Current Features

Each month, Camden County Harley Owners Group and the Ladies of Harley like to feature some of the women in our club that not only set the bar for new club members, but act as mentors. This month we are proud to feature these Ladies of Harley.

Lady Rider

Lady Passenger

Hometown: Washington Township, NJ.
Job: Associate Director, United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania
Favorite Movie: Young Frankenstein
Favorite Cause: People in need
Role Model: My Mom
Bikes I ride: 2008 Road King Screaming Eagle
Favorite Place to Ride: Anywhere my husband goes

Name: Mary Ann M.
Q: What motorcycle(s) do you own/ride?
A: 2008 Road King Screaming Eagle

Q: How often do you ride?
A: Once the weather breaks we ride almost every weekend. I not a fan of riding in cold or raining weather - I guess you would call me a fair weather rider!

Q: How old were you when you started riding & how did you learn to ride?
A: 42

Q: How did you learn to ride?
A: I took the beginner Motorcycle class at Gloucester County College with my husband. I also took the Rides Edge Course at Barb's before I ordered my first bike - a 2003 Dyna Low Rider.

Q: Why did you start riding?
A: Because my husband starting riding again and I thought it would be great to ride my own.

Q: What do you like most about riding?
A: I enjoy seeing the country without having to look through a window. We now plan all of our vacations around our motorcycles. It's a great way to see the USA!

Q: What do you find most challenging about riding?
A: The most challenging times to ride are when the weather turns and you get caught in the rain. There is nothing worse than riding in the pouring rain and not being able to see the bike taillights in front of you.

Q: What's your favorite place to ride and why?
A: Every year we ride to Myrtle Beach. It's a great trip with a great group of friends. When we plan out the year of where we want to ride, going to Myrtle is always at the top of the list. But every time we come back from a trip someplace else, that's my favorite ride until the next one. We did a wonderful trip out west to New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Arizona. What an amazing trip that was. And Sturgis was fun too - I guess I love all of the trips - as long as I'm on my bike.

Q: What's one of your best riding stories?
A: I actually have 2. 1) A couple of years ago a group of us went on a cruise and brought our bikes with us. The day before we boarded we rode all around Miami Beach and even took an airboat ride through the Everglades. Then it was time to head to the ship - Explorer of the Seas. It was very cool to ride on and off the ship not to mention the fun we had riding through San Juan Puerto Rico complete with a Police escort. We also rode on St. Maarten and St. Thomas and there we rode with the locals seeing sights you don't get to see when you're on a regular cruise. It was an awesome experience and one that we won't ever forget. 2) I had the privilege of being on the Today Show with Matt Lauer. A group of us was asked to spend the day riding with Matt as he learned how to ride. One of the coolest parts was having Billy Davidson ride along with us. The day began getting Matt completely outfitted in riding clothes at Barb's. He was then taken to a park with a HOG instructor to teach him the basics. We then rode to the park and spent the afternoon riding along with him. And then 2 weeks later, we rode to New York City to be part of the show when they aired the segment of "50 things you want to do before you die". This segment was #39 - Riding a Harley down an open road which happed to be Matt's wish. Even the pouring rain didn't dampen our spirits. It was a fabulous experience that I was thrilled to be a part of.

Q: Who do you ride with?
A: We always ride with fellow CCHOG members. Many times it's on a club ride and other times it's a pick up ride. We've also gone on National H.O.G. rides where we've ridden with H.O.G. members from across the country.

Q: Do you have any female riding role models?
A: No one in particular but it's great to see more and more women on the road.

Q: What's the best thing about being a female rider?
A: People look at me in a different light especially because I'm usually in a suit at work. Women are always saying "you're my hero" or "you go girl". It's funny how once other women find out I ride, they feel the need to tell others, "she has her own Harley". As for the guys - the just seem to show me more respect and take me more seriously. Especially when they find out I ride a Roadking - not a little dirt bike.

Q: What kind of reaction do you get from others because you are a female rider?
A: It's definitely a great conversation starter. Sometimes you meet new people and no one knows what to talk about. Once they find out you ride, they want to know everything about it such as where do you go, who do you ride with, how did you get started riding, and so on.

Q: What advice would you give to other women who are interested in riding?
A: I say - go for it - but make sure you take a good training class and practice lots before you hit the road. New Jersey has so many back roads to learn to ride on and I think I've been on just about every road in South Jersey from the time I started riding. Rich and I would go out after dinner for short rides and those rides really helped me get comfortable with the bike and the road.

Q: How do you fit riding in with your other responsibilities?
A: I'm a very organized person so I schedule things in such a way that I can get everything in so that I can spend the weekends riding. It's tough at times, but staying organized helps.

Q: How did your family react to your decision to ride?
A: I'm the youngest of 6 girls and they were not surprised when I came home with a bike. Even my mother who is now 86 talks about how "her baby rides a Harley". I instantly became the "cool aunt" with my nieces and nephews. They enjoy when we bring the bikes home to Western Pennsylvania for a trip.

Q: What else about the Harley-Davidson experience appeals to you?
A: There is so much more than just the bikes. I've served as an officer of our chapter, on the NJ State HOG Rally Committee, attended state and national rallies, helped with Beef & Beers and coin tosses, and have met people from all over the country that will be friends for life. And let's not forget the clothes - jeans, shirts, boots, jewelry, do rags - and oh yes - the leather - you just gotta love leather!

Q: How many miles have you logged in the HOG mileage Program?
A: Humm - I traded in my Low Rider with 13,000 miles, I traded in my Roadking Custom with 24,000 miles, and I have 10,000 on my Roadking Screaming Eagle.

Q: What would be your dream bike?
A: I love my Roadking but maybe in a few years, when I get older - I might have to breakdown and get an Ultra Screaming Eagle. You gotta love the extra storage you get on an Ultra that I could easily fill shopping!