International Female Ride Day – Stand up and Take a Bow

Months ago, the 7th edition of International Female Ride Day (IFRD) rumbled across the world’s planet and it was –phenomenal! Women motorcycle riders on all makes and models got on their two-wheelers (and three wheelers), rode together, synchronized on one special day worldwide for the seventh occasion of IFRD. 

It isn't until the morning of the day, that first Friday in May, when I’m about to turn the ignition key on my own motorcycle that I pause and find myself overcome by the reality of the day. This glorious moment hits me! It's International Female Ride Day - I’m overwhelmed with the reality. I imagine the ladies in Australia, in India, Cape Town South Africa, Yukon, Iceland, Russia, West to East coast Canada and all points America- doing the very same as me - gearing up to JUST RIDE. And to think I made this happen - yes, I did, I created International Female Ride Day!

As an advocate for motorcycling; for women and motorcycling, this event without a doubt allows me huge personal reward. It’s not been an entirely easy journey though, and I've had to deal with some incredibly disheartening challenges- so much so that on numerous occasions I've contemplated "throwing in the towel". The fact that I’m self employed and that this campaign is nearly a full time task but provides no income for me is a challenge all on its own- bitter sweet you could say. It’s exciting and motivating to steer while being incredibly taxing on my personal self and my company. Yet my drive proceeds - doing the best I can. Yes, I fall behind on tasks- designing the annual icon, making it available on line and in various languages, website updates, Facebook page / group / event management, tweeting, responding to hundreds of inquiries, designing t-shirts, working with the industry and associations –policing; it's incredibly fatiguing, like this long sentence!  All costs for the project are personal. But adding to it all are the battles I've faced from other women. Jealously, material theft, wordage and date disputes, copyright infringement; those who have attempted to work against the effort. These are a minority yet a reality. One year I recall many sleepless nights while I contemplated the actions I would take to protect IFRD from a powerful global brand who- since introduction - have done their best to re-brand and take credit for the event. On the other hand within guidelines, I've assisted the industry on creating special events to promote their businesses; manufacturers’ national campaigns- and assisted women’s clubs who sadly, ended up preventing other women (those who are not members) from participating in their arranged happenings. Yet, when I weigh it all out, IFRD is worth it and coincides perfectly with all the reasons my brand RaceGirl in the nineties was born, succeeded now by MOTORESS; purely for the women and motorcycling! Thousands of women around the world continue to take a role and inspire us all within this unified camaraderie. And isn't it amazing all this within a world continuously dividing us from each other? 

When I’m asked by friends and those in the motor-sport industry to stand up and take a bow for IFRD’s successes – it’s purely from a place of privilege. IFRD has allowed me the opportunity to become acquainted with – and introduce make known to the planet - the most amazing women! It’s these women who’ve demonstrated by way of their ride day participation – IFRD resonates with them too.

And me, well, I’ll be ok; I always seem to manage. And yes, next year the running’s of this world wide action will be the same- too few hours in the day, far too many demands, no sleep and budget anxiety. Yet would I trade it? Not in a million IFRD synchronized worldwide women’s ride day miles!

Off Road Motorcycle riding fun – the dirt speaks for itself!

Yesterday I headed up North to enjoy my other favourite form of motorcycling, off-roading! It's as simple as that, getting off the street and riding on trails, off the road. Riding through the woods, sliding around loose dirt corners and accelerating over jumps is incredible fun! And it's the jumps I personally can't get enough of! It's the kind of motorcycling which is full of fearless fun and gettin' dirty!

Off road riding never requires good weather or roads; in fact the worst conditions are usually sought accenting the - challenge! The bike gives you lots of feedback as it shakes and wiggles beneath you. The handlebars move around constantly from the terrain and sometimes, as is in my case, the seat comes up behind you and whacks you a good one on the rear!(riding over a log for example) You relax your grip and let go of all that mental jibber-jabber visualizing that it's you, you are the "being" with the knobby tyres riding over those chunky rocks!

It was when I moved to the Caribbean I started riding duo sport and off road motorcycles. There really was no other choice as a paved road was a challenge to find. The island of St. Maarten was accessed namely by gravel roads or dirt - not conducive to the usual fun sought on a sport bike. On the French side of the island, St. Martin, the motorcycle club built a track on the beach it was all sand- deep sand! I tried it often but seemed to always get buried - too challenging and heavy for my abilities- then. There was a lot of local rider talent to be found on that island! I recall the president of the bike club (I was also a member) could literally ride the entire island on the back wheel of his Honda XLR500 – the longest wheelie I've seen- to date!

It’s a given in dirt riding that you fall, pick yourself up and do it again. And here's where I like to bring into play “guy” mentality -minimal thinking, more doing. It's that mindset of fearing a fall that creates a mental set back. Of course the bike can get out from underneath you and yes you are not free from danger. It was two years ago now I fell wrong and the handlebar went into my ribs resulting in two small fractures. But it's the spills which are great fodder for laughs and après off road stories! The bikes are designed to take abuse as is the special moto-gear required - you'll not see a rider without full gear. It’s a rough and tumble sport that’s super fun, physical and totally skill enhancing! I've always likened motorcycling to skiing-and off road riding even more so. As in skiing (or snowboarding), when you fall, you learn. I’ve had some days though, where I fell so repeatedly, it was exhausting! It's hard work especially as the day moves on-  picking up that motorcycle!

Getting dirty is such a fun part of it –so I challenged the women riding with me with a prize for the rider who ended up being the dirtiest! Stipulating language didn't count!  The prize went to Nancy who lost it in a corner and in the midst of a huge puddle! In my case, the day was evident when I removed my helmet - a dirt brown moustache! (Sweeping in back of the group ensures eating a lot of dust!)

Ah yes, my moustache, mud covered boots and a few bruises - the proud souvenirs of an exhilarating day where not just riding through challenging terrain and improving 'trick riding' skills is enough -  it's the fact of getting dirty- the proud tell-tale signs of a day spent off-roading! Come join us next time!