March 10, 2014 at 4:55 p.m.
Motorcycle group for women
Sisters of the Open Road up and running
Motorcycle group for women
By Kayla Thomason-
Sisters of the Open Road, a motorcycle group for women, was born Dec. 12, 2013 and within a month the group grew to 23 sisters.
The sisters take scenic rides that lead to mini-golf, whitewater rafting, dinner and various other places. The group also does activities in winter like sleigh rides, dinners, an visits to coffee shops to give everyone something to do together.
The group will have scenic rides every Sunday in the summer as well as a dinner ride during the week anywhere from Tuesday to Thursday. They have also booked the Crud Run in Madison which will be held in May.
Sisters have six meetings a year from November to April. Meetings are held on the first Sunday of the month at 2 p.m. at the Nokomis Town Hall.
"People can participate in as much or as little as they want, but there is a ride doing something at least once a week," said Cindy Kane, founder of Sisters of the Open Road.
Kane decided to put the group together after listening to women talk about how they don't have anyone to ride with, were bored and wanted a riding group.
"Everybody is very excited to get this off the ground and get riding if the snow would only stop," Kane said. "Everybody is happy, the attendance at our meetings is pretty much everybody in our group."
Sisters of the Open Road's mission is to "promote and empower women riders of all ages and experience, for women riders to gain and encourage new and long lasting friendships."
The sisters' goal is to bring together women who have a common interest in motorcycling, to share their skills and talents and to mentor one another. They will also help a newly licensed rider gain experience and confidence while promoting safe riding skills.
The group will work with the new rider one-on-one so they get used to riding in traffic. Once the new rider is more comfortable they will gradually add more bikers on the ride.
"We're not training them, we are basically there riding side by side with them so that they can get their road experience and not do it alone," Kane said.
The rules of the group are follow the rules of the road, be respectful, kind and caring with one another, embrace the creativity of others, be playful and have fun, keep your promises and be honest.
Requirements to be a member include a desire for friendship with other women who ride, a willingness to ride with new riders, a serious interest in being a licensed rider (if you don't already have a license) and pay a $40 annual membership fee.
Membership includes a membership card, a bandanna, a member's only book that contains sponsors and who the members are, a link to their website and private and public Facebook page as well as the exclusive discounts that the sponsors offer.
Founding sponsors were Hodag Honda of Rhinelander, Northwoods Harley-Davidson dealership of Arbor Vitae, Antigo Yamaha and North Country Yamaha Tomahawk, Lincoln County Cycles of Tomahawk, Cycle X of Hazelhurst and Bald Eagle Harley-Davidson of Marquette, Mich. The group now has over 30 sponsors.
The sponsors offer discounts on services, supplies, food and more. Some of the discounts are 10 to 15 percent off on service and supplies. Some of the restaurants on the Sisters of the Open Road motorcycle route offer members exclusive discounts.
Sisters of the Open Road is based out of Tomahawk with regional coordinators in Rhinelander, Tomahawk, Merrill, Antigo, Eagle River, Minocqua and the list is growing.
"We're going to be a fun group of gals going out and riding and our sponsors are offering us significant discounts," Kane said. "[The group is] a great thing to do if you enjoy other people."
To receive an application visit www.sistersoftheopenroad
.com, under the Contact Us tab; or facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sotorcindy; or contact Cindy Kane at (715) 966-2510.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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