Here’s a video slideshow of photos from the coffee table book Art of the Chopper by Tom Zimberoff. The video’s a little long at 5 1/2 minutes but still fun to watch!

Now that we’re nice and fat from Thanksgiving dinner, it’s time to think about decorating for Christmas! If you’re a devout biker wanting to trim your tree with all things motorcycles and biker-related ornaments here are some ideas for you.

The Harley-Davidson online shop has a plethora of ornaments to choose from, a vintage style tree topper and stocking holders to hang stockings by the chimney with care.

At Cycle Spot I found some really cute ornaments, including these biker versions of Mr. and Mrs. Claus!

Oh, you want something for the outside of your house? ChristmasLights.com has two light up, motorcycle-riding Santas to choose from (one that’s kind to your wallet and one that isn’t)!


If you prefer inflatable lawn decorations, here’s an inflatable chopper-riding Santa from the Christmas Catalog.

As you can see, no matter how subtle or over the top you want to be with your decorations there are plenty of options out there for bad-ass bikers who happen to be filled with holiday spirit!

Thank you to Gabrielle Faust from Eternal Vigilance™ for giving the Community Blogger Award to Rippin-Kitten.com. The Community Blog Award celebrates people who reach out and makes the blogger community a better one. It also underlines the importance of a blog’s readership community, one of the most rewarding parts about blogging. It’s the people that come back to comment, adding to the conversation, making you feel like someone is listening and interested.

I was curious to see where this award originated from and it appears to be the creation from SultanaBlog who made it up to honor a fellow blogger and it has caught on like a wildfire.

Now it’s my turn to pass along this award to the bloggers that have contributed to the Rippin-Kitten.com blogosphere through their support!

Biker Chickz Blog
Raven’s Roads
Rapture of the Road
The Many Thoughts of Harley Girl
Biker Chick News

Thanks to everyone for supporting this site!

I’m sure I’m not the only one that can identify with this commercial. Pretty effective.

My personal riding preference is either alone, with my husband or with a small group of people. I currently do not belong to any kind of motorcycle group but I could see why joining a group would be appealing.

Many women join motorcycle clubs for camaraderie and to ride with other like-minded people. And let’s face it, who wouldn’t stop to watch a large group of ladies ride by on their shiny motorcycles!

I recently found an informational article that goes into depth about the differences of a motorcycle club and a riding club, which I think could be helpful if you’re thinking of joining one.

Here are just a few of the nationwide groups/clubs out there:

• Chrome Divas - a group for riders, passengers or enthusiasts-no motorcycle required. They are a socially conscious group that strives to give back to the community and support worthy causes.
• Devil Dolls MC-a badass group of women with a love of their motorcycles and a love of the ride- so you do need a motorcycle to be considered.
• Motor Maids was founded in 1940 and is still going strong for women who legally own and operate their own motorcycle or one belonging to a family member.
• Women on Wheels -open to women of any age, experience and make of motorcycle. They have many chapters across the country.
• Women in the Wind strives to educate our members in motorcycle safety and maintenance unite women motorcyclists with friends of common interest, and promote a positive image to the public of women on motorcycles.

I don’t know a whole lot about one specific group but I know there are a lots of groups to choose from!

While I’m weary of the antics of the Teutels, I do however love Joan Jett. Talk about a bad-ass chick! It’s hard to believe that I’ve been listening to her for 25 years and she still looks damn good!

So, it’s with mixed feelings that I post this video of Joan Jett singing “Bad Reputation” for TLC and the latest season of American Chopper.

The Harley Davidson museum in downtown Milwaukee is scheduled to open in 2008 and they’re giving YOU the opportunity to be part of the history.

You can now purchase a customizable stainless steel rivet with a name and message where it will be displayed somewhere on the museum grounds (once they figure that part out).

here’s what my rivet might say if I customized one You may choose either a 3-inch rivet for a mere $250 or a 6-inch rivet for $1500. That’s a mere pittance for those who are looking to be living legends and bond with your fellow HD brethren!

Here’s a cool product: the Biker+ID bracelet from Guilty Customs.

It’s like a biker version of a Medic Alert bracelet and it’s made for bikers by bikers. The wrist band is made of nylon and it has a little steel name plate that has important information such as your name, address, phone number, emergency contact and blood type. It offers peace of mind to those who worry about the bikers in their lives and helps hospital staff should you ever happen to arrive at a hospital unconscious.You can get your BIKER+ID by visiting thebikerid.com. It comes with designs for both men and women and costs a mere $19.00.

Here’s a clip of another inspiring woman, Sasha Mullins from the 2003 Discovery Channel documentary “Motorcycle Women.” Sasha has been busy writing books and making music with her band Motoroadeo.

P.S. Rippin-Kitten.com is mentioned in the latest (and fabulous) blog post by GO! Smell the Flowers! So, a big thanks and many flowers to them!

The latest contest from Harley-Davidson got me thinking: who are some female riders who have inspired me?

When I decided to get my motorcycle license I didn’t have a female motorcycle “mentor” so to speak. I hung out with a lot of guys that ride and spent plenty of time on the back. I watched all of the Motorcycle Manias, Motorcycle Women and even the first season of American Chopper. I began to see more and more women out riding their own and when the opportunity came up I went for it. So, I guess I inspired myself (with the help of some anonymous biker girls)!

But since I’ve started this site I realized that there are many influential women out there. One who I admire is Genevieve Schmitt.

Genevieve Schmitt is a former television producer and magazine editor (anyone remember Woman Rider magazine?), is the founder of the fantastic website Women Riders Now and her blog is always a good read.

From WRN: Genevieve has been working in the motorcycle industry since 1993 and is recognized as a leader in motorcycling journalism focusing on the area of women. She is an inductee in the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame for her journalism work on raising awareness of the female motorcyclist. She is the leading spokesperson on the subject of women and motorcycling.

You can read her monthly columns in American Iron, Dealernews and Midwest Motorcyclist. She is also a frequent correspondent for Speed TV and Outdoor Life Network (now called Vs.). This is a busy woman who has made huge strides getting women motorcyclists the attention they deserve.

Honorable mention:
If Betsy Huelskamp looks familiar to you it’s because she was one of the Magnificient Six featured in the 2003 Discovery Channel documentary “Motorcycle Women.” She was also featured in that fabulous “Live By It” commercial that Harley Davidson ran over the summer. She has 20+ years riding experience, is a personal trainer and recently attempted to climb Mt. Everest which was documented in Discovery Channel’s “Everest 2: Beyond The Limit.” She also writes “Backroads with Betsy” on her best gal-pal Genevieve’s site.

Geneveive & Betsy at Sturgis 2007

Does anyone out there have a story to share about someone in the motorcycle world who has inspired them?