On June 13, 2008, WRN organized a womens symposium at Ohio Bike Week in Sandusky, Ohio, called Women Riders: No Limits! presented by Motolight. For a first-year event, there was an impressive turnout of about 100 people over the course of the four 90-minute seminars held throughout the day. There were also women-focused vendors selling things from T-shirts to jackets.
Below is our story in pictures. Click on the images to make them larger.
The historic 80-year-old Sandusky State Theater was the location of the Women Riders: No Limits! event. The theater is located downtown right in the heart of the Ohio Bike Week festivities.
Banners like this one were hanging both inside and outside the theater with sponsors#39; logos.
Seminars were held inside the theater. Signs directed the participants on where to go. The event was free by the way.
A local dealer for Tour Master and Cortech brands was there selling riding jackets and helmets. The two brands were also sponsors of the event. In the foreground are leather vests from vendor Dehall Designs.
The gals from Redhead Gadgets were there selling gadgets, of course, including their signature map clips a clip that holds a map on a windshield. Redhead was also a sponsor.
As with any motorcycle rally, there was no shortage of event T-shirts.
A popular seminar was “How to Lift a Downed Bike and Other Confidence Builders.” Linda English and Alexa McCallister explain how to lift a bike if it falls over.
After a demonstration by the “experts,” audience members were invited onstage to try out the technique just described on how to lift a bike.
Alexa explains another confidence builder – how to ride through gravel safely and without fear.
As part of the confidence builders seminar, Linda explains how to fix a flat tire on the side of the road.
Here I am, Genevieve Schmitt, moderating a panel discussion entitled “Lessons Learned: Secrets from Veteran Riders.” A panel of four long distance riders discussed their most common road born challenges (like dealing with hypothermia, and riding through bad weather) and how to overcome them.
Another popular seminar was “Street Strategies: Be The Best Rider You Can.” MSF and Rider#39;s Edge instructor Susan Rzepka Orion presented her points using a video that simulated road hazards.
The AMA Museum brought out its women motorcycling traveling exhibit, which includes panels highlighting important women in motorcycling throughout history.
Roeder Harley-Davidson in Sandusky is the sponsoring dealer for Ohio Bike Week.
There were many concerts held throughout the week-long rally. This is the setting during one of the afternoon concerts downtown right by the theater where the women#39;s event was going on.
