Great Escape

Favorite travel mode: On her Harley-Davidson Sportster motorcycle, her wedding present from husband, Tim Stuart, a real estate agent. A decade ago, Wiles on her Sportster and Stuart on his Harley "Fat Boy" rode from Portland to New York City, parked and rode the ferry to the Statue of Liberty, returned to the parking lot, got on their bikes and headed back to Portland.

Why? Riding that bike, to me, is about freedom and balance. When you ride the bike, people just feel compelled to come up and tell you their story or share something."

Recent great ride: In late March, she traveled to Bakersfield, Calif., to the annual World Championship College of Auctioneering. "I like to do something every year to challenge myself physically and professionally." Her husband insisted on driving her over the Siskiyou Pass; she was on her own for the remaining 300 miles, and the entire 900 miles back. The best part was "right at the end of the trip, just to realize that I did it!"

Solo dangers: I have AAA, I know self-defense, I have a cell phone and I carry mace. The Ted Bundy type is not going after the biker chick in the leathers and on a Harley."

Future adventures: "My husband has this dream to ride all 50 states. We've got 25 down - we're halfway there." Plans are afoot for a summer ride to Ketchikan, Alaska.