Spotlight on Lady Riders: Leslie Padoll
This weeks Lady Rider is Leslie Padoll. She was featured in an Esurance “Why I Ride” video. I found this piece to be very impressive and motivational. It’s so many of the reasons so many of us ride.
Courtesy Esurance Why I Ride.
Bio: Leslie Padoll
Growing up in a family of riders, it was natural that Leslie would have a “desire to get on the road.” As a designer living in New York, Leslie is always in search of a chance to get on the road — whether it’s a cross-country trek from California to New York or 2-weeks cruising India’s Golden Triangle.
Despite the fact that riding’s often seen as a “masculine thing,” Leslie’s love of bikes and the freedom of the road have remained since childhood. “I just want to do things because they are worth doing,” she explains. Riding is her way to connect with herself, let go of insecurities, and rediscover what’s important in life.
“Whether I get something out of it for myself or inspire someone else, then I feel like I’m doing the right thing.”
2013 Harley-Davidson® Sportster 883™
“There’s something really, really romantic about the connection with your motorcycle …” Leslie’s Harley, Francie (named after her grandma) is the bike that changed her perspective on riding. Francie helps Leslie escape the pressures and responsibilities of the city and find “a place of happiness.”
Specs:
| – Engine Torque: | 55ft-lb |
| – Compression Ratio: | 8.9:1 |
| – Cooling: | Air-colled, Evolution |
| – Fuel: | 3.3 Gallon tank @ 51 mpg |
| – Weight: | 573.2 lbs |
Customizations:
– Vance & Hines exhaust and short shots, 1200 conversion engine, Screaming Eagle race tuner, internal wiring, progressive front and rear shocks, and custom handlebars
Favorite Ride: New York 28
Beginning in the heart of Brooklyn and stretching to the open countryside of Hobart in upstate New York, this 3-hour journey is perfect for when you need to get away from it all. Along the way you’ll find camping, fishing, and a great roadside diner in Phoenicia. Once in Stamford, relax and let the small-town vibes wash over you like a cool breeze (or occasionally, a torrential downpour!). With a handful of quaint places to eat and stay, you’re likely to find great conversation and new friends no matter where you end up.
