The Divas Ride
by DJ Jones

What a great day for a Diva-Bike Run! 

Being a newcomer to Albuquerque, and the Land of Enchantment, I have fallen in love with the diverse terrain and the great roads. So on May 19, 2002, I organized a Diva-Run for a group of very powerful ladies. Fifteen women on bikes, we had a wonderful mix of machines. BMW, Ducati, Honda, Suzuki, Harley Davidson, Yamaha, and Kawasaki to name of few of the many steeds the women were riding...what an awesome crew we had! Being a woman rider myself and working in a motorcycle shop, I have had the chance to meet a lot of women who ride their own bikes. It just felt right to put together a day of ladies, their bikes and the open road.

We met at Weck's on Louisiana at 9 am. We had a great group; the chemistry was electric! Upon arrival everyone received DivaSkinz T-shirts and cards to pick up free Tees courtesy of Motorsport. After finishing our tasty breakfast and several pots of coffee, we rode through town on Old Route 66, catching the eyes of many motorists that gave us thumbs up and smiles of encouragement.

The skill level of riders ranged from very experienced to novice, but it didn't matter—we all had something in common—we loved to ride!

One of the many things I have learned since moving here is that sometimes it may go weeks without rain, in this case six weeks without rain. But you guessed it: rain was in the forecast this day. The run was going to happen rain or shine. We did the run, and it did rain.

Most of us had ridden in the rain before and a few had not, but you would have never known it. No one missed a beat! Our plan was to travel up North New Mexico 14 to Madrid, a little town everyone who visits New Mexico should experience.

The ride through the mountains was breath-taking. The wind was crisp and the air was clean and exhilarating. We maneuvered our bikes through the turns like birds flying low to the ground, sweeping left and right in perfect synchronized rhythm.

As we reached Madrid, another first for a few of the riders was the gravel parking lot. Again the ladies rose to the challenge—no one dropped her bike. No gravel or rain could spoil our fun on this day.

We stopped at the Mine Shaft, a great destination where many motorcyclists pause to take a break. The friendly atmosphere was another highlight and a memorable part of our journey. We raised our glasses and made a toast to the Divas, a group of women that were brought together to share a lot of laughs and to make new friendships. Not wanting the day to end but knowing it was time to move on down the road, we stayed for a while longer to savor the day, than headed back down to Albuquerque. We shared numbers and hugs, knowing we would ride together again soon!

The run was a success because of the ladies. I'd like to thank each one of them for the way they supported each other and pulled together as a team! The name, “Diva,” has sometimes gotten a bad rap or less than positive connotation, but in my book Diva means: a strong, self confident, and proud woman. That is what I had the privilege to ride with on this day.

Thanks again to: Kristi H., Heidi L., Karin B., Heather B., Chris S., Jodi D., Dawn M., Celia Lynn B., Michele J., Kathy J., Michele K., Yvonne H., Cheryl P., Ayren V.. You are all Divas.

It was, a great day, and I look forward to many more runs and welcome any Divas that were not able to attend!

Keep riding ladies.............