GIRLS can enjoy motorbiking too is the message from a new support group for female bikers.

Jan Calland, 44, from Radley, near Abingdon, has just established the Thames Valley branch of the national Curvy Riders club, which has about 500 members.

Mrs Calland, who enjoys motorbiking with her husband Gordon, 49, wants more women to join the Thames Valley branch, which now has about 20 women involved.

The mother-of-one, who helps run the school shop at Radley College, said: “Last May, I bought a Triumph Bonneville SE for about £6,500 from Swindon Triumph and it has been absolutely brilliant.

“It’s a 985cc and I have been round France on it.

“Gordon and I both decided to learn to ride a motorbike at the same time and it has become a great hobby. You could say it’s an obsession.

“Curvy Riders is a great network for women and there are monthly socials and trips all over the country.

“A lot of the women are about my age – it’s a good hobby for women who have a bit of disposable income.

“It does not have to be too expensive. You can start off with a secondhand bike for a few hundred pounds.

“I sat my compulsory bike test in February 2008 and passed the following November.

“I found out about Curvy Riders online in February this year and the group has given me lots of support ever since.”

On Saturday, members of the Thames Valley branch visited Bikewise Motorcycles, off Audlett Drive, in Abingdon, to pick up bike maintenance tips.

Emma van Leer, Curvy Riders’ regional representative for the South West, joined the women at the dealership. The 30-year-old, from Bristol, said: “Some women are too scared to get on a motorbike but once they have done their compulsory bike test they will realise there is nothing to be scared of and their confidence will grow.

“I have been up to the Lake District on my Suzuki GS 500, which I bought new for £3,000, and I am looking forward to going to watch the TT Races in June.

“It’s very important for women to know their bikes as well as they can and stay on top of the maintenance.

“That could be vital if they are out alone on the roads.”

For more details about Curvy Riders, visit curvyriders.co.uk or email thamesvalleycurvies @hotmail.com for the Thames Valley branch

  • MORE than 1,500 people enjoyed a display of custom-made and classic bikes at H Cafe, near Berinsfield on Sunday.

The event, organised by the H Riders motorcycle club, raised £350 for the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance and £100 for Berinsfield Information and Volunteer Centre.