So, You Want to Ride a Motorcycle?
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Have you ever felt the pull of a roaring engine, the wind whipping through your hair, and the unshakable allure of two wheels? Maybe you’ve scrolled through Instagram, eyes glued to photos of women owning the open road, looking like rebels who’ve stepped out of a dream. And maybe you’ve thought: Could that be me?
Spoiler alert: It absolutely could.
For many of us, the idea of riding a motorcycle — especially a chopper — feels both intoxicating and out of reach. Fear (your ego) creeps in, whispering questions like, “What if I’m not strong enough?” or “What if I’m not brave enough?” And then there’s the more insidious voice of the patriarchy, perpetuating the myth that motorcycles and freedom are a boys’ club. Spoiler alert #2: They’re not.
Conquering Fear
Riding a motorcycle isn’t just about hopping on and twisting the throttle. It’s an act of self-discovery. It’s about leaning into your fear and proving to yourself that you’re capable of more than you ever imagined. The first time you feel the rumble of the engine beneath you, it’s electric. And yes, learning to ride takes time, patience, and a good dose of humility. But every wobble, every near-stall, is part of the transformation.
In 2020, I was a Christian who had just graduated from a Bible collage with her BA in criminal justice and a minor in Bible studies. Sometime between 2020 and 2021, something inside of me snapped (maybe it was my mortality wake-up call that was COVID, or maybe it was my Saturn return starting, who knows), and I had an awakening; I bore witness to the atrocity that was poisoning the nation-Christian nationalism. In the blink of an eye, I found myself questioning the entire foundation of my life. Why the fuck would god care and base his judgment FOR THE WHOLE ENTIRE WORLD on the current happenings of America? Freedom, Christianity, and right-winged tendencies became so fetishized (if only I knew then what I know now). It was as though people were expecting the book of Revelations to play out based on the current happenings in America? Like, get a grip people. America is not and is far from the greatest thing to ever happen to the world.
That was the moment I started to deconstruct. It took years before I would ever bring myself to actually be able to simply think “maybe god isn’t real,” and “maybe I’m not a Christian anymore.” Remember, I was raised to believe god was all-knowing (think Santa Claus level of omnipresent) and I was quiet honestly scared of being smited the very second those thoughts formed in my brain. That’s how they get ya, they scare the hell out of you (no pun intended)! But that can be a discussion for another day.
Once I was able to hone in on what my greatest fear was-going to hell- I had my get out of jail free card. I began to study hell. I used my formal education, resources, and tools to question e v e r y t h i n g there was to know about it. I looked up the original word, translations, context, the geography surrounding the matter and eventually I had gained such a deep understanding of the topic, it was impossible to ignore the plot holes anymore; I understood that it had been 1. taken out of context 2. mistranslated, and 3. used as the single worst strongarm that the majority of humanity has ever known. If I could conquer the greatest fear of my life, I could ride a god-damned motorcycle.
Fear is inevitable when you’re stepping into a new version of yourself. But the key isn’t to banish it; it’s to ride alongside it. What you’ll find is that every time you face your fear, it shrinks just a little bit more.
Breaking the Chains of “Should”
Let’s address the elephant in the room: motorcycles are often marketed as a guy’s domain. Women riders are often portrayed as passengers, not the ones gripping the handlebars. But here’s the thing: you don’t need anyone’s permission to chase your dreams. Let me say that again-YOU DONT NEED ANYONES PERMISSION TO CHASE YOUR DREAMS! The world will try to tell you who you should be, what you should look like, and how you should act. Riding a chopper is a bold way of saying, “Thanks, but no thanks.” If you don’t control your thoughts, someone else will.
When you get on that bike, you’re claiming your space. You’re rewriting the narrative. And trust me, there’s nothing more empowering than that.
The Journey to Yourself
Riding a chopper or motorcycle isn’t just about the destination; it’s about the journey of becoming. It’s about stepping into a version of yourself that you didn’t know existed. You’ll learn how to trust yourself — your instincts, your strength, your resilience. You’ll embrace the helmet hair, the grease under your nails, and the fact that sometimes you’ll make mistakes. And in the process, you’ll discover an evolved version of yourself that’s been lying dormant all along.
Getting Started
So, where do you begin? Start by learning the basics. Take a motorcycle safety course. Talk to riders who inspire you (Instagram is a great place to connect with other women who ride). Don’t worry about having the “right” gear or the “coolest” bike. Just start. Your journey is your own, and it doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s.
And when it comes to choosing your hog? Find something that speaks to your soul. Maybe it’s an old-school Harley with a rigid frame or a sleek, soft tail beauty that screams personality. The bike you ride should be an extension of who you are. And if you want to build? FUCKING GO FOR IT!
Evolving Into the New You
Riding a motorcycle is more than a hobby — it’s a lifestyle and a mindset. It’s a way of saying, “I refuse to be boxed in.” When I started riding, it was a way for me to tell the world (and even a small repressed piece of myself) “I am not going to live in fear of anything,” as well as the ever-satisfying, “FUCK YOU!” and middle finger to anyone who hasn’t processed their own toxic masculinity. The road will challenge you, but it will also reward you with a sense of freedom and self-assurance that’s hard to find anywhere else.
So, if you’ve always dreamed of riding a motorcycle, this is your sign. Go chase that dream. Because the world needs more women who refuse to play small, who take up space, and who embody the spirit of the open road.
Your badass future self is waiting. All you have to do is start the engine.
