Biking Grannies

According to today's Philadelphia Inquirer, "One in 10 motorcycle owners is a woman, the Motorcycle Industry Council reports. Between 1998 and 2003, the number of female motorcycle owners grew 36 percent, from 467,400 to 635,000."

The article quotes Lynn Nathan, a 63 year old biker chick from West Chester, PA: "Riding well at your level of skill and the performance of the bike requires Zen-like concentration," she says. "It's therapy, it's freeing, not just because of the wind in your face and all that stuff, but because your mind is in another place. Motorcycling is... 90 percent mental. That's why I love it."

The article also says, "'Women are fascinated by the accoutrements,' says Marc Fasten, sales manager at the dealership and Lynn Nathan's son. 'We sell $400 helmets because they're gorgeous and match the bike.'Sales of cycles and gear to women have risen 20 percent over the last year, Fasten says, and the sales staff is trained to regard every woman who walks through the door as a knowledgeable potential customer.'"

Read more of the article at: http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/states/pennsylvania/counties/montgomery_county/16462015.htm