A young Woman Explains Why She Rides.

whyIRideterwhyirideWhy I ride” (no relation with the recent documentary “Why We Ride” is a new online video series featuring bikers from across the country explaining their thrill for riding.

In this segment, a young woman named Leslie Padoll from Brooklyn, NY, despite gender stereotypes and other social challenges, has found solace in riding her motorcycle.

With the inspiration and confidence gained from her experiences on the road she was able to overcome her own personal obstacles. She tells her story…

35 Responses to “A young Woman Explains Why She Rides.”


  1. 1 Paul Jul 16th, 2014 at 9:01 am

    Riding in therapy.

  2. 2 Shifter Jul 16th, 2014 at 9:03 am

    By the way, good commercial for HD. If Indian produces a Scout, they should produce videos showing both men & women riding it.

  3. 3 Drake Jul 16th, 2014 at 9:10 am

    My type of lady.

  4. 4 TJ Martin Jul 16th, 2014 at 9:13 am

    What I’d like to know is … why are so many lately feeling the need to Justify them riding M/C’s … on videos and Web documentaries ? I mean really . Does riding a M/C demand justification as well as in depth explanations ? Isn’t just the simple joy of riding enough of a justification to do it without having to explain/justify it in detail ? Or is this all just a ploy on behalf of those creating these things to get their 15 minutes of fame ?

    Personally … in my book .. and …. in my probably not so humble opinion ? The more people feel the need to ‘ justify ‘ their actions to me the more I start thinking the reasons for their actions are all a load of pretense and ____ !

  5. 5 Springer Jul 16th, 2014 at 9:29 am

    Ride on…love your journey.

  6. 6 Rodent Jul 16th, 2014 at 9:36 am

    TJ Martin: great explanation! You hit it!

  7. 7 Kroeter Jul 16th, 2014 at 9:52 am

    If I pass you and your bike on the road, I’ll wave. Other than that, I don’t really care why you’re out there. Just ride!

  8. 8 AWLongmeyer Jul 16th, 2014 at 12:03 pm

    One of the most vacuous waste of pixels seen to date.

    (cue Joe Walsh “Confessor”)

  9. 9 JohnJ Texas Jul 16th, 2014 at 1:47 pm

    Wow, yeah TJ… maybe its the YouTube generation thing… I dunno.

  10. 10 mike Jul 16th, 2014 at 2:44 pm

    Socrates said “the unexamined life is not worth living”.

    When I was in my late teens and early 20s, road-tripping across Idaho, Montana Wyoming and Colorado on a bike that I built with my own hands was a deeply spiritual thing for me. Forty years later, it still is. I feel sorry for those who have either lost that connection, or (more likely) never had it to begin with.

    If you don’t already understand, I couldn’t possibly explain it to you.

  11. 11 Lugnut Jul 16th, 2014 at 3:28 pm

    I detected no “justification”. It’s called a video. People can make of it what they want to. You may as well ask why do people feel a need to write a response to a video or other news item at this blog. Seems to me the young lady was asked to explain her motivations and she obliged. That’s it. Its a given that the motorcycling nations needs some young blood that doesn’t sit in their recliners bitching about posers and people who trailer and people that ride (insert name of motorcycle here).

  12. 12 fuji Jul 16th, 2014 at 4:44 pm

    Harley Davidson psychology.

    When you can’t think for yourself or play on your own emotions some will let “earworms” Harley promo get inside their head and saturate their minds until you can’t get it out of your head.

    Pure ad directed toward females at a time when the male emotion has dwindled. An ad suggesting to move from your Honda background to a Harley Davidson all accomplished by an “earworm”.

    My favorite [ pet peeve ] Harley Davidson supporter statement. If you don’t get it I can’t explain it which means that you can’t explain it to begin with.

  13. 13 Blackmax Jul 16th, 2014 at 5:35 pm

    I’ve always felt it was always better to be on my bike communing with Nature
    Than to sit & be confined in a church.
    The reasons are as different as there are people who ride, she just put hers on film
    Ride On, Sister, Ride On !!!!!!!

  14. 14 Duke Jul 17th, 2014 at 12:12 am

    I hope that she never hits the pavement, those skinny jeans will evaporate.

    Hipsters!!

  15. 15 Muhammad Hizwan Jul 17th, 2014 at 12:13 am

    Riding is my best therapy. Ever!

  16. 16 Heavy Metal Jul 17th, 2014 at 5:46 am

    I’m glad she rides. As far as the film type its an advertisement for HD. She will get along well with the skateboard bikers with her fashionable riding gear.

  17. 17 SIGFREED Jul 17th, 2014 at 6:40 am

    Ye dig chicks who ride.

    I am connected to someone who (I know) pretends to be interested, but I know deep down she is not truly connected and likely only profess so, to be nice.

    Who said life is not complex..? Anyhow, there are exceptions, but woman who ride are often less pretentious, hugely self-confident (albeit in a subtle way) and almost always fascinating to talk to.

    I am though a bit perplexed with the denigrating comments about the brand of motorcycle and/or the clothes she wears – eg did anybody actually notice where she from; doubt it…

  18. 18 Chris Jul 17th, 2014 at 10:22 am

    Indian Larry wore sweat pants. Guess he was a hipster poser too.

  19. 19 Jeff Nicklus Jul 17th, 2014 at 11:20 am

    fuji,

    Well said!

    Over & Out,

    Jeff

  20. 20 Adi Jul 17th, 2014 at 12:00 pm

    I met her at a Born Free Pre Party… Cool chick very driven for success and will throw down if needed haha.

  21. 21 Clark Kirkendall Jul 17th, 2014 at 12:01 pm

    You can tell she’s a newbie by how she puts her dirty shoe right on the nice new paintjob. Oh well, it’s not my bike but that drives me crazy.

    At least she’s riding, but new riders kind of worry me, as I and probably most of you learned to ride in the dirt when we were young. New riders going onto the streets haven’t felt the way bikes slide on the dirt, or learned how to crash like most dirt riders have. Oh well, good luck to her and all.

    Hopefully, she took the MSF course.

  22. 22 Jody Perewitz Jul 17th, 2014 at 1:42 pm

    Very cool video! Love to see female riders!

  23. 23 James just another Crazy Kiwi Jul 17th, 2014 at 1:52 pm

    The more Women riding the better, personally I don’t care what brand people ride on.
    Their choice ! ! !
    Riding ”Cross country ” in jimmies if that was what she was wearing is dumb.
    Wear decent kit ! Otherwise when you fall off, and everyone does eventually. For more than one reason you may not ride again.
    Ride hard but at least lower the odds by being smart.

  24. 24 Chris Jul 17th, 2014 at 4:03 pm

    @Clark Kirkendall, I was thinking the other day how my (more recent) generation differs from my dad’s. In my dad’s time you took care of things and expected them to last a life time. In my time, you’ve come to accept that we live in a disposable society where consumer goods are made as cheaply as possible and you expect them to fall to pieces.

    So the paint got scratched? Big deal. Does it impact the way it starts, goes, or stops? Nope, so who cares. Not me. Put a scratch on it the first day, then you don’t have to worry about it again.

  25. 25 nicker Jul 17th, 2014 at 5:01 pm

    As the man once said…..

    “… get-yer motor run-en…. get out on the highway …”

    The reason why isn’t important. …… Getting it done is…….

    And if ya can do it on a scooter you built with your own hands….. Bonus!!!

    -nicker-

  26. 26 James just another Crazy Kiwi Jul 17th, 2014 at 8:28 pm

    Chris if you take care of your Motorcycle it will take care of you.
    I often see things when giving my bikes a thorough wash and polish.
    Part of proper maintenance really. Do you change your own oil and filter ?
    Obviously you do not believe in a sustainable world.
    It does not have to be throw away, it’s only if you choose to live that way !

  27. 27 Chris Jul 18th, 2014 at 8:32 am

    I can handle my bike, rebuild the engine about every other year just to try out new goodies. Suspension is dialed in tight. Brakes are strong. Paint? Don’t spend a second worrying about it. A rock hits the fender and dings it up, so?

  28. 28 Jusmecuz Jul 18th, 2014 at 8:44 am

    She RIDES her scoot… she ain’t worried about the smudge her converse might leave on her gas tank.. lol

  29. 29 Brad Jul 18th, 2014 at 8:46 am

    Jusmecuz. Say sneakers because they are not from Converse.

  30. 30 Martin Twofeather Jul 20th, 2014 at 6:06 pm

    Excellent hope she always feels that way………..

  31. 31 rick Lossner Jul 20th, 2014 at 6:24 pm

    It’s propaganda for.an insurance company….look closer

  32. 32 Robert Pandya Jul 21st, 2014 at 9:59 am

    Cripes – there are a bunch of cynical roosters percolating here. Yeah – Esurance wants to bond with customers through telling the story of an attractive young female drawn to riding. They want to sell a product. So does HD, Converse, Bell helmets, so on and so on. Given the number of road shots, snapshots and the positive energy It’s hard for me to understand why anybody would be grousing. Its her bike – her scratches, her ass for gear choices she made or not, and her life. Seems that she is out living it – and that’s a great take-away for me. I do love this industry – but undercurrents of negativity immediately give me a reason to dismiss opinions sometimes.

    This is a great time to ride – loads of options – all good. Besides – tomorrow you are one day closer to dead, and you are smarter than you were yesterday – might as well make the best of it.

    Robert

  33. 33 Mr Dick Jul 21st, 2014 at 10:05 am

    Keep your big foot off the tank, ho!

  34. 34 James just another Crazy Kiwi Jul 22nd, 2014 at 1:43 pm

    Geez it’s an add for an insurance company…Wonder why there are cynical ol roosters here well propaganda is one reason. Corporate speak is another

  35. 35 Joe Jul 28th, 2014 at 1:40 pm

    Why do I ride???why do u breathe???

Comments are currently closed.
Cyril Huze