My name is Lynne Thatcher.  I have been a WOW member since 2001.  I rode for two and a half years before joining Women on Wheels (DO).  For those first two and a half years I really struggled with the riding thing.  Took the riding lessons at MATC and didn’t think there was any way I was ever going to be able to ride.  Bought my first bike which was a Silver Wing and I could not keep it up.  When I think back to those first riding experiences, I don’t know how I made it except that I have someone that is watching over me.  Didn’t keep that bike for long. 

My next bike was a Suzuki Intruder 750, all decked out.  She was beautiful (red).  That is the bike I started riding when I joined WOW.  I still struggled at that point, but was very fortunate as there were six of us from Madison that joined that same year and we would get together every weekend it seemed like and just go riding.  Put on a lot of miles and have met some wonderful people.  After my Suzuki I purchased a brand spanking new a Yamaha 2002 V Star 1100.  I have decked that out with the bags and even had a painting put on the front fender.  (This bike is for sale if any one is interested or knows of someone that is looking for a bike.)  This has a lot of miles on it, but it is good.  This bike took me out to WV, ID and down to KS, all different years of course.  Last year I bought a new Yamaha Roadliner 1900, dressed like a Stratoliner and like riding that especially on the long distances.  My sister likes the ride on the back better than the 1100.

I am saying all of this to encourage someone that is really interested in riding, but is struggling, don’t give up!  To me learning to ride has been the best thing I did for ME. 

I am also fortunate enough to have a grand-daughter that does enjoy riding.  She is my signal turning partner when I am riding.  She obeys and holds the turning hand signals until we get out of the turn.  She is now 10 years old.  It would be more fun for her and I may be able to get her to go more, if there was someone that was her age that would ride with one of the moms or grandmas in our group.  In closing, I just feel that my struggles have made me stronger and more conscious of riding better.

Keep the rubber down!