OUR DIRECTORS

Veronica Bobe-Kollmeyer


Current Bike: Honda VLX Shadow 600cc
Previous Bikes: 1971 Honda CB100 and several others throughout the years.

BIO: I learned to ride in Connecticut during my summer breaks from school. I grew up riding bikes in Staten Island and Brooklyn, New York in the late sixties and early seventies. My adoring brothers taught me to ride in the Brooklyn streets so I would not have to depend on the buses to get to school. (I was extremely shy as a girl, although some may find that hard to believe who know me today).

My brothers took me everywhere so it wasn’t difficult for my mom to allow me to ride street bikes. I was licensed in the State of New York at the age of seventeen. I rode my bike to high school every day of my junior and senior years!

I own and/or rode bikes in several countries as well. The south of France along the Dordogne River was one of my favorite places, but there are many.

I stopped riding for five years after the birth of my son. Started up after a divorce and have been riding since. My son knows how to ride but prefers sports more.

Riding for me is therapeutic. I have had many bikes throughout the years; Hondas are my preference as I can work on them. I continue to partake in skills development classes because I never profess that I know everything about riding - I don’t.

I ride all weather with the proper safety gear and ideal situations.

Diane Pataki

Current Bikes: 2009 BMW F650gs, 2008 Honda CRF230L
Previous Bike: Kawasaki Vulcan 500

BIO: I learned to ride at a rainy MSF Beginner Rider Course at Saddleback College in January 2008. After a stint on a cruiser, I decided that dual sports are my bike of choice. I've continued my rider training both on pavement and off with classes like Ride Like a Pro, Streetmasters, and Coach2ride dirt bike school.

I commute to work on my BMW, but I've also discovered a passion for long distance touring. If I can ride there instead of fly, I will! And as soon as I get back to Orange County, I can't wait to get on the road again.

I'm the keeper of the chapter email list, so if you sign up at our google groups site, you'll be hearing from me about upcoming rides and events. I love to meet other women riders to talk about riding, bikes, gear, and travel. Let's ride together soon.

OUR PAST DIRECTOR

Christine Malazarte

Current Bikes: 2007 Yamaha FJR1300, 2008 Kawasaki Z1000
Previous Bikes: 2005 Suzuki SV650, 2004 Suzuki GZ250, 1993 Suzuki Intruder 800, 1983 Yamaha Maxim XJ750

Christine left Orange County in 2009 and founded the Buckeye State Lady Riders in Columbus, Ohio. She won the 2010 WOW Chapter Director's award for her work with OC Spirit Riders and the Buckeye State Lady Riders. We miss her!