New Year's Greetings to my fellow Sisters in Spirit:

 

I'd like to say hello to all and introduce myself as your National Rider Education Director.

 

I am a strong believer in the importance of any rider education programs for all levels of motorcyclists.  I started riding street motorcycles about 9-10 years ago in New York state.  My prior experience consisted of some mini bike and dirt bike riding as a kid in Oklahoma, then pretty much just on the back of the bike for a number of years as an adult living in New York.  After a brief, but successful, bout with cancer in my mid 30's I found myself hitting 40 and afraid after 5 years of remission!  Afraid of cancer returning, afraid to enjoy my life.

 

So I took the bull by the horns and tackled something to end that fear.  I always wanted to get back on a bike, but not on the back anymore.  Here enters rider education for me.  I took 6 hours of private instruction, then the MSF Basic Rider course over a weekend and passed.  It was the most exciting and empowering experience for me, my own personal gift to myself for achieving 5 years of freedom from cancer.  I went out and bought my first bike, a Honda Shadow 600, then eventually the bike I still have now, a 2000 883 Harley Sportster Hugger.  I went on to take the MSF Experienced Rider course.  Now that I am back living in Oklahoma, my new goal is to enroll in the Rider Coach course here and hopefully instruct other new riders one day.  I consider all the instruction I received my most valuable asset as a rider.  It has helped me enormously.

 

During my years as a motorcyclist in New York, I served for 5 years as Secretary for the Dutchess County chapter of ABATE of New York.  ABATE (American Bikers Aimed Towards Education) in New York is active in working towards legislation to benefit motorcyclists.  We met with local politicians to discuss our issues and concerns, held an annual Freedom Rally ride to Albany, the state capital, to bring those issues to state officials, as well as fund raising events for charities.  One accomplishment during that time period was the lowering of tolls for motorcyclists.

 

I now look forward to my new position, to provide rider education information to all the Sisters to keep you all smart and safe on the road.

 

Best wishes for the New Year and keep the rubber side down!

 

Melissa Reid - HogGal

National Rider Education Director

Sisters in Spirit Motorcycle Association for Women