The Month of March is Women's History Month and during these 31 days, we need to look at more than Rosie the Riveter, Susan B. Anthony and the other astonishing women in our high school text books. During this month we will be featuring photos and info on inspiring women who ride motorcycles on the @lowbrowcustoms Instagram account, and compile some of those into a weekly blog post, of which this is the first. Happy Women's Month to all the ladies out there!
Jessi Combs
For the first post for Women’s History Month, we thought it was only right to post Jessi Combs since she not only made history being "The Fastest Woman on Four Wheels", but because she inspires women all over the world. Tragically, she was killed in August 2019 while trying to break her own four-wheeled land speed record in a jet-powered car in Oregon. Her legacy will live on through the Jessi Combs Foundation.
“It may seem a little crazy to walk directly into the line of fire... those who are willing, are those who achieve great things.”
Becky Goebel, Photo by Ashley Barker
What is your full name?: Becky Goebel
Do you have any nick-names?: Axel. I usually just tell that fake name to dudes that annoy me at the bar though.
What kind of bike do you have?: 1993 HD FXR, 1989 HD Sportster, 1976 Yamaha XT500, 1969 Honda Passport 90, and a 2003 Sportster that I’m building into a based chrome-daddy chopper!
What got you into motorcycles?: My dad, growing up in the Canadian prairies, just loving driving things in general, wanting to be free to go and do whatever I wanted for cheap.
How long have you been riding?: I rode trikes and dirt bikes and scooters and shit since I was a little kid and when I was in high school I’d ride around my moms 82’ 250 Honda Rebel. Then before I had my own real bike, I’d ride scooters around the city just to get to school and work and shit. I got my motorcycle license and my first bike when I was probably 22 and since then have ridden a lot. So I’ve been riding for a solid like 7/8 years.
What are some of your favorite events to attend (if any)?: One of my favorite events is Disaster Daze up in British Columbia, Canada. It’s super small and right by a lake, everyone is cool and it’s like a big family reunion. Mama Tried is a good-vibes midwest party and the Yokohama Show in Japan is just the real deal if you want to see immaculate show bikes and cars.
What was your first time on a motorcycle like? You as the driver: Scary… there’s so many different things you have to think about. To stop, go, not fall over, not hit a tree, etc. then you also have to like not get hit by cars and shit. It takes a while before you can do it all without thinking about every move.
Something interesting about yourself: I host one of the largest gatherings of women on motorcycles in the world - check it out - The Dream Roll
Who is your favorite woman in history?: Any woman that breaks stereotypes and doesn’t give a fuck what people say is my favorite.
What do you think the biggest misconception is when it comes to women and the motorcycle "scene" ?: Maybe that girls can’t keep up. I have been on many trips with dudes that ride super unsafe, never learnt from the right people, don’t understand riding formation and just think about themselves individually instead of the group altogether so you know what? Maybe we’re in the back cus’ y’all are idiots and we don’t want you riding near us.
If you could give one piece of advice to a girl who is afraid of the "stigma", what would it be?: Honestly, go take a riding course. One that actually lets you ride all types of bikes, drop bikes, learn on and off a bike etc. You never really know if bikes are right for you, or what kind of bike is right for you until you get to try a few. Gain confidence on your own and anyone that makes you feel bad about what you’re doing, tell them they’re whack and ignore them for the rest of their lives :)!
Anna Moore
My name is Anna Moore I live in Baltimore MD. I have a 98’ sporty 1200 that’s hardtailed and a 2000 FXDX. When I’m not riding I will most likely be camping or hiking in the woods somewhere. Ride to Skate was my first real bike event so that will always hold a place as one of my favorites, someone needs to bring that back! I’ve been riding for a little under a decade now and over the years you will see people come and go but you’ll slowly begin to realize the ones who have the same enthusiasm for riding as you do will always be around. And those are the ones your'e going to have as lifelong friends.
Erin Fitzgerald, Photo by Alexa Diserio for Pittsburgh Moto
What is your full name? : Erin Fitzgerald
If you could give one piece of advice to a girl who is afraid of the "stigma", what would it be?: If you mean just sexism, yeah it’s there. It’s never going away fully in the bike community, I mean there are clubs full of literal r*pist white supremecists. You’re gunna have to learn to either ignore it and let it roll off you or hit back if you’re feeling spicy and there is a time and place for both. Don’t let anyone make you feel bad for doing either. If there isn’t an awesome progressive and inclusive ‘community’ yet in your area, bully your friends into buying bikes and make one. Or do it on your own. Riding and traveling alone is incredible.
Paige Macy, Photo by Alyssa Del Valle
What is your full name?: Paige Macy
Do you have any nicknames?: Some people call me Chainsaw hahahah
What kind of bike do you have?: 2001 sportster, 1998 dyna fxd, 2006 Honda crf
What got you into motorcycles?: My roommate Jessica Haggett at the time had a bike and it looked like so much fun. We ended up moving to a new house and we moved down the street from Rev and Seth Clark (Salt City Builds) when they were still working out of their garage and we all became friends! Seth and Rev helped me pick out my first bike and they taught me how to ride! I have been riding for 8 or 9 years now.
What are some your favorite events to attend (if any)?: I haven’t gone to a ton of events but the 1 Moto Show in Portland has always been always a good time, and the big camp out that @thelitas throw @theblacktopramble is definitely my favorite!
What was your first time on a motorcycle like? You as the driver: The first time I rode a street bike was really fun, and really scary haha I definitely dropped it trying to make a U turn but after that I got the hang of it haha.
Who is your favorite woman in history?: I have never been one to look up to just one person, I like to appreciate all! I have always looked up to strong women and aspired to be one! From my friends and family to women I have never met before.
What do you think the biggest misconception is when it comes to women and the motorcycle "scene"?: I think the biggest misconception about women riding that I hear is “women can’t ride.” It boils my blood every time I hear someone say that! I ride with some of the most badass woman and they ride as good as any men I know!
If you could give one piece of advice to a girl who is afraid of the "stigma", what would it be?: A piece of advice for that ol stigma of riding would be prove them wrong! Anyone that tells you that woman can’t ride, or “get on the back,” should make you want to prove them wrong. I personally have had to deal with that a ton. From dudes asking me if I can handle the bike I’m on, to them finding out I’m the painter they have been talking to and they are no longer interested in having me paint their bike, but the other fact is 90% of everyone that rides is super nice, welcoming and will help you out however they can. I have WAY WAY more good experiences with people then bad. The moto community is like a big family and I love it. There’s just a few bad eggs hahaha.
Ria Schnell
What is your full name?: Ria Schnell
Do you have any nick-names?: not really, my dad used to call me string bean.
What kind of bike do you have?: 98 fxd dyna superglide
What got you into motorcycles?: my old childhood neighbor used to take me riding when I was a kid.
I played the road rash video game a lot. Like a lot.
Then when I got a little older my boyfriend had a bike.. I loved it but I always wanted to ride my own. So one day I bought a two stroke moped. It died after 2 days of owning it. I bought a motorcycle a week later. An 883 sportster.
How long have you been riding?: 7 years
What are some of your favorite events to attend (if any)?: I loved babes ride out, been there twice. Loved dream roll, been 3 times. I also love hitting the local rally's like Boogie Bash in Rock Creek and The Stomp in Sicamous. BC has some amazing roads and some very fun rally's. One year I made the trip to Utah to attend moto's in Moab. That was VERY fun.
What was your first time on a motorcycle like? You as the driver: It was easily the best feeling I've ever felt... once I got the hang of it. Haha
Something interesting about yourself: I am a mother of a 3 month old boy named Bowie. (4 months march 13)
Who is your favorite woman in history?: My mom.
What do you think the biggest misconception is when it comes to women and the motorcycle "scene" ?: In my experience.. I've mostly had a great response from strangers when they come across me, a woman on a motorcycle. But when it comes to the work that's done to the motorcycle it's always "who made those handlebars for you?" or "who does all the work on your bike?"
... bitch, I did.
Men always assume a man did the work on my bike.
If you could give one piece of advice to a girl who is afraid of the "stigma", what would it be?: Fuck what anyone thinks. Just go for it.
Stacey and Clementine, Photo by Dan
What is your full name?: Stacey Hearn
Do you have any nick-names?: No
What kind of bike do you have?: 97 Harley Davidson sportster, 85 Honda Rebel
What got you into motorcycles?: When I started dating my BF 6 years ago, I quickly realized I did not want to be on the back of a bike. He and all of his friends rode, so I decided to get my license. I grew up riding dirt bikes and four wheelers so i caught the bug being around all of them.
How long have you been riding?: 4 years
What are some of your favorite events to attend (if any)?: My sporty was in Fuel Cleveland and Keystone Collective. Those were fun events. I also like Cheap Thrills. Hoping to make a Babes ride out.
What was your first time on a motorcycle like? You as the driver: First time on the back was terrifying. I don’t like not being in control. First time as a driver was also scary for different reasons but amazing!
Something interesting about yourself: I am a big health advocate for the bulldog breed. Through my bulldogs page, @_darlin_clementine, we help raise money for rescue as well as to educate people on how to care for their bulldogs. It’s something I am very passionate about.
Who is your favorite woman in history?: I don’t have a favorite, but I really admire Jane Goodall.
What do you think the biggest misconception is when it comes to women and the motorcycle "scene" ?: Honestly, I don’t know and I don’t really care. I just ride for me, on a bike that was built for me!
If you could give one piece of advice to a girl who is afraid of the "stigma", what would it be?: I would say fuck what anyone else thinks! If you wanna ride a bike, do it!
If you enjoyed this article be sure to check out the follow-up article, Women Who Ride: Week Two!
Related Products
