Motormaids

 I wrote to the Motormaids!!!
Hi there,
I am Flo from Canada. I am not sure if you have heard about our ride but apparently we are crossing paths in July with some MM's.
I am hoping this can happen. For  more information, here is the link
http://gowitheflo.org/

One more thing, is MotorMaids strictly American or can I join as a Canadian, I ride all the time with Americans. Thanks
Flo

Hi Flo,
Great to hear from a Canadian rider with a great cause! My hats off to you and your conga chicks! I just got off your website and it's brilliant! Guess what! you're heading right for us in July. We are having our annual conference in Cody, Wyoming from July 6-8th, 2010.

I'm copying Cindy Black who is the District Director for Western Canada. They have their own website and it includes Colorado, Montana and Wyoming. Check these ladies out at http://motormaids.home.bresnan.net/

Flo, the Motor Maids is the first women’s motorcycling organization in North America. With over 1,000 members across Canada and the United States, the Motor Maids are a diverse group of women motorcyclists united through a passion for riding while fostering a positive image and promoting safe riding skills. 

Joining the Motor Maids is a great opportunity to ride, travel and get to know great people all across North America. The Motor Maids hold a Convention each July in a different part of the country.

We have 3 districts in Canada - Western Canada (Cindy Black), Eastern Canada (Dora Cook - that's me!) and Altantic Canada (Anne Weeden).

For additional information on us, please visit our website at www.motormaids.ca.
 
Take care, ride safe and we'll see you on the road!
 

Dora C. Cook, District Director
Eastern Canada Motor Maids
4373 Goldeneye Way,
Gloucester, Ontario
K1V 2J4
(w) 613-523-2064
(h) 613-425-0629



 

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From: flamotormaids@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 31 Mar 2010 12:56:56 -0400
Subject: Re: Women Who Ride Conga III
To: vanisladyriders@live.ca
CC: MGBTR22@gmail.com; cyclethatcher@bex.net; mmmembership@gmail.com; Anne.Weeden@dal.ca; dora.cook@hotmail.com; dora.cook@sympatico.ca

Hi Flo!

Yes, I follow your Congo at the Delphi forums!!  And yes, if paths are crossing Motor Maids RIDE!!  And YES we are INTERNATIONAL and we have a very large Canadian membership!!

Not sure which District of Canada you'd be in - depends on where you live.  I've added our membership secretary to this email, and our Eastern Canada District Director Dora Cook from Ottawa, ON and Anne Weeden of Fall River, NS District Director for our Atlantic Canada District.  They'll be able to guide you for certain!

You can also check out our main website at www.motormaids.org for more information.

I've also attached a membership application for you if you'd like to print it out.  One is also available for download at the website.

We'd love to have you aboard!

Do send me an itinerary for you 2010 Conga and we'll see what we can do!  In July most of us will be in Cody, Wyoming for our annual Convention!!  If you're not in Wyoming at that time, no matter where you are there will be Motor Maids to meet you!

Looking forward to meeting you and the girls at some spot on the road!

Ride Safe!

Tammy Jenkins

Co-District Director 

Florida Motor Maids

www.floridamotormaids.org

www.motormaids.org

IBA# 37261

SS1000

BBG1500

It is our responsibilities, not ourselves, that we should take seriously.
 - Peter Ustinov

$5,000.00 Bucks for Conga III Breast Cancer Fund

Well we did it!! Hit the 5G. I'm so proud of us. That  only leaves us $9G to go to hit our goal. There is 3 months to go before the actual ride begins. I'm thinking we are going to make it.

We are still looking for items to donate to the cause so if you are reading this please keep us in mind. If you are a business we will put you on our web page for the whole world to see. We get quite the following once things get on the road.

This weekend  is Easter long weekend, and I am taking it off and Fancypants and I are going on a mission to hit local business's.

Don't forget the men can get breast Cancer too.

This is team work. We are two countries working together.Thanks again everyone!!

New Web Page ready to go!

Our new web-page is ready to role. Carrie is still doing work on it, but looking great and professional and you can find it all there. Blog and everything, so be sure to put the new site and DELETE EVERYTHING ELSE...LOL

http://gowitheflo.org/

THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE

Dixie Olin donates!!

Flo,

I will be sending out a couple of prints and a pack of greeting cards for your fundraiser. My computer is giving me fits, if you go to my profile under paintings there is a painting of leather jackets called Hanging with Friends, it seem to raise the most money, I think one of the reason's is, it doesn't matter what you ride, it's just about friends. 

There is another one, K J, it has a woman rider, if you can pull them from the FB site, use them, I will try to send you better a better image this week. I will send cards too. Thanks for your patience. I love to do commissions, I work from photos, if you have one send it to me, dxolin@hotmail.com from there we start a conversation about what you want. Don't just look at what is around the bike, look at what is in the bike, (reflections in chrome, paint, mirrors) you can tell a lot of stories just looking in the chrome, and just so you know, I look very tall and skinny in chrome!:) One of the reason's I started this:)lol Look forward to hearing from you, Dixie

And me without my Camera!!

Wow.. I am sitting here on an extremely slow day, trying to get caught up on the Conga III auctions and stuff. I am down loading pics into snap fish and hoping I don't forget anyone. I am so afraid of forgetting  someone that has done something nice, or donated items. Keeping on top of things has become quite the job really. It's all for a reason I am sure. 

So the mailman arrives with this big cedar box, or pine maybe from 

Angellos Glaros Studios. Gorgeous Mirror made by Angellos. And me without my Camera. So you all will have to just wait in suspense to have a boo at what the up coming auction will be. Wow Angellos, thanks so much, we will be sure to put you on our web page. This item my friends will have a reserve bid for sure.

Vicci Melton/Osifer

I'm a retired probation officer who was seeking a fun way to live the second half of my life.  Bought a 2005 Heritage with 4 miles on it, began meeting riders through various riding clubs, and then decided that my life and my bike needed direction.  My first "direction was Sturgis.....a little bit too directional for me....then last year I decided to make a real commitment and rode from Yuma, AZ, to Washington, DC for the Run for the Wall on behalf of the Vets, POW's and MIA's.  A ride dedicated for healing the soul.  It was inspirational. 

 

I enjoy meeting new folks and began meeting women riders through Facebook, Flo Fuhr being one of the first.  She was talking about a cancer ride involving women riders and I figured, ya know, this ride can say something special about healing, but most of all, about CURING.  So, outta Washington, DC, I plan on meeting up with a bunch of "sistas", like Flo puts it, and celebrate THE CURE. 

Conga Bio

Woman Who Ride Conga III-Ride for Breast Cancer
June 8,9,10/10 I am who they Call the Conga Queen/founder(Flo)
A Conga line is merely a group of Bikers that ride with each other, going with the Flo from state to state or province to province. You can join the Conga and ride for a mile or two, or a state or two...or more!!
Likely the line will fall apart here and there, but has been known to have many join in again at different places, especially at the end.That irresistible sound of the rumble of Conga line is hard not to join in on the fun!!

The Conga came about when I bought my first Harley Davidson(only), from Ride Like a Pro in Hudson, Florida. Hudson is kitty corner across the continent from Vancouver Island where I live. Almost 6,000 miles if you go the scenic route. The original plan when I bought my Harley was to have it shipped. I was off in Mexico for the winter. As time got near I started thinking how cool it would be if I flew to Florida and met the Palladinos and all the girls on the Women Who Ride Forum that I had connected with since I became a new rider. All I had to do is mention that to my internet women friends and the enabling began.

The camaraderie of bikers is truly amazing. These women from the forums both in Florida and Vancouver Island encouraged and enabled me. They quickly jumped in to offer there homes, fed me, rode with me, passed me along, like a baton, to get me home safely. I was literally treated like the Queen!!
The Palladinos took me into their home and put me through the RLAP course. Although I still had a long way to go, they felt I could handle the bike, hell I could even pic it up, thank goodness. Out of that 5 day stint there, Donna and I were like long lost sisters and we be the best of friends for life.
Hence the name of the ride became the Conga dancing me across the Continent doing the Conga only on Motorcycles.
Each time I was passed on to the next group of riders, it was so hard to say good by. It was like we had know each other forever. I would wonder if the next group be as nice as the last. Many asked me if I was scared. I can never once say I was scared from the people. I was worried maybe that I wouldn't live up to their expectations.
Okay there was a few SCAREY times on the highway, like going through Death Valley in major wind and sand storms, dropping my bike do to weather and not being used to it,and of course tired, but an exhilarating tiredness. At times I didn't want to get on my new bike, and missed my old.

At the last minute, I decided to do it for a cause. Friends were paying me so much a state that I hit. Needless to say, I snagged the corners of a few extra with my new found friends. I raised $1,700 for Cancer in memory of my motorcycle instructor, Rod Wiseman.
It truly was an amazing trip and if I had died some where along the road, it would have all been worth it. Memories from the first Conga still dance through my head daily. I never rode one single mile alone. What a Conga Line!!
It has made me want to pay it forward in the biker community since the moment I arrived home. My life changed tremendously. I put my faith in humanity, I was alone Canadian Rider, but never alone for moment. I love to help out a fellow biker in anyway that I can, from offering a bed, to meeting a new rider on the island of sharing what the Ride Like a Pro has taught me.
And so began the Congas...
Conga II started out to be a Reunion. I was going to fly there, visit and ride with the people that had treated me so kind....Get all those women together again talking about it and before long it's a full blown Conga Line, from Sea to Shining Sea!! Raising $12,000.00 for Breast Cancer. I met some of the most amazing people along the way that will be life long friends. Apparently again, I inspired some folk along the way.. One of our spirit riders who if fighting a different type of Cancer will be riding in the Conga III this year and she only got to riding after meeting the Conga line near the end of the trip in Wenatchee, WA Another life long friend. Most of them are.

Conga III was being discussed a few short months after the Conga II ended in July /09. Many gals from the forums had been Spirit Riders for the last two. The Congas got themselves quit a name and we had Spirit Riders all over the world. I would blog it at the end of every day and post lots of videos and clips of the adventures good or bad. I would come home to gifts and letters of how I had inspired so many even husbands. People were saying .... Where's Flo this morning. We hit the news in 4 states and raised $12,000.00

We are well underway, with rooms booked for a MIM (meet in the middle) in Cheyenne, Wyoming July 89,9 10/10!!
We have already raised $4,000.00 between the Canadians and American sisters we have gotten to know over the internet.
It is all kind of scaring to me now!! It is growing in leaps and bounds and I am by no means an organizer of anything. It totally amazes me how many are coming and I freak that when we arrive there won't be enough to do.. I am so ready to let some one take it over. It has now become another dream, is to have it continue annually not just for me but so many.
I tried to convince the Women that someone else do it this year as my pocket book says I am crazy. They decided if if Flo wasn't going to be there, there would be no Conga... I am a committed Conga Chick asking for help. Not that I am not getting help, there is help all over the place. People are donating web sites, donations, advice, doing letters, but heck it almost seems...I need staff!! lol
So in Cheyenne
It starts out as just a place to meet, and greet. Getting these Women Who Ride to actually meet in person that we have been talking to for years. Of course for a good cause which is for Breast Cancer as a lot of the gals are survivors or are fighting it. The problem that has happened as it grows.. is I don't know what the hell I am doing and need help.. but I just keep on keeping on, and going with the flow.

So if you think you would like to go with Flo and do the Conga III.

Start your own little Conga Line from where ever you live and grab your friends and start organizing now... Spread the word!! It sneaks up on you fast.
We will be arriving in Cheyen, Wyoming July 8, 9, 10. Ride as far as you can or become a Spirit Rider. Help us in any way, by organizing, fund raising, donating items...
WHAT EVER... WE NEED YOU!!
These are memories that will last a life time. Not only does it make me proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone and doing that first Conga... Against ALL ODDS I might add! If you knew me like my family and closest friend anyway. It was HUGE for me. I met the most amazing ladies and their partners, saw some of the most incredible roads. I still pinche myself from time to time when I say out loud...I RODE ACROSS AMERICA TWICE! Mostly with internet friends. I want others to experience that, and they are going to. To say that I had something to do with that makes me proud once again, that I did make a difference.

MAVERICK MOTORSPORTS

Holiday Inn
Cheyenne, Wyoming

To make reservations:
Call: 307-638-4466 307-638-4466
Secret Code: "Conga3"

http://gowitheflo.com
Conga3Blog http://conga3.blogspot.com/
Conga2Blog http://flo-conga2reunion.blogspot.com/
Conga1Blog http://goinwitheflo.blogspot.com/

Cuts for a Cause

Now that is something I have done alot here in my Home town of Campbell River.  Just donate $330 to Hair for Haiti  last month. 

A new friend here on FB just just suggested I pack my scissors on the road and do cuts for a cause on the road.. I like it, better go buy me a pink comb..

So ha... any of you reading this and want to donate to the cause that will be riding...Save your hair for me and for the cause.

$4000.00

We have officially hit the $4000.00 mark in our fundraising. Thanks for everyone who has donated all the wonderful items to auction off on FB. Of course all the people who have generous bid. It is amazing, we have gotten this far already and the ride starts in 3 months.

 I have been hitting the local business for a bit after work to see what we can get for the Show and Shines  The first one, I hit was Milwaukee Twin here in CR and they donated a nice bike cover! yes off to a good start. 
I have been to Courtenay Motorsports and I do know Kevin will come up with something, he promised, I will return. Also Boatland in CR will be donating. 
I actually was shopping in Shoppers Drugmart, and thought to myself, if you don't ask for sure you wont get. I asked and the will be doing me up a nice gift basket. I was in Staples and left my letter and he gave me an idea that it would be simple to get office stuff, like print offs and cards rather than items, so I will return in a couple days to see what they have come up with.

I am running out of things to auction off but am orderin a bunch more pink pleather gloves and blinging them up because they turned  out to be a good  seller. The part I don't like is going to the post office everyday but it is all for a good cause. Heck , I need something to do as there sure isn't much going on in the old Barbershop. This is my Conga Office.. lol
The Conga keeps me sane both on and off the road.

One of many types of letters I recieve

I just want you to know the money doesn't go to us...let me tell you my story...
I went to the plastic surgeon today to see about finally having my mastectomy site cleaned up, I had stage 3 breast cancer with a 7 cm ball of cancer in my chest, so a Radical mastectomy they don't even do anymore was done..i don't want a Frankenboob as they would have to cut out a huge piece of my back and all my lat muscle and my ink on my back will be hacked to shit..
So he tells me this is not paid by OHIP and it is cosmetic, I freaked, so your saying not only do they rip off your breast and leave this horrible unsightly scar but you have to now live with it for the rest of your life!
"SUCKS TO BE YOU!!"
When I was recovering I had no insurance I did 1 year of chemo and had to go on welfare because there was no support from the cancer people at all..NONE!
So what you are doing is admirable to say the least but I want you to know it never goes to us...I'm having a bad day!

Jenn's Work

 That girl Draggie is crackin her whip again, and moving right along with the fund raisers, here'as what's going on!!

Well things are coming together bit by bit. We are still looking for vendors that would like to be there. Table cost is by donation.

We are also looking for donations for prizes or sponsorships for the awards

The award sponsorships are $50 per category and cover first and second place plaques and a third place ribbon. All awards will have the sponsors name on them. We need approximately 8 more sponsors, so if you know of a business that would be interrested please let them know, and we can get things together to collect the moneys and get them a receipt.As of now, three categories are definately spoken for thanks to the generousity of James at the STADIUM SPORTS BAR AND GRILL in Nanaimo by Woodgrove Centre. He is also offering up more donations and prizes for the show.

For his benefit and the generosity of his donation we are also going to be planning a poker run starting and ending at the Stadium in the late spring. All proceeds will be going to the Conga III ride for Breast Cancer. 

Hope we can get a good turn out for Breast Cancer as well as for the Stadium Sports Bar and Grill. He has got a great menu of traditional pub favorites as well as some more unique items. Ever tried deep fried pickles? Well they are actually pretty damn good! Prizes are reasonable and service is great. So if you are in the area, be sure to stop in and let him know you heard about them from the Conga.

Derby Cover Donation Blacksheep Kustoms

Wow!! Check this site out BLACKSHEEP KUSTOMS JC Smith the artist is donating a custom design Derby Cover. You can pick your design, winner works with artist in putting it together. Going to be hard not to bid  on this one. Shees!! Here is just a couple of examples that he  does. It is just amazing how people have been so kind in donating items, and the gals involved finding items to auction. This item will be up for bids on Facebook for one  week, be sure to check it out!!

Holiday Inn Cheyenne Wyoming

So this is the plan right now. There will be a big event at Maverick Motorsports. That’s what they are gearing to do. I have let those events be rather flexible, but they are bringing in food and a band for our use.

He is not charging us to use his facilities with the opportunity of selling a thing or two during the event. The big event is the afternoon of the 8^th. It will be really informal, like a meet and greet. The Ride Like a Pro team will be putting on a show. Hopefully Harris will be there too. The 9th, Harris will have a ride planned for us. We can decide where to eat along the way or whatever.

We have no idea how many people will be showing up, I guess it is time to call Cheyenne at the hotel, and see how many have booked. If you are reading this and want to meet in Cheyenne Wyoming 8,9,,10 Please book early and the secret code is Conga3 to get the deal.

HOLIDAY INN

My friend Harris in Denver

Harris is a man I met through Youtube of all places. I have never actually met him, but he caught hold of one of my video clips of me practicing RLAP. He commented on them and told me I obviously had good teachers. So of course I told my story. I watch all his clips and continue to learn from them. He even sent me a little booklet on riding.

After the Conga go underway and I knew we were going to be not far  from Denver, I asked him if he would be interested to meet and ride, and set up an obstacle course.. Right, forgot to mention, he trains Motor Officers. Wow, how lucky are we?  So he has agreed to show us around and to set up a parking lot workshop. Here is his response to me.

I'm definitely planning on seeing you when you're in Cheyenne and, given some warning of exact dates, should be able to take some time off work. 

The last thing I want to do is take over any plans you may have.  However, if you'd like like there are many great rides that could use Cheyenne as a base.  Some examples:

1) Leave Cheyenne to the south on I-25, to Loveland, CO; then head west  up Big Thompson Canyon to Estes Park.  There enter Rocky Mountain National Park, and go over Trail Ridge Rd. (the highest paved through route in North America).  At the western end of Trail Ridge, turn north on CO 125 to CO 14, then turn back east to Ft. Collins, and then back north to Cheyenne.  This would be a good all day trip.

2) Start out as above until Estes Park, but then turn south on Peak-to-Peak Highway, then down Coal Creek Canyon, then back to Cheyenne.  This would be an easier all day, or even a good 6 hour run.  There also would be time to add Mount Evans (ride the paved road to the top, over 14,000 feet).

3) Head up to the Black Hills of South Dakota.  This would be 1/2 day each way from Cheyenne.  So it would only make sense to plan on staying the night there if this trip is selected.  The Black Hills contain: Mount Rushmore, Iron Mountain Rd, Needles Highway, Crazy Horse Memorial, Sturgis, Spearfish Canyon, and Devil's Tower. 

Of course my plan at the moment is no plan.  I want to meet you, Donna and Jerry.  Beyond that consider that I am at your disposal.  
Harris

Sidesaddle Slow Cone and Off-set Cone Weave (Motor School)

Fund Raising.

Things are moving right along as far as the fund raising goes. We still have or should I say only have 4 months before the big ride. I am receiving donations and items to  donate from all over the place. We have now raised on line $3,333.00, sounds like a lucky number to me. It is over whelming, exciting. I just can't post all the items, it is way to much work, but its all on facebook. If I started now, naming all the names of people who donated  items, I would be sure to miss someone, so just thanks to everyone.

More items donated.

Wow, it has been quite a week with the Conga fund raising. People are donating stuff left right and center.

 We had a matching pink leather jacket and chaps and a joe Rocket coat donated from a Conga Sister down in  GA. Cindy Vormittag. 

Paula Little Bolten sent me a huge box of things from MT all biker related, which the bidding started immediately.

Natalie Koski donating this love book, that she just  bought for the cause, relating to Breast cancer and how people deal with it.

Carrie Kuehn, designing a professional web page for the Conga.

It is all just so amazing. 

Gosh I just know I have left some out, I have not been blogging everyday, which I need to start getting in the habit.

Classy Glass on Facebook

Big Shout Out to Classy Glasss.She is a  new company and all her things are handmade and crafted by herself. She take a lot of pride in her work. Check it out!! If you see anything that you like, just drop her a message. Thank you Deborah at Classy Glass for your kindness.

Special note from Cindy

I just have to share this, I wish I would have kept everything, I am having a hard time, keeping up with everything these days. Little stories like this I never want to forget. The Conga is growing in leaps and bounds and affecting people in places i never dreamed it could. 

Flo,

 The Conga takes on it’s own life. One thing really does lead to another. I sitting here watching the last half of closing ceremonies because of the time change. I had to work tonight so I thought I’d missed them.

For the past year or so I’ve worked a part-time job as a server at a dinner theater here in Dallas to assist me through the lean times. Tonight was a light night so it was just me and another server. He and I was discussing what would be a fair way to divvy up the customers and in walks two gray-headed couples. He looked at me and said, “You wanna go first?” I took off with a ticket book in my apron. These were really nice folks. Now since I’d been riding today, I was wearing my Conga II-Reunion t-shirt. They were very interested in my motorcycle riding. That lead to talk about the Conga III Ride for Breast Cancer. One of the ladies looked up at me and said, “I’m a breast cancer survivor and I’m very interested in making a donation. How would I do that?” I sat down with her and talked for a few minutes. I showed her my Conga III Ride for Breasts fob which was hanging from the belt-loop on my jeans and said, “There are people all over this country and Canada who love and care about you and your health.” She smiled. She smiled a smile which was unlike any other I’ve seen. It was a smile of warmth, grace, and survivorship. I shared our “saying” with her and she LOVED it!  I invited her to my Launch on July 4^th at Stroker’s.

I simply can’t believe how God has used your simple quest to get home with a new bike into such a hope-filled ride of healing and love.

Thanks, Flo-bee.

-Cindy

Raised $441 today!

Today was an amazing day on Face book with fund raising. I decided to try something different seeings it was Sunday and the last day of the Olympics. I listed a bunch of items that people so generously have donated and we raise $441.00 I just ran the auction for a couple hours before the big hockey game started.

Another Island girl!!

  This is pretty darn cool. I have been seeing this gal all over and what an inspiration she is, so I contacted her being she lives right here on the Island. She is amazing and just wanted to share her story as she said it was ok. She is hoping to do the Conga with us too.

Maritimebrew Canadasotherend February 27 at 6:38pm

First let me say..what you do is amazing...thank you for all your do for breast cancer...
When I returned from Afghainstan (military tour) in 2002,I was told I had breast cancer..but it was caught so very early,So I didnt loose my girl..lol My sister also had breast cancer..both of us had it in our left breast....she lost 1/2 her left breast..we are both clear now...she is still in her 1st year of being clear...and you know the rule...5 years...she is a biker as well and lives in Athabasca Alb...

We are nothing special...we just do our thing..I was in the military for 20 years..hard..had to leave my kids behind alot...I was up for retirement when I found out about the cancer...so I desided to take teh 20 years out...get the pension...still cant believe im retired..lol

The military paid for me to take an airbrushing course in the states..as my new life began...hard to let go of my G.I.Jane side.lol
I love painting bikes...My best freind..Jewlz..the one that owns the R1 sport bike..Iv done her bike 3 times for her..she crashed it right infront of me last summer...christ..i thought she was dead when i seen her hit the pavement...
I have a few gals that are family to me,that all ride...Iv only just discovered teh sisterhood a few years ago...and omg...what a feeling of having girls around me..lol When for 20 yrs it was all men...

I live in victoria...but from PEI..but liked it here and desided to stay for now..
my airbrushing site is

www.fergyscustompaint.piczo.com

The shop I paint at is also a new shop...and he is also a cancer servivor and just retired from the military..he had prostate cancer..

www.truenorthmotorcycles.piczo.com

and yes...I really want to be apart of the ride...if I am around...and my friend Kat and I want to ride to edmonton this summer...me with a backpack on my back on a ridgid...yip..should be fun..lol

happy to have a new sister in my life..you rock

Debbi: aka by everyone as (fergy)

Fergyscustompaint

Behind the Scenes

I am just over whelmed the way things are going behind the scenes with the Conga III. I know I am missing out on posting stuff. I hate the thoughts of leaving any one out. Sometimes, I just shake my head in amazement, and say I will post tomorrow. I will remember.. I can't put off today, until, tomorrow, because I am old, and wont remember. 

If I have hurt anyone in any way, or forgotten to post to let the world know how wonderful you all are, please know it was not intentional. Lazy or laxidasy maybe.I need help, not that I don't have help, it is coming in from every direction, but it is turning into a job, which I dont mind working, but ..I cut hair...I don't run website and such, promote, or know how to get the word out.. This Conga is growing, and I am not sure how to handle it,..There has got to be some Pro, out there, that knows what the hell they are doing. That being said, I even have a FB friend, that is going to help with that.     

I have had to ask a friend to help me keep on top of the auctions even. Now people, God love them, I do, are going to send me stuff to auction off, for the cause.

Another wonderful friend, is ready to GET THE WORD OUT!!! Give me a story, pics, lets do it!!

Sheeees, now I have another project tomorrow. Good Gal Dang Thang, I have no clients, because there is work to be done, money to be raised..

WOMEN WHO RIDE ROCK!!
thank you all ..all of you I can not mention one, because I might forget the other.. I LOVE YOU!

Chrome Angels!!! Down Texas way!!

July 4 - 10, 2010 - WWR CONGA III in support of Breast Cancer(The National Breast Cancer Foundation)-The Southern leg of the ride will be led by Cindy aka Texas Red. The ride will depart from Strokers on July 4th. Destination for all riders from all over the country and Canada is Cheyenne, WY 

Chrome Angels!!! Down Texas way!!

Attendees Guests: Cindy Alexander and Gail Lane - Welcome!     Members: Bridget aka Bucko, Darlene aka Lady Diva, Sara aka Princess, Kim aka Chipmunk, Evelyn aka Fetch, Deb aka Blinkie, Jaymie, Kathy, Kim Mc and Michelle Angel Chair News:      All is well in Angel land. Discussions:Today the guest speaker was Cindy aka Texas Red. Texas Red shared how the WWR CONGA ride event evolved from a group of women, from Canada to Florida, that came together to support a single women (Flo) in her adventure to purchase a motorcycle in Florida and get it back to her home in Canada. She didn’t want to ride the motorcycle back alone so the word went out on the WWR site. Several women joined her and escorted Flo from different points along the way. Thus the WWR CONGA ride was born and the rest is history. The 50/50 proceeds of $65.00 were donated to WWR CONGA lll ride

Chrome Angels!!! Down Texas way!!

One of the gals, Cindy Alexander/Texasred down in Texas of course, is the organizer of the Conga in her area.  She got together with the Chrome Angels to discuss the Conga and this is what she had to say!!!!

 

The Chrome Angels are the bomb!!!

They surprised me with a 50/50 drawing and in typical gracious Chrome Angel style, they handed me the whole pot. Their donation to the cause is $64 from the drawing, $6 out of a couple of pockets, and I sold keychains. WOW. I'm blown away by these ladies. THEY ARE AWESOME!

 They are also launching with me on July 4th and maybe ride to OKC. WooHoo!!!  I love these Angels!

 Cindy

TexasRedC
Conga III Ride for Breast Cancer

Brenda Fox!!

Omg!! We got on Brenda Fox's Facebook  page, Please check it out!!! This is big time for the Conga, and big time for RLAP  Please if you are reading this could you go to Womenmotorcylist.com on FACEBOOK and make your comment about the Conga and RLAP. This could bring good things to the Conga and RLAP. Media, who know, maybe even some day Brenda would join the Conga and bring a line from California.. I know I am dreaming but that is what I do, and sometimes, dreams come true! Seriously, I am asking for your help. If we get media coverage, that means good things, more riders, more sponsors, more money to donate, to help kick Cancer to the Curb.

 Who is Brenda Fox you say?? She is one hell of a woman!! Read below.. She not only is a hot biker chick, she too is fighting this horrific disease!

The founder of women motorcyclist is Brenda Fox, a spokesperson for women in motorcycling, professional motorcycle test rider, motorcycle journalist, stunt actor ... and high-profile motorcycle enthusiast whose inner circle includes AMA Hall of famers Malcolm Smith, Skip Van Leeuwen, Danny LaPorte, reads as the "who's who" of the best motorcyclist in the world. Few women have had the opportunity to ride with motorcycle icons such as Jesse James and Arlen Ness, but Brenda's pavement history includes legends such as these and other highly respected motorcycle greats. She has trained with Motorcycle Hall of Fame legend Fast Freddie Spencer, raced in several SCORE Off Road races along the likes of the Baja 1000, fitness trained with six time AMA National Motocross Championships "Golden Boy" Broc Glover.  

 Come Conga with us...That irresistible rumble of the Conga is hard to ignore!! Go with the Flo
Join the Conga!! Ride pretty in pink have fun, and help with the cause, Kick it to the Kurb!

Sassybiker Helmet up for auctions

This helmet is up on facebook for auction with all proceeds going to Breast Cancer. Donated by Sassbiker.com. She gives us a helmet to donate every year in memory of her friend, who she lost last year,before she finished the helmet she was making for her. She also donates $25 from ever BC Helmet she makes to the cause. the bidding is up to $60 right now, and hopefully it at least goes for what it is worth, although I do know that not many folk have much money these days. So good luck to us! Thanks very much Char from Sassybiker.com!

Bikes donated and up for auction

These adorable Breast Cancer bikes are up for bids on Facebook.  One of my friends Katherine Goode Denman , whom I have never met I might add only spoken to over the years has donated these darlings to our Conga Breast Cancer Fund. Shees, I would like to buy everyone one for Conga 1, 2 and 3...lol It is hard to contain myself. The bidding ends tomorrow at 6pm. Good luck to all, and thanks so much Katherine.

Therapy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 I recieved this this morning from a friend I have gotten to know on Facebook. 

Miss Flo,

  After becoming acquainted with you and some of the girls. It has just fascinated me at some of the things ya'll do.

Gussie's first round of cancer hit her around 1999-2000 and it was very scary. The first part of this attatchment. I  wrote back then.

I updated it here recently and wanted to share it with you. I thought about putting it on line but not sure how. If you would,

Please read this story and let me know what you think and if some how it might help encourage others to see life is what 

you make it.

                 Thank You,

                     So Very Much.

                             Charles Abbott

                               Cropwell, Alabama. 

Good Therapy/Great Therapy.                           February 15, 2010
  My wife and I moved to Fort Smith in the 1998 because of my job. While we were out there we discovered she had breast cancer. It was devastating. All our family lived in Alabama. Shortly after all her treatments we moved back to Alabama. I wrote an article that was published in the Wing World Magazine (GWRRA) about her and would like do an update on it.
This is the article below that was published in February 2002.

Good Therapy
I was reading some of the letters in the “P.O. Box” section [of the December issue]. When I read the one about “Mr B’s Big Day” I just wanted to share something with you.
My wife Gussie and I have been married for 26 years, and when we were younger we used to ride, but the last eight or nine years we stopped. About four years ago my job moved us from Alabama to Arkansas. Shortly after we moved, my wife found out that she had breast cancer. She had to go through several months of chemotherapy and radiation.
  One summer, we came home for vacation and a friend of ours with two motorcycles insisted that Gussie and I take one for the day and go for a ride. It sure did bring back old memories! After we finished our vacation and started back to Arkansas, as we were riding along not saying much, my wife blurted out, “We need to get another motorcycle.” I never dreamed we would ever get another motorcycle. I asked her, “What brought that on?” She replied, “After going through my breast cancer, it has made me realize that you don’t know when your time may be up, and that life is too short not to do something that you enjoy.” She felt it might be good therapy for her and would help keep her mind occupied.
  She wanted to get a new motorcycle, and we had always said that if we got another bike it would be a Gold Wing. We had never owned a Gold Wing before, but bought a new one in August 2000 and started riding again.
  This last Christmas we came home to Alabama for the holidays and I was offered a great job opportunity. So we moved back to Alabama. Both of our families live here, and I felt it would be better for her if she was around family to help her get through her cancer.
  I want you to know that buying that Gold Wing was the best thing that we have ever done. We have only about 12,000 miles on it, but the freedom you feel when you are out cruising the countryside and the mountains has been the best therapy for my wife. We have since bought a trailer and have been trying to attend some of the rallies. We just got settled in our house here and hope to go a lot more this next summer.
  I am 47 and she is 45, so we plan on putting a lot of miles on this bike. Right now she is doing great, but you never know when or if her disease will ever come back. She is the love of my life and whatever I can do to make her happy and to enjoy the things she likes to do I will.
  I am not a writer and I am not very good at putting words together. We have met a lot of new friends and I am thankful for friends and being a proud owner of our first Gold Wing. I am also proud and lucky to have such a wonderful wife. This has been the best therapy for her and me.     
       Charles Abbott. Jr.   GWRRA #158250
Good Therapy/Great Therapy                        February 15, 2010

  After getting settled here in Alabama I lost my right eye in 2004. I had a hard time getting used to it and My wife and I decided to get the bike Triked. We took it to Kentucky to the Hannigan factory and had it triked.
  We enjoyed it very much and my wife felt more comfortable since we had three wheels under us.
  In the Summer of 2006 we took a trip on the trike to Colorado Springs, Co. We had a great time and made a lot of new memories.
  In the summer of 2007 we were going to take a trip to Martha’s Vineyard. Four days before we left I had a Quadruple By-pass. We were not able to make that trip.
  In the summer of 2008 we were going to Utah when I had another Quadruple By-pass.
And had my mitro valve  worked on. Didn’t make that trip either.
  I had stints put in January 2009.
  In January 2009 we bought my wife a 2000 Model Honda Shadow Spirit because she wanted to learn to ride. I thought this was great. I started talking to her about selling the trike and buying me another two wheel. I had been riding hers some and seemed to be used to not having my right eye. I told her that we were in another chapter in our lives and that the Gold Wing was good Therapy for her and the new Motorcycle would be good therapy for me getting over my heart surgeries. She agreed, So the first people that looked at the trike bought it. I decided I wanted to try a Harley Davidson so we went that day and bought a 2009 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Classic in June 2009. This was my first Harley.
I love it!
  Well about the second week of July my wife found out she had breast cancer again. She had been cancer free for nine years. They had to do a double mastectomy and do the reconstruction and it has been an ordeal.
She has her last surgery March 8th 2010. She is doing good considering.
   My doctor retired me but my wife still works. So now after all that it looks like the New Harley is going to be Therapy for the both of us. She should be able to start riding hers again about the 1st part of April. We plan on taking as many trips as we can this summer. Creating new memories. I am now 55 and she is 53. We have been married 35 years now.
  I told her that one of my ambitions in life was to live long enough for us to wear the new Harley out. We have had the new Harley about 7 months and already have 6,000 Miles on it. The women who are riding the Conga to raise money for breast cancer research are really “Angels” in disguise on their “Iron Horses”. We have been thru the Dragon on the new Harley, but my wife hopes to be able to ride her Honda Shadow thru the Dragon this spring. We both want to live life like there is no tomorrow because you never know. I love her with all my heart, Mind, Body and Soul. She is my world, and the air that I breath.
  Angels, You have my prayers, admiration, and best wishes. We just hope we get to met some of you one day.   

                                      Thanks Forever, 
                                        Charles Abbott
                                          Cropwell, Alabama            
 

Conga III Show and Shine

This is what my friend Draggie has put together for the finale of the Conga III in August of this year. She says she cant go on the Conga this year due to school and work, but that does not hold her back. She is more than a little involved. She is a huge part of organizing the Conga. Not only the Show and Shine, but again, keeping track of whats going on , when, and where. She will be doing write ups for the news  paper. BELT DRVE BETTY  BDB is sponsoring the Conga III with continuing follow ups. Also the Dragon, may have another surprise for the Show and Shine, it is still in the works and discussions to see if we can do it. Which is sell tickets to a Motorcycle. We just have done the numbers yet to see if we can sell that amount of tickets.
At any rate I know this is going to be one heck of a Show and Shine, and finale to the fundraiser. We will have a representative there from the BC Society also.
Also Draggie is organizing a send of for us at Steve Dranes in Victioria at our Island Harley Davidson Dealership. 
She will also be coming up to spend the night at my house the day before we leave, as she leads the pack in our pinkness doing the Conga all the  way down Island picking up anyone who wants to jump in along the way. I think we have 15 confirmed Island riders to the Cheyenne, and more to jump in. I am thinking, hoping, that the ride down Island will be at least double.  
Thankyou Draggie for all you do!!

Chrome Angels Coming for sure

WWR CONGA III

in support of Breast Cancer


The Southern leg of the ride will be led by Cindy aka Texas Red. The ride will depart from Strokers on July 4th. Watch this site for more details. They will be posted as they become available!

This is Texas Red's tentative schedule:

Sunday, July 4th - depart Strokers Dallas to OKC KSU 11:00 AM
Monday, July 5th - OKC to Amarillo (Dumas)
Tuesday, July 6th - Dumas to Monument, CO
Wednesday, July 7th - Cheyenne, WY

Thursday, July 8th Party at Maverick Motorsports!!! Conga, Conga, CONGA!


So anyone reading here is a Conga Line you can jump in at!! From Texas!!

Draggie Stoked

Im so stoked, Jippo talked to me last night and said he was in the Timberlands pub a few weeks back and the new owners were just signing the papers.  He said they were interested in hosting a show n shine and he gave them my name as a person who could help them out and get something going.  He didn’t realize that we are planning this for the end of the conga.

 I wanted to put something together before going out to find a venue and also to get donations for the trophies and such.

 Well I started putting together the info slide show and this is what I got for 2 hours this morning, have to quit now and cram some more but I think it is looking pretty kewl.

 What ya think????

From Idaho

We were thinking of riding from someplace in Idaho and continuing to Wyoming with your group.

 I was wondering if you had your route panned out yet? If not, no big deal but once you have it firmed up if you could forward it to me that would be great. I know you will be very busy during the ride but if I could get updates some way as to your groups progress along the way I could coordinate a location for our Idaho Delegation to meet you.

I am very excited about this and would like to post Conga III Idaho Delegation as a Facebook  "event". Right now we only have a few riders but posting it as an event I fele I could generate much more interest. So I am respectfully asking for permission, advise and guidance on this.

 I really would like to meet up in such a way that neither of us has to "wait around" for the other out on the highway.

 I am usually pretty good at this type of thing, the activity of intersepting a motorcycle group on the highway but this will be my first multi state interception. I frequently get the timing down to minutes between groups hundreds of miles away from eachother and like I said I don't want either of us "waiting around".

 Once I have the exact route it will be easier and with a little "day of the ride" communication this will be much easier and worst case scenario we meet up when your group stops for the night somewhere.

 I am pretty sure I am on the Women who ride rock page so I will check there for information.

 At this time I feel it prudent to REFRAIN  from creating a Facebook Event to avoid confusion for the time being but I will need to organise something at some point to generate interest in an Idaho Delegation. I'll think of the best way to approach this.

 Thank you for bringing me into the loop and up to speed, best regards. O.Thank you for your time, best regards, respectfully. Owen Moss

Steel horse Sisters

My name is Colleen Maloney and I am the President of a woman's motorcycle riding group called Steel Horse Sisters.  We are located in Massachusetts.  I found your information on facebook on the Women Who Ride Rock site and was hoping to help with your conga line.  Is it possible to have one start here and eventually meet you somewhere in the middle.  I doubt any of my girls can ride to Wyoming but I'd love to give at least one leg a boost - do you have other states that want to join but no one to connect with ??

Let me know what we can do to help !

Thanks
Colleen
President
Steel Horse Sisters

Motormaids

Hi FLO....

I'm Angie Graves from Shelbyville TN

I am a member of the Motor Maids, oldest women's organized riding group....check us out on the web motormaid.org

We are having our 70th Annual Convention in Cody Wyoming this year....we will start to gather July 5th at the Comfort Inn in Cody (307-587-5544) we will be here until Friday morning....We usually have a parade through town on Wed or Thursday....and banquet on Thursday night....I would really love for our two groups to meet up....It would really be awesome as we have several members that are breast cancer survivors and some that are going through it now.

What you are doing is AWESOME!!  What a great legacy you are creating......

I do not know how far Cheyenne is from Cody (pretty far knowing my luck) but any wazs thought it would be cool to meet up with you gals....

Angie aKa "SHINE"

 

 

         Jack & Angie Graves
Keepin' our 'neeze in the breeze
       and the air in our hair

 

www.motormaids.org

Behind the scenes!!

 I thought it would be interesting to post some of the private emails I get behind the scenes. It is over whelming sometimes.  I wish I could remember every ones  names and where they are from. It sure would be nice to remember it all, so I am going to start posting stuff.

I am so excited to learn about Women Who Ride and Rock! 

I befriended you all on face-book. Then I came to you website and read the stories! How exciting. The story about riding back from Florida, brand new rider on a brand new bike with all these women helping you literary brought tears to my eyes. This is really great! I would love to be a part of it. I am in South Louisiana and ride with a girl in Florida occasionally at rallys. Do you all attend any bike events (Daytona Bike week, New Orleans Bike Week)? And last, but definitely not least, is there any of the group by me? Or riding this way?

Flo shared your email. Probably because I'm a new rider as well and I'm so enthusiastic about it. I use words like affirming, empowering, rewarding, etc. All that for my bike and riding, but I can also use those same words for each and every rider I've met. Isn't that awesome! Please 'Friend' me on FB and go see my stuff. You can also look see my progress via my blog: http://hummingbiird.blogspot.com/

I highly encourage you to get the Ride like a Pro DVD for use at home. Also, attend training with the Palladino's in Florida. It will be worth every penny. I can say this because on May 15 I took the MSF course and got my endorsement. I had never ridden a motorcycle. I did have a year on a 49cc scooter, which does not count as the dynamics are so different than a 600+ pound bike with a manual transmission. Mid June, Flo contacted me with info that she found THE bike for me. I trust her, so wired money from my hometown, Wenatchee Washington, to Campbell River, Vancouver Island, British Colombia CANADA!! Crazy, I know!! :) I purchased a Yamaha V-Star 1100cc custom. So I went from a 125cc trainer in May to 1100cc at the end of June! I could do this because Flo used the RLAP techniques to start me on my bike. We did good! I only wish that I could have spent more time with Flo to gain a few more skills before I trailered my bike home.  This spring, I hope to take an advanced riders course that will firmly create an outstanding foundation of skills. In my opinion, new riders are lucky - in that they may start out correctly and gain miles more safely than those folks that have ridden forever with crappy skills. That's my opinion and others might think differently, but you should hear the comments of the guys I ride with at work. They can't believe I got such a big bike, that I handle it well enough for so few miles under my butt, etc.

I encourage  you to start a blog and post your rides and progress. It's a neat thing to look back at what  you thought was really hard and to now have it be a rote item.

What an inspiration you are!! This is great! I do want to FB you. What name do I find you under?

 And yes, I do need skills! I rode a dirt bike as a kid and my first motorcycle was a 750 Honda but I only had it for a few short months. I did take the Riders course and have my license, but I would love to know more and ride like a PRO! I want to take an advanced course as well.

 I am working on a blog as we speak for my website. That is one of the many new things I want to do in 2010 with my site. Any ideas or constructive critism is welcome.

 I will check out your blog!

 Thanks again, you guys are GREAT!!

 

Women Who Ride Conga III (Raising money for Breast Cancer)

What is a Conga you say???

A Conga line is merely a group of Bikers that ride with each other, going with the Flo from state to state or province to province. You can join the Conga and ride for a mile or two, or a state or two...or more!!
Likely the line will fall apart here and there, but has been known to have many join and different places especially at the end.
That irresistible rumble of Motorcycle Conga is hard not to join in on the fun!!
 
The idea of the Conga came about when I bought my first Harley Davidson, from Ride Like a Pro in Hudson, Florida. Florida is kitty corner across the continent from Vancouver Island where I live. Almost 6,000 miles if you go the scenic route. Being as I get lost in parking lots in my own home town, I knew riding it home wasn't an option.
I had a dream... that I flew to Florida, met some of the gals on the forum, took the Ride Like a Pro Course and Rode the Tail of the Dragon and found my way home.
I told Donna from Women Who Ride and the Ladies from Vancouver Island Lady Riders ... and the enabling began!!
 
Donna said...Great, I will pick you up at the Tampa Bay Airport, you will stay with us for a week until you are comfortable on your bike, we will escort you out in the right direction. To make a long story short, women from many states, rode with me, took me into their homes, fed me, and escorted me off to the next bunch of women. Most of us meeting in person for the very first time. I never rode one single mile alone. What a Conga Line!!
At the last minute, I decided to do it for a cause. Friends were paying me so much a state that I hit. Needless to say, I snagged the corners of a few extra with my new found friends. I raised $1,700 for Cancer in memory of my motorcycle instructor, Rod Wiseman.
And so began the Congas...
Conga II started out to be a Reunion...Get all those women together and it's a full blown Conga Line, from Sea to Shining Sea!! Raising $12,000.00 for Breast Cancer.

Conga III is being discussed a few short months after the Conga II ended in July /09.
We are well underway, with rooms booked for a MIM (meet in the middle) in Cheyenne, Wyoming July 8 2010!!
So if you think you would like to go with Flo and do the Conga please contact us here
Ride for as long as you want, start your own little Conga line, with Women Who Ride in your area and make a trip of a life time!!
Book your holidays now, it is only less than 5 months from now! Riding for a cause even makes it more special!!

WOMEN WHO RIDE ROCK!!!

Here is the link to get involved if you would like to jump in on the Conga line, any where along the way. Even if you come to say hello as we pass through your fine town. Whether you are a rider or a Spirit Rider, we would love to have you come along.

Chickarazzi!!

Hello Krissie,

Donna Palladino here from Ride Like a Pro.  I saw reference to your site on Facebook and wanted to send in a couple pictures of me and my buddy Tannis (Flo) Fuhr riding our Harley’s through one of Ride Like a Pro course exercises, the Offset Cone Weave.  We LOVE riding our Harley’s.  Although Flo lives in Canada and I live in Florida, she is my best friend.  We met a couple years ago when she bought my 2005 Road King Classic.  We started the Conga for Breast Cancer rides in 2008.  Last year, we raised over 12,500.00 for Breast Cancer.  We will also be doing our Ride Like a Pro rider skills demonstration in Cheyenne for the riders at Maverick Motorsports.  You should join us!!

This July, we are doing it all over again.  Women from our Women Who Ride forum, Vancouver Island Lady Rider forum and Facebook pages will be riding from Canada and the USA and meet in Cheyenne, Wyoming for our ride for the cure again this year.  Thanks for what you do, fantastic pictures on your site.

Thanks in advance for your time,

Sincerely,

Donna Palladino

Ride Like a Pro, Inc.

866-868-7433

-Ride Safe... Ride Like a Pro Team