Albert Lean Brandi Draayer knows what it’s like to have a dream and then to work hard to achieve it.

Nine years ago, she started riding motorcycles.

Though it wasn’t easy to learn how to ride, she said, it wasn’t really hard either.

Draayer said she was brought up around drag racing and motorcycling, and she knew that when the time was right, it was something she wanted to take on for herself.

“If it’s something you want to do, you can do it,” Draayer said.

For her, riding gives her a sense of freedom. Through it, she’s learned a new respect for herself, other drivers, the road and her motorcycle.

“It’s something that’s mine, between me and my higher power,” she said. “Seeing what Mother Nature has given us, you smell so many different things and see so many different things that you don’t notice when you’re in a car.”

These days, Draayer rides one of the biggest motorcycles that Harley-Davidson offers. She has become an empowering women’s speaker to help other women know that they, too, can fulfill their dreams.

Last year she logged the most miles on her motorcycle that she’s ever ridden in one season, which was 10,000 miles, she said. She’s been as far west as Wyoming, along with other places such as Duluth; Bettendorf, Iowa; Milwaukee, Wis., and many cities along the Mississippi River.

As one of the women’s advocates for local events held in honor of National Women Riders Month, which is May, Draayer said her joy comes from seeing people fulfill their dreams or do something they never thought they could do.

She led a women-only ride on Saturday from Albert Lea to Waseca and back, and she will be featured in an article in August in a motorcycle magazine called “American Bagger.”

She will also be involved with other National Women Riders Month events sponsored by Bergdale Harley-Davidson in Albert Lea, including the 24th anniversary party for the company, a ladies’ extravaganza and a ladies-only garage party.

Age: 32

Address: 605 E. Hawthorne St.

Family: husband, Jeff; stepchildren Lauren, 16, and Taylor, 17; three dogs and two parrots

Livelihood: She works for Chemsearch and also works as empowering speaker to motivate people to create the best life they can.

Interesting fact: It takes a cup of coffee to wake Draayer up in the morning.

“Just because I’m a girl who rides a big motorcycle, that’s just part of it,” Draayer said. “Any of us humans can create the most wonderful life. We just limit ourselves. Whether we’ve made mistakes or had a rough go of it, those are things we can all learn from and what not to do next time, to use as a motivator to do better.

The garage party will give women the chance to interact with each other, as well as hear from women who are already living their motorcycle dreams.

“Garage party events give women a no-pressure chance to learn, socialize and ask questions,” said Kristin Mummert, marketing coordinator at Bergdale-Harley Davidson. “We’re excited to provide a one-stop shop for women who are looking for information about getting into the sport.”

Women in attendance will visit four stations about motorcycle orientation, motorcycle gear, customization and self-service.

Saturday: Bergdale Harley-Davidson’s 24th anniversary

Sunday: Ladies’ extravaganza from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; ladies-only garage party at 4 p.m.

May 19: Ladies table at the Green Mill Restaurant

In the past 20 years, the percentage of women who have purchased new Harley-Davidson motorcycles has steadily grown, with women now accounting for nearly 12 percent of new Harley-Davidson motorcycle purchases, according to a news release.

“Women have been enjoying the sport of motorcycling for the last century,” said Leslie Prevish, Harley-Davidson women’s outreach manager, in the release. “In the past two decades, we’ve seen dramatic increase in the number of women who embrace the sport. By declaring May as Women Riders Month, we’re honoring all the women who enjoy the freedom and adventure found in taking control of their own handlebars.”

To get involved with the local Women Riders Month events, contact Mummert at 373-5236.

Besides riding, Draayer enjoys landscaping, gardening, hiking, photography and helping the family and friends in her life.

She also loves hockey, of which both of her stepchildren have played in high school.