Sasha Mullins - The Chrome Cowgirl Guide to the Motorcycle Life

Sasha Mullins

First published in 2008 by MBI Publishing Company and Motorbooks, an imprint of MBI Publishing Company, 400 First Avenue North, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA

Copyright 2008, 2011 by Sasha Mullins

All rights reserved. With the exception of quoting brief passages for the purposes of review, no part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission from the Publisher.

The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. All recommendations are made without any guarantee on the part of the author or Publisher, who also disclaim any liability incurred in connection with the use of this data or specific details.

We recognize, further, that some words, model names, and designations mentioned herein are the property of the trademark holder. We use them for identification purposes only. This is not an official publication.

Motorbooks titles are also available at discounts in bulk quantity for industrial or sales-promotional use. For details write to Special Sales Manager at MBI Publishing Company, 400 First Avenue North, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA.

Digital edition: 978-1-61673-060-4
Softcover edition: 978-0-7603-2922-1

To find out more about our books, join us online at www.motorbooks.com.

ISBN-13: 978-0-7603-2922-1

Cover, title page and back cover photos: Sasha Mullins on Tigerlily. Michele Lanci-Altomare Leathers courtesy of Icon Go-Go Gear, rideicon.com

Editors: Darwin Holmstrom and Mariam Pourshartari

Design Team
Art Director: Michele Lanci-Altomare
Design Manager: Tom Heffron
Designer: Danielle Smith
Cover Designer: Cindy Samargia Laun
Tigerlily illustrations: Jesse Boldt:

Printed in the USA

ROAD MAP

DEDICATIONS

This book is dedicated to my amazing Chrome Charming, Patrick S. Lassiter. He loves my Chrome Cowgirl free spirit and encourages me to be me and ride off and lasso my dreams. I love you, dude! In loving memory of John F. Mullins, my daddy Poppi! The man of my world.

THANK YOUS

(in no particular order)

Darwin Holmstrom, Michele Lanci-Altomare, Danielle Smith, Zack Miller, Tom Heffron, Nichole Schiele, Ken Fund, Jesse Boldt, the great crew at Motorbooks, Fritz Clapp, Betsy Huelskamp, Jay Allen, Pete Cimasi, Skip MacLeod, John Beymer, Lori Coon, Bob Smith, Rich Travali, Emma, Poppi, Jodi Ray Sorensen, Hillybilly Hero Dave Powell, Malysa Wyse, Chris Maida, Bandit KRB, GypZ Jingles, Jasmine Cain, Pat Lassiter, Tattoo Willie, Dennis Curnette, English Jim, Beanre, Mike Lichter, Darcy Betlach, Sara Liberte, Marla Browning, Brenda Trumbo, and my dear, dear Jesus.

PREFACE

Whats that loud roar? Well, its this book: The Chrome Cowgirl Guide to the Motorcycle Life. Its also the craving in your gut for some freedom in the wind. Are you ready to roar through life, wild and free? Everything good happens on a motorcycle. The motorcycle way of life is about letting go and being true. It teaches you how to live a life that is more liberating and more truthful than youve ever known. Riding a two-wheeled freedom machine is about feeling and being fabulous. The act of riding bubbles with positive energy. It is a delicious, intoxicating rush to the soul.

A girl on a motorcycle is a vision of pure cool. Motorcycles resonate deep in the soul of every female, whether she rides, is a passenger, or dreams about riding a motorcycle. Whether you ride or not, this book is for you. Keep it handy for some odd bits of biker chick inspiration anytime you need a dose.

Theres a Chrome Cowgirl in every woman, every girl. Theres a beautiful female energy inside all of us that just wants to be wild and free like a pioneering cowgirl riding an untamed mustang. Thats what it feels like to ride a motorcycle. And on those two wheels well, you create your own path, you forge your own destiny. You let the adventure happen. You go with the flow of the road. Whether youre a racer chick, a motocross dirty girl, a highway cruisin mamathats where youll find a Chrome Cowgirl heart.

Ever since I was a tiny girl, I wanted to ride a motorcycle. I would dream that I could fly. I imagined that soaring down the highway on a motorcycle would feel like flying, only my wings would be two wheels with a big roar. When I finally threw a leg over a motorcycle and learned to ride, I discovered that Id been rightriding a motorcycle is the closest a person can come to flying without actually leaving the ground.

The beauty of lifethe camaraderie to be found among people who share the same passion for riding and being truethats what motorcycle riding has shown me, and thats what Id like to share with you. Whether you ride or not, whether you have your own motorcycle or not, listen up: that nomadic wanderlust is a beautiful part of all of us. It makes us the leaders of our own journeys in life. VaVaVaVroom!

Over the years since the publication of my previous bookBikerlady: Living & Riding Freeand with the help of the half-dozen television shows in which Ive appeared, Ive had the great blessing to receive thousands of letters from men, women, and kids telling me about how my road philosophies, life history, and appearances have changed their lives. Little scooter-trash me changed lives? My little life inspired folks the world over? Thats what I would deem living a life of purpose! To have inspired all these wonderful people has blessed me with utter humility and happy servitude. I write this book in honor of and for you.

Are you ready to face reality? Ride that road that awaits you? You should be, because that road is yours. It belongs to you, no one else, so, no excuses. Dont want to hear em. Been there, and its a waste of breath. Dont tell me that you dont have what it takes to make this trip. Yeah, this trip called life. Youve got all the resources.

See, this little biker chick is going to tell you to stop right where you are and shut up and ride! And I say that in the most caring way because I care about you enjoying a more fulfilling life. I want you to roarrr through life, whether you like to live out loud or be the strong, silent type.

Okay. Now that this Chrome Cowgirl has got your attention, listen to me carefully and answer these questions honestly:

The Wind Is Calling You
Wake up with a bunch of have to dos
But the wind is calling you
the wind is calling you
Hold on tight,
lifes a struggle and a fight
But the wind is calling you
the wind is calling you