When New Orleans comes to mind, so does beignets and Mardi Gras. But lately, Caramel Curves comes to mind as well. This all-female biker club has 13 of the most boss women riding motorcycles around NOLA like it’s nobody’s business.
The women can be seen riding their bikes together on second-line Sundays, charity events, community services events or simply to stunt around the city. The Caramel Curves always don matching outfits when riding together. Those outfits feature bedazzled and bejeweled jackets and vests with colorful C’s on the backs of them. Think Chanel, but biker club, so much more fun. The ladies also finish their looks with Barbie-pink stilettos and helmets with pink mohawks atop.
photo: New York Times
The women go by their bike names; Nakosha Smith goes by Coco, Dezel Bell is First Lady Fox, Andrea Shepherd is Hoodpriss, Shanika Beatty is Tru and Rochelle Francis is known as Pretty Rocky. These boss queens are not just bikers either, their day jobs consist of driving armor trucks, running nail salons and working in funeral homes.
"We called ourselves 'caramel' because of the color of our skin, and 'curves' because we’re curvy women, and we take curves on the bikes," said Ms. Smith in a recent interview with The New York Times.
photo: New York Times
After Hurricane Katrina hit NOLA, many people were forced to move due to the devastation that was left behind. Smith continued the club as a form of healing and helping the community.
Smith considers herself "the stunna of the group, because I’m always burning rubber, popping wheelies, doing tricks," which the women of the club cosigned, according to the NYT.
"Riding with women is just different," Smith shared with the NYT. "When women ride together, we can talk about women problems — fashion-wise, hair-wise, just life-wise. And I’m just one of those women that’s like, 'Anything a man can do, a woman can do better.'"
photo: New York Times
You do need to pass a couple of Caramel Curve tests to be a part of the club. While anyone despite race, shape or size is welcome to join, some women try out. This can last anywhere from 90 days to a year and candidates must show their commitment to the club and the service events, fundraisers and obstacle rides that’s required of them. In New Orleans, an obstacle ride is no joke:
"An 'obstacle ride,' in New Orleans means a trip to a second-line parade, completing maneuvers like jumping sidewalks when the roads are blocked and dodging broken glass and rowdy crowds," shared Shannon Sims with The New York Times.
photo: New York Times
Caramel Curves are doing more than just riding together, they’re dismantling the barriers that biker clubs have.
"I think in the motorcycle world, we’re still stuck in the ’50s," Sims said. "And I think we’re breaking down barriers here within our own motorcycle community. We’re creating a legacy."
photo: New York Times
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