that I don’t care where I ride, as long as I get to ride – excuse yourself from my group or, better yet, I will excuse myself from your presence. If you want me, I’ll be out riding instead of flapping my gums by the side of the road.

To all others – here’s to a great, safe, exciting, horizon widening year on the road.

Travel safe. Ride Well!