Ladies of the Star is a facet of the Star Touring and Riding Association  consisting of women motorcycle operators and enthusiasts. Our purpose is to promote a positive image of women riders and to help encourage more women to become a part of this fulfilling sport.

Email: MariaKohl@atlantastartouring.org

There was a great editorial in the most recent issue (Feb/Mar) of RoadBike Magazine. The article is titled Co-Rider Confusion and is written by Fred Rau. Buy the magazine and read the entire editorial. I thought it very appropriate for this LOS page and have provided some excepts from it here. It is used  without permission of the magazine (I have written requesting permission for use), so be aware that all material is copyrighted by the magazine.

The author relays how his wife rides with him and has for many years. One day he comes home to find her upset because someone in a chat room on the Internet told her she was not a motorcyclist because the half million miles that she has ridden has been as a passenger. The author assures her that the person who told her that doesn't know what he is talking about. In justifying her as a motorcyclist he says, "She gives me neck and back rubs when I'm tense from heavy traffic or a long day on the road, she keeps me alert when I start getting drowsy, and when I get stuck in a downhill parking slot, she helps me push the bike back out of it. She is also an invaluable  extra pair of eyes and ears, often detecting potential hazards before I do and alerting me to them." He goes on to say, " But besides all that, there is her talent as a backseat rider. If you don't know the difference between an experienced, talented pillion and a complete amateur, then you've obviously never experienced one or both of them." He then discusses her attributes as an experienced passenger and then notes, "A good backseat rider is a rider period. They can't just sit back and enjoy the scenery. They have to be aware of what you and the bike are doing, or are about to do, at every moment." Fred then discusses how his wife scans the road, watches the weather, adjusts her weight and stays aware. In his concluding remarks he says, "My co-rider is my better half, and in my mind at least, she deserves to be called a "motorcyclist" as much as I do. And I'm betting most of you out there who regularly pack two-up know what I mean and would agree."

LOS supports all women riders, whether they drive or ride, and we believe they are all "motorcyclists".