One of the many excitements I witnessed at the gay pride parade was the motorcyclist group called Dykes on Bikes. It was this group’s hooting and the hollering and the roaring of the big Harley bikes that grasp my attention. The lead cyclist, Toby "Xena" Sigle, led the lesbian cyclist pack at the beginning of the parade.
Dykes on Bikes are a well-known lesbian motorcycle group. Although the name of this group can vary, every major city has a lesbian woman motorcycle group. This group of women has always ridden their big machines at the beginning of gay-pride parades. You could say it is a ritual to have this group presence at the start of the parade. The Motor Maids were the first group of women that were motorcyclists, and then came the second-oldest nationally recognized group, Dykes on Bikes. It is this group that originated to lead off the Gay Pride Parade in 1968 and the tradition has lived on nationally. Therefore, everyone expects and recognizes these motorcyclists to start the Gay Pride Parades.
During this gay celebration, the DOB had a booth at Brittingham Park. They sold T-shirts and boxer shorts with Dykes on Bikes Madison printed on them. They also had a kissing booth set up, with part of the proceeds being donated to DOB to help pay for printing and other operating expenses to help make them grow. Lastly, this group of women ran the wet T-shirt contest. A member of this group hosed down many women with a hose, and the winner received applause and many gracious looks from on-looking lesbian spectators.
The Dykes on Bikes of Madison, Wisconsin, not only showed their support and presence at this year’s Gay Pride Parade, but they also have leather shows at clubs for benefits and fundraisers to help other nonprofit organizations, such as Madison Pride Inc. Women’s Breast Cancer, Women’s Rape Crises, and Domestic Violence Against Children and Women. They currently have 20 members in good standing. Their membership is $20 per year. The current officers are the following: President Toby Sigle, Vice President Jaz Lind (secretary is open), and Blood Chairman Dawn Gallwith.
Toby Sigle has been the founder, president, and organizer of Dykes on Bikes in Madison, Wisconsin, since 1981. This group of motorcyclists has DOB meetings held on Sundays at 11am at Mother Fools on Williamson Street in Madison, Wisconsin. They plan rides after these meetings on the second and fourth weekend of every month. This group also owns a leather shop called "Look at That." It is located at 438 North Frances St., Madison, Wisconsin 53703. The phone number of this place is 608/663-BIKE (2453). The summer hours are the following: 11am to 7pm Tuesday to Thursday and 10am to 8pm Friday and Saturday. They are closed Sunday and Monday.
If you are a lesbian motorcyclist and want to join Madison's Dykes on Bikes motorcycle group, email DOB's President, Toby Sigle, at toby@dykesonbikesmadison.com .