Road Report
Tuesday morning I joined 200 other women to ride from deadwood, SD to Sturgis as part of the Biker Belles, a celebration of women on wheels. And of course getting here clicks one thing off my bucket list! Women represent 20% of the riding population and are all about community and inclusion. We were led by leaders and award winners in the field with Sturgis police holding up traffic for us. My face hurt I was grinning so big!! And of course the 6 days before Sturgis have had their own magic. Not too easy to take pictures but I’m trying to just soak it all in. I am part of the scenery I am passing and let me tell you, it is amazing scenery — Yellowstone, the Bighorn National Forest and today the Badlands to drop a few names. And then the elk, antelope and a red tail hawk that swooped down in front of me all wishing me well!! A good friend gave me an angel as I was leaving and a new friend gave me an angel bell for my bike so with these and the love of everyone who wished me well I am covered!
I was worried before beginning that I couldn’t keep up with more experienced riders. But as I have gotten to know my fellow riders and hear their stories, it is clear we all have the same fears and vulnerabilities. Some of them have won awards on a bike and others just started riding a few months ago. We are diverse but united. I dropped my bike trying to park and 10 people came to help. It’s just what bikers do! Bikers also admire other bikes and I have to say the peace signs on mine are pretty popular. I’m attaching a few of my favorite pictures, the first one of my riding group as we met at the peace center so many days ago. We were strangers and now sisters!!
I’m keeping the shiny side up ( except for one parking mishap) and I’m grinning a mile wide being so amazed that I am doing this — balancing on two wheels at high speeds for miles for one and being part of this epic journey celebrating women and all we are capable of. My thanks and thoughts to all of you.
Author: Betsy Mulligan-Dague | Former Peace Center Director