The Litas Long Island: @thelitaslongisland
Meet The Litas LONG ISLAND
Welcome to Long Island, New York – where scenic roads, coastal views, and close-knit towns make for a rider’s paradise.
Here, The Litas Long Island bring together a powerful community of womxn riders whose positivity, mutual support, and dedication to uplifting themselves and each other make them truly inspiring. From the rolling hills of the North Shore to the sandy stretches of the South Shore, Long Island offers diverse scenery and tight-knit communities that are full of hidden gems and endless roads to explore. Whether you're cruising past historic lighthouses or stopping for coffee in a seaside village, you’ll want to make the trip with The Litas Long Island.
Read on to learn more about these lovely Long Islanders… and get a little sneak peek at our next Custom Drop*, modeled by the founders!
Who are your branch founders?
JS: When first learning to ride, I discovered The Litas on Instagram and was excited to see such a group existed! After about 6 years of gaining experience, I reached out to Kim and asked if anyone had expressed interest in starting a Long Island branch. When the answer was no, it struck me- why wait on someone else to start it? There began the journey. July 2020 was our first group ride. As a byproduct of getting the branch going, I discovered a love and talent for ride planning. Windy backroads are my absolute favorite. I currently ride a ’23 Harley-Davidson Road King Special, a ’22 Suzuki GSX-S750 and a 2014 Softail Slim.
AP: I’m the newest branch founder; I joined the group after moving to Long Island from the West Coast. I run our social media, coordinate the monthly moto socials, and love being the group’s resident photographer! I started riding six years ago in Los Angeles and, like many new riders, began with a Honda Rebel. It didn’t take long to outgrow it though, and it was then I discovered my love for the classic look and feel of Triumph Bonnevilles. I’m currently riding a Triumph Bonneville T120.
What brought the founders together?
JS: I would say kismet. Amy initially started with The Litas LA before moving to NY. At the beginning of this year’s riding season, she expressed an interest in becoming more involved. Her skills, talents and experience turned out to be exactly what the branch needed! She has quickly become an invaluable asset, and as a founder handles the roles of Social Media Manager and Moto Event Coordinator. Her presence has brought a fresh energy to the group. I am confident that with her on board our seasons will continue to get even better as we go.
AP: After moving, I wanted to find a local community to help me discover new routes and learn about the riding culture on the East Coast. I noticed there seemed to be only one active founder managing The Litas LINY and worked up the courage to volunteer and fully dive into helping the branch grow. After a day ride together, we connected, and it felt like a perfect fit!
I think we really complement each other because Jocelyn is such a seasoned and knowledgeable rider. She plans amazing routes and has helped me grow more confident as a rider in New York. I love riding, but I also wanted to become a founder as a way to be creative and celebrate the womxn’s moto culture here on Long Island.
How did you discover The Litas?
JS: While learning to ride, I discovered the Litas on Instagram. Back then, the global reach wasn’t quite what it is today. It has been incredible to watch the group grow and expand over the years!
AP: I actually discovered The Litas when I lived in Los Angeles and participated in their branch! When I moved, I intended to start my own branch but was thrilled to find one already existed here.
“One of our greatest successes is the group itself—the women who make it up.”
What is one of your greatest successes as a collective so far?
JS: We are currently in our 4th season and going strong. This branch was created to provide women in Long Island a place to ride, connect with others who share a passion for two wheels, and enjoy each other's company. One of our greatest successes is the group itself—the women who make it up. Their positive attitudes, support for one another, and dedication to improving their own lives and the lives of those around them is truly inspiring.
AP: I think we’ve made incredible progress expanding the group and building relationships with riding communities beyond The Litas. We support other moto socials and join group rides whenever we can because it strengthens the NY moto scene; we don’t want to be exclusive in only participating in Litas events. Our group is diverse, with women from their 20s to their 60s, new riders and seasoned speedsters, sport bikes to hogs. It’s a great reflection of New York’s melting pot of cultures and personalities, where you can fully express yourself and enjoy motorcycles and moto culture how you want to.
What challenges do you face living and riding on Long Island?
JS: Location is both our biggest challenge and greatest opportunity. Ride planning requires careful consideration of ever-changing traffic patterns and the season. There’s no single meet-up spot that works for everyone, but we do our best to accommodate. While Long Island offers a few pockets of good roads, within an hour off the Island, we can reach mountain twisties, admire rows of beautifully manicured mansions, or cruise along farm-lined back roads that feel like they’re straight out of a storybook.
AP: Also, Long Island is... long! It can be tricky to plan rides because our members are spread from the west end to the east end, and there are only a few options to get off-island for day trips.
What does a day riding with The Litas Long Island typically look like?
JS: Off-Island Advanced rides are an all-day affair. They include six to eight hours of actual ride time with a focus on winding & twisty roads. We always pre-plan the route, lunch spot, and sometimes even an ice cream stop so that all we have to do is show up and enjoy the day!
On-Island rides cater to all skill levels and usually last three to four hours. They run at a more relaxed pace compared to the Advanced rides and include various kinds of roads. Next year, we plan to introduce “Off-Island Light” rides for women looking to expand their skills beyond local routes but who aren’t quite ready for the Advanced rides.
AP: We also host monthly meet-and-greets and have some fun seasonal events planned. We’ve recently started collaborating with The Litas NYC branch, which has re-activated, and we’re totally thrilled about it!
Top recommendations for Litas coming to Long Island, NY:
JS: For a beach ride or a Sunday morning car show, head over to Ocean Parkway and the Ocean Beach Inn parking lot on the South Shore. Even though the inn is long gone, the name remains, and it’s a great spot to see some beautiful rides. The 16-mile stretch of Ocean Parkway is fantastic.
If you prefer backroads, the North Shore between Glen Cove and Port Jefferson, as well as Ram’s Island and Amagansett, offer fantastic routes. Sport bike riders won’t want to miss Whiskey Road and Mill Road. For a more traditional biker hangout, ‘The Maples’ in Manorville is a great spot.
AP: If you’re visiting, you must check out Billy Joel’s personal motorcycle collection at 20th Century Cycles in Oyster Bay! There are great backroads around that area, and you can head toward the Planting Fields for a picnic stop, then continue winding your way to Bayville for waterside views.
“We want to give a big shout out to the incredible women who make up The Litas LINY. Our community is truly a reflection of the energy and dedication they bring, and this season they’ve really gone above and beyond. You get out what you put in, and these women have given so much to help our branch thrive. It’s their commitment and support that make our group as strong and active as it is.”
*Amy and Jocelyn are modeling our next limited edition Custom Drop: Built to Last, which launches on November 11, 2024. See our Member Shop for more info.