 
Honoring their pledges, the “Dirty Dozen,” a former street only group of motorcyclists, succeeded in raising over forty-two thousand research dollars on behalf of the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation www.thegcf.org and the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation www.dslrf.org . Another $3000+ was raised by Canadian Dirty Dozer Rider Neda Skific-Lee on behalf of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. This topped the group’s fund raising goal by $18,000!
Adding to this success, these women also took on steep learning curves, testing their stamina and their meddle to become competent dual sport riders by negotiating 750 miles of dirt roads and trails throughout the central Rocky Mountains of Colorado over the course of eight riding days.
The “Dirty Dozen,” came together with an all volunteer staff of trainers, guides and Sherpas to collectively become a tight-knit family. Pushing through sand, over-rocks, slogging through mud and water crossings, they climbed along precipitous cliffs to elevations over 12,000 feet discovering the joy of accomplishment along the paths less traveled.
Their trek began at Keystone Resort and Conference Center in the Dillon/Keystone area of Colorado where Coach2Ride (http://www.coach2ride.com/) owners/instructors Andrea Beach and Bonnie Warsch presented the first of their many ongoing rider training sessions. Chris and Erin Ratay, rounded out this day with guidance on the use GPS and Spot Locator units. See: (http://www.ultimatejourney.com/). By day’s end, the culminating activity, the riders first dual sport ride had every member of the “Dirty Dozen” sitting (actually mostly standing) taller on their mounts.
 Progressive Insurance, the presenting sponsor for all the Women’s Motorcyclist Foundation programs, assisted not only financially but also by helping to promote WMF’s programs around the country during the ’08-’09 Cycle World International Motorcycle Show series and through print ads in multiple motorcycle publications.
BMW Motorrad USA, Buell Motorcycles USA, Fay Myers (Colorado’s premier multi-brand dealership), Harley-Davidson Motor Company, American Honda Motor Co., Inc, Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., and Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, graciously provided the motorcycles used by the riders and staff. The “Dirty Dozen” riders were on Honda CRF 230 L’s provide by Fay Myers, Kawasaki offered the use of KLX 250 S’s, KLX 250 SF’s and the Kawasaki Super Sherpa, Yamaha provided a TW 200, XT 250’s and WR 250 R’s. All of these small displacement motorcycles performed flawlessly despite the high elevations within which the riders consistently found themselves. In fact, most of the “Dirty Dozen” are now looking at small displacement dual sport bikes to add to their stables having had so much success and fun aboard these loaners.
Staff members had the responsibility of carrying extra water, food and on occasion extra fuel. Being more experienced dual sport riders, the staff members were aboard the larger displacement motorcycles: BMW loaned F 800 GS and GS 1200 R models. Buell offered the use of a Ulysses, plus we also had the use of Kawasaki KLR 650’s.
So, did the riders ever fall? Sure they did. That’s part of what happens when you play in the dirt and push yourselves. So, there were no small amount of moans and groans from sore muscles unaccustomed to standing on foot pegs all day. There were also some sore ribs from a few falls on rocky terrain. However, thanks to good gear and good training, nobody was seriously hurt throughout this journey. In fact, the sore ribs were as much a result from laughter as anything else that happened on the road.
Jokes and pranks abounded during the time on the trail as this was definitely a group with great senses of humor. One night, a skunk came barreling through the campground at M Lazy C Ranch. It was chasing seemingly terrified “Dirty Dozen” rider Peg Preble. Only upon careful inspection in the fading light was the 30 foot, practically invisible fishing line noticed that was tethered to a very realistic looking stuffed, toy skunk purchase by Peg that day while out and about.
 The riders were responsible for teaming up with a partner at the end of each riding day to lube and adjust their chains. Mornings required tire pressure and oil checks. One day Dan Patino, one of our volunteer ride guides came out to find a huge pool of oil under his KLR. Initially panicked, he soon realized from the laughter that it was a fake, yet completely realistic looking oil spill made out of shiny, black plastic shaped as the perfect oil puddle.
 Besides laughter, there were also tears… quality tears shared mostly during the daily medallion pass ceremonies.
Since 1996, the Women’s Motorcyclist Foundation has been hosting rides to eradicate breast cancer (this year, WMF began addressing research needs for other gynecologic cancers as well, especially ovarian cancer). To help keep the riders focused on the mission as well as the ride; to connect the riders, one to another and back to their communities, WMF, Inc. commissioned sculptor Cheryl Stewart, a NYC motorcyclist and member of the NYC Sirens Motorcycle Club to create a four piece medallion.
 The results of Cheryl Stewart’s effort have been held and passed from rider to rider throughout six national fund raising efforts and thousands upon thousands of individuals over the course of the last thirteen years. Fashioned out of four separate bronze pieces, the medallion is able to be assembled as a whole and then parceled out to be carried by four new riders referred to as the outgoing Medallion Pass Team.
Each piece of the four part medallion has special significance. Two pieces are in the shape of upside down horseshoes to catch the good karma that results when each contributes her/his talents, time and effort towards the greater good. One horseshoe is carried in honor of our survivors. The second horseshoe is carried for a future free of cancer. Within the horseshoes fits the Ring of Memory. The center piece of the medallion is the Heart. One side of the heart bears a relief of a one breasted woman archer aiming for the cures alongside a silhouette of Susan G. Komen in whose memory the Komen Foundation has raised over 45 million dollars to fight breast cancer worldwide. The other side of the medallion displays the logo of the Women’s Motorcyclist Foundation, honoring the efforts of the all volunteer army of peaceful warriors who are taking cancer to task and who have raised and delivered over two and a quarter million research dollars to fight cancer.
 During the daily medallion pass ceremony, the incoming medallion pass team first assembles the medallion reminding us of the united front it will take to beat cancer into the history books. Then, each piece is placed around the necks of four new riders symbolizing the individual battles, courageously waged at a very personal level by those in the throes of battling cancer.
As each new rider accepts her/his responsibility for carrying a piece of the medallion on, heartfelt stories are shared as to why these riders have chosen this mission as their own. No matter how strong, tough, male or female, these stories touch the riders deeply. Often it has been said, “We need our camel backs and water bottles as much for the dehydration due to our tears as for the physical demands of heat, cold or exertion on the road and trail.”
 Withdrawal has been the largest concern expressed by the riders post tour. Each and every rider and staff member has expressed re-entry issues having left their newly formed, close-knit trail family for home. So what’s next?
 These first-time “Dirty Dozen” riders are hooked. They are looking for dual sport bikes, planning a reunion and pestering Gin Shear (Executive Director) and Sue Slate (National Programs Chair) to host another Adventure for the Cures since one of their t-shirt states,
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Adventures For The Cures 
