A horror story, a fairy tale? You decide! First breast cancer at the age of 27, now riding motorcycles up Pacific Coast Highway! Well, LA traffic fits into the first category, but the rest is a true fairy tale.

Due to a couple of young women that had the vision and determination to organize peer-support events for other young women that have survived a breast cancer diagnosis, I had the amazing pleasure of riding motorcycles up the California coast-1,000 miles-along beautiful scenic roads. There were many fog-filled valleys and gigantic redwoods with lilting leaves falling like confetti welcoming the 20 motorcycle-laden young ladies.

The experiences we each shared prior to meeting and the special moments we went through together weigh heavily in my heart and on my mind. Many 'coincidental' occasions occurred during the journey. A newspaper reporter from an LA news station came to do a story on our event--his wife had passed away from breast cancer--he was honored to meet us, as well as us being honored to meet him--we added her name to the list of those lost to this disease that we rode in remembrance of. A bakery owner whom lost his wife to breast cancer hosted a wonderful lunch with signs welcoming "Biker Chicks." An unscheduled stop at a restaurant left the owner in tears of motivation, as his wife was possibly facing metastasis (spread) which he had learned of moments earlier. He said that he must have been there for a reason and the inspiration and stories of survivorship and spirit must have been why our paths had crossed. Finally, just before crossing the Golden Gate, we met a family that brought their mother to the scenic viewpoint to 'get away' for a while, as she had just been diagnosed and had chemotherapy appointments awaiting her in the near future. We all sang "I Will Survive" together on the mountainside.

A couple other highlights included being on LA news and St. Luis Obispo news. I should also mention: the LA county Sheriff blocked traffic and escorted us through LA to the busy freeway at the beginning of our event, and San Francisco PD finished it up with a police escort!!

Looking out the window of the plane on my way to California I got a little teary-eyed thinking of “how could such a terrible thing like breast cancer bring about such joy; adventure, and wonderful experiences with amazing people like this group of true survivors. It also gave me the excuse to buy a motorcycle, learn to ride and pursue things I had only dreamed of.

 

I could go on and on...

with stories of the beautiful sights of vineyards, orchards, and pumpkin patches, the mountains, the ocean but none compare to the sight of these wonderful women on bikes in line via my mirrors-headlights as far back as I could see... I'll share a few pics with you instead.

I couldn't have done all this without the support of Bike Candy-Jennifer, Janna and Jay. Thanks to you- many survivors and those yet to be diagnosed were touched by your kindness. You are a group of wonderful people sharing your compassion and spirit.

I must also thank some other special people that made me confident in my adventure--OKC Thunder Cycles, Beth, and especially Dale-whom called me on the road to check on me!! And Mr. Ridley for engineering an awesome motorcycle and his kindness too!

I'll never forget the waves and compliments I received on my sweeeeeet bike and my Bike Candy gear literally from head to toe--the awesome pink Fluevog boots were the icing on the cake (thanks to FLUEVOG SHOES)!

Maybe I can fill you all in on the Australian leg of Changing Gears '06 next year!!

...and they all LIVED happily ever after!

Take advantage of every day and ENJOY life-don't just live it.

Gayla L. Winn

My story: http://changinggears.org/gaylawinn.htm