Maria O'Reilly, CAN
MARIA’S RIDES:
How long have you been riding?
I have been riding for 6 years. I received my full M license last year.
What do you ride?
Beaker is my 2011 Triumph Bonneville SE and I also have my little silver bullet, a 2002 Ninja 500.
Why do you ride?
I ride because I can!
What is your greatest achievement on two wheels?
I always wanted to ride but never had an opportunity when I was younger. No one in my family rode. So when I got the chance at age 41 I took it. So I guess my greatest achievement so far has been to get my license. I am hoping that after this summer I can say my greatest achievement was taking my bike down the quarter mile.
What potential impact do think WRWR would have on the world?
The potential impact of WRWR is only limited by the women who are a part of WRWR. Already voices are being heard across the globe and it has only just begun!
Do you have a good crash story?
Nothing too bad thankfully. I did come in hot after a ride one day, hit the gravel on the driveway while I was trying to squeeze in between the cars to get into the garage. I was riding a ’97 YZF 600 at the time. Both it and I went over and I put a good sized ding in the boyfriend’s car. He was coming in the back entrance of the garage, saw that I went down, threw his helmet and come running over. By the time he got to me I was so bloody angry at having done something so foolish the bike was already up and I was heading in to park it.
Do you have a biking idol?
Is it really cheesy to say all the women who ride?
Do you work on your own bikes?
Thanks to a very supportive partner I am learning to work on my own bike. In fact over the course of the last 6 years, just by watching and helping I have learned so much. I feel confident in saying that I could easily work on my own bike but it’s more fun to work on them together.
What’s your dream bike?
Truthfully, I love my Triumph. It is everything I want in bike for now.
Where would you most like to ride in the world?
If I had to pick just one place it would probably be Australia.
BEHIND THE VISOR:
Where are you from?
I am Red & White through & through! A total Canadian eh! My mother is Hungarian though so I have been blessed with a multi-cultural upbringing.
What do you do for work?
I am a construction estimator and project manager for a mid-sized commercial contracting company.
How old are you?
Old enough to know better and young enough not to care… translated that means I am 47.
Do you have a family of your own?
I have a son who is getting married this year.
Would you teach your kids to ride?
If I had been riding when my son was little I would ABSOLUTELY have taught him how to ride.
Were you in any groups or clubs before WRWR?
Shortly before joining WRWR we were, and still are, a member of OCR (Ontario Crotch Rockets).
What do you enjoy doing aside from biking?
We go to the drag races often in the summer but I love to do all kinds of things! Billiards, darts, ping pong. I love camp fires and canoeing and the company of good friends. I love music, cooking and gardening.
What one word best describes you?
Inquisitive.
…Now what one word that people who know you well would describe you?
My partner says that I am resilient.
Do you have a biker nick-name – if not what would it be?
No biker name but my jacket says I am Speed Queen.
What super powers do you have and what would you have if you could choose?
I am the bike whisperer. Which simply means I am really good at finding a great deal on a bike that just needs a little TLC to make it someone else’s next ride. I am also really good at finding those hard to get parts to make that bike run better. If I were a comic book super hero I would be Storm. Can you imagine being able to control the weather? Every day would be a great riding day.
Who got you into riding?
After dating for a year my partner said to me “you know if we are going to keep seeing each other you are going to have to get your own bike”. Being a passenger was great but I loved riding and I am always up for a challenge. So I guess you could say he got me into riding. And he has been a great support from the start.
Why did you join WRWR?
I was looking for a group that would encourage and help build confidence but I didn’t want just any group. I wanted a group with some kind of purpose. Some meaning. You have to admit that WRWR certainly fits that bill!
Hayley's Rides!
