Thank you to all those who entered the leather jacket contest.

Congratulations to Darlene Cook who is the winner of the Mackie Harley-Davidson® leather jacket contest in July 2008. Below you'll find Darlene's response to some questions we asked her about herself and her riding experience.

1) How do you feel about winning a Harley-Davidson® leather jacket?

Darlene: I was very excited about winning my Harley-Davidson® leather jacket, it is a beautiful coat.

2) What motivated you to enter the contest?

Darlene: My husband and I were browsing the Mackie Harley-Davidson® website checking out the new motorcycle lineup and I noticed the contest for the leather jacket so I filled out the online form and to my surprise there was a message on our answering machine after we had come home from our holidays saying that I had won the jacket.

3) How long have you been riding? What do you ride?

Darlene: I have been riding motorcycles for about 25 years now and enjoy it very much. I currently ride a 2007, Suzuki C50 custom boulevard, but I have been eyeing the 2009 Harley-Davidson® motorcycles. I am really starting to get the itch and I am looking forward to getting on for a test ride on these new machines.

4) How did you get involved in riding?

Darlene: My husband taught me to ride when we first started dating and my very first bike was a 250 custom Honda.

5) Why do you ride? What do you get out of riding? What are some of the best rides/routes you've been on?

Darlene: My husband currently rides a K1200 LT, BMW and we enjoy taking long rides together on the weekends. That is our stress reliever after a long week at work. There is nothing like feeling the breeze on your face and enjoying the beautiful scenery up north in cottage country, where we like to frequent on our rides together. I also play a lot of sports and find that riding my bike is the cheapest way to enjoy my sports as I travel to participate in them quite a bit.

7) What are your thoughts or feelings about women and riding?

Darlene: I have noticed over the years of riding an increase in women riders which I feel is great for the sport as it is really something that both sexes can enjoy and can be enjoyed together. But I will also tell you ladies that once you drive your own bike there will be no more getting on the back with your significant others. My husband still catches himself trying to convince me to get on the back with him and my response is how be you hop on the back of mine. And away we go on our own machines enjoying the beautiful scenery and the great experience.

Happy biking all and thank you Mackie Harley-Davidson for the beautiful leather jacket and the very friendly customer service.