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.
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