March 2012 – Jenny Besaw

Name: Jenny Besaw
Age: 31
Location: University Place, WA

How did you get into riding?
I was always interested in riding but never did anything about it until an ex-boyfriend said I couldn’t get one unless we broke up. Well as you can see he’s gone and I’ve had a bike ever since. After a year of riding on the street a couple of buddies and I went to Pacific Raceways towards the end of the day to watch some racing. We showed up and I got goose bumps as soon as I saw the first bike go by. From that point on I knew I was meant to be on the track.

What are your goals as far as riding goes?
My main goal whenever I ride is to have fun. My second goal is to continue to improve and learn my craft. I graduated from Novice to Expert in 2012 and look forward to improving my skills. My goals towards racing are finishing the year with a top 10 finish in 600SS and 600SB.

What are you looking forward to this season?
I really hope to be able to travel and race at tracks I’ve never been to. There will be a new track in Shelton, WA (The Ridge Motorsports Park) that is in my backyard. I love learning new tracks and road trips so hopefully there will be no unexpected expenses that pull away money from my budget.

Which women (not necessarily riders) inspire you the most and why?
It’s not just one particular woman that inspires me. Sometimes its someone that I don’t even know but from just a quick glance you can see the passion in their eyes and they do what they do because they love it. I enjoy seeing women empower themselves by stepping outside of the box and proving to the world that we (women) can do whatever we put our minds to. Strength comes from within and we can unleash the beast.

Guilty Pleasures?
Stargate Atlantis. I’m definitely a Sci-Fi nut and can’t get enough of it!

Any hobbies/interests outside of riding?
Cycling is definitely one of my favorites but living in the PNW means you’ll have a lot of rain riding. I’ve also just recently started riding horses and even tried barrel racing. Definitely a rush when riding something that has a mind of its own!

Do you have any pre-track day/race day routines?
I always double check that I have my helmet, gloves, suit, back protector, boots and UnderArmour. I have this fear that when loading the trailer I’ll leave my gear bag behind. The first thing I check before going out to ride is that my tires are warm (tire warmers are amazing!) and my brakes work.

Any advice for women who are looking to start riding or going to track days?
Remember that we’ve all been there. I was so nervous my first track day and decided to attend an All Women’s Event because I wasn’t sure if I was ready for a co-ed track day. But after my first day I learned to ride my own ride. I could go as fast or as slow as I wanted. Never allow others to rush you out of your comfort zone. With additional seat time and patience, speed will come. Learn how to be smooth with your inputs as it will benefit you more than rushing into going fast. I’d also suggest attending a school so that you’ll learn the correct riding techniques. As a woman you’ll get a lot of people giving you riding advice so why not learn from riders that have the credentials….. uh hm – Yamaha Champions Riding School (YCRS). I finally made the leap this year and learned so much. Definitely worth every penny!

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