DIVA Motorcycle Club
Fort Myers, Florida
A little about "CAT"
FEEL THE MAJIK - WITCHY'S WIKKED GRAPHIX
some planned, some not. I can truthfully say that I Live to Ride and Ride to Live!
I don't have a Harley, , but my heart and soul is ALL biker.
I live life by my rules, my way, I survive by my hand only, and have since I was 16.
I give respect where it is EARNED as it is not just GIVEN!
What I ride
A 2001 1600cc
My Dream Bike
A 2008 BOURGET DRAGON, SOLID BLACK, 117 S&S, 6 SPEED TRANS, 330 REAR TIRE. SOFTAIL WITH SPRINGER FRONT END.
but I could deal with a HD SCREAMING EAGLE ELECTRA GLIDE with an S&S 106 CUBIC INCH STROKER MOTOR!!
Michelle - aka "CAT"A southern girl, born in Tennessee-raised in sunny Florida... Miami to be exact(when it WAS Miami!) Always a bit of a tomboy, but always kept my girlie side.
Growing up was hard, you know the dysfunctional family thing! That was ok, I didn't care, I always had a smile on my face. I was strong willed, and always made the best of things...you know the glass half full kinda person. I left home when I was 16. I got a job, an apartment, and finished school. I did some modeling... nothing big, a couple commercials, small runway shows, and a little magazine work...never made it big, but never really tried. It was fun and an experience.
I moved to Tampa when I was 19 went thru alot of jobs (trying to find my place).
In 1986, I saw a motrcycle for sale on the side of the road.. $300!! I bought it right then and there!! It was a little Honda Nighthawk, dark blue and in really good shape! I managed to ride it home, it was the most wonderful thing I have ever done!
I had never ridden a motorcycle before that time... a couple of 3 and 4 wheelers, but never 2 wheels... but I have always been attracted to chrome, speed and loud engines!
Everyday after work, I'd jump on that bike and ride! I taught myself... sure, I was a little scared at first, but I felt at home on the bike. The freedom was and still is indescribable!
About 6 months later, I was riding in rushour traffic, A car cut me off and put his breaks on! With no where to go, I knew if I hit him I would be badly hurt or dead, so I manuvered, missed the car, but lost control and layed the bike down! All I can say is I am SOOOO glad the other cars on the road saw this and stopped before running me over! (if you have ever been on US 19 in Clearwater you know what I am talking about) I was pinned under the bike... Two good semaritians helped me up, the bike had 3 tiny dents and a couple minor scratches, I had some hellatious bruises, and a little road rash on one elbow. I managed to get back on the bike, and rode home. I could not ride for about a week after that, but couldn't wait to get back on it!
I kept that Honda for a couple years. Then I bought brand new Yamaha Radian, it was a fun bike! Riding was alot different back then, there were very few women and most of the guys were "old school". They didn't want anything to do with women on bikes, unless they were on the back of theirs! And of course a JAP bike was seriously frowned upon then, and made it that much harder to fit in.. so I rode by myself.. no biggie.
The years went by, and riding was a big part of my life. I came into hard times and had to sell my bike, it broke my heart! But I knew I would get another, and would get back on the road....well after being bikeless for a couple of years, I found an old Yamaha, nothing spectacular...but the price was right. It got me thru till I could buy a decent bike.
In 2000 I bought a brand new Honda Ace, it was beautiful! All black, lots of chrome, and all mine! Bought it cash! And for the first time in all these years of riding, I decided I was going to meet up with other riders and see if I could find others that had the "fever". That's when I met the Southern Cruisers Riding Club, they were a great bunch, men & women, they had harleys, and jap bikes, big ones and small ones, but they rode well, they were great people, and we had lots of fun..
I didn't care what they rode, they didn't care what I rode, it was all about the ride! Well let me tell you, we rode! ALOT, every weekend! It was great! I found new friends with the same passion for riding! I still rode alot on my own, like I do today, and as Captains came and went, the club changed alot (less riders) but I always stayed in touch, and to this day I still ride with them.
In Febuary of 2001 I decided to start my own motorcycle club, not riding club, I wanted MC! I did lots of research, I took an old modeling picture and with my computers picture enchacers and my hand drawn artistry, I came up with my "colors". DIVA was born... < DIVA : [Italian, from Latin d va, goddess, [syn: prima donna] Often today "diva" is used to describe any extremely independent and talented woman.
I wanted the sisterhood, the commeraderie, the respect... I wasn't interested in the politics or territorial B.S. So I got more involved in the Biker world, met alot of people, did alot of riding, went to alot of events, and put feelers out for other "DIVAS".
In June of 2003 I decided to go thru the "proper channels" for starting the MC. I had my meeting, I was told what I can and can't do, and I got my ok... but a month later I was hit by a drunk driver while on my bike. I was lucky to have only a badly smashed leg, broken tibia, and roadrash over half my face... I was alive! My bike was totaled :(
By miracle I healed very quickly! The doctors were astonished!
I bought a replacement bike while I was still on crutches! I tinkered with it for about a month, until I could walk again! (I was pushing it, but couldn't wait any longer) I had to ride, and the the club would have to go on the back burner...
My first time back on the bike, I thought I'd be afraid...NOT!! I could not get enough, rode for about an hour! I was sore, but happy! The next month I rode to Key West!! I almost could not walk when I got off the bike, but I was alright, and I was riding again... Soon after I traded that bike for the Roadstar I have now, and the fever is hotter that ever!
I started DIVA back up, but with a little different outlook. While DIVA was down, I met alot of women riders, some were real good, some, well you know, you've seen them (why is she on a bike? she's gonna kill herself!) but of course I have seen alot of men like that too! But I remember the last words spoken to me at that meeting. Wit said" I don't wan't to see a bunch of chick's throwing their dicks around!" Well, choices were slim, the girls that were interested did not want to wear "colors" and a few were interested until MC was brought up.
So I am DIVA....AND I RIDE!
I ride with other groups, I support the local BPMC and Outlaws MC whenever I can, along with other good causes.
I organized my first benefit for a friend that lost half his leg in a motorcycle accident.
(see the pics of bernie laub)
I know alot of different people and people from different clubs, I show and give respect where it's earned.
I love to ride, meeting new friends, and sharing the experience with them.
That's pretty much it...that's me "CAT"
Before I go, I want to share something with you, If you don't understand the passion, or the fever, this might help! THIS is what it's ALL ABOUT!There are "motorcycle owners" and there are "bikers".
Only a biker can understand this completly.
As someone who has felt such tremendous joy while on a bike;
I just can't wait to ride again!
See Ya on the road- CAT
