Motor Maids arrived in force - May. 11, 2010
John Gardner/Courier
Women from as far away as Nova Scotia and Florida converged on Calais on Friday to celebrate International Women's Ride Day.
BY JOHN GARDNER
john@stcroixcourier.ca
CALAIS – They came from all over the Atlantic seaboard for a roaring good time.
Nearly 50 Motor Maids from as far away as Nova Scotia and Florida converged on the city on Friday to celebrate International Women’s Ride Day, internationally.
Established in 1940, the Motor Maids are the oldest female bike-riding club in North America.
The women formed two lines with the Canadian and American flags flying from the lead bikes.
“The day was beautiful for the flag exchange,” said Lil Charron who rode in on her 2007 Harley Davidson Heritage softail classic. Charron is the district director of the Motor Maids in Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire.
Harley Davidsons and BMWs dominated the pack, but there was one woman who arrived on a scooter. Charron said they gave her a patch that said “Scooter Maid.”
The group, along with a crowd of spectators gathered at Centennial Park to exchange flags.
Participants came from far and away: St. Stephen councillor Barb Donovan arrived on her BMW, while 78-year-old Doris Byrd came from Deland, Florida.
Terri Seymour, who works for Seacoast Harley Davidson, has been riding for three months, while Kerry Sullivan, a computer programmer from Raymond, Maine has been riding for 13 years.
“I just got my 200,000-mile patch,” said Sullivan.
Gail Neilson of Gagetown carried the flag for Canada, while Barbara McGill of North Monmouth, Maine carried the American flag.
After the commemorations, the party rode to Perry Maine, led by Calais Police Chief David Randall on his Kawasaki Z1000. Randall wore a “Mr. Motor Maid” T-shirt presented to him by the Motor Maids.
“It is nice that they would look at Calais-St. Stephen to come to our area,” said Calais mayor Vinton Cassidy.
“These kind of events are good for the community. They help the economy. The more folks that visit here, the more folks that will come back later. I am really pleased that they chose us.”
Expect more motorcycle enthusiasts to be in the area this summer as Atlanticade hits St. Andrews June 30 to July 4. Many of the women mentioned their intention to return for this major gathering of motorbikes.
Cassidy is hopeful the Motor Maids will make this an annual event.
“I spoke to Mayor (Jed) Purcell that perhaps next year we could do this on the Canadian side and still have the whole international flair to the thing.”
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