Clarissa Winchester - Woman Rider of The Quarter

TWR: Clarissa, thanks so much for taking the time to talk with me today. Would you mind first telling us a little bit about yourself? Are you married, do you have children? What do you do for a living?

CW: Okay sure. Well I am not married. I have three amazing kids (two daughters and a son) and three grandchildren. I work in the car industry at General Motors. Prior to that job I was a nurse. When I moved to Tennessee I decided to change careers. So now I build truck engines.   

TWR:  Where are you from? 

CW:  I am originally from Sikeston, Missouri, which is a very small town in the south eastern part of that state. I moved to Lewisburg, Tennessee in 2010 and that is where I now call home. I really love it here. If I’m not working then I am outdoors usually riding. This state is beautiful and has a lot to offer. 

TWR:  When did you first start riding a motorcycle? 

CW:  I first started riding my own bike in 2019. Prior to that, I always rode pillion. 

TWR:  What was your first bike? 

CW: My first bike was a 2005 Honda Shadow 750. I am vertically challenged being only 5'3" tall. So the bike was perfect for me to start out on. It was fully dressed out and it looked really nice. It was a good bike.

TWR: Tell me about your initial experience starting out. 

CW:  Sure, so growing up I rode manual four-wheelers. I always loved the way I felt as a kid riding them. I loved the freedom of being able to go and explore. By that time I already knew  when I was older and could buy a motorcycle, I would be getting one. Life doesn’t always go as planned when you are young. I started my family in my early twenties so I made the decision to wait until my youngest was old enough to take care of himself. I did that in the event anything happened to me. In 2019 my son was 17 years old going on 18, so I decided the time was right to start researching different bikes. I then started going to dealerships to physically look at them. After a few months I knew that a Honda Shadow might be a good starter bike for me. As it happened, a friend of mine told me their son had a fully loaded beautiful bike he had decided to sell to upgrade his own ride. So I checked it out and his bike fit me perfectly. It was the right height, right weight, I could flat foot the bike and it was well maintained. It ended up being the perfect starter bike for me. He brought it over, I jumped on and started riding and bought it. It was a good bike. I eventually traded it in for my current ride, a 2021 Indian Scout Icon and I absolutely love it.

TWR: Was there any special reason you decided to start riding your own bike? 

CW: Thinking about it, I’d have to say that the reason I started riding a motorcycle was because I wanted to have accomplished something that's not necessarily “the norm” for a woman to do. While I realize today more and more women are riding their own bikes, and every year we add to our numbers, it's still not as common to see a woman riding a motorcycle as it is a man. I like being part of a "special group” lets just say.  

TWR:  Let’s talk a little bit about your mechanical aptitude. You like to wrench on your own bike don’t you? 

CW:  Yes I do, but let me say first that I am very independent and don’t like to rely on anyone but myself. Keeping that in mind, I’ve always had an interest in knowing how my bike works no matter the make or model. I love getting my hands on the bike, changing the oil and making sure all my fluids are full. It’s important to know how to check that stuff and just make sure everything is tightened up and running properly. It’s empowering to me. Even doing the simple maintenance work on it allows me to understand the bike better and be more prepared if an issue does arise. Also, I think it’s very important to know the mechanics of your bike and how it works. Even if you never plan to work on your bike, you should get familiar with the mechanics of it, especially if you are planning on riding long distances. I believe you need to be able to troubleshoot any issues that might come up while you’re out on the road. So again, it’s important to know and understand your bike regardless of working on it yourself or not. The last reason I really like working on my bike is because my son eventually plans on getting his own bike, and when he does, I want to be able to work on it with him and teach him a few things about motorcycles.
 

TWR:  What is longest distance you have ridden either by yourself or with a group? 

CW:  The longest distance I’ve ever ridden was with my friend Wolf. We rode the back roads from my house to Panama City, FL to go to Thunder Beach Bike Rally. Round trip that ride was 856 miles in total. By myself I’ve ridden to Tunica, MS. Round trip that ride was about 510 miles. 

TWR:  Do you ride with any female riding group(s)? 

CW: As of right now I am not a member of a particular riding group. I really enjoy riding with just a couple of my friends or solo. 

TWR:  Do you have a favorite riding destination?

CW:  I do. I love riding to Ozone Falls in Rockwood, TN. I go there using only back roads and it’s a beautiful all day ride. I also enjoy riding Natchez Trace Parkway. I’ve ridden it all the way up to Nashville, TN and all the way down to Tupelo, MS. 

TRW:  Do you have a bucket list of rides and if so, what is the top ride on your list that you have yet to complete?

CW: Wow where to begin! I have so many rides on my bucket list. I’d have to say that the “Nada Tunnel” in Kentucky is one on the top of my list. It’s also known as the Eye of the Dragon. Of course I’d also like to ride the “Tail of the Dragon” in North Carolina, “Devils Triangle” in Tennessee, “The Snake” in Tennessee, the part of “The Blue Ridge Parkway” in Virginia, and the very top of my bucket list is the longest route I want to do, "Route 66" starting in Chicago and riding it all the way to the end at Santa Monica Pier in California. 

TWR: How would you describe the women’s motorcycle riding community in your area? 

CW:  In my particular area of Tennessee I don’t really see very many women riding their own bikes. Mostly in this area are women who enjoy riding as passengers. Once you start getting into the more urban areas of Tennessee, like closer to Murfreesboro and Nashville, that’s when you’ll see more women riding.

TWR: Earlier you said you ride a 2021 Indian Scout Icon. Can you tell us what made you decide on an Indian over other bikes? 

CW:  When I started looking for a new bike, again I am a big researcher so I looked at a lot of bikes online, I compared the choices available. I was looking specifically at their weight, the center of gravity, handling and dependability. Also, I was looking to upgrade to a larger motor. I wanted more horse-power because when I do ride with my friends, I need to be able to keep up with them. I narrowed it down between the new Honda Rebel which was 1100 cc’s, and the Indian Scout which is 1200 cc’s. The Honda Rebel ended up being a much smaller bike than I was comfortable on. I also looked at a Harley, but you know everyone has a “Harley.” I wanted to stand out a bit from the crowd. So I decided to go and check out Indians. I saw my bike online and I went to the dealership. When I got there, I sat on it and said “I’m taking it home!” I rode it home that day. To be frank, this bike not only checked all my blocks but it fit “me” right from the very start. 

TWR:  Since you started riding has your life changed in any way from how it was before? 

CW:  Since I’ve started riding, I have found that my life has become much less stressful and I have less anxiety. Riding really is a cheap form of therapy. All you need is a bike, a tank of gas and a country road. Even 30 minutes on my bike helps me de-stress from my day. I just love the feeling of freedom that riding gives me.

TWR:  What advice would you give to any woman who is contemplating getting out there on her own bike? 

CW: I would say to her not to overthink it. Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do it and find a bike that perfectly fits you. Then enjoy the ride.

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TWR: I want to thank Clarrisa Winchester for letting me get to know her and sharing her journey with us. Clarrisa’s story is a great example of moving forward, making changes that may seem a little scary, and eventually going for what you want. 

When I texted Vernice and asked her if she would be my featured "Woman Rider of the Quarter," she was very happy and willing to share her story and help empower other women to get out there and ride. But first before we get to the interview, let me tell you how I met my new friend Vernice Grissom-Green. 

It was the first week of October 2022. My girlfriends and I wanted to get in a long distance ride before winter so we rode the 600 miles to Murfreesboro, Tennessee to attend the "Women Rock Rally." We checked into our hotel, got our stuff up to our room and went to bed. We were exhausted. The next morning we headed downstairs to grab some breakfast. Women were just starting to arrive for the weekend. The breakfast area in the hotel was busy. 

One of the ladies in particular was hugging and greeting people. She was very tall, extremely friendly, laughing, and very happy to see everyone. I would later learn her name was Vernice. 

I ate my breakfast while observing the crowd. It was clear there was excitement in the air. After a while women slowly cleared the area and breakfast was pretty much over. My friends however, were still chatting with a few people they'd just met. I looked over and saw the woman I had seen earlier, sitting alone at a table eating. So many people had stopped her to say hello and give her a hug, that she was just now finishing her breakfast.

I can't exactly explain it, but I knew I had to meet her. So I decided to walk over to her table and introduce myself. "Hi, I'm La'Rae. I don't mean to bother you, but I thought I'd come over and introduce myself." Once again her breakfast was interrupted but you could tell that she really didn't mind. She looked at me, smiled and said, "Hi, I'm Vernice."

After we talked for a bit I explained to her that I'd never been to a "weekend rally" and really didn't know what to expect. Vernice immediately put me at ease. It turned out she was also a volunteer and knew the schedule for the entire weekend. Throughout the weekend Vernice was there helping out wherever they needed, giving me tips on the upcoming rides, and answering questions from other women riders. You can tell by watching Vernice interact with others that she is a very caring and very genuine person. I was fortunate to get to know her a bit during the festivities. She even joined my friends and I on a quick shopping excursion, jumping on the back of a Can-Am and navigating the way for us while we tried to figure out where we were going in rush hour traffic. 

The last thing I will share with you about Vernice is how impressed I was by her level of riding skills. When you see Vernice riding, you can tell she is very at ease on her Road Glide As she maneuvers the bike down the road, it's apparent that Vernice is definitely in her element.

This is my interview with Vernice Grissom-Green.

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TWR: Vernice, it is so good to talk with you again. I have really been looking forward to this. How are you doing?

VGG: It's good talking to you too. I'm doing great. It's a new year and we are all well. Thank you for having me as your featured Woman Rider of the Quarter. 

TWR: Well let's jump right into it because I know you're busy and your schedule is fairly packed these days. The first thing I like to do is give the readers just a little background information. Is that okay?

VGG: Sure.

TWR All right, where are you originally from and where do you call home now? And if you don't mind will you tell the readers a little bit about your family? 

VGG: Ok. I was born and raised in Indiana. I've lived here all my life. I'm married to my amazing husband and together we have two grown sons. We are also the proud grandparents of two wonderful grandchildren.   

TWR:  Can you tell us what you do for a living or if you are retired? 

VGG: Oh sure. I am not retired yet, I'm still a little too young for that (she giggles.) I currently work in management at a consulting firm.

TWR: Okay let's talk about your motorcycle journey. What do you currently ride?When did you first start riding? How old were you? What drew you to riding a motorcycle? 

VGG: I currently ride a 2019 Road Glide. Thinking about my motorcycle journey, now that's interesting how I got here. Prior to riding on my own, I would ride on the back of my husband's bike. But I really didn't like being a passenger. It just didn't feel right. You know I'm fairly tall at 5'11, so being on the back seat just always felt uncomfortable. How did I first start riding? Well my husband and I were getting ready to be empty nesters and we were trying to figure out a hobby or something that we could do together. That's when my husband encouraged me to take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course offered through ABATE of Indiana, and start riding my own bike. We decided it would be fun and something we could do together. He even said he'd take the course with me. Back when he first started riding you didn't need to pass a motorcycle safety course to get an endorsement. So he took it with me and I passed. I was 43 years old when I started riding. That was in 2010 and I've been riding ever since. 

TWR: What was the very first bike you ever owned? 

VGG:  My very first bike was a 2011 Harley Davidson Street Glide. 

TWR:  Really. That's a big bike to start out on. What made you choose a big bagger touring bike like that?

VGG: I know it is a big bike to start out on and for many women I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. But again, keep in mind that I am 5'11". I needed a bike that was going to fit my height and frame. I knew what wasn't comfortable for me so when I got on the Street Glide it just felt right. I knew it was exactly what I needed. It just "fit" me. 

Also, I prefer a touring bike over all others because I ride a lot and cover a huge amount of distance when I ride so I wanted a bike that is both comfortable to ride along with it's performance. I already have nearly 50,000 miles on my 2019 Road Glide.   

TWR: Wow that's a good amount of mileage already for your bike. I can unstand why comfort is important to you. Tell me what is the farthest you have ever ridden either in a group or alone.

VGG: The farthest I have ever ridden in a group was from Indiana to Oakland, CA. That trip was about 4,500 miles in total. We rode to the Bessie Stringfield All Female Ride. It was a long ride but I had a great time doing it.  

Now the farthest I've ever ridden on my own is to Jacksonville, Florida for the" All Female Ride" hosted by Jenn Brew and Adamec Harley Davidson. Total miles round trip for that ride was about 1700.

TWR:  Those are really good, long distance rides. That explains why you already have 50,000 miles on your bike. Tell me, do you have any favorite riding destinations?

VGG: Absolutely. My favorites are anywhere the sun is shining and the road is open. 

TWR: Do you have any "bucket list" rides?

VGG: Of course. I think once you start riding distances you start making a list of places you want to ride. Everyone does it. My list is very fluid and continues to grow but a few of the places I'd like to ride include Redwood National Forest, the Dignity statue in South Dakota, a ride to the waterfalls in the Carolinas. 

TWR: I agree with you on a rider's bucket list. We are always adding places we want to go. I've been to the Dignity statue. She's really a spectacular sight and I would encourage any rider to try to get there. It's a beautiful ride. 

TWR: Recently you participated and were a volunteer at the "Women Rock Rally" in Tennessee. Can you tell me a little bit about your involvement with that particular event?

VGG: Sure, so the first time I attended the "Women Rock Rally" was in 2019. I wanted to get in a good ride before the end of the riding season. Round trip it would be just under 800 miles. Also, I thought it would be a great way to meet other women riders. So I decided to go and ride to Tennessee by myself. When I got to the rally everyone was so welcoming and friendly. I just really enjoyed the entire weekend. After that experience, I decided I wanted to get more involved with the rally. The "Women Rock Rally" is an event with the purpose of raising money to support breast cancer awareness and research. It's a cause I fully believe in so I decided to get more involved. It's also a great way to end my riding season each year.   

TWR: So let me ask you, do you ride with any riding groups?

VGG: No, I am not a member of any specific women only riding groups or motorcycle clubs. I am a member of the Harley Davidson Owners Group and a member of the Indianapolis Southside local chapter. I keep my Harley membership so I can get some of the mileage riding patches and some of the other member benefits. But in general I do not ride with any large riding groups. I don't really enjoy it. I prefer to ride solo or with a much smaller group of friends. However, we keep those rides to a minimum number of bikers. I'd say five to six riders max is our usual. 

TWR: Since starting your riding journey, how has it changed your life? In other words, has riding enriched your life in any manner and if so, how?

VGG: Here's what I would say to that, I love my life. I have an amazing family. I have a wonderful supportive husband who encourages me to go on my adventures and check off rides from my bucket list. But the "riding" is my release. If I am stressed from my daily grind of corporate life, hopping on my bike and riding is where I find my peace.

TWR: Is there any one woman you could say is, or has had the most influence on you with respect to your riding and why? 

VGG: Well I would have to say of course the women rider trailblazers like Gloria Struck and Bessie Stringfield, just for the fact that they helped open up the way for women riders.

TWR: Vernice what advice would you give to any woman who is thinking about learning to ride or has just started riding? 

VGG: I would tell her to first take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. If your state doesn't require it, find one anyway and take it. Then I would say to take your time choosing your bike and make sure it fits.  

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TWR: I want to thank Vernice for taking the time to discuss her motorcycle journey with us. If you have read any of the past articles in the Archive section of the website you will find that while every woman's motorcycle journey is bit different, we are all bonded by one common factor, we simply love to ride. 

I got to know Rosemarie (Rosie) Setta Strother in the summer of 2020 during the Women's Freedom Ride (WFR), an annual event bringing together women riders from all over the country. The women ride in formation for twenty days through twenty states with a purpose. Their "mission" is to raise public awareness of the alarming numbers of veterans’ suicides occurring daily after returning home from combat, and to raise money for use in helping veterans struggling with PTSD, Rosie decided that this was absolutely a ride she wanted to make. Its purpose clearly resonated with her. You see Rosie is an army veteran, having served in the Army, Women's Army Corp. back in the late 70's. Back then Rosie was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas located in the northeaster Kansas. Being from Pittsburgh, PA, you could bet Kansas was just a little bit different from the big city. While stationed at Fort Riley Rosie met the love of her life, Tony Strother. Together they have both served in the military, traveled overseas, moved dozens of times, raised a family, and enjoyed each other's company for more than forty years. Rosie tells me it was Tony who encouraged her to take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course and get her license. But you'll learn more about that while reading her interview. I've had the pleasure of knowing Rosie and riding on several group rides with her for the last two years and I've been wanting to do this interview for some time. You see Rosie has only been riding for about three years. She began this journey when she turned 61, and I believe that her taking on this journey and traveling all over the country via her Can-Am Spyder RTL, serves as an inspiration to all women, especially women starting in their "second" chapter. My hope is that Rosie's story will inspire women of all ages who are thinking about getting a bike but maybe feeling a little intimidated, to get out there and just do it. 

This is my interview with Rosemarie "Rosie" Setta Strother.

TWR: Rosie, it's so great to talk with you today and have you share your story with all the readers of the site. Thank you so much for allowing us to pry a little bit into your riding background. 

RS: Absolutely! I love the idea of helping empower women by sharing my story. Riding a motorcycle has become an integral part of my life and who I am. I've made so many new friendships over the past couple of years and it's all because of my love for riding.

TWR: Ok Rosie, let's give our readers a little more information about you and your background if you don't mind. Where do you call home and if you don't mind, tell us a little bit about your family? 

RS: Well let's see, I grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Our family moved to North Carolina where I finished high school. Then a couple years after graduation I joined the Army, Women's Army Corp. and was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. Back then in the 70's women didn't fight on the front line. The Vietnam war had just officially ended. Men joined the Army and women joined the Women's Army Corps. I worked as a telecommunications center specialist. That's where I met my husband Tony. He was in the Army too. When we decided to start our family, I got out of the Army to raise the kids and be at home with them until I could go back to work. It was a wonderful life. We were stationed at many posts in the United States and we did two tours in Germany. When Tony retired from the Army, we decided to make Durham, NC our home. Tony and I have raised two amazing children and we are the lucky grandparents to five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. This September Tony and I will celebrate 46 years of marriage. 

TWR: Wow, that's awesome. Forty-six years of marriage is definitely something to celebrate. Congratulations!

RS: Thank you.

TWR: Okay Rosie, let's talk motorcycles. Have they always been a part of your life? 

RS: Well yes and no. When I was a kid, my dad had a Honda 350 and I loved to ride on the back with him. Later on my dad bought a Honda 750. After I married Tony, my dad decided his Honda was too big and it was time for him to stop riding. Tony and I had his bike for a bit of time while we helped him sell it. We loved riding that bike and would have bought it from him but it wasn't practical for us with Tony's career and us having to move so much. So that was the bulk of our biking experience until about thirty years or so down the road. We became good friends with a few folks that own motorcycles. I would steal a ride now and then on the back of one of their bikes. Eventually Tony and I decided we wanted to start riding again and that's how we got back into motorcycles.

TWR: Okay so when did you start riding on your own? 

RS: I started riding in 2019. It's actually a funny story how I got there. 

TWR: Great, let's hear it.

RS: Okay, so sometime in 2018 Tony decided he wanted to start riding again (for the readers Tony now rides an Indian Roadmaster). I was all for it but the only problem was he'd let his motorcycle endorsement lapse. So that required him to retake the Motorcycle Safety Foundations (MFS) course. Tony suggested that I take it with him. He thought it would be fun for us to do it together and it would definitely give us a common hobby. Now what I need to tell you is that during this time I had been having hip issues and could barely walk. In fact I was scheduled to have hip surgery in December. So on the "inside" I'm thinking to myself, "my husband has gone mad. I can barely walk right now." But on the "outside" I politely declined his request and reminded him that I was having trouble walking. He looked right at me with a straight face and said, "That's okay honey you don't have to walk, you just need to ride. You can do this.  It will be fun!" So I took the course with him and you know what? He was right. I passed the MSF course with no problems and got my motorcycle endorsement. 

TWR: So tell us what was your first bike, and what made you decide to choose that bike as your first ride? 

RS: My first bike is also my current ride, a 2016 Can-Am Spyder RTL. Let me tell you I love this bike. I had decided on riding a 3-wheel motorcycle from the get-go for a couple of reasons. First, after taking the class with Tony I had so much fun being in the front of the bike I knew I wanted my own ride but I am "vertically" challenged at only 5'2". So I knew I was only going to have a few choices without spending a ton of money to lower a bike so I could be flat footed on the ground. Second, I was also worried about being able to hold it up after just having two hip replacements and knew I didn't want a heavy bike. But I needed to have a bike with enough horsepower to keep up with Tony's Indian. That meant getting a 3-wheeled motorcycle. 

TWR: Why did you choose a Can-Am Spyder RTL over a traditional trike?

RS: Well-I first started researching both types of bikes. I read a lot of rider reviews as to the different models of trikes. Then an old army buddy of ours who rides a Harley suggested the Can-Am. He said that based on what I was looking for, the stability of the front end as well as the overall comfort of the bike, it would probably be a good match for me. So I decided to schedule a test ride on a Spyder I had found was for sale. I wanted to take a ride on one just to be sure before I went to the Harley dealership to take a test ride on a trike. Well-let me tell you, as soon as I pulled out on the road with the Can-Am I fell in love. I was so surprised at how stable it felt and I was immediately at ease on the bike. It was super comfortable for me, it felt good on the road, and it was really easy for me to get on and off the bike. Also, it definitely had the horsepower I was looking for. I didn't even go to the Harley dealership. I knew this was absolutely the right bike for me.

TWR: Rosie it's pretty clear you started riding later in life. You referenced previously that once you took the class you knew you wanted to be in the front of a bike riding. Was there any other reason that nudged you toward that decision?

RS: You know I would have to say that the main reason I wanted to start riding my own bike was a desire to do something just for me. I was 61 years old, and like many other women had given so much to raising my family and serving my country that I really wanted to do something new and exciting just for me. It's funny because I was always known in my family as being "the safe sibling." I'd never really done anything too daring. So, as a result of that my two sisters thought I had lost my mind. But my children thought it was awesome, and my mother was very much on board with my decision to ride. Of course I am fortunate to have a husband who encourages me to do things out of my comfort zone. So I jumped on and have been having a ball ever since. 

TWR: Rosie because I know you, I know you ride a lot. Will you share with the readers what the farthest distance is you have ridden either on your own or with a group, and where did you ride to?

RS: The farthest I have ever ridden was with the Women's Freedom Ride. That was with a group of about 60 women. I ended up riding a total of 8000 miles during that trip. By myself the farthest I've ridden is about 1200 miles. I was returning home from a group ride. We rode from North Carolina to the Florida Keys. From there I rode solo to San Angelo, TX then on to Denison, TX. In Denison I met up with the other girls from the ride again. Eventually we split up and went our separate ways back to our homes. 

TWR: Do you have any favorite riding destinations and if so why?

RS: I would have to say that my favorite destination is riding in the mountains and what I enjoy so much about it is simply the hills, the curves and the views. It's always breathtaking no matter which mountains you are riding.

TWR: Do you ride with any riding groups?

RS: I do. I am part of Women In The Wind, International. My local chapter is the Gypsy Diamonds. I also ride with the Women's Freedom Ride. I am also a member of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, and I ride with the Indian Motorcycle Riding Group, IMRG. Even though I don't ride an Indian I get to be a part of that because my husband rides an Indian Roadmaster and he's part of the group.

TWR: That’s a lot of groups, I've got to ask you why so many?

RS: I know it's a lot of riding organization’s and each takes up a bit of my time. But you know, it's something I really enjoy and each one serves a different purpose. All of them do some form of charity work whether that's giving of your time or riding to raise money. My husband and I ride with the veteran’s group because we enjoy the camaraderie of our brothers and sisters in arms, and we organize charity events as a way to help other veterans.

Women In The Wind is a woman’s riding group. It fosters sisterhood among women riders. When you are part of a local chapter, you always have someone to ride with. But it's much more than that. It's a sisterhood. My particular chapter is spread between many states. That's why we call ourselves the "Gypsy Diamonds." We plan rides several times a year and have monthly zoom meetings. I have made friendships with women all over the country because of being a member of this group. 

The Women's Freedom Ride is an annual ride during the summer and get together in the fall. It was started as a way to empower women riders and give them an annual journey and purpose. In the summer we ride for charity. Every fall we meet in the mountains for fellowship and to ride. Any woman who rides is invited to come and it doesn't matter what type of bike you own. It's a wonderful way to meet new women riders, hear their stories and forge new friendships.

I participate in the Indian Motorcycle Riding Group, IMRG to ride with my husband and because I enjoy everyone in the group. They always plan great rides.

TWR: Since starting your riding, how has it changed your life? In other words, has riding enriched your life in any manner and if so, how?

RS: Wow what a great question. I would say that riding has allowed me to travel to places and see things much differently from than I used to. I've always enjoyed traveling but you really see things from a different perspective when you see it from the front of a motorcycle. I guess you could say you see "more." Also when I'm riding I get an immediate sense of peace and happiness. Honestly, I'm a really happy person generally, but riding just fills’ me up. I would also say that because of my involvement with motorcycling I have met an entirely new and different group of women who have a different sense of adventure. That helped me to find a sense of adventure in myself that I never knew I had. Riding has also given me a different sense of self as well. I feel very "whole" now. And finally, riding has also helped me connect with my husband in a very special way. We have a common interest and hobby that we enjoy doing together. A lot of couples start getting bored with each other after many years together or just kind of go through the motions. For us, riding together has enhanced our zest for making new life experiences together.

TWR: Rosie what advice would you give to any woman who is contemplating learning to ride and getting out there on her own bike? 

RS: That's easy, just do it! You really will have no regrets.

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TWR: I want to thank Rosie for taking time out of her day to speak with me. I hope her interview has been an inspiration to any woman wanting to get out there and as Rosie put it, "see things from a different perspective when you see it from the front of a motorcycle." It's time to get out there and take the first step to riding your own bike. No matter your age or height, or other physical limitation, where there's a will there's always a way. In Rosie's case she decided a 3-wheeled bike was best for her. And even though it's a 3-wheeled machine it takes a lot of skill to move that bike around the road. Rosie has become so comfortable riding her bike, she loads it up and pulls a motorcycle trailer behind her. A skill set not just anyone can do. Rosie's ability far surpasses some of those (dare I say men) who have been riding for many years. I know this for a fact because I have ridden on the back of her bike and taken pictures while she navigated the "Tail of the Dragon" in the Blue Ridge mountains. Let me tell you that's something I wouldn't do with just anyone!