Letters
To Roadgypsy
Updated
August 19, 2008.
I was at your
site and seen you made it to a few ghost towns.I thought i
might mention one im planning on going to this summer on the
cal nevada border. heres the site addy that can give you a
better idea then i can. great site ya have there...ride safe...
-Demo
"Its best to be quiet
and have everyone think you are an idiot, than to open your
mouth and prove them right"
"A zest for living must include a willingness to die."
"When you're dumb, you gotta be tough"
"It's not that I'm afraid to die. I just don't want to
be there when it happens"
"People are more violently opposed to fur than leather
because it's safer to harass rich women than motorcycle clubs"
"Only a Biker knows why a dog sticks his head out of
a car window"
Hey their little
lady, Roadgypsy?
I dont usualy
mail emails but this time I thoght I would. We met in the
parking lot of the licor store I really liked your side car.
I was riding the black ultra.You do a lot of riding girl.
I can tell the passion is inside you, and even when we talked
that day. Keep up the great job on the site, I will pass it
on to my buddies who ride a lot too. One day we should ride
with our group. Hope we meet again. I really liked your web
page and wanted to tell you so.
Rick
Hello Gypsy,
I thought I would
drop you an e-mail. We met at the waterfront a couple of weeks
ago, near French's stand. I was on the lowrider. I checked
out your site, and wow, I have to tell you you sure do get
around! You'd put a lot of riders to shame. I really enjoyed
your site, it is so full of stuff, and all presented real
nice, not all advertising crap. You really have been through
a lot - but I can see how you weathered it all, with the shining
personality that you posess. Maybe one day we could take a
coffee and a ride together?
Ride with care
and keep smiling,
Tom
Forwarded message
to Roadgypsy: My Dearest
Larry,
Of course I remember
you. We don't miss men as handsome as yourself. I am truly
hoping that you can make it to the Mountainhouse this weekend
and come hang out and help us support Deaf Hope. If not we
will understand. Thank you so much for recommending RoadGypsy
to us. I have looked at her web briefly and have already recommended
that we link up. I am looking forward to reading every word
when I have some down time after the event. She sounds like
a fantastic gal. Some one I really want to meet someday soon.
We all need heros. I certainly put Gypsy and yourself in that
catagory.
Love and Respect
Big Momma "Prez"
She Devils MC USA
Hi,
My friend bought some motorcycle pins and earrings from you
at a garage sale. They are lovely.
She also told me you live near me and my husband and I ride
motorcycles too. She was amazed at you and gave me your website.
WOW my husband and I are so impressed. We would love to meet
you sometime and maybe go for a ride together. Anyway,
my best to you in all your endeavours! We are impressed with
your website and wanted you to know.
Cheers!
G & P
Hi there - loved
the site and thanks so much for the info on Harry Watts, I'm
sending off a note to buy his book. I just wanted to let you
know that his postal code is incorrect; it's listed as M2M
4N4 and should N2M 4N4…I noticed it because I have family
in Kitchener and live in Toronto (where our postal codes start
with "M"s). Hopefully Canada Post will sort it out
on their own, but just in case!
I'm afraid I
don't ride (hell, I don't even have a full "G" license,
let alone an "M" version!); a good friend of mine,
who is a motor cop and a member of the Toronto precision team,
found a mention of Mr. Watts in a magazine of some kind and
Google led him to your article.
Since I'm a war buff, he mentioned it in conversation, knowing
I would want to know about that aspect. My grandfather was
at Ortona, and I can't help but wonder if their paths crossed.
I'm sending off a note to Mr. Watts today to order the book
- can't wait to read it! I'll check back on the RG site for
sure - there's lots I haven't had a chance to look at as yet.
Shelley
We got your site
from Bob, peglegbiker.com. He is a very good friend of ours.
We extend the same invitation to you that we did for him when
we first met this great man. If you're in the southern part
of Pittsburgh, don't rent a room. If you are a friend of Bob's
you are a friend of ours. We have plenty of room. You can
always trust the true bikers.
Paul & Kathie
A friend and
fellow rider Mary who knows you sent me your web site
---enjoyed it very much--am fellow survivor as well --was
not sure I was
going to see this spring but the surgery went well and no
keemo
needed---just had gotten a new Ultra Classic last summer before
I knew
about the cancer---the summer before that a young girl was
reaching for
something in her purse and lost control of her car and hit
me head on
near Slave Lake--five months in a neck brace steel plate and
a bone
graft in my neck lol lol lol what a last couple of years --but
raring to
hit the road again--feeling sick last summer still got over
9000 clicks
on the wheels--went to the Yukon and going back this summer
to the
western H.O.G rally up there in Whitehorse---again loved the
site could
feel the passion. Take care my dear and ride safe--keep the
greasy side
down and the shiny side up--
Randy
Elizabeth,
Thank you for your kind comments. You
have presented an aspect of recovery (going to the gym) that
I had not heard about before. May I publish your comments
on my feedback page? Other people might benefit from hearing
what you have to say.
On another note, your e-mail made me
cry. I guess they were tears of joyous frustration, if there
is such a thing. Yesterday, I was having a really bad day
and for the first time ever, I considered closing this business.
I was cranky, frustrated and depressed and went to bed. This
morning I found your e-mail. I guess it reinforces my belief
that God gives us what we need when we need it. I needed some
encouragement to continue and you provided that. So, now I
must believe that all of my future needs will be met, I just
need to continue.
Your comment about making
this bad pill easier to swallow may have hit the nail on the
head. My husband has been an amputee for almost 25 years now.
Before SleeveArt
, people seemed afraid of him. Since SleeveArt,
many people have a comment about the cool design on his leg.
Fred was already an amputee for 8 years when I met him. I
hardly noticed that he was missing part of a leg, instead
I noticed that he was a nice guy who treated me like a queen.
We will be married for 15 years this year and we’re
still best friends. I hope that you too, find a romantic friend
for life.
OK – I need to work now. Please
let me know if I may use your feedback. Thank you for writing.
Joanne Pauloz
Vice President, Fred's Legs, Inc.
www.fredslegs.com
Hello 'Roadgypsy',
I don't know
if you'd ever remember me, but I met you at a coffee shop
in Creemore, Ontario. You had just walked out as I was admiring
your bike. You gave me one of your website cards, and it hadn't
been online for too long. Decided to check it out again, as
I found your card buried in my desk drawer, and I was shocked
at how the site has changed. It looks great - I was also shocked
at what happened to you this last while.
Just wanted to
let you know I had the feeling when we met that you were a
warm and wonderful lady, and a toughie too! So hang in there,
you'll be riding long distance again soon, I'm, sure.
Here's wishing
you sincerely all the success in the world,
Nathan
Greetings to
the RoadGypsy
I have been trying to get to this but time has conspired against
me. First of all, I don't share my birth name with the world.
Scooter is all I answer to. I don't have a picture either.
Other than that, I'm always open to new friendships.
My scooter is a 1994 Heritage Classic that is well on her
way to being a righteous rat. She runs like a striped-ass
goose, sings prettier than a coonhound in full bay, and never
lets me down. She's been carbed, cammed, and has a wicked
exhaust system that sets car alarms off just idling down the
street. Next on the list is a six-speed tranny and bigger
saddlebags. Can't seem to get to paint and chrome.
I don't own her, she owns me. But you can put the owner down
as Scooter Bum-a Frisco California Native, age 56.
I'm a dog groomer that until recently packed all my equipment
on my scooter and went to my dogs instead of maintaining a
shop. I stopped three years ago to care for my mother who
is 94 and runs me in circles. I still groom a few dogs here
at the house.
I've been scooter-crazy all my life. When I was four I told
my mom I was going to marry one of those, pointing out a chopper
riding outlaw. She reminded me of this at my wedding - to
a chopper riding outlaw - 20 years later. And here I am, 30+
years later, still married and still riding.
Keep the rubber-side down and your powder dry-
Peace,
Scooter
Hi,
Not sure if you will remember me, but I was the PM at the
Post Office before you moved to Quebec. I am sorry to hear
that you have had a rough time of late, but I am so proud
hearing all that you have since accomplished! I check out
your web site frequently to see how you are doing and appreciate
the updates.
Welcome back to Ontario and take care,
Sandy
Hi,
Visited your
site - you have a lot of interesting stories. Also sampled
your music. You sound great. You have a very beautiful singing
voice - my husband thinks so as well. I think that you are
a very courageous woman and you have a beautiful soul. Keep
living as free as a bird and good luck in all your adventures.
Gaetanne
Gypsy:
I am a recent BK amputee, May of this
year. I have just within the last few weeks tried riding my
V-Star 1100 Classic. I am not having too much trouble shifting
gears, but I can’t put the kickstand down. I can kick
it up with my heel, but cannot get it down. I purchased an
extender, and that helped some, I can now get it half way
down but my “leg” doesn’t extend forward
enough to get it completely down. Was wondering how other
amputees “get it done”.
Thanks for your time.
Shelley
Hey Gypsy,
Hang in there gal! Been a right leg above the knee amputee
since '72. Just wanted to say hi.
All the BEST from the "DEN!"
C'ya,
"Bear"
P.S. Attaching a pic of myself and Heather my wife. Of course
i'm the bearded scamp. Ha! It was a triple wedding that day.
Hello Liz (Roadgypsy),
I was just checking your website out today and was saddened
to hear about your bout with cancer. I haven't checked your
site out since last Oct 06, been very busy with the Military,
etc..
I don't know if you remember me. We met in Aug 2005 in Ontario
before Whitby, at the end of your tour to the Maritimes but
the early start of my trip to New York city; I drive a 2001
V-Star classic 1100cc; you were with your daughter. It was
very nice meeting you and have always been impressed with
your work and free nature.
You sound like a very strong lady, and I have no doubt you
will get through these hard times. I will keep you in my prayers.
Thank you for posting my pictures with the bike, the one directly
below yours. You do excellent work.
Anyway, keep your head up and don't give up. Take one day
at a time and with thanksgivings. You will get through this
and be on the road again...two wheel or three wheels! You
have a beautiful heart and attitude, I can see this from your
site and your writings. If you ever need someone to chat with,
drop me a line.
Your friend,
Douglas
Just read article
in mag and just dropping line from Ontario. Hope you are doing
better than before - just hang on, time is just time. When
you hear the pipes we are there. If you wanna write back ok
- if not, its your freedom.
Peter
Dear Liz,
Hope you are
well. Just opened tonights Packet and Times and
saw the issue of Simcoe Life Magazine. I don't usually read
this magazine but
for some reason tonight I did. I'm glad I did as you were
in it. It's always
good to see the ladies riding. I have been riding for 22 years
myself. I'm
on my fourth bike now, a 1979 Harley Lowrider. I see you are
a musician and
songwriter. My buddy Dave, a musician and I have taken up
songwriting
together. After doing the usual heartbrake songs I thought
it was time to
write about something different and more upbeat. I figured
bikes have been
an important part of my life and figured that would be good
song material.
Anyway I won't waste anymore of your time. If your around
the
Orillia area and you see an old yellow Shovelhead Low Rider
wave, that
will be me. Take care.
Yours truly,
Doug
Hello,
I read your letter on the "Women Riders Now" website.
I wish you strength in your recovery.
FYI - I am a right BKA and also used to ride. I haven't gotten
back to it yet but would like to. I have been thinking of
a trike if the two wheel option doesn't work out.
Below are some websites I found that might be of some use.
The first one is the AMA (American Motorcyclist Association
- Disabled Riders Resource list). At 1st glance - it looks
like there are a number of resources listed.
If you have a local amputee support group - they might have
some ideas as well.
I hope these help.
Good Luck.
Wendy
Brighton, Michigan
Liz,
Just read Gwen's column in the new issue of Motorcycle Mojo.
Having very much enjoyed your article about the adventure
you had with your daughter, I was sorry to hear about your
misfortune. Wishing you a very speedy recovery.
It's way to early to be thinking three wheels. I'm sure
you'll be back on your feet in no time and before you know
it, riding the Superglide the way it was intended. To really
enjoy the ride, you're going to need a Butt Buffer installed
in the seat. Send it to either me or Ed Westerdyke, our
Canadian dealer, and we'll take care of it for you. If you
need to be a little closer to the ground, we can do that
at the same time.
Again, wishing you the best.
Peter
Hey Liz,
I just checked your site to see if you were still updating
and we are
shocked to hear what had
happened,it made me think back to last fall before you left,
you were
telling us about you foot
and the pain you were in.We know you will get through this
you are a
strong person and no matter we know you will ride again.All
the very
best .We will be thinking about you.
Tim&Jo
Dear Liz:
At this months fair board meeting we were informed about your
move to Quebec, about your tumour on your ankle and then your
operation.
I want you to know that you are in Bob's and my prayers and
we wish you a speedy recovery.
You are not one to be beaten by this. We have seen how strong
and determined you are and know that the love you have for
life as well as from family and friends around you and the
strength you carry within will get you through this rough
time.
We are here in Ontario rooting for you.
Here's a big hug of love and support.
Take care.
Bob and Sheila Burk
Hello Elizabeth!
You truly impressed
me when I read in MMM about your 1 month bike trip on the
East coast with your daughter! I love riding and camping too,
but I've never taken it out for such a long trip. You are
bold, adventurous, brave, and you sure don't lack courage,
determination and energy! Reading your story made me plan
a longer trip than was originally thought of, for next summer.
You don't know me, but you've influenced me :)
In the last issue
of MMM I also read about the nightmare you've been going through
recently. I don't know you Elizabeth, and I sure can't say
that I know what you're going through, but I can imagine how
challenging this must be, even for a person as strong as you
are.
Spring is just
around the corner, and in my own humble way, I just wanted
to give my Hog riding sister a warm hug and send her positive
vibrations.
Dan
Elizabeth:
I just received
an email from Don Norris in which he told me about your recent
bout with cancer. I am so sorry to hear this. I've been trying
to envision what you look like since I first met you by email
a year or two ago. Don Norris sent a photo of you and him
at the motorcycle show so now I don't have to use my minds
eye anymore. You are a very lovely person. Some day we will
meet I'm sure.
In the meantime,
don't give up on your motorcycling passion. There are lots
of ways around this. After riding and racing motorcycles from
1965 to the present I finally had a rather violent crash last
summer. I think I told you about that already. I'll probably
walk with a limp for the rest of my life but I won't be giving
up on my passion either.
Some of the options
you may have thought of are a sidecar, or a trike. Bombardier
has just returned to the motorcycling scene and has introduced
the Can-Am Spyder a motorcycle that has two wheels on the
front and one on the rear. I just received the latest April
edition of Cycle Canada and there is a complete road test
of the Spyder along with lots of pictures. The price will
be around $18,000.00. You should have a look at it. It looks
really fantastic.
Keep up the good
work with your web site and I hope to meet you some day and
maybe go for a ride with you.
Your motorcycling
friend
Ron Keys
HI LIZ...
I CAN'T BEGIN TO EXPRESS
HOW I FEEL ABOUT YOUR DIAGNOSIS, BEEN AWARE OF IT FOR A SHORT
TIME, BUT I DID'T WANT TO WRITE YOU TILL NOW BECAUSE I DIDN'T
WANT TO INFRINGE ON YOUR PRIVACY.
JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE FOR
YOU, AND I HAVE NO DOUBT SOMEONE AS STRONG AS YOU WILL SOAR
AGAIN SOON.
BE WELL...YOUR FRIEND KEVIN
HI Liz :
I went on your website yesterday I was shocked to read your
account of what has happened to you . I remember when you
last cut my hair you said your ankle was bothering you that
day but I never expected this . Our deepest sympathy is with
you and hopefully a speedy recoverey before the riding season
starts .
I don't have any up to-date pictures right now but as soon
as this weather breaks I will get some of the bike and trailer
and will do an up-date at that time .
I have made a couple of enquiries regarding a sidecar and
when I get something back I will forward it to yuo . I was
also talking to Ray , owner of R C Trike in Quebec and explained
your situation to him and he said he has used trikes and he
would take your bike in on a trade and use you right and help
you as much as possible . If you have any interest , go to
www.rctrike.com and talk to Raymond Chase . Tell him you are
the one I talked to him about . I will see him at the bike
show this month . I will give him one of your cards and he
can go on line and get your background history .
I will close for now but will be in touch before to long .
Helen and I will keep you in our thoughts and wish you all
the best for a speedy recovery .
Helen and Bernie .
Hi Liz. Sorry
to read about your leg in Jan- Feb mojo . We enjoyed reading
you and your daughters trip to Newfoundland. Wish had the
fortitude to do it myselph. In 85 we did the west coast of
NFLD. FLEW IN rented a car stayed mostly bed and breckfast.
Could not catch an atlantic salmon but lots of brookies landed
and released. Years ago, many years, i enjoyed riding motorcycles.
In May 2005 got back into riding again, my first new bike
not a hog but a v star 1100 yamaha silverado that i enjoy
very much often riding with a group on wk. ends. We live near
London Ontario. Get well soon PS three wheels or two go for
it !!!!!!
Jim
Hi LizLiz
You may remember me. Met you once in Midland with
Tim Shamess. I was writing for RideON with Tim
when it was publishing.
Heard about your battle with C. from Tim. Hope
you are hanging in. Wish you the best.Hope you
are back in the wind soon. Your site rocks and
has some great photos. Read some of your stuff in
Mojo btw.Understand you are now in Quebec no
longer in Simcoe County. Hope things go better
for you Gypsy.
Take care
mike g.
750 Honda Shadow ACE
Hi Liz:
I just heard
about your unfortunate situation written by Gwen Roberts in
the Mar/Apr '07 Mojo Magazine.
I read your article
in last month's Mojo and loved it. I have 2 small sons,
aged 7 and 5 and would love one day to take them on a road
trip as you did
with your daughter. While your current situation is a much
greater
challenge then bad weather and flat tires, from your roadtrip
experience
with your daughter, you've proved to yourself that you can
handle whatever
life throws your way.
BTW-I rode my
first Harley (Softtail Deuce) in Palm Springs with some free
time while at a company conference. It was awesome.
I wish you a
speedy recovery.
Best regards
Stuart Segal
New bike rider
1999 Yamaha 650 V-Star Classic
Hi Liz,
My name is Frankie
and I just heard about your story from Tim Shamess a good
friend of mine. Timmy and I will be forever bonded in metal
as you two will as well.
I am so sorry
for your loss ( as you must be) and since you are a special
person I can see you handling things ok. How is it going?
When I was in
the Rehab hospital after my bike accident, I met a woman named
Donna. She was an amazing girl. She was a fast talking, very
attractive blonde who had just had her second leg amputated.
The first leg didn’t stop her or slow her down apparently.
She was on top of a big ladder when she fell and lost the
second one.
Elizabeth, we
all get challenges to face as I am sure you already know.
Some of us more than others. I am convinced that they are
related to our life purpose and what we came here to learn
or to teach others. I am a Life Coach, and I specialize in
self esteem building, as well as pain & trauma. I can
because I HAVE been there.
I hear you are
looking into Trikes now. .Good for you. I am too. Let me know
if you see anything good and not TOO expensive. I have been
toying with the T REX, but I understand you really can’t
ride it in Ontario. Plus 50G’s is a lot of money for
a toy…smile. But you never know . 3
years ago I had to stop riding when a car ran a stop sign
and t boned me. I broke everything below my waist ( something’s
twice) and a few others above. I swear they put my bike back
inside of me…Her name was Mercury and she was a total
write off. 5 months were spent in the hospital ( can you relate
to rehab?) and then the next 3.5 enduring more surgeries,
fighting doctors, lawyers and insurance co.’s. To this
date, although I was just deemed Catastrophic, I still haven’t
settled.
I remember Tim
sending me your postings and feeling so jealous. You were
young and beautiful and so FREE!!!! My bike had been my freedom
but a passion I didn’t even start until mid forties.
But a passion it was. I had already chosen 6 woman and a videographer
to film us riding down Route 66.
I did get back
on a bike, .twice, I wanted to make sure I wasn’t afraid.
It was a mix of fear and exhilaration but mostly god awful
pain, but also it was on the back of a Katana, not the most
comfortable ride at 180 km down the Gardner.. it was crazy,
but there was no way I could straddle and support it. . What
was I going to do if I couldn’t’ ride? It had
become my life.. my friends, my passion? I
realized right away why my accident happened to me. It wasn’t
just me trying to rationalize a bad thing but rather me recognizing
that the Universe had been calling to me and I was going too
fast to slow down and hear the message.
If you ever feel
like talking or writing, please don’t hesitate to contact
me. I will be starting my own radio show soon and hope to
reach a few more folks out there who need a ‘leg’up
so to speak. I know that it is more than losing a limb. There
is awful the fear of Cancer coming back. My sister lives with
that fear and I have seen what it does to her. I guess what
will be, will be when it comes to that stuff, but as far as
your life goes, I sure hope you design on worth living. Don’t
live in default.
You are the Queen
of the Road girl and still are…..Frankie
Hi Lizzy
My name is Satch,
I and a friend from Bolton Ontario started a biker club
called Hurtin Old Guys,we hang out at a coffee shop in Bolton
called coffee
time,that is were we know Don from.I have read all of your
web site and find
your story and life verry cool.I heard about your fight for
cancer and I
know that you will be strong and work through anything that
GOD puts before
you.If your in the area look for the coffee shop and ask for
me.......coffee
is on me.....and the rest of the hurtin old guys........REMEMBER......LIVE
......TO............RIDE....................SATCH.
Liz:
We were unaware
of your health problems and were totally shocked to read about
you in MOJO magazine. I hope all is going better for you but
I expect you will have a long journey what with chemo, radiation,
prothesis etc. Our prayers go out to you. Your determination,
inner strength, positive attitude etc. will keep you going.
We really enjoyed
your piece in MOJO about your trip east. It was quite interesting
to read. You are a very good writer!
If you get a
minute, drop us a line and bring us up-to-date. We will forward
the information from the magazine to Denise, as she always
asked us if we'd seen/heard from you.
Take special
care of yourself. Hope to hear from you soon.
Dianne &
Wayne Andrews
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- 2007 by Roadgypsy Innovations. SOCAN.
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of content in any form is prohibited.