Within five minutes of jumping on a motorcycle for the first time, Mary Johnson hit the pavement...hard. She crashed into a parked van, suffered a concussion and caused $11,000 in damage to her first bike, a 2001 BMW R1200C. But this initial brush with danger was not enough to stop this 60-year-old from gripping the handlebars, and it seems like nothing can.
Johnson, who was born and raised in rural Manitoba, recently retired after almost 20 years of working as a union representative for United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 832. She is currently a member of the Coalition of Manitoba Motorcycle Groups and Motorcycle Confederation of Canada, Women’s Rider Council. She also serves on the executive board of the New Democratic Party of Manitoba and is on the board of directors for the Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation.
She is truly an inspiring individual and is extremely energetic. She is a mother of four children, ages 31-39, and had two foster children who now all have children and grandchildren of their own. Now that she’s retired and the kids are grown up, she’s enjoying some much needed time off, with her bike by her side and a passion for the road.
Johnson’s long-time neighbour, Roger Arsenault (28), knows firsthand Johnson’s free spirit and passion for riding.
“Mary is so incredibly vibrant. She's probably the most kind-hearted and amazing person I've met in the past 10 years. She's always ready to help anyone whether it’s a friend, loved one or even a stranger. And she definitely loves her bike.”
After being challenged to take a motorcycle safety course while attending the Winnipeg World of Wheels in 2000, and after successfully completing the course in 2001 (at age 50), motorcycling became an integral part of Johnson’s life.
“Once I healed from my accident, my friend stopped by on his motorcycle. I suited up, and while hyperventilating, rode to the nearest parking lot. But not before I dropped the poor bike at the gas pumps! I picked it up and for the next three hours I rode figure eights around the parking lot,” said Johnson.
Sixty thousand kilometres after getting back on her bike, Johnson sold her first love and bought the bike she still rides today, a 2004 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic. She logs about 20-25,000 kilometres a year, on her own and with her “decade-long boyfriend,” Doug Houghton. She prefers tenting along the way but if the weather is cold, a motel will do.
Her travels have taken her all the way to the west coast and the east coast of Canada—but, she laughs, not straight across. She has been everywhere in Canada, except for Newfoundland, PEI and the Yukon. One of her favourite places to visit is the Gaspé Peninsula, just south of Quebec.
“I’ve been there twice,” said Johnson. “Even though it’s constantly raining, the ride along the ocean front is amazing. There are signs warning motorists of impending waves which adds to the excitement and the people are so wonderfully friendly. You’ll come upon a town with all French speaking residents, and at the next town everyone is speaking English. I love it!”
Johnson also loves the mountains. Last July, she took a memorable trip to the west coast to receive a national award honouring her for her caring spirit and dedication throughout her career. But when the National Union first asked her to fly out, she replied jokingly, “July? I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba and that’s prime motorcycle riding time! If I can cash plane fare in for motels and gasoline, I’ll be there!”
They took her response seriously and before she knew it, she was on the road.
Johnson also enjoys travelling to the annual motorcycle rallies in Sturgis, South Dakota, where she’s been in attendance for the last eight years. She’s also been to the Friday the 13th motorcycle rally in Port Dover, Ontario on two occasions. She went just last month with a few friends to enjoy the rally’s 50,000-plus bikes and live entertainment. Next month, she’ll be travelling to Kamloops, BC.
Johnson also loves riding for charity. She participates in the annual CancerCare Manitoba Foundation’s Breast Cancer Pledge Ride and the Canada Motorcycle Ride for Dad (an event that raises money for prostate cancer research and awareness). She also helps organize Agri-Tel Transportation’s annual Winds of Change 1000K Charity Ride for the Society of Manitobans with Disabilities.
Whether it’s for a good cause or purely for pleasure, one thing is certain; this retired grandma has no plans of putting on the brakes.
Johnson laughs, “Like I always say, riding a motorcycle is the best stress relief program I have ever experienced.”
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