Today we’d like to introduce you to Vixie Álvarez.
Vixie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
At a young age, I developed an interest in cars my dad was an Auto mechanic and I loved being his assistant. As I grew older he taught me the basics like tire changes, brakes disc and drums, oil changes and once I got my driver’s license at 15 he realized I had a heavy foot (need for speed) just like him so he taught me how to do more major jobs like motor builds/swaps. I did some racing streets and track including rally. I took auto-mechanics 1 and 2 in high school and then again in college and continued to get more auto tech-related certifications while working in the automotive industry. I’ve gotten multiple certifications including auto body and car audio engineering.
For as long as I can remember I’ve always been into sports cars I learned to drive at a very young age maybe around 11 when my dad taught me to drive his manual fairlady 260Z.
My Mom always said that I was a mini version of my dad he too had always had a need for speed he grew up riding horses and loved the rush. He and I also shared that passion I learned to ride a horse before I learned to walk perhaps that’s where it all started. Yet it continued to develop with him sharing his passion of fast cars. My first race was at the age of 15 and I won. I continued my passion for cars for many years until one day in 2009 I decided I wanted to learn how to ride a motorcycle. I didn’t know anyone who could teach me but I found out about the msf course and I signed myself up. Even against my families wishes, they were all against me riding bikes….
I did the class being the only female and the only one who didn’t even know how to turn on a bike. Yet I wanted it so bad I learned to ride that very same day. And the very next day I took the test and passed so I went to buy my first bike. I immediately fell In love with the feeling of freedom riding gives you. Along the years I made a lot of biker friends some I consider family. Yet back then, they were mostly Men and as much as I appreciate my brothers, I felt so happy when I started to meet more female riders every year I see us growing more and more🦄 so in 2015, I started @socalbikerchicks doing female rider events so that we could meet more amazing women riders. Which brings me to now where I have met so many badass female riders. I consider them all my road sisters and I love seeing how much of a movement we’ve made. I get messages from girls often saying that we motivate them to want to learn to ride as well and that makes me so happy.
I’ve taught many girls and boys how to ride (I still recommend taking the course) and I do my best to support as many events in the community as I can. Throughout my years of riding, I’ve gotten some bad apples from time to time who say negative things like girls don’t belong on bikes. Or really mean things but it’s those types of negative comments that only fuel me To keep doing more for the community and keep becoming a better rider. I’ve also met some amazing people who show so much love and support to the female biker community. I’ve met some amazing girls out there that truly are inspiring. This year I’m honored to be a part of the @irongoddessmotorcycleshow where the goal is to beat the record of most female riders in attendance. We will make it happen on May 6th. Come on out and join us.
I don’t have any plans on retiring. Motorcycles are my passion I enjoy ridding just about anything on two wheels from dirt bikes to Harleys on the road track, and drag strip I’ve had the opportunity to work with @xdl traveling across the states with the international motorcycle shows teaching people how to wheelie on the wheelie experience machines. I currently work on bikes from simple oil changes to full-on motor builds with my partner in crime @nandos_garage. My life is motorcycles and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I get a lot of hate or negative comments on my social media and even at my work sites I’ve had men say things to me like I would look better in the Kitchen making a sandwich. Because motorcycles are just for men. Or even women say things like I’m too pretty to ride bikes. Which makes me sad because there is no age gender or size for doing the things that make us feel alive.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I work with motorcycles currently @nandos_garage in West Covina CA.
I’ve worked with motorcycles all over the states with @xdlshow
I’ve worked at auto body shops as well.
I currently own my own brand @ateamgear on Instagram.
I make custom bling motorcycle helmets and other custom motorcycle. Hear like tracksuits, t-shirts and accessories.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memories besides spending time playing ball with my cousins. I’ll Always feel like a little girl when I ride horses. It’s something I think just runs in our family from my grandparents all the way now to my son, who also rides motorcycles now but started just like me, riding little ponies at a very young age 💙.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Vixie0711, @ateamgear
- Other: TikTok vixie0711
Image Credits
@nand0__o #alvarezphotography
