Adina Balas

My name is Adina and I am from Romania.  When I was 13 a friend took me for a ride on his very old motorcycle.  One time he stopped and said, "Let's see how YOU would do riding this."  I didn't want to since it was easier for me to sit on the back, but even though I was scared I tried it.  After that, every time we'd go out on it he wanted me to be the passenger but I wanted to do the riding!  I couldn't wait to get a motorcycle of my own.

I rode a Yamaha 80cc for two years in Romania.  Now that I'm here in the U.S. where I've decided to stay, I hated to be without a bike.  So I worked hard to save enough money to buy my new bike, a 250cc Kawasaki Ninja.  It was hard to go from the small bike to this one, but Gaby (who is another member of the Capitol Cruisers) has a motorcycle safety course instructor friend who helped me get used to the bigger bike and worked with me to help me pass the MVA test.  Even then I wasn't very experienced, but thanks to the patience of the Capitol Cruisers, I'm now riding every weekend and look forward to every lovely ride with the girls!

Jenn Chatfield

I decided to attend the Basic Rider Safety Course in April 2007 to support someone who had always dreamed of riding a motorcycle.   Before then, I’d never even ridden on the back seat of a motorcycle and was just hoping to pass the course.   From the moment I got on that training motorcycle, a Honda Rebel, I knew I was hooked.   The next weekend I got my license and my first and current bike – a 2006 Suzuki Boulevard C-50.  I am in my mid-40’s and love the exhilaration I feel in the open air on a motorcycle.  I joined the Capitol Cruisers chapter of Women On Wheels® to share the ride with other women motorcycle enthusiasts, and to get involved with a motorcycle organization that nurtures its members.

I was riding in Rock Creek Park yesterday (May 30, 2008, Jones Bridge Road specifically) and the sweet smell of honeysuckle gently assaulted me and I vowed to finally submit my bio to the WOW web site so that I could share what drives me to ride – BEING in  the world.  I find that getting on my motorcycle brings to attention all my senses in a way that riding in a car or riding a bicycle or walking does not.   The need for attention to detail for safety reasons brings with it openness to sensing all aspects of the road.  Sometimes it is the pleasant smell of honeysuckle; sometimes is it not so pleasant, especially as I live in DC.  I learned to love motorcycles in college in the early 70’s when riding on the back of my boyfriend’s bike.  The boyfriend did not last, but the love of motorcycles did.  Much to my dismay, however, it took over 30 years for all the ingredients to come together for me to own and ride my own bike – a supportive partner; a schedule that permitted me time to take an MSF Basic Rider course; and resources to purchase a used low mileage Honda Shadow Spirit.    Admittedly I did not pass the driving test the first time; I went over the line on the last curve – automatic failure.  I almost gave up.  Who among us likes to fail?  However, the course instructor encouraged me to keep at it, saying that I would be an ‘awesome’ motorcyclist someday.   Well, that day has not arrived yet.   With only 2.5 years of experience I still consider myself to be a beginner.  But I have advanced enough to be comfortable with my 750 cc bike and ready to share that experience of being in the world with others.  P.S.  Don’t be fooled by my picture.  I do ride with a helmet and protective clothing.

I was originally exposed to motorcycles as a child because my father rode.  I expected to learn to ride when I got old enough, but my father unfortunately stopped riding before then. A few years ago I got re-exposed by some female friends and I got the "bug".  I signed up for the MSF Course and passed with flying colors.  As soon as the wheels rolled underneath me for the first time, I realized it was exactly where I was meant to be. I got my license on the day of my 27th birthday, July 3, 2003.  I looked for clubs to join and ran into WOW at the International Motorcycle Show.  I have thoroughly enjoyed my membership to Women On Wheels® and the Capitol Cruisers.  I especially enjoy the monthly rides on my latest cruiser, a 2000 Honda Shadow ACE 750.

Veronika Martin

The first time I sat on a motorcycle I was 16, in Germany, visiting my childhood best friend. We spent the day on the back of BMW motorcycles touring the gorgeous hilly country side.  I loved the feeling of freedom, and when the bike dipped low around a turn, and I thought my keen would touch the ground, I was thrilled.

And then I went on with life, on some gender norm autopilot--not waking up the reality that I could make those moments happen myself until some oh--15 years later.  I began riding little Honda mopeds during my seven years living in Thailand.  It’s like obstacle course driving--over there--with cars, bikes, people, and dogs all occupying the road in what feels like a chaotic, no rules environment (then you figure out there are rules—and they are nothing like ours).  I was the only “foreigner” I knew who never had an accident.  In 1999 I decide to upgrade to a Honda NSR 125.  It was a “man’s” bike with the gas tank in the middle, not like the mopeds women wore skirts and sandals in.  I knew I wanted to get more serious about riding so I got my kick start Honda and rode that for my last year in Thailand before coming back to the US.  Thai people were great about seeing a woman on a “man’s” bike.  With their usual tolerance, I would occasionally get a thumbs up from men and women for pushing the gender envelope.  Once back in the US, I got a Honda Nighthawk 750 (talk about a real upgrade) and have been riding that ever since.  My favorite rides are in the beautiful and twisty hills of West Virginia--seeing just how close to the ground I can get that knee again.

Gaby Rudderow

I rode a Honda CB175 during college and my working years before I sold it to get married and become a full-time mom to a family of eventually four children. Many years later I went back to work as an administrative assistant to an architect. When warm weather arrived and I realized he was a motorcycle-riding architect, I was bitten by the riding bug again so badly that I went out and spent my newfound paycheck on a replacement bike, a Honda Shadow Spirit 750! I didn't realize how much I'd missed feeling the wind on me and experiencing the openness of being on a motorcycle until I got back out there. I was fortunate to have a local chapter of Women On Wheels® to join which has enhanced my riding experience and enabled me to form many new friendships. I love to ride so much that I do so year-round with heated clothing. I even did a solo trip from my home in Maryland to a family reunion in Quebec Province, Canada! The story of my adventure can be found in the May/June 2004 issue of Women On Wheels® Magazine, but you're gonna have to join to read it! Wherever you live, there's probably a chapter near you. Come ride with us! We "women on wheels" know how to have fun!

Elsie Smith

In the early '70s, I learned to ride on a 185 Suzuki dual-sport and quickly moved up to a Kawasaki 350 dual-sport. During gas shortages, when it cost $5 to fill the WV Beetle, I traded it for a Yamaha 750 triple! In '78, I bought one of the first Yamaha XS Eleven's at the time, which was the fastest production street bike. In late '70s, I raced 4WD Broncos in the mid-Atlantic. Most notable was in Danville, VA at what is now Virginia International Raceway (VIR). The '80s were spent commuting 130-miles a day on the XS Eleven and discovering great roads in the mid-Atlantic. In March 1990, I purchased a '71 R75/5 after BMWs were recommended by my brother. Then, I was bitten by long-distance riding. I Finished 28th in the '97 Iron Butt Rally riding an '85 BMW K100RT. Since then, there have been several 48-, 24- and 10-hour rallies with varying success. Aboard my current ride, an '03 R1150RT, I took Larry Grodsky's Stayin' Safe course, a two-day track day with Reg Pridmore at VIR, and spent a week riding solo in Ontario & Quebec. In 2001, I traveled from Nice, France to Munich with Edelweiss Bike Travel. Since 1990, I have been an active member of BMW Bikers of Metropolitan Washington, serving on the Board or as a committee chair. I have been a member of the Capital Cruisers for two years.

Cheryl Spohr

Hello! I’m in my mid 40s and I ride a red 1995 Yamaha Virago 250. Even though I got my motorcycle license in 2005 I didn’t start to ride until 2009.
I rode on the back of a friend’s Road King Harley and watched several girls learn how to ride from the guys, get their motorcycle licenses and then get their own bikes. I decided I wanted to get my motorcycle license but waited to find someone else who wanted to get their motorcycle license and take the class together. I wanted to learn from a professional. Finally the opportunity came and I took the Basic Rider Course (BRC) at the Prince George’s Community College July 1-4, 2005 with, Darlene, a coworker from the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce. I was so nervous about the class that I went ahead and got my learners permit before taking the class (which was unnecessary). Ha. I passed all of the tests with flying colors my first time and had a great time in the class. Almost a year later my son, Mike, gave me my motorcycle as a Mother’s Day present May 2006. Isn’t he wonderful?
By the time I got my license and motorcycle I was no longer hanging out with my motorcycle friends, switched jobs and got busy with a new boyfriend, Carlos, who doesn’t ride etc and didn’t ride for a few years. After I bought a house in June 2007 and I was able to store my motorcycle in my own garage I decided I wanted to start riding. I found out a coworker from where I work now, John’s Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Kathy Cudmore, not only rides but she is a motorcycle safety instructor. Through her Maryland Central Riders Yahoo group I met Capitol Cruisers; Gaby Rudderow and Lisa Hecker. They were both so nice and willing to ride with me even though I was just a newbie. After getting together with Gaby and hearing her talk about Women on Wheels I decided it was the right group for me. So I joined Women on Wheels and Capitol Cruisers July 2008.
Since joining Capitol Cruisers I’ve done a lot of firsts. Like my first time going on a group ride, my first time riding over the Bay Bridge, my first time riding my own bike to a bike fest, my first time leading others on a ride and my first overnight motorcycle ride (Mid Atlantic Women’s Motorcycle Rally in Gettysburg, PA June 2009). Fun times! It’s great being around other people who just enjoy riding. Everyone I’ve met through Capitol Cruisers has been wonderful and there always seems to be someone who wants to go for a ride.

Elaine Vance

I've been riding for about 15 years or more than that if you count the time spent on the back of my husband's bike. I guess he got tired of me behind him and encouraged me to learn to ride my own wheels. I've been a member of Women On Wheels® since 1992. I am currently the Treasurer of Capitol Cruisers. I am also a former Director. I love to ride my Suzuki Savage just for fun, so I don't commute on my bike since riding in the city with potholes isn't fun. The long highway or winding country roads is the life for me. My husband and son also like to ride so we sometimes take family trips, but most of my riding is with my Capitol Cruiser sisters. We do more than ride too; community outreach and fund raising keep us busy year round.

Mary Ann Van Petten

Sandy Whalen

I spent the late 80’s and early 90’s on the back of a Harley, always dreaming that someday I would be driving my own motorcycle.  In April 2007, after acing the Basic Rider Safety Course, my dream came true.  I purchased a used 2006 Yamaha V-Star Classic 650 and we have been inseparable ever since!  Joining the Capitol Cruisers Chapter of Women On Wheels® will increase my opportunities to ride with like minded women and enhance my skills for the road.  Live to Ride… Ride to live!

Sharon Cheek
Natalie Clothier
Linda Crill
Jennifer Edwards
Carla Forehand
Ann Gooch
Hellen Gorde
Mary Jane Goshaney
Kristi Hamrick
Aleta Haynes
Lisa Hecker
Pamela Leith
Paula Leonardo
Donna LeRoux
Patricia McDonald
Vera Messina
Lynn Oldenburg
Kat Tatum
Doris "Dori" Turner
Lynne Weise
Janie Whitney

Support Members:

David Cheek
Isis Montalvo
Bob Vance
Kerry Ann Wargo

Child Member:

Molly Hecker

In Memory of
Jennifer Lyn Weyers
1972 - 2006

DAVIDSONVILLE, MD
Sunday 8/20/06

Jennie Weyers, 34, was traveling on the ramp of Route 424 toward westbound Route 50 shortly after 5 p.m. when she lost control of her motorcycle. She skidded off onto the shoulder and suffered severe head injuries as a result. She was flown to Washington Hospital Center's MedStar Unit where she later died.

Jennie was a professional nanny in Washington, D.C. and an active member of Women On Wheels® in Maryland as well as Missouri, where she previously resided.