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The Cone Zone
Radio - Sep 2, 2009
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Watching her ride motorcycle cone patterns, executing tight turns by dipping her bike to the floorboards, completing 20’ circles and figure eights, one would assume she has been practicing for years. The reality is she just learned these skills three months ago at a precision riding class in Denver, Colorado. The class teaches the same precision riding skills that motor officers use every day.
Pam Redfern began riding a motorcycle four years ago on a Harley-Davidson 883 Sportster. Three months later, she traded her Sporty for a Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide. Like many women, she wanted a bigger bike, but did not have the confidence to ride a “bagger.”
Pam knew she wanted a Harley when she purchased her first bike. She loved the deep throaty sounds, the vibration, and loud pipes of a Harley. After all, her first ride had been on a Harley her senior year in high school. Turns out her friend’s father had a Harley and gave her a ride to school…all of about 2 blocks! But that was all it took.
Two of Pam’s brothers are also bikers and influenced her desire to ride. Pam would admire her brother’s Harley in his garage and she would beg for a ride. As is common with siblings, he didn’t want people to think they were a couple and said no. Finally, one day her brother gave in and took her on a very short gas run. That was an exciting moment for Pam.
At 53, Pam is relatively new to the motorcycling community. Most of Pam’s time was spent raising her three children. She says she can see a big difference in the number of women riders since she began riding in 2005; including “older women riders and that’s good.”
Pam completed a MSF class before she purchased her Sporty and an advanced rider’s class two years later on her Dyna. Pam encourages other women riders to get more training and practice. She thinks many women fear parking lots, gravel, and worry about what a group ride will be like, because of a lack of confidence in their skills.
Pam became interested in precision riding because her boyfriend, Marc Ward, made it look easy and fun. Being a competitor, Pam decided to see if she could perform the same riding skills as Marc. But, Pam could not do it on her Dyna with the same grace and finesse. Pam says she “looked like a football ball player trying to do the Nutcracker” riding the Dyna.
So, in March of this year, Pam purchased a 2002 Harley-Davidson Road King Classic. The Road King enabled her to ride cones easier because of the difference in bike balance and lower center of gravity. At 5’9”, not many adjustments were necessary for Pam to be comfortable on her new bike. For smaller women, that may not be the case.
Pam installed wider clutch and brake levers on her Road King to accommodate her shorter fingers. In addition, she added an easy clutch, which reduces the amount of effort needed to operate the clutch lever. One thing Pam enjoys about her Road King is the floor boards; no more foot pegs.
Pam also shared that she has found it difficult at some dealerships to be recognized as a rider needing parts and service. Hopefully, with the increase in women riders those attitudes will change.
Pam laughs and says she was not good at sports, and other things like dancing, but on the bike she is good. She has won two women’s first place trophies for slow rides since completing her precision riding class. She also shares that the training gave her the confidence to handle a bike at slower speeds and on curves in mountains. Of course, Pam’s confidence and skills don’t just come from attending a class. Pam practices four hours a week in parking lots, always with someone else around. According to Pam, practice is key; unpracticed skills parish.
Pam and Marc perform at events and rallies. She became interested in performing to show other women what is possible. She receives many comments after performances from other women saying, “You are my hero.” Pam enjoys entertaining others while demonstrating her skills at events. She wants women to know, “If I can to this, you can do this.”
If you are interested in attending a MSF class in Denver, contact Black Bag.
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