Spotlight on Women's Motorcycling

1 Jul, 2022 — This July, we’re shining a spotlight on riders that make women’s motorcycling truly unique the world over — through their passion, and enjoyment of the sport. What will follow is a collection of 3 separate interviews, and a section honoring a Canadian motorcycle icon that dared to challenge the status quo.

Currently based in Atlanta, Carolyn is a YouTube content creator that started the “Doodle on a Motorcycle” channel as a way to document the learning experience of motorcycling. The channel quickly gained traction, and what started off as a hobby became a source of helpful information for her viewers. It can be said that this is in part due to her devoted approach, as she states: "This is a business. Don’t wing it. Give 500% and if you fail… Learn some more then try again."

Her last day at her office job was April 9th, 2021. Since then, she has been creating video content full-time, always learning, sharing, and testing the limits of her own riding skill. "I wouldn’t trade this new life and financial freedom YouTube has brought me for anything," she says dauntlessly.

Where did your passion for motorcycling begin, and what prompted you to start documenting your journey by founding the "Doodle on a Motorcycle" channel?

Newly single for the first time in a long time, I compiled a list of things I had been wanting to do for years but never had the chance before while focused on a relationship. "Learn to ride a motorcycle" was on that list, just an item to check off. Or so I thought... I was hooked. I couldn't stop at that one weekend. The idea of riding being a part of my life was completely foreign — I didn't know anyone who rode. I looked into just renting a bike every now and then, or just continuing taking classes on loaner bikes. It wasn't long before I realized that wasn't feasible, and I needed to get my own bike.

The nickname "Doodle" was an accident. I was doing graphic design work for my martial arts instructor's school, and when I came to present to him what I had come up with, I thought he said, "What do you have for me, Doodle?" and I laughed thinking he had called me Doodle. He didn't... to this day I'm still not sure what he actually said, but after that, he and the rest of my martial arts school called me Doodle.

Having lived in Brazil, Spain, England, the Dominican Republic, and the USA, what are some of the differences you've noticed in people's practice of motorcycling?

I think I have a certain appreciation for riders in other countries - so comfortable with lane splitting and filtering, and particularly in Brazil and the DR, packing up a motorcycle like a mule with the amount of people and even large furniture. People seem more comfortable on motorcycles in other countries. I think because more people use it as their main vehicle instead of an addition to a car.

How has this appreciation for riders in other countries, along with your now almost 7 years of riding experience, affected the way you present content today?

I am quite easily amused by every next step in motorcycling. For instance, my first time lane filtering only very recently, was terrifying and exciting, I dedicated a whole video just on that experience. Shout out to the Californians I was following and parted the traffic like the Red Sea for me, reassuring me in my ear on our Cardos! Couldn't have done without them!

For all things Doodle on a Motorcycle, be sure to follow Carolyn on Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, or visit her website.

Heather has been riding motorcycles for over four decades, with a skillset able to leave any of our riders in the dust. Hailing from Montreal, though currently based in Kingston, she can frequently be seen tackling technical twisties on her 2019 CBR500R, or touring on her 2020 NC750X. She is notably a multiple award-winning fast-motion photographer in the realm of motorcycle racing, having captured some of the fastest racers in action at the aptly named FAST Riding School, run by Martin Hamel in Shannonville, Ontario.

Heather is also a teacher, a competition judge and a writer, having contributed pieces for both photography and motorcycle magazines. "I have always seen the world through a lens, anxious to capture it all in images," she says.

In the realm of motorcycle racing, what are some of the challenges of fast motion photography?

One challenge of motorcycle race photography is finding unique angles, while being restricted as to where you can be, for safety reasons. One of the reasons I love shooting for the FAST Riding School is they trust my judgement, and don’t restrict me. The other challenge is the cost of the camera and lenses you need for this sport.

How do stills and slow-motion videos alter your perspective on the sport? Is there an informative side inherently tied to your practice?

Both stills and video are very helpful because they allow the rider to see their position. You can tell a rider his knee actually isn’t half an inch from the pavement, or his butt really isn’t off the seat… but until he sees himself in images, he won’t believe it. The visual references are also helpful in accidents. The first thing a rider will ask the photographer is if they caught the crash, as it may help them to see what happened.

Who is behind the lens? What is your personal connection to motorcycles?

I have been riding since I was in my 20s, and currently own two motorcycles. My favourite is my 2019 Honda CBR500R, because of all the twisty roads in my area. I love the complete focus when I am in technical twists, and I have a passion for not being perpendicular to the road.

I also own a 2020 Honda NC750X for touring, and I have 3 tours lined up with riding buddies this season: Algoma, the Highlands, and NY/PA. I also tour solo and am thankful to ride at a time when my phone sends turn-by-turn directions to my headset, and it can also put me in touch with track friends if I run into trouble.

I can’t think of another community where I would be so accepted — and relevant — as a 73-year-old female. I know that riding with friends from the track, and taking Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the FAST Riding School courses has made me a better rider now, than in my 20s. I am exceptionally grateful to still be fit and healthy enough to feel no difference from my 20s, when I am on my bikes. That certainly contributes to why riding is such a passion for me.

To view more of Heather’s work, check out her Facebook or website. Also, watch her tackle the twisties of Austria and Switzerland on a rented Honda NC700X here.

Here’s a section dedicated to one of our very own, Sarah, who started working at FortNine in the fall of 2016 as an Administrative Assistant. Over time, she became Bookkeeper, Office Manager, HR Generalist, Customer Service Manager, and now Operations Specialist. Essentially, she knows what it’s like dealing with powersports products — more importantly, with powersports enthusiasts (and boy are they enthusiastic about their order arriving on time) — on the daily.

After having completed her mandatory Quebec course in August 2021, she bought her first bike, a 2003 Suzuki VZ800 Marauder. Despite the accident (more on that below), she repaired it herself, threw in some mods for good measure, and took it right back on the road. "From paint-job to a new radiator, she isn’t the same bike anymore, and I am no longer the same rider," she says, fearlessly welcoming more challenges like these in the future.

Having recently obtained your motorcycle license, do you have any advice for anyone interested in starting their journey?

Despite my knowledge of motorcycles through my work, family and friends, riding didn’t come easy to me. I don’t even drive a car; the open road looked as intimidating as it did liberating at times. I struggled with confidence and control in my class and had to take a private lesson to shake off the hesitation and prove to myself that I was capable. Don’t get discouraged if it takes you a minute to find your groove.

How did you feel when you completed your first motorcycle trip? Did this experience serve as a pivotal moment in influencing what you value in motorcycling today?

My first group ride was a proper disaster. I was late in a turn, and my 1-second mental math of the older riders doubled up on big bikes behind me — paired with my weak emergency braking — meant the miniature ditch was a safer call. What got me was trying to brake on the grass. The bike flipped almost as many times as I did but I was lucky to limp away with reasonable injury.

I earned some respect on the way back two hours later, when I picked her up and rode the 3 hours home, unable to shift or signal properly due to injuries, crooked handlebars with no speedo. Completing that trip gave me a sense of pride, and the camaraderie in the social circles really grew to a “brotherhood” level for me after that day.

We know you've spent countless hours in the F9 garage tinkering away. What are some of the things you had to learn about your bike?

I had picked up a project bike, a Marauder that hadn't been shown love in a long time.. A co-worker sportingly referred to it as “a piece of ****.” Going into it expecting a remodel meant that the crash — and the bike toppled in a case of motorcycle dominos — were already kind of budgeted.

From how to change the oil and maintain the chain through to upgrading from analog to digital speedometer and deeper maintenance like the carbs, there was a lot to learn, and remodeling her has made me much more knowledgeable. As for that co-worker, he now says “She's a sexy *****” (exact quote).

If you look closely, you’ll surely find Sarah’s posts on Montreal moto groups (sometimes there's the occasional giveaway, though you didn't hear it from us). As for more content, we caught Sarah’s riding school experience on video here.

Sadie Grimm is best known to have won — in 1914, and at only 19 years old — the first prize in a motorcycle competition open to men in Canada. To give some context here, this was 4 years before women were allowed to vote...

The story goes as follows: the Manitoba Motorcycle Club were offering a medal to the first person to complete a 100km trip, from Winnipeg to Winnipeg Beach. Sounds easy, right? Not exactly. The spring and summer months presented their fair share of obstacles, like the lack of serviceable roads and the presence of swamps, whereas the winter months just added a layer of ice onto already poor road conditions.

Many riders attempted the crossing, and many failed miserably. On Sunday, June 14th, 1914, Sadie jumped on the back of her 7HP Big Twin Indian and attempted to complete the challenge by passing through Selkirk. Unbeknownst to her, she would have some competition, as another rider was looking to make a name for themselves that very same day. Here’s a statement from the Manitoba Free Press describing the tribulations:

For twenty-five miles she had to break gravel eight inches deep while going thirty miles an hour; she took several graceful slides but picked herself up unhurt. From Selkirk to St. Louis (now Petersfield) the road was fair but from then on it was all bog and potholes. After riding paths and mudholes alternatively, Miss Grimm decided to try the railroad track. This she found very bumpy but much preferable to the mudholes interspersed with stumps and roots. After four hours of solid plugging, Miss Grimm registered at the Empress (Hotel) and was told she was the first one to make it through. Miss Grimm, not satisfied with her achievement, turned around after a few hours’ rest and rode back to the city via Teulon completing one of the most strenuous rides ever attempted by a Manitoba motorcyclist.

As for the other motorcyclist, they ran out of gas, and were too late to claim the prize, which left Sadie as the undisputed victor of this impressive feat. It’s no wonder her grandkids called her a “pistol,” and rightly so, as she sped to victory no matter the obstacle.

We remember Sadie Grimm today as a Canadian motorcycle hero, but more than this, a true spokeswoman for independence, courage, and tenacity against all odds.

What Is Women's Motorcycle Month?

In light of all these perspectives, whether current or dating back 100+ years, what can we really say about Women’s Motorcycle Month? For us, it's about confronting stereotypes, and shattering expectations. The stories above do this with gravitas, but so do countless others out there. This is why we celebrate all women and their love for motorcycling, near and far.

All of these adventures, whether past, present, or future, are thus significant in their own respect. Though you are reading this now, in July of 2022, the passion that drives these stories extends beyond this time frame — it endures no matter the month, and no matter the year.