Raven's Roads
Living an interesting life: the travels and musings
of motorcycling author Linda R. Moore

Jul 9, 2005

The Ride-In

Nearly 300 ladies converged on Boise this weekend, and we made quite a stir.

People showed up randomly to ask what we were about and to get informed and to learn how to pick bikes up, woman-style. (You lever them up with your legs.)

Joe’s Crab Shack combines cute little waiters and waitresses who dance for your entertainment and devise great ways to embarrass anyone who is having a birthday. The ceiling is hung with nets which are full of all manner of clutter: boats, toys, fishing paraphernalia…

I met people from Georgia, Florida (the editor of WoW is possibly interested in a column but we never got to sit down and discuss it properly), Idaho, Montana, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Wyoming, New Mexico, Washington, California (duh), Nebraska…and quite probably some more. The youngest rider to ride her own bike in was 17, and the oldest was 89! I saw Harleys, Moto Guccis, Kawis, Yamahas, ‘Zukis, Hondas, and an Indian or two. There were sports bikes and cruisers and street bikes and trikes and scooters.

Three of the people I wanted to see were not there - an old-timer from Alaska, and two writers. I met Susan Ross of Road Magic who tours with her trike and two dogs and has been since 1980. She was an amazing lady and I felt a twinge of kindred spirit there.

It was HOT! 95F every day of the convention. I walked downtown and looked at historic buildings. I attended a free buffet and fashion show at a local bike dealership, and I mingled freely and leaked and collected business cards. I wished I had some more generic personal ones that I could use too.

The banquet was awesome, with awards given out and a magnificent buffet.

The three days went by in a flash and I still don’t know where they went.

It was great. Really, really great. :-)