Ambika is a member of the Ladies of Harley. A pan-India group of women that are of course proud Harley-Davidson® riders. Women from the group tell HerStory about their motorbiking journeys, what it means to be a rider, challenges, accidents, and more importantly, the sisterhood of the biking community.
Harley established its roots in India in 2009 and set up chapters for its riders. These chapters give riders an opportunity to meet and organize trips and rides and create a biking culture. The Ladies of Harley is one of these chapters, exclusively for women.
Learning to Ride a Harley-Davidson® Motorcycle
When Ambika was only 12 years old, her father taught her to ride a bike. As an army kid, she grew up in the army environment – a tomboy who never shied away from learning anything under the sun. The two still share a strong passion for bikes and Ambika’s dad often rides pillion on her bike over weekends, chatting through Bluetooth-enabled helmets.
For Sony Mathew, a Kochi-based entrepreneur, the journey of riding a bike started all on her own. By sneaking away with her father’s scooter when he wasn’t home. Then she started using her brother’s bike, her uncle’s bike, and finally her friend’s bike when Sony was in college. Describing herself as an ‘uncontrolled rider’, Sony remembers being so obsessed with riding that no number of falls, scraped knees or head bumps could stop her.
Amanda Brown, AVP at Wizcraft, did not face a lot of challenges when it came to riding. She was in eighth grade when a boy in her neighborhood taught her to ride a bike. However, it was only after she had an accident that severed her Achilles’ tendon and put her to rest for three months, that she decided to buy a bike for herself. With her son being the right age for him to be a pillion rider, she decided there was never a better time and bought a Harley Davidson® Iron 883. Apart from being a member of Ladies of Harley (LOH), she is also a member of Ladies of India, an all-women riders’ group who ride bikes above 650 cc.
““I think the sense of just being with yourself and experiencing the world around you is the kick of adrenaline. You get to connect with people, with nature, and with new places. A bike gives you a sense of freedom, which doesn’t compare to anything else in the world,” Amanda said.
Become Part of Your Community and Join a Salem, OR HOG Chapter.
Salem HOG Chapter
The Salem HOG Chapter meets on the fourth Tuesday each month. February & March 2019 meetings will be at Salem Harley-Davidson®,3601 Silverton Rd NE Salem, Oregon 97305. The meet and greet (formally meeting) will start at 6:00 P.M. and finish up at 8:00 P.M. We will have two food trucks, games, and more. The Salem HOG Chapter is sponsored by Salem Harley-Davidson®.
Join the HOG Chapter Here.
Albany Pioneer HOG Chapter
Albany Pioneer HOG Chapter meets on the second Saturday each month at Albany VFW, 1469 Timber St SE, Albany, Oregon 97322 (541) 928-7925. The meeting starts at 9 am. Come at 8 am to enjoy breakfast before the meeting starts. The Albany Pioneer HOG Chapter is also sponsored by Salem Harley-Davidson®.
Join the Albany Pioneer HOG Chapter Here.
Story By: Nirandhi Gowthaman/HerStory
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