Fast Babes Featured Rider: @kuip.al
Name: Alicia
Instagram: @kuip.al
Alicia pops up at all the fun moto events! She works hard to play hard and has been putting in some miles on this year on her 2020 Low Rider S. Her Ride for Hope fundraiser helped raise $4,000+ for the cancer hospital she works at. Make sure to give her a follow if you are looking for event to attend in Southern California!
Where did you grow up and where do you currently reside?
I grew up in Eden Prairie, Minnesota and Orange County, CA. Currently, I am in Arcadia, CA.
How did you initially get involved with motorcycles?
I have always been fascinated with anything with a motor; muscle cars were actually my first love. I had a boyfriend when I was 16 who introduced me to dirt-biking and we would tear up Ocotillo, Stoddard Wells, Big Rock, and ride off grid. I've given an ACL, PCL, meniscus, and broken both hands. Never hanging it up.
When did you get your first bike and what was it?
First bike was a China, backwards shifting dirt-bike. First Harley was a 2014 883 Sportster Iron.
What do you currently ride and why?
I currently have the 1988 KLR 650, 2014 Sportster, and 2020 FXLRS. The Lowrider S is comfortable, fast, powerful, and a great step up from the Sportster. I always wanted a Dyna, when Harley stopped making them, this beauty of a bike was just calling my name. It is light enough I can still maneuver through the crazy California traffic and powerful enough to go on the cross country trips.
What is your happiest memory that involves motorcycles?
During COVID, I volunteered to work the COVID unit so my friends with kids and families didn't have to. I could not see my own family or friends, and became so isolated, those trips on my bike "Beast" were the happiest times during the darkest of times.
Recently, the happiest memory was riding up to Oregon, doing two "1 K in a day Challenges," and motorcycle camping with the boys. They had some doubts about the girl riding and proudest moment was when they said... respect. The dirt road, open fields, gas station sandwiches, winding canyons, cattle in way, huge waterfalls, and freezing nights, made us a sort of moto family that only these shared great experiences can make.
This year, I was blessed to be able to go to EDR, Laguna Seca to see the Bagger League, Orygun Run, Rosarito Beach Run, and Kernville Kampout. The happiest times in all of this, is just meeting the amazing like-minded people and making so many new friends.
My Ride for Hope II was another moment where the motorcycle community raised over $4,100 for my cancer hospital and I could not be more proud or happy with this outcome.
Outside of motorcycles, tell us a little about yourself?
First thing people always ask is, "what are you?" I am Korean, Yakut, Japanese, Chinese, and Finnish. My parents are Dutch. I love my family, they have been very supportive of my riding and firecracker lifestyle. I am edumacated. I never wanted to go to college and here I am with my BA and BS degree in Art and Nursing. I am grateful to be a Charge Nurse at City of Hope Medical Center in the ICU. People will roll their window down on the road and yell, "badass," but honestly the time I feel like a true badass is when working shoulder to shoulder with my amazing nursing staff in a code or on the unit. I am a dog mom to Bogi Bear, I live for pizza, love being a promo rider for the Shark Squad, and have more Vans shoes then I would like to admit.
How have you become a more confident rider? Things you’ve done to help you gain confidence?
I take solo trips and constantly think about position of the bike, leaning, being aware of surroundings, and critique my riding. I know days I'm off and sometimes have to scold myself. I work on my bike and want to know how things work, what to look for, what to listen for, and just be about it. You gain confidence by facing the parts in riding that scare you, for me it is wind. Riding sideways to stay upright can be terrifying. But each time I get a little more confident and never ride outside of my skill set.
What is your dream trip/bucket list ride(s)?
Sturgis! Happening next year! Cross country trip,Trans America Trail, and ride to Alaska/Canada.
How do you think motorcycles have changed your life?
I am so thrilled, riding through living life, experiencing it, versus being a bystander. The stress after a 12 hour shift can be mind numbing. A ride brings so much clarity and just transports me to who I really think I am; this free spirit and bubbly nerd wanting to ride through the new towns, find new twisties, and meet new friends at the local dive bar. The cancer patients I help everyday, they have pushed me to grab the bars and hold on, living each day as it is our last. I am forever in love with this lifestyle and spiritual connection with the open road.
Do you have any upcoming motorcycle trips/rides planned?
Redding. My Aunt and Uncle, the only moto people in my family live there. Sedona. Zion and Bryce.
