Pictured above isGUN toting, emergency room nurse Ms Tammie and believe me you don’t want to ever mess with this lady. Yes, she has more than one gun, yes she is always practicing, and yes she is always packing. We won’t go into details on where she packs her heat. Tammie is also a Clinical Instructor for LVNs at a college in Taylor.
The staff of Texas Iron got to meet Ms. Tammie when she was riding her 09 1200cc Custom Harley Davidson Sportster. But then she did the unthinkable. Ms. Tammie bought a 2010 998cc, DOHC 4, 2 cylinder, V-Twin RTS CamAm Spyder. This machine is set to revolutionize cross country riding with its comfort, convenience, never having to stop (that’s what their ad says), and according to Ms. Tammie it’s a winner. And get this, you can shift with your finger and comes with reverse. But it is funny looking with two 21” front tires and one 15” rear.
The Spyder also comes with heated hand grips, an integrated audio system, you can raise or lower your windshield at the press of a button, has fog lights, electronic cruise control, adjustable rear suspension, and has cargo space up front and rear. The Spyder comes with a few other goodies and we’ll get to those in a bit. But for now, let’s see whoMs. Tammie is.
TIMM: How did you did get interested in the world of motorcycles?
TB:When I was in Junior High School I had a Red Trail 70 bike, my sister had a chopper and even a brother had a bike too. But these weren’t the reasons for getting back into riding again.
TIMM: What were the reasons?
TB:About 3 years ago I decided to start doing things for myself. I wanted to do things for me instead of me doing things for someone else. I wanted to express myself. I also wanted to do things that I could do by myself. You know, be free and independent. If I wanted to go somewhere I can just go. Do things on my own time, which is extremely therapeutic. I didn’t want to bother anyone.
Being an ER Nurse can sometimes be devastating with so much pain and suffering. People losing limbs, overdosing, being maimed, child abuse, heart issues, and even victimsfrom motorcycle accidents. In fact, when a patient who’s been in a motorcycle accident comes in we call their bikes donor cycles. Overall trauma can be a very emotional thing.
TIMM: Which brings us to question, if you see all these catastrophes why a bike? Why two bikes (Ms. Tammie still has her 09 Sportster).
TB:This is a good way for me to detach myself from what I see, hear, and feel in the emergency room. It’s a good release. I think that you will find that most emergency rooms nurses are in a sense a different breed. In fact, you’ll find that most motorcycles that are owned by hospital personnel, etc. are owned by emergency room people.
Because of our bikes and the fact that we work in an emergency room setting, we make better drivers. Before, I never looked at the road for any types of hazards, now I do. I am much more cautious now than before. I also make the most of life.
TIMM: What is the name of your Spyder and your Sportster?
TB: My Spyder is called Dark Knight and my Sportster is named Spirit.
TIMM: But why a Spyder?
TB:About a year ago I got sick for the first time in my life. And it was kind of serious to the point that it made me think what it is I really want to do in life. One thing that I wanted to do was have fun on my bike. The Sportster is not a cross country type of motorcycle so I looked around and found the Spyder. It’s different, it looks different, it drives different, and it’s fast and strong. It is not going to tip over. It has a different feeling to it like a car. It’s just a fun bike to ride. Around that time frame I also lost my best friend and companion, Sabot, my Weimaraner, which is something I am still trying to get over.
TIMM: Our condolences on the loss of Sabot. We know that when we lose someone who is that close to us we never get over the loss we just learn to deal with it. And we’re also glad that you are feeling and looking great! Especially at the age of 50!
TIMM: We mentioned that the Spyder had other features that were interesting for a motorcycle including power steering, a vehicle stability system, SCS Stability Control System, ABS Anti-lock braking system, TCS Traction Control System, and get this, a digitally encoded security key system. Did we say motorcycle or car? One more thing, when we said fast we meant it like 0-60 in 4.5 seconds.
TIMM: Have you ridden anywhere noteworthy?
TB: I have ridden mostly in Texas including Lukenbach.
TIMM: What kind of attention do you get when you ride your Spyder?
TB: Lots of attention. People really like to see this new bike, especially the customized heartbeat pin stripe with matching helmet that symbolizes my profession.
TIMM: Do you wear a helmet when you ride?
TB: Only when I ride BITCH, which I don’t do anymore. In reality, yes I do.
TIMM: As you entered this world of motorcycles, what is your opinion on where it is now and where it is going?
TB: I think that there are a great deal more women riders now than ever before. Not just any kind of woman, but the professional type. The biker chick mentality is less and less. I have no tattoos or piercings and do not intend to get any. I just want to ride. I am ignorant to the biker culture. Oh yes, Harley people are snooty with me because my Spyder is not a Harley. But that’s ok as long as I get to ride.
TIMM: And what is this fascination with guns?
TB: I’ve always had guns but never practiced with them. Now that I have my concealed gun permit I pack everywhere I go. This coming week I intend to practice with automatic weapons. You know the big stuff.
TIMM: Any last comments?
TB: I recommend that everyone who rides have their DNR with them; that is, if that is something they believe in. But more importantly, they should havetheir name written somewhere, a list of all their medications, their Person of Contact (POC), and whether they are allergic to any type of medication. This would make our work in the emergency room much easier.
TIMM: You hear that folks. You heard it straight from thisGUN toting, fiercely independent, emergency room nurse.
TIMM: Oh yeah, there is a bike here somewhere behind this beautiful lady. We almost forgot!
TIMM: Strange looking thing, but people who have them swear as to their rideability, stability, and fun. Any comments out there send them in to submissions@texasironmagazine.comENJOY EVERYONE!
