A Ripple Relay is moving through B.C. to promote a womenB次元官网网址檚 worldwide motorcycling event, and on May 31, a group of the bikers converged in Chilliwack.
About two dozen women riders met at Mountainview Harley Davidson to prepare for their leg to Kelowna. Some were old friends, others were just meeting for the first time. They were every size, age and background, but they all share the love of the open road. And they had an adventure ahead.
The ride began at Mile Zero of the Trans-Canada Highway near Victoria, B.C. earlier this week. A group of nine women from Vancouver travelled there to kick it all off, and met with 11 women from Vancouver Island. They rode the Malahat together, even through terrible weather.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e talking biblical rains, and fog so thick,B次元官网网址� said Teresa Udell, who got the B.C. Ripple Relay going. B次元官网网址淏ut we did it, and it was amazing.B次元官网网址�
Once in Vancouver, the women rode around Stanley Park, out to Fort Langley, and to White Rock throughout the week. When the leg that took off from Chilliwack got to Kelowna, they were to meet another group headed to Balfour, near Nelson.
Cat Ablett, one of the Chilliwack bikers, says that women are the fastest growing demographic of riders B次元官网网址� and the industry is starting to stand up and take notice.
The Ripple Relay is about increasing that presence, and showing there is room for women on the road.
But itB次元官网网址檚 also about connections, and many of the riders have met women online all over the world. The Ripple Relays are meant to build momentum for the Women Riders World Relay, that got started back in February. It will hit about 82 countries and connect tens of thousands of women riders. The ride is being tracked online with a GPS-fitted baton.
For the Ripple Relay, the women travel with a large, handmade coin. And before they set out from Harley Davidson on Friday, they took turns taking pictures with it, signing their ride banner, and writing their names in a ledger for posterity.
Every one of the riders has her own story. When Pat Jacobsen wanted to start riding motorcycles, she had never even ridden a bicycle.
B次元官网网址淲e lived in Vancouver and our mother said it wasnB次元官网网址檛 safe, because we might get hurt,B次元官网网址� she says, laughing. Now, she lives in North Delta, and she rides whenever she gets the chance. SheB次元官网网址檚 been all over North America, including three trips to Sturgis.
B次元官网网址淚 didnB次元官网网址檛 want to waste any time,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 only have so many birthdays left.B次元官网网址�
Eline Mets is a motocross rider with an injured shoulder. SheB次元官网网址檚 joined the rally to bring awareness to women riders in that sport. By chance, on that same day, she launched her television show . ItB次元官网网址檚 been in the works for a few years, but during the stop in Chilliwack she nervously hit the publish button. Once done, she took a look around at the gathering crowd of women bikers.
B次元官网网址淭hese are the women you donB次元官网网址檛 see on TV,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淵ou donB次元官网网址檛 hear about them, you donB次元官网网址檛 read about them.B次元官网网址�
ChilliwackB次元官网网址檚 Karen Norvell was in the crowd, but unable to make the Kelowna trip. People around town would recognize her by the pig-tailed helmet she sports while on her bike.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 so much freedom in riding,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淚t is a scary thing, but itB次元官网网址檚 a freedom like no other.B次元官网网址�
She grew up riding on the bike of her dadB次元官网网址檚 bike, and as a mom she encourages her own kids to get on the road, including her daughter Abbie. They love the biking community, and want to see more women get involved.
B次元官网网址淧eople you donB次元官网网址檛 even know become your sisters, your brothers,B次元官网网址� she says.
B次元官网网址淭his ride gives a voice to the women,B次元官网网址� Udell adds. B次元官网网址淲e matter, weB次元官网网址檙e here.B次元官网网址�
The elay comes to Canada on September 14.
jpeters@theprogress.com
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