Nice Girls Ride Motorcycles | Meet Sanna Boman

Nice Girls Ride Motorcycles | Meet Sanna Boman

We are constantly inspired by the women we meet in this community. Being on the road and at a lot of the Motorcycle shows we are able to chat with so many types of people from all walks of life. Sanna has been an inspiration to us for many years now. Even before we started Atwyld. She has a pure and genuine love for riding and spends more time on a bike than most people we know. Her adventurous spirit is infectious and is only overshadowed by how kind, warm and welcoming she is. She is a truly Nice Girl! We caught up with her to learn more about her life on two wheels. 

Name: 

Sanna Boman @cylinderella


Age: 

33


What do you do for a living? 

I’m the Lead Editor at Roadtrippers, a road trip planning app. I head up the editorial side, publishing stories about really interesting road trip destinations across North America. I love my job and almost can’t believe I get to do this for a living. 


Where do you live? 

San Diego, California


Where are you from? 

Stockholm, Sweden


What kind of bike or bikes do you ride? Why did you choose those bikes?

I currently have three bikes. My 2015 Dyna Street Bob is my daily driver and my long-haul bike. It’s by far my favorite thing I own, and I ride it everywhere. Then I have a shovelhead chopper that I mostly ride around town because I have a terrible back and can’t go too far on a hardtail. Finally, my newest love is a little Yamaha TTR 125 dirt bike that I try to rip around on as much as possible. Might be ready for something bigger soon though...


How long have you been riding?

I bought my first motorcycle in 2010, so this year marks 10 years. 


When did you first start riding and what got you interested in motorcycles?

I started riding when I was 23. I didn’t know anyone else who rode, but I always knew I wanted to ride motorcycles. I can’t explain where that urge came from, it was just something I knew I needed to do. I still feel that way, riding motorcycles keeps me sane on a daily basis. 


How did you learn?

I bought a little 250cc Yamaha Virago for $300 from a tow yard, then I took the MSF safety class and just started riding around town to get used to it. A few months later I upgraded to a bigger bike, and then a bigger one, and then a bigger one... 


Anyone in particular inspire you to ride?

No, but after I started riding my dad sent me some photos of my great grandmother who used to ride a motorcycle in the early 1900s. She is now one of my biggest inspirations, and also maybe a reason for why I’ve always felt that urge to ride. It was in my blood the whole time, I just didn’t know it.


Why do you ride? 

Because it keeps me sane, because it allows me to explore some of the most amazing places on earth, and because it’s fun as hell.


Tell us about some of the road trips you have been on? 

Since I work for a roadtripping company, I am constantly planning my next road trip. This past year I rode in 3 countries, 9 U.S. states, and 12 national parks—but I’m hoping to top that in 2020. In the early summer last year, I did a 10-day moto trip through the Southwest with 7 of my best friends. I also got to finally do a proper California road trip on the way to Babes Ride Out in October, riding from San Diego to Yosemite and then coming back down the coast. I’ve lived in California for 11 years and had never actually been to Yosemite before. Now I can’t wait to go back. 


Any favorite roads you have ridden? 

There are so, so many. I love any twisty mountain road with little to no traffic. And I’m a sucker for the desert. One of my favorite local rides is doing a loop from San Diego to Borrego Springs and back, there are endless combinations of roads to take and they’re all super fun and scenic and make for a perfect 300-mile day trip. 


What is on your bucket list in terms of riding destinations or experiences? 

I have a few rides I really want to do. Number one is riding through the Alps. I grew up in Europe but I haven’t explored it enough on a motorcycle, so that’s something I’m hoping to do this summer. I also want to do a proper coast-to-coast cross-country road trip through the U.S. 


Some of your best experiences on a motorcycle?

Again: there are so, so many. If I had to pick one, it’s a road trip I did almost two years ago. Three friends and I rode from San Diego to Banff National Park in Canada and back. We did about 4,300 miles in two weeks. It was so epic, I think about that trip all the time. 


What is one of the most miserable moments you’ve had on a motorcycle? We have all had them!

A few years ago my ex-boyfriend and I rented dual sport bikes and rode through the Andes Mountains in Peru. The weather was terrible, we got caught in rain, hail, thunderstorms, heavy snow, and some of the worst road conditions I’ve ever experienced. I don’t think I’ve ever been that cold and miserable in my entire life. I also managed to crash the bike during a particularly treacherous stretch of offroading and hurt my leg pretty bad. On top of it all, we were at such a high altitude it was very hard to breathe. Still though, we were surrounded by volcanoes and these breathtaking valleys, and wild llamas were crossing the road in front of us. It was a horrifying experience but also one of the coolest things I’ve ever done, so no regrets.


Tell us about an Atwyld (An atwyld moment is that single moment between fear and thrill: when you are on the edge of your comfort zone and your adrenaline is pumping and you are right at your limit ) moment you have had on your bike?

I actually had one of these moments in the desert just the other day. I was sitting on my little 125 at the top of a hill looking down a steep, narrow trail full of rocks and no part of me wanted to actually go down it. But I didn’t really have a choice, so I went for it and it was fast, fun, and terrifying. And it was a super rewarding feeling getting down to the bottom. 


What are some of your favorite pieces that you love from Atwyld and why?

I live in my Voyager pants when I’m roadtripping, they are the only pants I ride in. I’m also wearing Atwyld from head to toe (helmet, goggles, jersey, armored shirt, armored leggings, and pants) in the dirt, which makes me look a lot more competent than I am. I just really love the high quality and attention to detail in every single piece of Atwyld gear I’ve worn. They are so clearly designed for women who ride by women who ride. 


Do you have any goals that you want to achieve as a motorcyclist? 

I’d love to at some point ride a really fast bike on a racetrack. Right now I’m mostly working on getting better at riding dirt. 


What advice do you have for someone who is thinking about hopping on two wheels?

Take a safety class, ride within your skill level, wear proper gear, and HAVE FUN. 

Check Out Sanna's Riding Kit: