Go With the Flo

CV NorthWest Magazine story on Sister Conga Group

A Lady, not a Rebel, but still with a Cause
Leilani Wildman (Lani) discovered the incredible world of bikers and riding in 2005; for Lani it became an addiction…to feel the wind, the pride, and the freedom of riding on an open road, lifted her spirits and brought peace to her mind. Lani has been affected by cancer in her life; not directly but through her friends and family. She decided that it was time to take a stand, to do something that would “matter” to others and yet still involve her passion for riding.
On a rainy day, as she sat in front of her computer wondering when the sun would come out so she could ride, as she looked at several different biker groups on Facebook, she came across Conga for the Cause. She was immediately hooked, and set out to find out how to start a group like that in the Portland/Vancouver area. The group had been formed about five years ago by a fascinating lady named Flo Fuhr of Women Who Ride (www.gowitheflo.org);

The “cause” is raising money through donations for the Breast Cancer Foundation by forming a “Conga” style line of bikers. They come from all over the U.S. & Canada, adding riders as they travel and end up in Shell, Wyoming. Along the way, they collect donations for the cause and through different events as well. Most of the riders are women but some men join in as well (the guys are called Cabana Boyz…yeah, I know, yer kidding right? nope). Part of their public presence is to wear as much pink as possible to draw attention to themselves, and thus to their cause.
After speaking to, working with, and receiving the blessing from Flo, Lani and her friends charged into action. They named their group NW Conga for the Cause – Washington & Oregon. It is their first year and they are keeping it simple as they figure out their path for the group. But don’t confuse their relative infancy with their enthusiasm. Lani is a woman with a mind and a mission; 2 minutes after meeting her and becoming infatuated with her smile, I realized that this is a woman who will not be diverted from her chosen path; riding and raising awareness to fight this killer. She is an amazing being, as friendly as she is determined, and her wonderful personality is infectious.
NW Conga for the Cause will have their first event in July of this year!
They have an impressive sponsorship lineup along with over 50 bikers, both female and male (Cabana Boyz), already pre-registered for the weekend of rides and festivities to happen on July 21 & 22, 2012! NW Conga begins both days at 9am at Columbia Harley-Davidson (www.ColumbiaHD.com), in Vancouver, WA, off I-5 at exit 5. The riders will ride to different destinations – in a “conga line”- dressed up in as much pink as possible, stopping at various locations and asking for money donations to be placed in “titty tins”, the phrase coined by Flo herself for the donation canisters.
Proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. NW Conga can be attended both days or just one. Rides will vary each day with Saturday ending at Columbia Harley-Davidson, who is
Figure 2: Lani on her ’06 Deluxe
Figure 1: that’s Flo, and yes, that’s a lot of pink!
providing an after-ride party with food and music. On Sunday, the NW Conga will end at Love’s Leathers www.lovesoutpost.com in Battleground, WA, where riders can enjoy snacks and cold beverages while shopping a sale and having patches sewn on, at one of the best and oldest biker leather shops in the Pacific NW.
Please go to www.NWConga.com if you’d like to pre-register! Not a rider, NO problem, become a Spirit Rider by registering online (www.NWConga.com) and come party with us! The event is only $15.00 (before 6-1-12, $20.00 after 6-1-12) for all the fun you can have in pink and on a motorcycle.
Please “Like” NW Conga on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/events/290251827704606)
CV NorthWest Magazine asks that you spread the word about this amazing event!
Let’s all kick cancer to the curb together!
For any information pertaining to this event, please contact Lani at nwconga@gmail.com