It all started in Toledo, Ohio, in 1979. That's when Becky Brown started Women
In The Wind. Now there are 41 chapters in 22 states & 2 Foreign Countries.
The Tampa Bay Area, (Hillsborourgh County) chapter was started in 1990 by Diane
Baur. Diane explains it this way " We are women who share an interest in
safe fun riding and strengthening our sisterhood through our commitment to
motorcycle safety and education, thus improving the image of women who
ride".
On the Local front:
Back in October of 1995 we lost a ridding member, Janet Scaglione, to cancer.
We decided that this disease affected so many people that we wanted to do
something to help. SO on the 15th of September we had a Tour De Parks Poker Run
to raise money for cancer research. In the interim, we became aware of Camp
Good Days & Special Times. This is an organization that helps children and
their families who are affected by cancer. WE support the camp & The
American Cancer Society.
Back to the WWR index
It got to the point that every time her husband, Ronnie, got off his Harley,
Deb wanted to get on. Raised on bikes from childhood, and with a passion for
ridding, it was time she got her own H-D, she'd decided. She doesn't take
credit for building her new scooter-it was created by Randy Deutsch - but she
does take credit for knowing a good thing when she sees one.
Deb was raised in a neighborhood of bikers, as well as having a family that
were avid riders. Deb says, "My parents both rode, and I shared a 1965
Bennelli with my Brother."
Now however Deb is finally on her own with this candy - apple red ultra silver
masterpiece. This 1991 Evo on a lowered Softtail frame features a custom
shifter, S & S Super carb, RB Racing pipes, CCI Bars, headlight &
taillight, Ness mirrors and front fender, a Corbin seat, Metzeler tires and a
Performance Machine Braking System to bring it all to a halt when Deb applies
the WOW!
When Deb first meet her husband they rode together. Now the still ride together
but on separate bikes. "Harleys are the best" is her mantra! Deb
works as a customer Service Account Manager, and has to limit her riding time.
"It's a little difficult to ride to work wearing a suit and carrying a
briefcase," she says. But weekends are fair game for riding. Meanwhile her
Biker friends are trying to convince her to put some ink work on her lovely
white arms. "I'll have to think hard about that," she say's.
About three years ago she began to ride, again. She is Lori Noreda, a.k.a.
"Virago Lori" a woman with a passion for motorcycles. This passion
started at an early age for Lori, her parents Orben & Reba Smith, (both
bikers) bought Lori & her sister, Liane, a mini-bike when they were in
Junior High School. After a couple of close calls the family stopped ridding,
but Lori says, " Yuo could tell that wanted to ride, but were just to
scared, (of the traffic & the idiots in the cars). Now, all that has
changed. Lori & her husband, David, didn't start out with Lori ridding'
bitch. Lori bought her bike first, a Honda 250 Rebel, and then David got a
Sporty. Now they have been on two wheels together, yet separately, for about 3
years. David is a former dirt bike racer turned H-D enthusiast, and Lori's dad
just got a new '97FLHT, his 5th bike in 40 years!
Today, some four bikes later, Lori is cruising the streets of Tampa Bay on her
'95 Yamaha Virago, that she lovingly calls her "Virago Yellow Rice
Machine". Thanks to her friend Dave Morris Lori's bike is not yellow but a
very sexy black & eye catching turquoise color combo that turns heads where
ever she goes! Lori has added custom "Iron Braid" brand grips/tassels
to the hand grips, custom pinstripes, tankcover, custom seat, forward controls
& more chrome than her bank account would like to recall
During the week Lori works for the Hillsborough County as a Manager for the
Water Department. She has been with the County for over 11 years, and hanging
in her office (which is decorated in parrots Lori's other passion besides
motorcycles) she has many inspirational saying posted for all to read. Her
favorite reads, "People who don't know me think I pretend to be a biker on
weekends. my friends know that I pretend to be a businesswomen during the
week."
When Lori is asked to describe her pet peeve, she smiles and says "when
people ask me", " when am I going to get a REAL BIKE?" She says
I am proud of my bike, my Heritage, and I won't let those "turkeys"
get me down, because "being a biker is something that comes from the
soul.....not from a motorcycle showroom or a "tee" shirt.....you
can't buy it.....your born with it!"
Helga began to ride over three years ago on a Honda Rebel 250 after taking
the motorcycle safety course at Robinson High School. She now has over 30,000
miles riding along the streets of Central Florida and rides every day, weather
permitting. "It is the love of my life," she says beaming with a
smile, "there is nothing like riding with the wind surrounding you."
She now owns a Suzuki Intruder 800 which she has now had for over two years,
with dual Cobra Exhaust pipes, extra chrome covers, and custom pin striping .
She has won three trophies for Best Import at some of the different bike meets
that she has entered her bike in.
She is a member of Women in the Wind and attends all of the functions.
"Being a biker is like belonging to a large family. I have finally found
my place and feel like I belong." "I have met so many people since
I've been riding. Everybody treats you so nice and everyone is willing to lend
a hand. I can pull over on the causeway just to relax and take a drink of water
and other bikers who pass by will stop and ask if I need assistance."
"Everyone needs something to keep their spirit young and this is what I
have found that keeps me alive." "I just wish that I would have
discovered riding earlier. I get frustrated looking back at how many miles I
have wasted sitting behind the wheel of a car when I could have been
riding." "I realize the inherent danger in riding, but I do not wish
to live forever, I just want to live happily and riding makes me happy!"
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