I need help for my Sociology research paper

[ADS]

Hey ladies, can you help me?
I am doing my research project on women that race hare scrambles, but I have found that this is a very narrow topic, so my topic is now women that race dirtbikes, MX, woods, anything.
If you would like to help me out, please answer the following questions:
1. What was your first bike?
2. What is your current bike?
3. Your racing classification? (I am asking this question to see if any of you all race a class other than the womens' class)
4. Where and when was your first race?
5. What kind of race was it and what kind of racing do you do now?
6. What or who got you started racing?
7. Your racing strengths?
8. Your racing weaknesses?
9. What do you like the most about racing?
10. What do you like the least about racing?
11. How do you feel about being a female in a predominately male sport?

I know that I asked a lot of questions, but this is a lengthy project that is asking for a lot of specifics. If you wish to include your name, feel free to do so, if not, that's OK, you will be an anonymous subject.
I appreciate your participation, look me up sometime.
Andrew Stanfill

 

[nikki]

1. What was your first bike?

'93 YZ 80

2. What is your current bike?

'01 YZ 125

3. Your racing classification? (I am asking this question to see if any of you all race a class other than the womens' class)

Women's and 125 Novice

4. Where and when was your first race?

Joliet, IL - May? 1998

5. What kind of race was it and what kind of racing do you do now?

It was Stadium Motocross (like Supercross) / now I do Motocross, Stadium Motocross, Supercross, and Arenacross

6. What or who got you started racing?

Myself! :) Just got the itch to compete since I had a bike.

7. Your racing strengths?

Jumping and getting good starts

8. Your racing weaknesses?

Corners and endurance

9. What do you like the most about racing?

Competition, the feeling of reaching/exceeding personal goals, and meeting new friends

10. What do you like the least about racing?

Chance of injury, not riding as good as you know you can

11. How do you feel about being a female in a predominately male sport?

Doesn't really make a difference now that the women's scene is getting larger and most places run a women's class just like any other class.

I know that I asked a lot of questions, but this is a lengthy project that is asking for a lot of specifics. If you wish to include your name, feel free to do so

Nikki D.

 

[Fe_princess]

I don't race anymore, and the number of women who race is growing, but they are still few and far between


1. What was your first bike?
>XL 125

2. What is your current bike?
>KTM 200

3. Your racing classification? (I am asking this question to see if any of you all race a class other than the womens' class)
>I road raced, so there was no gender distinction

4. Where and when was your first race?
>Oak Park Race Track in Henderson, Texas.

5. What kind of race was it and what kind of racing do you do now?
>It was on my then street bike a Moto Morini 500 in Clubman then I raced a 1963 AJS Stromer in ARHMA in 250 GP and my last two years were on a 250 Ninja in Production up at Sear's Point. But the only racing I do now is chasing SFO around the house.

6. What or who got you started racing?
>My old boyfriend. I used to go to every one of his races and got tired of sitting in the pits. I longed to out on the track and could feel it in every fiber of my being. It looked like a lot of fun!

7. Your racing strengths?
>Braking late.

8. Your racing weaknesses?
>Off-cambre turns.

9. What do you like the most about racing?
>The competition, the adrenaline and going faster than I ever thought I would.

10. What do you like the least about racing?
>Crashing. Finding fellow road racers that would actually have a conversation with me about the track.

11. How do you feel about being a female in a predominately male sport?
>That's the way life goes. Nobody made me do it.

 

[firecracker22]

1. 1993 Honda XR 200
2. 2001 KTM E/XC 200
3. Women’s/200 C or 250 Beginner if I race motocross
4. July 2000 in Airway Heights, WA
5. The first race was a flat track but I race hare scrambles and motocross now.
6. I have always liked bikes, and finally when I was 21 I could afford one. The first few months were a little trying but I was determined to stick with it.
7. Not sure I have any . . . LOL I love the pre-race anticipation, so nervousness doesn’t hold me back too badly. I also feel that corners and uphills and whoops I am fairly ok at
8. You don’t want all of them, do you? I struggle with jumping and steep downhills and downhill switchbacks. Also a bad habit I have is to completely narrow my focus and not think while I ride, which makes me make the same mistakes over and over.
9. I love the camaderie in the pits and seeing the people I’ve met through racing; the excitement and anticipation; and being able to say I did it afterwards.
10. The waiting, and waiting, and waiting, especially if the weather is poor. Also the classifications are sometimes not ideal for my skill level and bike: for instance the Vet Amateurs, Four-Stroke Amateurs and Sportsman classes often run simultaneously with the women and many of those riders are scarily out of control and some have bad attitudes toward women (not many though, thankfully).
11. For the most part it’s fun—we’re something of an elite group. However some of the stereotypes can become annoying and I have started to develop a bit of a militant attitude. There are more and more of us all the time though so hopefully those stereotypes will begin to fade away.

Hope this helps!

Had to change the class--don't know why I typed 200A, I can only wish!

 

[LoriKTM]

1. What was your first bike?
-- 1987 XR200
2. What is your current bike?
-- 2000 KTM200EXC
3. Your racing classification? (I am asking this question to see if any of you all race a class other than the womens' class)
--Women's. I'll ride 'C' class if no women's class is available.
4. Where and when was your first race?
-- 1995, Maplehurst (Wisconsin. Track now closed)
5. What kind of race was it and what kind of racing do you do now?
-- MX Race. There were 10 women, and I finished 8th. Not bad considering that my tranny was stuck in 3rd gear the whole time!
I currently race Harescrambles and Enduros, on a semi-regular basis.
6. What or who got you started racing?
-- My husband (boyfriend at the time). Riding areas were very limited where we lived in IL, so racing was the chance to get out and ride new areas.
7. Your racing strengths?
-- :think: Pure stubbornness. Decent technical skills.
8. Your racing weaknesses?
-- Speed, or lack thereof. :|
9. What do you like the most about racing?
-- Meeting new people, riding new trails. Cleaning a difficult obstacle or section.
10. What do you like the least about racing?
-- Getting up and going to work the next day when I'm half dead.
11. How do you feel about being a female in a predominately male sport?
-- I've never really thought that much about it, other than to wonder why more women didn't get involved. Usually, it's other people commenting ("Hey, you're the first woman to ride our harescrambles!" or whatever) that points out to me how few of us there are at times. Any more, and especially since we moved out east, there are always quite a few women riding, so I'm less conspicuous at the events.

 

[CNM]

1. What was your first bike?
1982 Honda Z50 (when I was 11)
1996 Honda XR200 (when I started riding again)
2. What is your current bike?
2000 Honda XR200
3. Your racing classification? (I am asking this question to see if any of you all race a class other than the womens' class)
Enduro - Women's class
Hare Scrambles - 200C
4. Where and when was your first race?
August 1998, Breezy Hill, La
5. What kind of race was it and what kind of racing do you do now?
It was an enduro (I only made it 12 miles but it was 98 degrees at the start). I still race enduro's and an occasional hare scramble.
6. What or who got you started racing?
Rode some when I was little because all the kids in our neighborhood had bikes. My boyfriend got me back into it in 1998. I guess he told me one to many racing stories.
7. Your racing strengths?
I'm pretty stubborn and love to compete in anything. My endurance is getting much better.
8. Your racing weaknesses?
Even though it's better, endurance and overall speed could definately improve.
9. What do you like the most about racing?
The competetion is alot of fun but mainly the friends I've made and see at the races. We all cheer for each other, even if we are in the same class. The competition in the womens class is definately improving and the numbers are growing. I love to see more women riding!
10. What do you like the least about racing?
It's a pretty expensive hobby and the risk of injury is always there.
11. How do you feel about being a female in a predominately male sport?
I've never thought about it that way. All the guys I've ridden with have always been very supportive. I'm sure there are exceptions but overall, they are glad we're there.

 

[ADS]

I appreciate the help ladies. I am posting my answers to the same questions, I thought that it's only fair, since I am getting such a good response from you all.

1. First bike?
A PW 50, I believe it was a '84 or '85, I was 5 yoa.
2. Current bike?
I have 2, a '99 CR 250 and a '01 RM 125.
3. Racing classifacation?
I ride 0-200B, if I ride my 250, it's 250B. I race the 125 the most, I feel faster on it and it doesn't tire me out to ride it at race pace for 2hrs.
4. First race?
It was a Mid-South Winter Hare Scramble, March 3rd, 1996 Bolivar, TN, I was 16 yoa.
5. Kind of race?
It was a hare scramble. I still race hare scrambles. I tried ONE MX, but that is not for me, I am strictly a woods racer, a true scrambler.
6. What got me started?
I always rode trails, so when I heard about what a hare scramble is, I thought, "This is for me!" It was not as easy as I had thought, but I liked it and now I can say that I love to race hare scrambles.
7. My strengths?
I ride my best in technical terrain, I also feel that mud riding is another strength of mine.
8. My weaknesses?
Grass tracks and faster corners.
9. What do I like most about racing?
The competition and the many friends that I have made at the races.
10.What do I like the least about racing?
When I don't finish as well as I would have liked to and the non-racers that want to tell me how bad I suck when I have a bad race. Those people should try it sometime, then we'll see who sucks.
The soreness the next morning is pretty bad, as well, but in a way, it is also kind of satisfying.
11.How do I feel about females that race?
I have nothing but respect for females that race. I just wish that I could find a girlfriend that races, or at least find one that would be willing to give it a try. If she is faster than me, then that would be really cool, but I would have to find a way to slow her down, you know before anybody finds out. ;)


Andrew

 

[Girlrider]

1.) Suzuki JR 50
2.) 2001 Gas Gas 250 and 2002 Gas Gas Pro Trials bike
3.) Enduro- Mens 250 A Trials National= Womens Local = Advanced
4.) Timberline Enduro In Steamboat Springs, CO 1990
5.) Enduro
6.) Mom and Dad. My dad raced
7.) Tight Technical, Speed in Tight Trails, Endurance, Steep Downhills and my technical skills. I don't have a lot of muscle so I have to master the techniques to be fast.
8.) Not enough muscle to get my bike back on the trail fast if I crash off the side of a hill
9.) The social part. Seeing all my friends that ride and the challenge of bettering myself.
10.) The expense of it.
11.) I think it is great. Most men respect us as well and that is good. At the ISDE I got total respect from the Men racers.

 

[E-Ticket]

Great thread... very interesting reading!

Girls rock. - E-T

 

[Bill Hibbs]

This thread caught my eye since I have my BA in Sociology. The thing is these questions don't really have a sociological approach other than number 11. I would think some questions would be. Who got you into Dirt Biking, Why do you ride dirtbikes, what reactions do you get from people when you tell them you ride Dirtbikes? How does the Motorcycle community react to you? What do your peers think about your chosen sport...As well as some demographic questions..etc.

Maybe these are just the questions I would be interested in reading about..


This should make a great Paper!!

 

[ADS]

Thanks, Bill. The most probable reason that my questions lack the sociological approach is the fact that my major is Criminal Justice and this research topic is for one of the few SOC. classes that is required as part of my major. You are right about how I should be asking my questions, especially your questions about the reactions the female riders get.

So ladies, if I may, I need to add a few more questions.
11. What kind of reactions do you get from people, when they find out that you ride/race dirt bikes?
12. Give a few examples of negative reactions you have encountered from people that are looking at female motorcyclists from a stereotypical point of view.

If anybody else has any suggestions, please feel free to post them here.

 

[ADS]

Oh, by the way Bill, since you are interested, I could use the male perspective on this topic as well. If you would, I would like for you to answer my questions, you can skip the ones that you feel are not important.

If any more of the fellas are checking this out, feel free to participate.

 

[Bill Hibbs]

There are so many Sociological perspectives about dirt bike riding. Not only are there big gender bias' but also: racial, Socio-economical, and demographic. I go to a party with a lot of "upper class" people and start chit chatting about hobbies, etc. and when to topic of Motorcycles comes up you can just see the nose's start to rise. You probably know what I mean. This is not even considering the political views of off road vehicles. I would have to say Gender is the biggest though.

Anyway, the Questions:

1. Honda 70, can't remember the model
2. 99 KTM 300exc, 00 GSX-R 750 street bike
3. Open B/C, probably Vet Class next week when I turn 30
4. Honda Hills HareScramble 3 years ago
5. HareScramble, mostly Harescrambles and enduro's
6. I like to race mountain bikes ocassionaly so I started racing Dirtbikes when I started riding again.
7. Strengths, I'm too dumb to know any better
8. Need more seat time to get really fast.
9. Finishing
10. Fast guys running me over
11. uhhh... :o

Negative Reaction "Those things are Dangerous."

Maybe you can E-mail me a copy of the paper when you're finished.

Good Luck! and there are no Un-important Questions. ;)

 

[The Ant]

1. What was your first bike?
94 Honda XR200
2. What is your current bike?
2001 BBR 200XR
3. Your racing classification? (I am asking this question to see if any of you all race a class other than the womens' class)
Women and Over 40 Amateur
4. Where and when was your first race?
97(?) Elsinore Gran Prix
5. What kind of race was it and what kind of racing do you do now?
It was a GP, and mostly what I stick to.
6. What or who got you started racing?
Husband (boyfriend at the time)
7. Your racing strengths?
Endurance and grit
8. Your racing weaknesses?
Deep loose sand, dirt, mud are the worst. Also am always worried I won't be able to start the bike and will be left at the line.
9. What do you like the most about racing?
Cameraderie, plus it just makes me a better rider. I don't stop to ponder a situation, but just get up and do it.
10. What do you like the least about racing?
Fear of getting hit by someone else
11. How do you feel about being a female in a predominately male sport?
Am used to it from other male dominated sports plus my profession (printer). Am always happy to see more women getting involved and getting more proficient!
Have never had anything but positve feedback from folks, either dirt or street riding. Oops, my past boyfriends who didn't ride didn't like that I did...
-Susan
BBR200XR

 

[racergirl76]

1. What was your first bike?
>BMW K75
2. What is your current bike?
>Honda CBR600F4, KDX200, YSR50's
3. Your racing classification? (I am asking this question to see if any of you all race a class other than the womens' class)
>Women's if available - I feel strongly about supporting the Women's class even though we don't collect points, C class if I can in dirt, Advanced in mini roadbikes, and novice at Sears point & Willow Springs
4. Where and when was your first race?
>Prarie City Jan '98 at the go cart trackk - mini roadracing on ysr50's (in a light rain)
5. What kind of race was it and what kind of racing do you do now?
>I did several years of mini-roadracing, then moved up to 125GP bikes at Sears & Willow. This was pure addiction fun/dispair rolled into each ride, now I've done 2 HS and an Enduro and will do more of these.
6. What or who got you started racing?
>I wanted to, YSR's were a lower cost option to racing so I started there. my boyfriend at the time had raced and tried to stop me. I'm very strong willed.
7. Your racing strengths?
>Determination, learn fast and listen to improve. Can follow a line if shown. blocking
8. Your racing weaknesses?
>Crashing, corner speed, passing
9. What do you like the most about racing?
>The chameraderie, the competition during the race - having someone to ride/spar with
10. What do you like the least about racing?
>Getting up early, Crashing so bad that I can't ride for a while
11. How do you feel about being a female in a predominately male sport?
>Happy, pride at what I can do and for having an active lifestyle. I feel that I want to do fun things too, I feel that it's our responsibility to encourage and help the newer/younger female riders to feel comfortable in the sport. THose who know me take me with them to look at new/used bikes, kind of a reversal on the take a guy to the car dealer routine.
11. What kind of reactions do you get from people, when they find out that you ride/race dirt bikes?
>They usually don't beleive it, until I start talking then it's obvious. most say I don't look like it (I wear a suit to work, when my arm was broken I wore fancy scarves over my cast.) Common questions are 'who got you into it ...brother, dad, boyfriend, as a kid...' I'm sick of this question! How does it matter. I ride because I wanted to ride, notice how it's assumed a guy got me into the sport.
12. Give a few examples of negative reactions you have encountered from people that are looking at female motorcyclists from a stereotypical point of view.
>Mom's been supportive, but she worries - and I give her reason to worry. I don't think I leave people much opportunity to have a negative attitude to riding. Since it's such a part of me, whether street, dirt, race, whatever then they would be putting me down if belittling motorcycling. Either that or I tune them out. Mostly people are concerned since I tend to get injured or come in sore. My Boss tried to tell me to stop riding. I told him neither my mother nor any of my doctors would consider suggesting such a thing. It's a dangerous sport, so is anything else. Most people don't have opinions against women racing motorcycles since they haven't had time to consider it being a possibility and then form an opinion to be against it. They are still surprised and don't know what to think.
13. How does the Motorcycle community react to you? What do your peers think about your chosen sport?
> My peers support me. Most of my friends ride. The BMW club that I'm still active in encourages me, although they think I'm nuts.

 

[E-Ticket]

This make for really interesting reading!

My $0.04 ....... <grin>

If you would like to help me out, please answer the following questions:
1. What was your first bike? '68 Honda Trail 90 - got it for a paper route
2. What is your current bike? '02 KTM 400 MXC, '99 Honda 800VFR Interceptor
3. Your racing classification? (I am asking this question to see if any of you all race a class other than the womens' class) Over-40 amateur and Sportsman's (for when I'm following The Ant around.....)
4. Where and when was your first race? 1970 at Owyhee Race track in Boise, Idaho. Pulled the headlight off of my Yamaha 175 Enduro, taped on a picnic paper plate for a number plate and entered the 250 Motocross class. Did pretty mediocre.... couldn't stop grinnin' for days.
5. What kind of race was it and what kind of racing do you do now?
Mostly Grand Prixs. They tend to be more open - less crashin' and collision-ing going on. Favorite one? Elsinore Grand Prix. (highly recommend)
6. What or who got you started racing? Motorcycle magazines set the hook for me. Asked a bunch of questions at a motorcycle dealer and just went and did it.
7. Your racing strengths? Endurance, unflappable sense of "remember to have too much fun - if you finish well - that's just icing," good pacing, picking good lines.
8. Your racing weaknesses? er... Currently I'm too fat. <grin> Big jumps..... okay, any jump bigger than small. <g> Plus, since I'm not a "win at all costs" I tend to be mid- or back of the pack. But since that doesn't bother me - no problemo!
9. What do you like the most about racing? The focus. 'cause if you don't pay total attention you will crash or get bashed. Plus, racing some other loonie for 57th place.
10. What do you like the least about racing? Fear/very real possibility of getting rammed, run over, or landed on by another bike/rider. There's an awful lot of *marginal-control* races out there. It bothers me that you can be doing everything right - and still get whacked by some loonie.
11. How do you feel about being a female in a predominately male sport?
True confession time. I'm actually a male. yes, yes, it's true... So. How do I feel about women in "our male-dominated" sport? I absolutely love it. a) they put more emphasis on having fun than win at any cost b) they'll *sometimes* back off slightly versus taking you out c) they're sincerely grateful when you help them pull their bike out of the creek/tree. Whereas, guys will just grunt and roost you when they leave. a_again) they truly enjoy themselves - and that makes the ride/race more fun.

So c'mon girls! We love having you join us! - E-Ticket

p.s. I'm married to The Ant. She was riding an old BMW when I met her - and then I got her onto a dirt bike. (Her 5th ride was in the Elsinore Grand Prix... thank goodness she survived and had fun... whew!) One of the major fun things on helping her get better is watching her discover - for the first time - all the things that experienced riders take for granted. And her pure joy when she conquers an obstacle. Major pay-back and satisfaction for moi.

 

[ADS]

I hope I mojo'd everybody. If I missed you, give me a yell. I plan on posting the paper in this forum when I'm done. Still holding out for a few more reponses though.

 

[Michelle]

A couple of questions I'm interested in after reading all the responses:
a. When you got into racing, did you ride mainly with males or other females?
b. How long had you been riding before you started racing? (especially those of you who started later in life)

My husband's into racing (first season of enduros) and I know that it'll get to the point when I'm fed up with not riding because of his racing but my riding's not at a point where I'd be happy to race (too slow, feel too incompetent). I'll support him, but he does have to pay for that by ensuring I get my riding time too.

To be honest, reading threads like this makes me feel even more incompetent.
Michelle

 

[ADS]

Those are some good questions, Michelle. There is no such thing as too slow. You should just go out and give it a try, look at it this way, every race is a new place that you get to go riding at. I don't know why this thread would make you feel incompetent, it shouldn't.
Just get out there and have fun, that is what its all about.

 

[bbbom]

1. 98KLX300
2. 94CR500
3. Heavyweight (over 200cc's), Geritol (combined age over 80), Vets (combined age over 70)
4. Spokane's Spring Mud Fling April, 2000
5. Tag Team Harescramble, now still just Harescrambles
6. It was the only place to ride that early in the year
7. Good physical conditioning and determination
8. Lack of skills on track type conditions especially jumping
9. Comraderie, just being out on my bike
10. The pain, suffering and expense of crashes
11. Never thought about it as a male dominated sport, just something I like to do.
12. Reactions at first are usually surprise and the typical "You are nuts". Especially when I tell them what bike I ride, that usually gets a bigger reaction than the fact that I ride.
13. Negative reactions only from my boss and coworkers but then I point out that their injuries from baseball, basketball, skiing, golf............have all been much worse than any of my injuries have been (so far).

As for Michelle's questions, I always have and still do ride with the guys mainly, unless I can get some of the girls to come along. I raced my first harescramble at the beginning of my second season of riding - if you can call what I do racing!!

Michelle, don't let this thread make you feel incompetent! As long as you are having a good time that's what matters. We have some very talented and accomplished women riders on here but, they didn't start out riding like they do now! I have a great time riding and when I do a race, I have fun even though I am not competitive by any means (I am very competitive mentally but skillwise I don't stand a chance) especially in the classes that I ride in.

I think you'd be surprised at how well you would do in a race.

 

[CJ Rider]

Originally posted by Michelle
... To be honest, reading threads like this makes me feel even more incompetent.

I was thinking about your comment, Michelle, and I'm formulating a theory about this. This survey is obviously geared towards determining the essance of women who RACE. That's totally cool. However, it's completely missing the women who enjoy the sport in a non-competetive way. Lots do. It might be equally as important, socialogically speaking, to find out why some do race and others don't.

So my comment on this subject is for you, Michelle (and me too because I missed my first race due to a fiasco business trip), NOT to feel unvalidated or incompetent just because you don't race. THAT is a great misconception because you ride just fine and have a good time and THAT's what's important!!! :)

 

[LoriKTM]

Ditto to what CJ and bbbom said, Michelle. Being slow and incompetent is no reason NOT to go racing-- I do it all the time! I realize probably most of my problem is that I don't have the competetive drive that it takes to win. I go to the races because it's an opportunity to increase my skills by riding new terrain, and just to get out and ride. Enduros can be a great way to do that. Advice given to most first-time enduro riders is not to worry about finishing, just go out and treat it like an all-day trail ride. So who cares how you did, or if you were slow? Just have fun! Pick one of your other female riding buddies, and go sign up together. Just don't pick a race that has a reputation for being real nasty-- talk to the guys who run the circuit--there's usually a few that are known to be easier terrain than others.
You just might surprise yourself. :cool:

 

[bbbom]

Excellent point CJ.

I don't ride to race, I ride because I like doing it. When I do race it isn't usually much of a race, it's more of just a ride for me with a lot more people and I have to pay.

That's why I stay with the little local harescrambles - I don't have the time or motivation to put in the practice that would be needed to be competitive. In fact, the only reason I even race those is because the harescramble is usually the first riding available each season.

Even with my kids, we don't go to the track to practice. I let them race as long as they want to and are having fun but I also tell them, that if they want to devote the time needed to be competitive I'll help them with it. So far, they are happy to just do the occasional race and have fun.

Some of the best riders I know don't race, don't want to race and will never race - it's all a matter of preference.

 

[blackhawk468]

1. What was your first bike?
>>>> 2000 RM 125

2. What is your current bike?
>>>> 2000 RM 125 (soon to be 2003 yz 125)

3. Your racing classification? (I am asking this question to see if any of you all race a class other than the womens' class)
>>>> women's sometimes and 125 C

4. Where and when was your first race?
>>>> Decatur, TX Oakhill MX Park June 2001 125 D class and womens (Started riding in April 2001)

5. What kind of race was it and what kind of racing do you do now?
>>>> motocross race. I race motocross, supercross, and arenacross.

6. What or who got you started racing?
>>>> I saw it on TV as a kid thought it would be cool but parents said no, Saw some kids riding them in their yard one day and went a bought a bike hooked ever since.

7. Your racing strengths?
>>>>endurance, focus, and jumping

8. Your racing weaknesses?
>>>>Corners, corners, corners

9. What do you like the most about racing?
>>>>the people I meet, the rush I get, the cool trophies and bragging rights.

10. What do you like the least about racing?
>>>>nothing maybe not doing as well as I should have, or falling

11. How do you feel about being a female in a predominately male sport?
>>>>Awesome, I'm more noticed than a lot of guys faster than me, and everyone is really nice to me so far.

12. Give a few examples of negative reactions you have encountered from people that are looking at female motorcyclists from a stereotypical point of view.
>>>> Some guys just think I can't ride, can't jump, can't be fast or competative, so I go out and prove them wrong, most of the time beating them and jumping stuff they wouldn't dare touch. Some have resorted to taking me out at races and I have been put on the ground 3 times by another rider t-boning me at a race. My parents hate it, but they accept it because its what I love to do. They worry a lot and would rather see me putting around than jumping the big triples. And one thing that kinda pisses me off about the sterotypes is since I ride dirtbikes I'm supposedly a lesbian. (and I am NOOOOOO lesbian) I've been asked that I don't know how many times.

13. How does the Motorcycle community react to you? What do your peers think about your chosen sport?
>>>> Most of the people accept me within the sport, to some their goal is to show me that they can beat me, but overall the community in general has been very good to me. My peers think I'm nuts, crazy, and I was dropped as a baby to try such a dangerous sport. They always tell me to be careful, and what they would say at my funeral when I die in an mx accident (how positive huh?)

a. When you got into racing, did you ride mainly with males or other females?
>>>>I rode with guys, not any girls yet

b. How long had you been riding before you started racing? (especially those of you who started later in life)
>>>>2 months. (i just couldn't wait)


I think thats it..

 

[ADS]

CJ, Lori, bbbom, and Michelle, I am sorry that you all think that I have set up this post for racers only. I know that's the way it came across. I have recieved a few PM's from riders whom do not race and I welcomed their responses. I know that there are a lot of very talented riders out there that do not care to race. I probably came across the way I did because for the past couple of years I have been racing a whole lot more than I have went riding. I have almost lost interest in just riding, I would rather be racing. When I do go riding, I take a lot of heat for being too serious about it, I try to turn a ride into a race and nobody likes it when I do that. It was just my racer mentality again.

Blackhawk468, you brought up the seemingly most common negative aspect that female riders usually hear. That is sacred ground, it was something I was hoping to bring out, I just did not want to come right out and ask about it. That is a stigma that females face in just about every sport, it's very unfair. I believe that if the people that apply the "lesbian" label would actually watch female athletes in action, they would see that most of them are taking (whichever sport) very seriously, but they are having way more fun and sharing a different kind of cameraderie than their male counterparts.