Women and motorcycle passion

Today, we introduce you to two women who discovered the joys of motorcycling in their fifties and who are eager to share their experiences with you.

Sophie – A longtime dream

Sophie lives in Trois-Rivières and says she has always been interested in motorcycles, even though her partner of 21 years never owned one.

However, when she re-entered the dating scene, having a motorcycle became a must-have for her.

That’s how she met a man with whom she enjoyed long motorcycle rides—as a passenger on the back seat.

Then came the spark: why not take the training course and get her own motorcycle?

Sophie has been riding a Honda Shadow Aero for four years. At first, she was drawn to this model because it’s low to the ground, which reassured her that she could put her feet down easily when stopped. In the end, she liked it so much that she decided not to change bikes.

When asked what kind of roads she likes and whether she prefers riding solo or in a group, she answers:

“I like winding roads or routes along the water. Riding alone is zen. You can decide which direction to take. You can stop wherever and as often as you want. Riding with others is a different dynamic—we talk and laugh a lot. That’s what motorcycling is about.”.

She adds that riding in a group lets her go on longer trips—changing provinces or even riding to the U.S., for example. You feel safer in a group.

On her very first ride, Sophie did a 300 km trip with two experienced friends, and she still remembers how exhausted she felt. But, as she says, it was a “good kind of tired.”.

Sophie advises beginners to choose a model that makes them feel safe. That’s important. She also says not to get discouraged during the training process, which isn’t as easy as it might seem. “It’s so worth it!”

Lulu – A matter of circumstance

If you live in Quebec, you probably know Lulu Hughes, who has one of the most powerful voices in the Quebec music scene.

Lulu admits she never really had an interest in motorcycles. As she puts it, she’s not the daring type.

However, due to a series of life events, the idea started to grow. First came a breast cancer diagnosis in 2016. Then, in 2017, she participated in a show organized by Ride de filles, where she sang and gave a speech.

(Note: The event – running since 2009 – raises funds for the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation.)

After that experience, Lulu was invited to become the spokesperson for Ride de filles. That’s when she decided to take the motorcycle training course. The following year, she joined the group of hundreds of women riding from all over the province.

On her Harley-Davidson, she rode Route 66 with her brother Rick the next year. Over 2,000 km—an unforgettable experience!

That same year, she became president of Ride de filles, and since then, she’s been joyfully involved in organizing the musical show that closes out each event.

Lulu admits she was very nervous at first and still considers herself a cautious and sensible rider.  When she’s on her Indian Springfield Dark Horse—her latest acquisition, which she adores and calls her ultimate motorcycle—time seems to stop.

She prefers country roads and scenic routes by the water, which are perfect for meditation.

An independent and fierce woman, Lulu sees motorcycling as a need to keep moving forward—the same drive she feels in her everyday life:  Keep moving forward, no matter what challenges arise.

The Ride de filles event takes place every year, and on Saturday, July 5, over 1,000 women motorcyclists from all over the province will gather in Drummondville.

The day will end with a spectacular show. To learn more about Ride de filles or to buy tickets, visit ridedefilles.org.

In conclusion, Sophie and Lulu show us that it's never too late to discover and embrace motorcycling—and once you've experienced it, you just can't live without it.