An attitude of gratitude brings joy! – Deborah Herbert

Meet fellow wind sister, Deborah Herbert from Myakka City, Florida

Deborah posted a beautiful painting of a Ryker last week in the Women of On-Road Facebook Group. I was blown away by it and immediately intrigued at the fact that she was the Artist. As wind sisters, we are more then what we ride, we are Beautiful – Proverbs 31:25-26, Inspirational – Isaiah 40:28-31 and Grounded – Ephesian 3:16-19 and that should be acknowledge and celebrated. Today I would like to introduce you to Deborah, her Ryker, her Passion and her Faith.

So Deborah, before we jump into specific questions about being an Artist, why don’t you give us some
details about you and your Ryker. Does your bike have a name? How did your bike get its name?

First…Thanks for the sweet conversation opportunity! My Ryker does have a name! Based upon a character from one of my favorite Christian authors, it is named after the talking horse (mare) from the C.S. Lewis Narnia series….meet “Hwin”  or as I call her…”Whinnie”!  

She has been modified with the heavy duty sway bar, end links, full windshield, flashing brake lights, Shad bag, Knee pads, Nelson Riggs large Commuter bag, Maxmount Rack, Convex Mirrors, Tank Protector, Hand Guards and Wind Hand Guard Protectors, foam grips, wrist guard, full brake pedal, extended reverse bar, radiator protector plate and lots of white accent pieces. She also sports a winged horse on her white hood that I painted and had made into a large decal. I installed everything except the sway bar and links.

Tell us about yourself? How long have you been Riding? Do you have any previous experience with? Can-Am bike or motorcycles?

I was married right after I graduated from college at 20 many moons ago with my art and teaching degree, and my husband got me started right off with a Honda 200CL. I moved up quickly. to a 360, a 400, a 500 and had several 650’s and then a 900. I stopped riding 10 years ago, because so many riders were dying riding on our increasingly busy roads, with many more distracted drivers. But then, a year and a half ago my husband pulled in the driveway on a Ryker 900 he had just bought! (yes…there were still two other bikes of his in the garage, including a Ninja 1000!) I took one look and said…” Get OFF! I gotta ride this!” The very next day we were at the dealership and I purchased my own Ryker 900 from Ray the manager and a super great guy. Hubby and I both got excellent deals because both were “as new demo bikes”. Mine had less than 75 miles on it! My husband rode mine home through highly congested city traffic out to our home in the country…and I’ve ridden it ever since!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has riding been an easy path overall and if not, what were the Faith of fear challenges you’ve had to overcome?

Because I started riding at a young age and we even did some traveling together, solo and two up…riding never really caused me any real concerns. Even after sliding on a graveled curve, and almost going off a mountain on the Blue Ridge Highway, and driving three days in pouring rain on Interstates on my fully loaded bike! (Camping gear, the works…. geesh!) But…. after ten years off, and now being retired and wise, lol…I definitely have changed up some things! I started slow, around my neighborhood. Then through the state park a mile from our house, then short breakfast runs, then some solo breakfast runs to meet friends. At this point I’m ready for some full day rides in the fall…. but for now, the morning rides are best before the Florida afternoon rains and the heat index goes over 100! I also gear up completely! Boots, leather half chaps and gloves, Mesh Riding jacket and Air Hit Vest, Full Face Helmet.

Please tell us about your Artwork and Art Studio

Now that I’ve retired from being a public-school art teacher at a Visual and Performing Arts Middle School, I’m pursuing developing my art business full time instead of just over summer breaks! I have a dedicated website with a sales platform, I follow a marketing strategy and am slowly building a following and collectors. I specialize in Equine themes, also Western Art, Landscapes and Florals. I also create custom pet portraits and barn/home portraits…and lol, as you know…. I’ve painted my Ryker 900 Whinnie!!! The horses are very special and spiritual to me. I have a steady vision in my mind of Christ returning to earth on a white horse as written in the Book of Revelation. My own small herd of horses inspire me as well as the beautiful wild Mustangs of our Western states.

What are the most significant memories of your childhood, and how did they shape you as a Women?

My childhood was rough. I had a roof over my head and clothes…but a mother who was emotional distant and verbally, psychologically and sometimes physically abusive. My siblings were loved and adored…I was ignored, made the scapegoat or marginalized. I was a great student. (Top 10%), extremely introverted and an artist at a young age. My dear father was also an artist. But never painted seriously until he retired and was inspired by my attendance in studio classes in college. I got my first job at age 15 as a waitress and hostess at a Holiday Inn near us so I could save money to get away to college (which I received a faculty scholarship for and skipped two years, this was totally the hand of God) …I’ve worked full time ever since. (With a short three year break at raising our wonderful daughter.) At age 18 I had basically decided to commit suicide…but I picked up a book called “From Prison to Praise”. It saved me, literally. I surrendered my life to Jesus right then and have been thankful for every moment that led me to him ever since. He has NEVER failed providing for and sustaining me, even in times of great fear and trials.

What has been the Best Ride you and your bike has shared to date?

I love hopping on my Ryker and riding the back country roads to meet friends for breakfast, or a quick riding date with my husband. Seeing several Ryker’s parked in front of a country restaurant always gets people interested!

Describe how you feel when riding your bike on the open road in 3 words?

Protected (by God), Peaceful (Quiet Time) Purposeful (No wasted moments, all Gifts).

If you could share a “Message of Faith” or “Pearls of Road Wisdom” with a new rider, what would. it be?

Preparation and Knowledge are your friends. A degree of safety only occurs with both! Get to know your bike intimately, take out the manual and read it, watch Ryker Rydes You Tube Videos, practice at slow speeds before faster speeds. GEAR UP! Ride for the slide…. just have a chat with someone who has been hit by a car. My husband was hit by a drunk driver when he was a teen, he still has the rod in his leg from the break in seven places. His helmet saved his life. I wear full gear including a High Viz Air Hit Vest for safety, and I just bought Kevlar pants for those longer cooler season rides. Then…pray before you ride, and don’t ride faster than your angels surrounding you! (In other words, don’t ever be pressured into taking unnecessary risks) and thank the Lord for a safe arrival back home! An attitude of gratitude brings joy!

Contact Info:

Website: https://www.debherbertart.com

Phone Number: 941-302-7631 (I accept only text)

Email: ridepre10@gmail.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/debherbertart

Facebook: Facebook.com/deborah.herbert