HER STORY | Kristine Vodon

Her Story. A series of blog posts telling the stories of 'women who ride' from all corners of the globe. We hope that by sharing these stories we can help encourage other women to build their confidence, learn from others and inspire others.

This month we have a story from Kristine Vodon from London, Ontario, Canada. She had a dream to ride a bike of her own and she persisted and made it happen and has never been happier.

We hope you enjoy her story.

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KRISTINE VODON

 "My name is Kristine Vodon, I’m 26 and a new Canadian rider. I got my licence summer of 2016 and had my bike on the road this past riding season. I currently ride a 2013 Suzuki TU250X in London Ontario.

I fell in love with riding, after being a passenger on my ex’s '82 Yamaha maxim. It wasn't long before I was in the front seat getting a rundown of riding basics... this was over 5 years ago and since then, he moved away, taking the bike with him, but I never lost my interest in motorcycles. Using one of my other passions; art, I would draw motorcycles I liked, and I would dream about one day riding my own. It felt like an impossible dream at times because none of my friends understood my affinity for 2 wheels, and my family was very against the idea. My mom wouldn’t even like me talking about motorcycles around her. I felt alone in my pursuit, but I never gave up.

In the summer of 2016, telling only a select few, I finally went out and did the safety course and got my licence. Best. Weekend. Ever. It had been so long since I was last on that old Yamaha I wondered if I was even going to be cut out for riding. But all my fears subsided as soon as the course began and I rocked out that licence exit exam.

The following weekend the stars aligned and the bike I had my eyes on (my wonderful Suzuki TU was for sale by a neighbour literally just down the street. 2013, mint condition, and only 900km on it.

I wasn’t planning on buying a bike (or telling my parents about my license for that matter) until next riding season but this was too good to pass up. So, I had to break it to my mom that I got my licence AND was buying a bike that day. She cried. I knew it was only because she loved me, but I knew I had to do what I'd been dreaming of for so long. Fast forward to today, I couldn't be happier with my Suzuki TU250x!

Thanks to my following on Instagram I have managed to land a brand ambassadorship with a wicked Canadian motorcycle gear company and I feel like I have more support than ever from all the people I have met through riding. There’s no words that can describe the joy when I ride, and every once and a while I get that little voice in the back of my head saying "you did it, you actually got here, all on your own" and I can't help but smile while I twist that throttle. I’ve already got my eyes on a Triumph Street Twin for my next ride. :)

If there are any other women out there who are wanting to ride, and find themselves in a similar situation I was in, I hope that my story helps reassure them. Although it may not happen overnight, you may not have all the support you want, and it may feel out of reach at times... if it’s something you’re truly passionate about, then it is achievable. Just be sure to ride safe ;)

Thanks for listening to my story, I’m never giving this up."

@kristinevodon

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Thank you to Kristine for sharing her story and if you would like to share your story with us simply go to the GET IN TOUCH page of the website and fill in the form and we will gladly be in touch.