Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >> Darren Breen / The Herald  (click to enlarge) Thousands of visitors crowd onto First Street in downtown Snohomish for the Old Snohomish Antique & Classic Motorcycle Show on Sunday. (click to enlarge) Donald Warren of Snohomish walks past trophies yet to be awarded at the motorcycle show. Darren Breen / The Herald  (click to enlarge) The Seattle Cossacks perform in downtown Snohomish during the Old Snohomish Antique & Classic Motorcycle Show on Sunday.  Photo Gallery: Old Snohomish Motorcycle Show   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Monday, May 19, 2008 15,000 motorcycles at Snohomish spectacle By Krista J. Kapralos Herald Writer Nina Alexander rode behind her husband on his motorcycle for 16 years before she grew tired of being a passenger. In 1992, he built her a steel horse of her own, from a 650 Suzuki. By then, Alexander, now 49, was comfortable in the bike crowd, even though she's always been one of the few women present, and one of an even smaller group of women who actually ride on their own. "I'm on my own," she said. "I don't have anybody saying anything to me. It's just me. I love that." Though the men far outnumbered them Sunday at the 12th annual Old Snohomish Antique & Classic Motorcycle Show in Snohomish, the spectacle of 15,000 motorcycles was heaven for the women who have taken their own reins. It was the largest turnout ever for the show, which is organized by the Sky Valley chapter of ABATE, an acronym for American Bikers Aimed Toward Education. Total numbers for last year's event aren't available, but Sky Valley ABATE members say the show drew 9,000 motorcycles in 2006. A rainy 2005 event lured 3,000 motorcycles. Nearly 200 motorcycles were entered into the competition Sunday, which offered trophies as prizes for best vintage, best classic, customized and other categories. Last year, there were only 124 bike entries, said Kristine "Pickles" Sidewell, who helped organize the event. Every year, more women enter their own bikes, said Sidewell, who rides a Volkswagen Trike she named "Skeletor." "I've been riding 13 years, and I see more women out," she said. "They want the freedom, they don't want to wait until someone can take them out. And the guys are more encouraging now." Motorcycle culture may always be about leather vests, intricate tattoos and bike club patches, but forget the big, bushy beards and men's-only biker gangs. Today, nearly one in 10 bike owners is female, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council. Many more -- an estimated 4 million women -- know how to ride. That's a path Michelle Buckle, 49, began blazing 33 years ago. She started riding on her own when she was just 16 years old. "You have to be a very competent person," she said. "You need to be a Type-A personality." It takes a high level of confidence -- and brawn to match -- to steer behemoth Harley-Davidson motorcycles, many of which are built for a man's taller body. Buckle, of Shoreline, rides a Yamaha V Star customized with wood trim and paint to resemble a pirate ship. The bike replaced one she totaled last year in an accident that broke her pelvis in five places and severely dislocated her clavicle, she said. After three weeks in the hospital and more than five months of rest, Buckle was back on the road. That's just who she is, she said. Besides, she has an image to keep up as a role model for her son. He started riding when he was 16, she said. Now, he's 33. Buckle rode her brother's bike as a teenager. When her son was ready to drive, he didn't look for a luxury car. "He got a bike," she said. Reporter Krista J. Kapralos: 425-339-3422 or kkapralos@heraldnet.com.

1. Man blackmailed ex-girlfriend with nude pictures, police say 2. Snohomish motorcyclist dies in collision with pickup 3. Police looking for man who held up Everett pharmacy 4. Friends plan auction, hope to save woman's home 5. Sheriff warns of Camano Island burglar 6. Arlington private school principal charged with child rape 7. 400 open houses across the county this weekend 8. Man guilty for posing as trooper 9. Cama Beach cabins a quiet, cozy delight 10. LITTLE LEAGUE: Mill Creek reaches state semifinals 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Late rally, trick play get Vikings victory • Mill Creek advance to finals Team rallies to beat Bainbridge Island 4-3 • Try for Olympics highlights Games' debut • Proper ball position important to set up • Sports Briefs • Richmond Little League at state majors tournament • Fewer sports fields could go into Hamlin Park • Taxpayers to Stevens' rescue? • Terrace hires new police chief • Arlington Fly-In marks 40th anniversary this year • Melody Biringer a wide-ranging entrepreneur • County home market offers low rates, lower prices, wide variety of prope ... • Good investments may be boring but profitable • Fryelands industrial park growing in Monroe • Out of the Blue Aviation expands flight training • Paul Allen’s rare Flying Heritage Collection becomes latest aviation att ... • Warbird's history keeper