A Ripple Relay is moving through B.C. to promote a women害羞草研究所檚 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.
害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e talking biblical rains, and fog so thick,害羞草研究所� said Teresa Udell, who got the B.C. Ripple Relay going. 害羞草研究所淏ut we did it, and it was amazing.害羞草研究所�
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 害羞草研究所� 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 it害羞草研究所檚 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.
害羞草研究所淲e lived in Vancouver and our mother said it wasn害羞草研究所檛 safe, because we might get hurt,害羞草研究所� she says, laughing. Now, she lives in North Delta, and she rides whenever she gets the chance. She害羞草研究所檚 been all over North America, including three trips to Sturgis.
害羞草研究所淚 didn害羞草研究所檛 want to waste any time,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淚 only have so many birthdays left.害羞草研究所�
Eline Mets is a motocross rider with an injured shoulder. She害羞草研究所檚 joined the rally to bring awareness to women riders in that sport. By chance, on that same day, she launched her television show . It害羞草研究所檚 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.
害羞草研究所淭hese are the women you don害羞草研究所檛 see on TV,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淵ou don害羞草研究所檛 hear about them, you don害羞草研究所檛 read about them.害羞草研究所�
Chilliwack害羞草研究所檚 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.
害羞草研究所淭here害羞草研究所檚 so much freedom in riding,害羞草研究所� she says. 害羞草研究所淚t is a scary thing, but it害羞草研究所檚 a freedom like no other.害羞草研究所�
She grew up riding on the bike of her dad害羞草研究所檚 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.
害羞草研究所淧eople you don害羞草研究所檛 even know become your sisters, your brothers,害羞草研究所� she says.
害羞草研究所淭his ride gives a voice to the women,害羞草研究所� Udell adds. 害羞草研究所淲e matter, we害羞草研究所檙e here.害羞草研究所�
The elay comes to Canada on September 14.
jpeters@theprogress.com
Like us on and follow us on .
