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My passion with motorcycles began in 1970 when my Dad brought home three mini bikes (Thunderbolt make) and a Harley Davidson 90cc. I was 9 years old! My Dad gave the bikes to my brothers; however, they had to share them with my sisters and me. I have five siblings and we were raised in a suburban neighborhood with a backyard carved by motorcycle enthusiasts. I mean, if you didn't have some kind of motorized vehicle like a go-cart or a mini bike, you pretty much stayed on the side lines and watched everyone else have fun. I was in heaven! Being the tomboy that I was, I couldn't help but to fall in love with the sport. Eventually my brothers lost all interest in the bikes leaving me with all of them. By this time they were all pretty well beat up. The Harley was stuck in 2nd gear and I'd push it for what seemed like a mile to get it started. I would ride that bike around for hours (back then gas was 50 cents a gallon), and when the engine grew hot from being stuck in one gear, I would go home and hose it down. Of course, I know
better now! Ha Ha.
If you know anything about motorcycles and small engines, that is a definite recipe for engine destruction! I took the other three mini bikes apart and put them together as one fixed-up bike to ride the rest of the summer. This was one of the happiest summers of my childhood. I wish I had photos to share; these bikes were so cool looking.
After high school I went to Los Angeles to pursue a modeling career - all the time staying true to my passion for bikes. I purchased a 1985 Honda XR 200 four stroke and would ride it in the empty water ways. After several encounters with the local authorities, I finally got rid of my dirt bike and switched over to a Honda VTR 250cc street bike. I loved this bike! It was white teal and hot pink! I thought I was hot stuff riding around with shorts and a tank top. What a squid I was. Squid: a rider who rides without the proper body protection and does stupid things on a bike.
After two years of skipping around with several close calls with other cars and no one to really ride with, I decided to sell my bike in 1990.
To this day I regret that, especially since I live less than two miles from Carnegie (a local dirt riding park). I guess it was meant to be, because soon after I was forced to move back home due to my failing health.
In 1999, I decided to purchase a Kawasaki Ninja 250 and was having the time of my life, again, riding around half naked and thinking I was cool.
It wasn't until I bought my GIXXER (slang for Suzuki GSXR) bike that I finally got some sense and started studying the true art of motorcycling.
In the summer of 2000, I thought it would be fun to get a tattoo! I asked my doctor if it was okay and, of course, he was totally against the idea. He was fearful that I would get an infection from the needle and jeopardize my kidney. Instead, I decided to get a 1997 Suzuki GSXR 600!
Somehow I had convinced myself that this was safer! Ha-Ha I had no idea that at the time this was one of the hottest bikes in the sport field! LOL. I just liked the way it looked. "Yeehaa! What a rush.
After buzzing around on the city streets and still feeling empty, a friend convinced me to take my bike to the track. I became an instant official "Track Junkie" on the quest of pushing my addiction on to anybody that gave me the opportunity.
Below are some pictures of me riding at the track. The riders with the yellow vest are my coaches. The top center photo is my buddy, Jason, who is following me. On the bottom center photo, the rider on the left is Jenny, and she is fast! While it looks like I am passing her, in all honesty, she is passing me! Track riders are graded by levels of skill. "A" being the highest and borderline professional. In 2004 I was considered "B+". The riders in the photos with me are "A" and Jenny is a professional! If I went to the track today, 2006, I would grade myself as a typical "B" rider. I would need at least 5 track days (40 hrs) to get back on top. Unfortunately, since I co-founded Patient's Pride, Inc. two years ago, I don't get to the track much, but I do some street riding. The day of the photo, with me posing with my Gixxer (below) along with Erik (photographer), we both got a ticket for going 115mph on Hwy 5. A straight highway just beckons you to speed. If you ride a super bike, you will know what I mean. My lack of good sense cost me $225.00 and traffic school! Erick was almost thrown in jail for not having a license, insurance and registration (brand new bike). That was our squid mentality coming out. Ha-Ha.
These photos were taken by Darron Spohn of www.photobitstream.com. Click on each photo to see the full-sized image. Sorry for all the watermarks, but I do need to respect the photographer's copyrights. If you would like copy (s) of these photos, please contact me.
© 2008 Sheila Shaw. All Rights Reserved. Unless otherwise noted, Sheila Shaw is the owner of all copyrights for images represented on this web site. Permission to reproduce works, whether in print media or any electronic media, or any technologies not in current use, must be obtained by the creator of said works. Sheila Shaw reserves the right to grant approval and to collect reproduction fees deemed appropriate. Any unauthorized use by any person or entity will render them responsible and liable for appropriate compensation and other costs, regardless whether the person has profited or is responsible for such unauthorized use.
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