Regina's first organized group of women motorcycle riders, the Women in the Wind Highway Hunnies Chapter are hosting a special ladies only ride event in the province June 7 to celebrate International Women in the Wind (WITW) ride day. This event is observed annually by all 101 chapters of the organization around the world.
These ladies will be getting on their steel horses to enjoy some wind therapy while making a notable stop to a very special lady named Ruth Jeeves, who resides in Wolseley but is temporarily receiving respite care in Indian Head at the Golden Prairie Care Home. Chapter President, Shelly-Anne Mckay said, "Ruth is known as Canada's Oldest Motorcycle Granny as she was one of the first women to travel across Canada back in 1942 on her Harley Davidson which she named "Pinky". Jeeves who is now in her late 90's spent almost eight decades riding and traveling the highways on her motorcycle.
Jeeves recalls selling Pinky to raise money to save her family farm many years ago. She missed her motorcycle so much, that in the 1980's Jeeves decided to write into CTV's hit television show called "Thrill of a Lifetime". She shared how she would love to once again be able to get on a 1942 Harley Davidson, exactly like Pinky and put a few miles on. Shortly thereafter Jeeves was invited to Toronto and was granted the opportunity to ride "Pinky II" a 1942 Harley Davidson exactly like her original, which they let her ride around the city while they filmed her having the thrill of a lifetime! She was even more thrilled when at the end of the show they GAVE her the motorcycle to keep. Jeeves said, "I was crying all over that host with tears of joy". Jeeves sold Pinky II just a couple of years ago to a fellow from Alberta who visits her regularly when passing through the area.
The Highway Hunnies are looking forward to meeting Ruth in person this weekend. They will honor her and her riding history as she shares some of her favorite motorcycle memories with the ladies. Mckay said, "We are thrilled to meet Ruth in person and hope that when we all show up on our motorcycles that we bring back some good memories and bring a big smile to her face. We wanted to give her the opportunity to live vicariously through us once again - even if just for an hour".
The Highway Hunnies consist of 17 full-patch women members ranging in age from 35 to 70 and they call themselves a true "sisterhood". There are several other ladies that also ride with the group as their time allows. The June 7 event is open to all lady riders, all experience levels and all makes and models of motorcycles. The ride is scheduled to depart from the Northgate Mall parking lot near the old Target at 1:00 p.m. sharp on June 7 with an estimated arrival time of 2:00 p.m. in Indian Head at the Wooden Nickel Saloon at 515 Grand Avenue.
