By Deborah Speicher

On the first Saturday in May of every year, lady riders are told to “just ride” to commemorate and celebrate being just that – a lady rider! Across the world, several organized rides have started with some events claiming over 1,000 riders. Florida is now hosting numerous International Female Ride Day events across the state. I got on my Purple Pony, met up with other lady riders and we rode over to New Port Richey Harley-Davidson for a day of riding, shopping, live music by the Papa Crawdaddy band, food and camaraderie.

To give us some more riding, the dealership organized a poker run; the proceeds of which benefitted the Suncoast SPCA. In addition to great prizes, there were informative short clinics and vendors to complete our day. It didn’t end there – there was an after-party held at a local sports bar, Apps & Tapps.

Kudos to New Port Richey Harley-Davidson and especially Kim Ray, Malinda Johnson and her Open Road Girl riding gear, and the rest of the sponsors for organizing this over-the-top day just for the ladies.