NCI Wild Roses

Chapter of

Women On Wheels®

Chartered August 10th, 2008

North Central Illinois Wild Roses Chapter of Women On Wheels®
205 Main Street
Kings, IL 61068
ph: 815-766-1206
gbeaird@niu.edu

Member pix

A little about the Chapter Director...

My name is Gigi Beaird. My first experience riding a motorcycle was when I was about 10 years old. I climbed abord my Uncle Dick's shiny black Harley and experienced that initial mixture of exhiliration and fear that eventually turned into pure joy. I began my adult riding experience 20+ years ago when I met my boyfriend, now husband, Mark. I rode with my husband as a passenger on his Honda Magna until I took my first Motorcycle Safety Foundation course in the summer of 1989.

Shortly afterward, I purchased my first bike, a candy apple red Suzuki 360 dual purpose. It was kick start and had no compression release. It kicked like a mule. I remember being able to start it and ride it to work in the mornings but I had to have one of the guys I worked with start it for me to ride home. I enjoyed that little bike until I got pregnant with my son and sold it.

12 years and another baby later, I found myself riding my son's Honda CRF 150 dirt bike more and more often over the next couple of years. I took the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course again (hubby is now an instructor) and purchased a Honda Shadow VLX Deluxe and brought her home on my 43rd birthday. Now, I ride everywhere in all (well most) weather....

I was looking for a group of women to ride with when I met Illinois State Embassador, Rusty Harmening and joined Women On Wheels®. The chapter nearest to my location holds meetings 80 miles away, which, as a working mother of two, is difficult to fit into my schedule. I could not believe there was not a chapter in my area so for now, I ride mostly with the North Wind Riders and decided that I would work to start a Women On Wheels® Chapter in my area. Come join us!