Long before motorcycle companies declared women the new emerging market, a few of them were relentlessly promoting the sport to their sisters through speaking engagements, writing, reporting and the creation of female rider magazines. Genevieve Schmitt is one of them, and using her television producing background coupled with her passion for riding, she became very fast a major force in promoting motorcycling to women. Genevieve is an Emmy-nominated news magazine TV producer for her work on E! Entertainment Television, worked as a full-time producer for ABC’s Good Morning America and also in the early 90’s for the syndicated news magazine show EXTRA. Then, she transited to print and founded the Woman Rider, a national all-brands motorcycle magazine that published quarterly from 2000 to 2004. Being a leader on the subject of women and motorcycling, Genevieve has been quoted in hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles over the last decade including The New York Times, USA Today, The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Dallas Morning News, BusinessWeek, also appearing on The Fox News Channel on a segment on women riders on “Geraldo At Large.
A little fact not known by many is that Genevieve was the first female reporter to ride a motorcycle on TV and to report on the lifestyle when she worked from 1997 to 2003 for the Speedvision Cable Network (now Speed Channel) on the show “Bike Week”. She also rode an ATV around on TV reporting for “ATV Magazine Television,” a show on the Outdoor Life Network from 2002 to 2005. Her company, Solitude Ranch Communications LLC, publishes online Women Riders Now and Trike Riders Now capitalizing on interest in that booming female market. Her company also develops programs and consults with powersports companies to help them reach women riders. She also tours the country speaking at motorcycling events including ladies nights, dealer open houses, and motorcycle rallies. Her speeches are designed to inspire women to take up motorcycling for the first time, or inspire current riders to spend more time in the saddle by creating new riding goals. Her answers to my interview after the jump.(pictures copyright Rene Bruce)
Cyril. Who were your childhood heroes? Genevieve. Wonder Woman and Isis.
Cyril. When you were a teenager you wanted to become a? Genevieve. A news reporter.
Cyril. Tell me about your first time on a motorcycle? Genevieve. My very first time on a motorcycle was on the back of a boyfriend’s old Honda when I was in college. I remember sitting in the passenger seat on my first ride and turning my head to look to the back and my sunglasses flying off. We turned around to look for them but they had already gotten smashed on the road.
Cyril. If you were not active in the motorcycle industry, what would you do? Genevieve. I would be in the fitness industry teaching Pilates as I just received my Pilates teaching certificate.
Cyril. What is your favorite way to relax? Genevieve. Vegging out in front of my TV, flipping through fashion catalogs while catching up on shows that I’ve DVR’ed.
Cyril. What is the last music you downloaded in your iPod? Genevieve. Mark Knopfler, I can’t get enough of his voice.
Cyril. Preferred actor and actress? Genevieve. I see movies to be entertained. Owen Wilson and Ben Stiller. They make me laugh out loud.
Cyril. What are you afraid of? Genevieve. Distracted drivers
Cyril. What is your type of biker? Genevieve. Anybody who likes to ride on two wheels, no matter what kind, I can appreciate that person and enjoy getting to know them. I believe everyone has a story.
Cyril. What is the person you would love to meet? Genevieve. I would love to have met Mother Theresa
Cyril. Preferred motorcycle to ride? Genevieve. A cruiser, mine. I love my bike.
Cyril. We are having dinner together. Steakhouse, Italian, Thai, Sushi, French or Vegetarian? Genevieve. Sushi
Cyril. Do you have any tattoos or piercings? Genevieve. I have pierced ears, you know, the traditional kind for earrings.
Cyril. If you would ask me to build a custom, which style? Genevieve. Old school chopper, with high apes, legs kicked out, long rake.
Cyril. Which film made you cry? Genevieve. I bawled watching The Notebook, both times I watched it. What’s up with that?
Cyril. Name five things you hate. Genevieve. 1- The degradation of our society through the breakdown of the family unit and the infiltration of the media and its effects on the generation of young people today. 2- People who abuse children and animals. 3- Improper grammar and punctuation either spoken or written. 4- Lazy people. 5- Injustice
Cyril. What is your best life achievement? Genevieve. I don’t believe I’ve accomplished it yet.
Cyril. If you would be a season, which one? Genevieve. Is this like Barbara Walters asking if I were a tree, which one would I be? I’d be spring.
Cyril. What do you miss most at home when you are in a rally? Genevieve. My cocker spaniel, Charley Girl.
Cyril. What was the last book you read? Genevieve. The Accidental Billionaires, The Founding of Facebook
Cyril. Where is your favorite vacation place? Genevieve. Spending a week with good friends at a ski chalet next to the ski slopes either in Colorado or Montana and skiing every day.
Cyril. Do you have any guilty pleasures? Genevieve. An expensive pair of shoes.
Cyril. Do you collect anything? Genevieve. I collect anything related to women and motorcycling, figurines, David Uhl and Scott Jacobs paintings, posters, etc.
Cyril. What was your worst buy? Genevieve. I don’t have any. I spend my money very carefully.
Cyril. What was the most embarrassing thing you have ever made? Genevieve. I’ve made a few embarrassing comments in my day, but I can’t recall exactly what they are right now as I would rather forget them.
Cyril. What is the best thing you can cook? Genevieve. I make a great pecan encrusted salmon dish that no one yet has told me they didn’t like.
Cyril. When was the last time you were really angry? Genevieve. I get very angry at any injustice in this world.
Cyril. What is your perfect weekend when you are at home? Genevieve. Hanging out with my husband and depending on the season either hiking or cross country skiing or doing one of the other outdoor activities we love and then coming home and cooking a good meal and then watching a movie. Boring married life stuff.
Cyril. What is your preferred rally? Genevieve. Sturgis
Cyril. What is the worst question a journalist asked you? Genevieve. I can’t think of a specific question, but it bugs me when a journalist has not done his or her research and asks a question that clearly shows they’re clueless about me, my work, and motorcycling.
Met her. Seems like a great lady.
I am happy to be the first to say, great interview Cyril. I have known and loved this lady for quite some time , she has been so fun to watch in this industry, cant wait to see what’s next. Distracted drivers! deadly for the two wheelers especially ……totally agree G
Cyril/Genevieve. Very nice Q&A.
Best top 5 things you hate answer yet: Number one is right on point.
Peace
Joe
Hubba, Hubba! Tell me little Lady, How about getting rid of that wort yer married to ‘an run away with me to the Casba [whatever that is]. YUK-YUK!! Wiz
Didn’t know this lady. I like women who can handle big bikes and women who know how to talk. Interesting.
You can know a lot about a biker by the bike he rides. It’s even more true with a woman. Small lady frame, big bike, rusty color. Attractive package.
Another great lady. Another great interview. Go, all ladies.
More ladies Cyril. You know them all.
Easy to see that Genevieve is a writer. Went on her 2 websites. Not bad, but kind of little bit sad design. Would expect something less austere, more feminine.
Genevieve thanks for rockin’ the Flare! Seriously, great picture of you and that awesome suede bike of yours. Cyril, happy to see these little glimpses into people we all know and see in the industry on a regular basis, please continue to share, as the husband of one of these independent women riders who make up this great segment, go girls, super proud of you all. Carry on with class for years to come Genevieve. Thanks for sharing your insight with us all.
The same goes for you Laura. HUBBA, HUBBA!! We’ll all run away to the Casba! Wiz
Cyrill, might be worth Building Her that Bike, then again you are looking at her closer then the Picture you posted! Looks like real Talent, Cyrill.
I’ve known and admired Genevieve for many years. She has been an outspoken leader and much needed voice for women in this industry. We are so lucky to have her doing what she loves. She never fails to inspire and lead the way for us. Her website is one of the first I read every morning. (You too Cyril!) Keep up the good work… we need you!
She is one great lady Cryil and glad you got the interview,thanks Martin
Well done Cyril and love her hates especially number 1
great interview Cyril
number 3 is one the things that make this a great read online
3- Improper grammar and punctuation either spoken or written…..cut us some slack, we not all Roads
Your best yet Cyril. Could it be the interview-ee? Keep on rolling Genevieve!
Impressive interview with an impressive lady.
I’m proud to be her husband! Thanks Cyril.
Cyril,
What a great interview with such an inspiring women in the world of motorcycling and women who love to ride them! I was fortunate enough to meet Genevieve and another very influential women in this world Chris Sommer Simmons (The American Motorcycle Girls) this past summer at Celebrate Women Riders event held at the Harley Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, this was such an empowering experience to be a part of! I too am very passionate in trying to be an inspiration to other riders especially women who ride. I also make time to go to garage parties and club meetings and different motorcycle events and speak about safe motorcycling and also a big attraction is the bike pick up demonstration I do this with two different style motorcycles (sportster/street glide) this seems to be such a fear among women that they are always afraid if they drop their motorcycle how on earth will they get it back up by themselves and to show a petite women that even she can get this bike back up by herself and then stand back and watch her do it is just priceless! I helped make this easier for all riders by designing a strap that can be attached to the frame under the seat to make any motorcycle a breeze to get back up on two wheels!
Genevieve is one of the people that I hope to meet one day. She has certainly paved the way for all the women that are coming up after her. I admire her answers; pushing the idea of being sensitive to injustices. She must be quite a lady! Thank you for the look into the world of the woman.
Great Job Cyril,
I have had the pleasure to meet Genevieve, and I must say after my 40 years on the road with bikers , she is the “REAL DEAL”. Not only a dedicated rider, lots of fun with a wonderful positive outlook. It’ was a pleasure meeting her in Daytona a few years back and I always try to keep up with her articles and appearances. She’s a Gem and an terriffic example of what great folks you can meet in the motorcycling community.
Kudos too genevieve. All women should spend more time in the saddle.
Great answers and a good interview! We need more women in the industry like Genevieve.