Featured Rider - Patty Stewart

Let's meet this weeks featured rider Patty Stewart, Below is her story in her own words.

I've been riding since early 1970's. Up until last year, I was always a passenger.

Last fall, my youngest son found me my first bike, a 2013- 900 Kawasaki Vulcan. This spring my granddaughter and I completed the Motorcycle Safety Course, and we both are legal to operator two wheels. The Vulcan is a "sweet” bike, and my grandson, Patrick still rides it today.

I now ride a 2003 Harley Sporster, and we get down the road together just fine. A 13 year old motorcycle and a 62 year old great grandma. My most memorable ride to date has to be our vacation this year to Colorado. Pikes Peak, with my husband and I was the passenger on our 2014 Harley TriGlide.

I've yet to take my Sporster more than 100 miles from home, but I will, someday. I retired this spring and look forward to each day that I have a reason to pull the Sporty out of the garage. My "dream" bike? Would have to be finding my sons motorcycle that he bought brand new.

I would love to be able to ride it and someday pass it down to his son. My son died in a car accident on the way to work almost two years ago. I think finding that bike would be so cool. I believe it was a 2008 Harley Softail Custom. Motorcycles have been a part of my boys life since they were old enough to pick them up off the stand. My Mom and Dad despised motorcycles, and hated it whenever I'd get on the back of one. I'm sure they're turning over in their grave today, seeing me ride one of my own.

I'm a conservative rider, and try to be very cautious. I've made a few mistakes as a new rider, but I continue to improve each time I go out. The most important thing for me is to know my limits as a new rider, and not to push it. I ride, because to me it's freedom. Freedom to go where I want, when I want. I don't have to wait for someone to say..."lets ride". I just ride. The main thing in our family is our riding gear. If you don't have boots, long pants and a helmet, you don't ride. My son dinged me the other day because I opted to wear my leather tennis shoes. Tennis shoes? he asked. "But they're leather" I said. He set me straight when he said, They're not boots . I've never laid down a bike, and not real sure how you go about it - I hope I never find myself in the situation where I have to make that decision, but, I'm sure it will happen. The only thing on my bucket list to this point is to be able to ride my bike to Milwaukee and visit the museum again with the boys.

But for now, I'll be satisfied to just spend the day riding with my family, and have everyone come back home safe.