North Central Illinois Forming Chapter of Women On Wheels®

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!

Come join the fun!