Women riders celebrate growing numbers in motorcycling

Representatives of women's motorcycle clubs show off their patches at the opening ceremony

The biggest obstacle for Ashley Fiolek in becoming a professional motorcycle racer, riding for Honda, was not that she is deaf, although she is.

   Ashley Fiolek, with her mother serving as interpreter

No, Ashley told a crowd of nearly 800 women riders, the biggest obstacle she faced was that she was a female in a male-dominated sport. For the boys riding in motocross there was a clear career path. Nothing of the sort existed for women. So Ashley decided to create it.

She announced in 2007 that she had run her last amateur race, and in 2008 entered races as a pro. She ended the year as the women's champion.

For 2009, Honda stepped up and offered her a factory ride. Ashley is the current points leader this year.

   Ashley Fiolek got a very warm welcome

Ashley Fiolek was the keynote speaker at tonight's opening ceremonies at the American Motorcyclist Association's 5th International Women & Motorcycling Conference, in Keystone, CO. She received a hero's welcome.

Other speakers in the program included Leslie Porterfield, the first woman to make it into the Bonneville 200 mph club; Karen Davidson, daughter of Willie G. Davidson and the Harley-Davidson Creative Director for General Merchandise; and Leslie Prevish, Harley-Davidson's Women's Outreach Manager.

Leslie Porterfield told how she set out in 2007 to break some speed records and only ended up breaking bones. She came back in 2008 and set the records.

Karen Davidson spoke of the growth of women in motorcycling during her tenure with the Motor Company.

Leslie Prevish told how her boyfriend laughed at her when she said her dream job would be to market motorcycles to women. She found him on the internet last year and sent him her business card.

The International Women & Motorcycling Conference continues through Saturday, Aug. 22.

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