HER STORY | Sophie Morgan

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 very inspirational story from Sophie Morgan from London UK. She found freedom in her motorcycle after an accident changed her life. Resilient and inspirational.

We hope you enjoy her story.

My name is Sophie Morgan I'm 35 from London, United Kingdom and I ride a Can-Am Ryker 900 Rally Edition that has been adapted for me.

I was inspired to ride after I read Elspeth Beards book ’The Lone Rider’. Something she wrote in the story caught my attention; the freedom she experienced hiding underneath her bike helmet. It sent shivers through me. To be able to leave everything behind and for no one around you to be able to judge you by what you look like? I was hooked.

My dreams became filled with the fantasy of the lone rider; just the road and I, where you would never know who I was or what was wrong with me. Then someone introduced me to the Ryker and I was sold. My life changed for ever.

I was paralysed when I was 18 years old in a car crash, and have used a wheelchair ever since. Riding a bike is about as close as it comes to freedom for me! In fact, when I am riding her, I love to leave my chair behind. It feels so transformative and liberating I can hardly describe it!

I started riding last year. I learnt to ride very quickly and found it super easy. I purposely rode from London, England to Inverness, Scotland just to get some miles under my belt and it was actually really great practice!

Present day, my Ryker and I were planning to ride all the way from India (where I was just before my injury) all the way to Tokyo where I was going to present the Paralympics Games, but of course that dream has had to be put on hold for the time being. In the meantime I am using my bike (and helmet) for good and doing medication deliveries for people who are unable.

Since I was injured I have spent weeks, months and even years trapped at home for health reasons, so this feels very familiar to me and I am endlessly grateful for my health and ability to travel as a result.

My Ryker gives me wings! And who wouldn’t love a pair of wings right now?! Anyone looking into ANYTHING that might create positive change and excitement gets my full support, life is for living! If lock down teaches us anything, it should be to value our freedom.