February 8th, 2010 3 Comments

Women Riders rev for a cure at Daytona Bike Week

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Female Riders Band Together to Raise Money for MDA

During this year’s 69th Annual Daytona Bike Week, hundreds of female motorcycle enthusiasts and Harley-Davidson Motor Company are banding together to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and their efforts to find a cure for neuromuscular disease.  On Tuesday, March 2, 2010, the MDA and the Motor Company will host the 3rd Annual Harley-Davidson Women’s Ride.

MDA and the Motor Company will host the 3rd Annual Harley-Davidson Women's Ride

The Harley-Davidson Women’s Ride will feature hundreds of female motorcyclists who’ll ride through the streets of Daytona celebrating their freedom and passion for the sport, as well as supporting the important work of the MDA.  All of the ride participants will be encouraged to secure pledges and donations from their friends and families to support MDA Summer Camp programs across the country.  The first 500 eligible riders will receive a 2010 MDA pin, Women’s Ride flag and riders who raise $600 will receive a one-of-a kind charm.  Also, the top three fundraisers will receive a Harley-Davidson jacket.  Last year’s ride raised more than $65,000 for MDA Summer Camps.

Ride staging will take place between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. near Gate 70 of the Daytona International Speedway.  The ride will depart at 10 a.m. and continue to Riverfront Park on Beach Street.  Female riders of any brand of motorcycle interested in participating in the ride, or those interested in pledging support for the riders can go to www.mdarides.org.

In addition to the Women’s Ride, the Motor Company is also hosting a women’s area at Riverfront Park on Beach Street throughout Bike Week. Experienced women riders or those just looking for information on how to get started can learn more about the sport by participating in bike lift seminars and getting information about learning to ride. They’ll also be able to enter a raffle to win a new Pink Label Collection item from Harley-Davidson MotorClothes®.

HD's Women's Pink Label Layering Tank

For more information and to register for the 3rd Annual Harley-Davidson Women’s Ride, visit mdarides.org.  To learn more about Harley-Davidson and women riders, visit harley-davidson.com/womenriders.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight custom, cruiser and touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts, accessories, riding gear and apparel, and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson’s Web site at http://www.harley-davidson.com.

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3 Responses

  1. kickstand says:
    February 8, 2010 at 8:18 pm

    I’ll be in Daytona this year, but I won’t be going on this ride. I’m not behind these big “women only” events, especially charity events. Is MDA a female illness? No. Why aren’t men included? dunno. Can’t say I see many “men only” charity rides these days. Hey, if a bunch of chicks want to get together and ride, I’m all for it, but these big women only events should stop. My two cents….

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  2. Lizzie says:
    February 9, 2010 at 12:04 pm

    I 100% agree with you about the women only events. Bikers are bikers, whatever gender, but lots of women feel that they need to separate themselves out of the pack to feel “empowered” and to “celebrate” being a woman who rides.

    My opinion on this has been questioned & criticized in the past about my opposition of this. I think it’s a bad idea for women to segregate themselves in this manner, yet I feel the need to support the idea of HD Women Riders month because I *want* more women to get out there and ride, whatever the motivation.

    And if they’re the kind of women who eat up taking part in a “women’s ride” then more power to them. I am not that kind of woman biker. Janet, over at Biker Chick News *is* and makes a rather good argument for it, if you’d like to hear from that perspective.

    Either way, I hope you have a GREAT time in Daytona and know that I’ll be jealous that I’m not there as well!

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  3. kickstand says:
    February 9, 2010 at 7:41 pm

    Hey Lizzie,

    I’ll be sure to check out Janet’s comments. I like a good debate, especially on a topic that is first hand to me.

    I’ve been an avid supporter on several sites for beginning women riders. I think it takes a different motivation and a lot of encouragement for women to learn to ride and in choosing their first ride. Once they, or “we” are on the road, we are at that point empowered.

    I’m empowered by the bike between my legs, the “nod” I get from my fellow biker at a red light and the road beneath me. I don’t need a group of women around me to feel this. Maybe that’s just me.

    Daytona is my great escape every year. It comes at the perfect time for us northerners who are suffering from winter meltdown right about now! My goal is lots of pictures this year which I’ll post on FB as much as possible. Someday you gotta make it down there!

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