Tag Archives: women

International Female Ride Day in May 

Female riders around the world are being invited to take part in the 16th annual International Female Ride Day (IFRD) on Saturday May 7. 

The ride’s call to action “Just Ride!” asks women to be on their motorcycles or powered two and three-wheelers on the first Saturday of May each year. 

IFRD was created in 2007 by Vicki Gray, a lifetime motorcycling advocate, road, and race instructor.

Her purpose is to profile and highlight the many diverse female riders, build awareness and strive for parity for women in motorcycling.

Many motorcycle manufacturers are promoting the day, including Harley which has long marketed to women as a growth area given they are half the population but represent less than 20% of riders. In Australia it’s as low as 12%.

Another company promoting heavily to women and encouraging them to ride on IFRD is Can-Am, the makers of the three-wheeled Spyder and Ryker roadsters.

Women with the Can-Am Ryker

They have organised rides and ambassadors in Australia, the US, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

CanAm Global Consumer Public Relations Brian Manning says that because of their focus on growing female ridership, Can-Am is heavily involved.

“We have rides lined up all over the world plus a call-to-action out to our owners to hit the streets that day,” he says from Quebec. 

“We anticipate a lot of love from women coming together to celebrate their  mutual passion for riding.”

One of the biggest hurdles to riding often quoted by women is the fear of dropping a bike and not being able to pick it up.

It’s not an issue with a three-wheeler … and of course it’s not an issue if you learn properly and don’t drop the bike.

Nor is it really an issue if you know how to pick up a big bike as shown in this video.

However, it remains a hurdle that doesn’t exist for the Can-Am Spyder family.

Consequently, Can-Am claims a much higher proportion of female owners than any other brand.

More than 38% of their entry level three-wheeled Can-Am Ryker owners are female.

It’s about double the number of women who ride in the USA and about three times the female involvement in motorcycling in places such as Australia and Europe.

Can-Am’s success is the envy of other motorcycle companies which are gradually realising they should be targeting the forgotten half of the population.

That’s why they are organising rides for IFRD on May 7:

In Sydney, Can-Am Ambassador Helen Chik, editor of the popular lifestyle magazine, Grazia, will be riding her Ryker alongside others to celebrate the day.

  • Helen with her Ryker

    Canada

In Ontario, Olympic Games gold medalist and member of the Canadian National Women’s Hockey Team, Natalie Spooner, will join TV host, Sherry Holmes, for a group ride that’s open to Can-Am owners.

In Los Angeles, Can-Am ambassador, actress and model, Karrueche Tran, will host a ride with Can-Am Spyder and Ryker owners.

In 28 other cities around the U.S., the US Spyder Ryders owners’ group is holding rides to mark the occasion.

In the UK, Can-Am ambassador, Sophie Morgan, will be riding her Can-Am Ryker with others to take part in the day’s efforts.

In Lausanne, Switzerland, the Can-Am team based out of the BRP office there will be taking to the streets to celebrate.

In Germany, the Ladies Riding Class community, which counts about thirty members, will also hit the road for the occasion. 

  • Latin America

In Puerto Rico, singer-songwriter, Calma Carmona, will also participate in a “GRRRL Ride” event behind the handlebars of her Can-Am Ryker.

Can-Am is inviting all women riders to “Just Ride” on May 7 to celebrate IFRD along with these riders. If you do, use #IFRD2022 to be part of the movement! 

Click here for more about the Can-Am Women of On-Road program and the brand’s participation in IFRD.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

International Women’s Ride Day celebrated at Broadford

Broadford celebrates Women riders

Motorcycling Victoria recently teamed up with Shannons Insurance’s Girl Rider brand along with some social & road riding groups; The Melbourne Moto Ladies and Motomoiselles Female Social Motorcycle Club, for a coordinated ride to the Broadford circuit.

Women’s only ride days

Partipants then enjoyed a lunch and took part in a parade lap of the 2.4 km circuit, while those already with track experience showed off their skills and speed on the race track. 

When not out racing, the ever growing community of women racers attend these days to coach, help motivate attendee and provide

Women’s only ride days at the road race circuit have been a feature at the Broadford State Sports Complex for a number of years now.

Women’s only ride days – Image by RbMotoLens

Together with Dirt Days for women and girls held across the dirt track, the motocross track and enduro loop are now building momentum after a COVID year off. Sunday’s event was the second this year and the next one is scheduled to be held on August 7.

Track sessions at the Women’s only ride days are open for all levels of rider from beginner to advanced. 

The parade lap was led by Cameron Donald and Kaz Anderson, who came out to support the day and give the riders some invaluable coaching – Image by RbMotoLens

When not out racing, the ever growing community of women racers attend these days to coach, help motivate attendee and provide. The Dirt Days are catered for all levels of women and girl rider, including junior riders. 

When not out racing, the ever growing community of women racers attend these days to coach, help motivate attendee and provide – Image by RbMotoLens

Motorcycling Victoria (MV) has been proactive in increasing Female Participation in all areas of the sport for a number of years. Together with the Victorian State Government MV have developed the Female Participation Program. The women & girls only events are designed to encourage more women and girls to get involved in the fun and adrenaline fuelled sporting side of riding. 

Women’s only ride days – Image RbMotoLens

Susie Smith (Participant)

“Thanks for another brilliant day. Its such an inspiring and empowering experience to see so many ladies rocking it on the bikes.”

Women’s only ride days – Image RbMotoLens

Carly Bullock (Participant)

“First timer here!! What an amazing supportive environment! Everyone I met was so inspiring! Thanks to the coaches for the awesome tips, and to everyone who helps make it happen.”

– Image by RbMotoLens

Source: MCNews.com.au

Mentorship program for Spyder women

Forget about Spiderman, watch out for Spyder women as the roadster company introduces a mentorship program to get more women riding.

Although there are slightly more women in the world than men, they represent only 10-20% of riders, depending on country.

For the motorcycle industry to thrive, they need to reach out to this under-represented group.

Mentorship program

That is exactly what the Can-Am Women’s Mentorship Program is doing.

Company spokeswoman Amelie Forcier tells us the inclusivity and education program is designed and led by women to inspire more women to overcome the barriers that prevent them from riding.

“Our mentors are an incredible group of inspiring women with diverse backgrounds and levels of riding experience,” she says.

“The Women’s Mentorship Program is for female riders around the world. We have had members from Australia and New Zealand join our Facebook group.”

In the US, women can also go through their Can-Am Rider Education Program for as little as $US50 (more details on the promo here).

Ryker attracts

Meanwhile, the entry level three-wheeled Can-Am Ryker is proving a “hit” with women, says Can-Am On-Road Australian PR Brian Manning.

While women riders are about 10-12% of the Australian riding population, 25% of Ryker owners are women.

The Ryker comes in three versions: a LAMS 600cc version for $A14,899 (standard colour); a 900cc version at $A17,299 (standard colour); and a 900cc off-road Rally Edition at $A18,999 (ride away prices).Can-Am Ryker

Brian says Australia’s Learner-Approved Motorcycle Scheme has provided the company with an opportunity for new riders, especially women, to own a Ryker.

“That is why 60% of sales are the 600cc model,” he says.

Females love the ease of use and the customisation.”

Training focus

Brian says they have had a focus on rider training in North America and have plans to extend to other countries.

So far more than 20,000 people have gone through Can-Am Rider Education at 193 riding schools in North America.

Brian says about half are female.

“We are implementing a training program in NZ similar to what has been done in North America,” he says.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Sidi X-3 Lei & Meta | Women’s Motorcycle Boots

Sidi X-3 Lei Women’s Motorcycle Boot
& Sidi Meta Motorcycle Shoe

Product News Advertorial


McLeod Accessories have announced the new for 2020 Sidi X-3 Lei and Meta motorcycle boots are now available in Australia, offering women a new off-road orientated full boot option, alongside the more casual motorcycle shoe in the form of the Sidi Meta.


Sidi X-3 Lei Boot

The Sidi X-3 Lei offers an off-road style boot, with high levels of protection and a fixed rubber sole, with sizes 39-43 available and currently priced at $499.95 RRP. The upper is constructed of Sidi’s technomicro microfibre, offering better wear, durability and life to leather, alongside a suede insert at the calf, while an ‘air-teflon’ mesh liner helps breathability and comfort.

Sidi X Lei WhiWhiGre Women MX Boot

Sidi X Lei WhiWhiGre Women MX Boot

Sidi X-3 Lei Boot – $499.95 RRP

A fixed shin plate, plastic toe area reinforcement, and rigid shock resistance anatomically shaped heel all offer important protection, with the Sidi Flex System at the ankle for good flexibility and movement within the normal range of movement. A Nylon inner sole also features removable arch support.


Sidi Meta Motorcycle Shoe

The Sidi Meta motorcyling shoe offers a stylish option both on and off the bike, with a low cut but still featuring reinforcements in the ankle for protection. An upper suede construction is joined by breathable fabric inserts for comfort, with both laces and velcro to hold the Meta motorcycle shoe in place.

Sidi Meta NeroRosa Women Motorcycle Shoe

Sidi Meta NeroRosa Women Motorcycle Shoe

Sidi Meta Motorcycle Shoe – $199.95 RRP

A shift guard is also featured in resistant polyurethane, while reflective panels on the back boost visibility, and heel loops ensure easily getting the shoe on and off. A removable footbed in EVA material is also found inside the boot. The Sidi Meta is available in sizes 37 to 41 in Grey/Pink for $199.95 RRP.


Check out the full Sidi catalogue at the McLeod Accessories website (link), for the range available in Australia, including sizing, colour options and pricing.

Source: MCNews.com.au

What motorcycle suits women best?

I’ve read several articles that advise what motorcycle suits women best, but they all reach different conclusions.

Really, the best bike for a woman is … every bike!

Women come in different shapes and sizes with different interests in racing, adventuring, off-roading, commuting, cruising, etc.

So why should women be restricted to one type or model of bike? 

Several motorcycle brands have tried to make bikes suit female riders, which is an admirable sentiment.

Harley-Davidson has been addressing perceived issues such as seat height, bar grip diameter and weight.

And BMW Motorrad embarrassingly built the lightweight, low-powered, low-seat F 650 Scarver which came in “feminine” colours such as “gold orange” and “azure blue”.

BMW Scarver suits women?BMW Scarver in azure blue

It also had a “tank” compartment where women could put their purse!

It was a dismal failure and was deleted from the line-up.

Suits yourself

Seat height is one issue that women actually bring up themselves. But then, so do many men.

Having a low seat height is not necessarily a women-only issue.

In fact, the two biggest motorcycle markets in the world, China and India, have very short average heights.

China is 1694mm (5′ 6.7″) for males and 1586mm (5′ 2.5″) for females, while Indians are 1653mm (5′ 5″) for males and 1653mm (5′ 5″) for females.

It’s not as big an issue in Australia where the average height of an adult male is 1784mm (5’10.2″) and women are 1639mm (5’4.5″). American men are slight shorter (1782mms) and women are slightly taller (1641mm (5′ 4.6″).

Besides, there are several methods of riding a tall motorcycle safely and for picking up a heavy motorcycle if you happen to drop it.

What annoys women more is not necessarily a seat height that suits their stature, but the fact that low-seat options often cost extra.

Why?

Shouldn’t they be the choice of the rider at purchase and therefore part of the bike price?

It’s this sort of attitude, plus the very fact that manufacturers think women need special bikes that is probably preventing them from accessing potentially 50% of the market.

And with only 12% of Aussie riders being female and about 20% in the USA, they are missing out on a huge potential growth area.

For women, as for men, we recommend simply picking a bike that suits you and sets your heart racing!

Happy International Women’s Day next Sunday (8 March 2020) to all our female riders.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Baton arrives in Women Riders World Relay

The baton in the Women Riders World Relay arrived for the Australian leg yesterday with about 58 women riding out of Perth.

Among them is 55-year-old Brisbane grandmother Collette Tindal (pictured above) who has so far ridden all the route, except for Indonesia.

Women Riders World Relay (WRWR) is a world-first all-female motorbike relay passing a baton across 80 countries over 343 days and an estimated 90,000km.

The relay is the idea of UK office manager and keen rider Hayley Bell, 27, to alert the motorcycle industry to the growing number of female riders.

It started at the northern-most tip of Scotland on 27 February 2019 and has now passed through 41 countries to reach Australia.  

Some 55 riders joined Collette yesterday and today they are riding all the way across the Nullarbor Plain.

Collette rides a Harley-Davidson 48 Special and intends to ride as many legs as possible.

She will take the baton to New Zealand next, then on to Canada.

“At this stage I am the only woman who has been riding since day 1 except Indonesia,” she says.

WRWR Australian leg spokesperson Peta Pitcher of Brisbane says the ride was initially started to raise awareness with manufacturers of the lack of good-quality, good-fitting women’s riding gear, “but it has become much more”.

WRWR baton
Peta with her Harley Blackline

“Each rider is sharing different experiences by being involved,” she says.

“It’s to challenge themselves on longer rides than they would normally do; it’s meeting a network of female riders they’d not previously connected into; and it’s about participating in an international riding event.

“For me, it’s to spend time with like-minded ladies and get some kms up on my Harley on routes I wouldn’t normally do on day trips or overnighters.”

Some 612 women have registered to ride in Australia as well as 68 men who will not being counted in the official relay numbers.

WRWR baton

WRWR baton
Jane with the baton in its case on her back

Amputee rider Jane Campbell is the first in Australia to carry the baton on her Harley-Davidson trike.

The “prized” baton has a tracker attached and the route is shown on the WRWR website.

The WRWR baton was hand crafted by Eugene Sanderson of the USA, who spent hours turning and carving it from a solid block of aged mahogany. It also has glow-in-the-dark paint and comes in a custom-moulded case.

The Baton has traveled through 43 countries, tens of thousands of kilometres and was held by countless women before being returned to the USA for repairs.

A second, improved baton joined the WRWR in Myanmar last month.

Both Batons will be reunited at the end to create a double-sided scroll containing the signatures of all riders.

It will be displayed at the final event in the UK in February 2020.

Women Riders World Relay baton

Australian relay itinerary

Day 1: 25 August 2019, Perth to Norseman 772km;

Day 2: 26 August, Norseman – Nullarbor RH, 905km;

Day 3: 27 August, Nullarbor RH – Port Augusta,764km;

Day 4: 28 August, Port Augusta – Adelaide – Mildura, 702km;

Day 5: 29 August, Mildura – Bendigo – Melbourne, 553km;

Day 6: 30 August, Melbourne – Wagga Wagga, 490km;

Day 7: 31 August, Wagga Wagga – Bathurst – Orange – Dubbo, 520km;

Day 8: 1 September, Dubbo – Tamworth – Glen Innes, 515km;

Day 9: 2 September, Glen Innes – Brisbane – Noosa, 502km;

Day 10: 3 September, Noosa – Gympie -Toowoomba -Byron Bay, 614km;

Day 11: 4 September, Byron Bay – Newcastle, 624km;

Day 12: 5 September, Newcastle to Batemans Bay, 456km;

Day 13: 6 September, Batemans Bay – Canberra  – Sydney, 442km.

Here are links to the various WRWR groups:

NSW /ACT WRWR 2019 

VIC WRWR 2019

Qld WRWR 2019

WA WRWR 2019

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Aussie women signing up for world rally

Registrations have opened for the Australian leg of the Women Riders World Relay 2019 with 150 signing up in the first day.

Click here to check out the 13-day route from Perth across the bottom of Australia and up the east coast on the day 180 of the rally.

Aussie relay ambassador Christi Hartwig is expecting the Australia leg will have more participants than any other country with thousands already expressing interest.

Click here if you are interested in signing up.

Aussie women sign up for world rally
Christi Hartwig

The Women Riders World Relay is the idea of UK office manager and keen rider Hayley Bell, 27, to alert the motorcycle industry to the growing number of female riders.

Hayley Bell Women Riders World Relay
Hayley Bell

“Women Riders World Relay is an opportunity to celebrate female motorcyclists and gain worldwide recognition, as well as to raise awareness of the fastest-growing segment of the motorsport industry,” she says.

Women can register on the Facebook page here while the public can monitor their progress on this Facebook page.

Relay progressAussies ‘lead’ in global women’s relay

It started at John O’Groats, Scotland, on February 27, 2019, and will be relaying a baton from woman to woman and from country to country over the next 12 months. Womwen continue signing up for the rally along the way, but more than 14,000 women had registered by March.

The women have since ridden through the British Isles, Europe, the Mid-East and the Baton is currently in Pakistan, the 41st country on the global route.

Previously it traveled through Turkey and at that time it had traveled over 31,000km passing through 1279 registered Guardian’s hands.

The baton arrives in Perth from Indonesia on August 25 and should receive a warm and enthusiastic welcome from Aussie women, says Christi.

“I have built a team to assist me, creating a route throughout Australia,” Christi says.

“I’m pleased it’s generating positive feedback. The women are excited, they want to ride!”

Christi last year became a moderator, team manager and tasker for the relay and is now the Ambassador for Australia.

“I’d like to unite, inspire and encourage female riders throughout Australia,” she says. 

Relay with purposeHayley Bell Women Riders World Relay

Hayley says she started the relay to show the motorcycles industry the female market that is “so blindly overlooked”.

“I’m tired of going into motorcycle stores and seeing four variations of pink leather jackets that look as though they have been thrown together as a half-arsed attempt after they have spent months creating fantastically designed men’s suits,” she says.

“I’m not preaching feminism, nor am I subjecting myself or our group to being labelled as ‘anti-man’.singing up for women's world rally

Australian relay itinerary

Day 1: 25 August 2019, Perth to Norseman 772km;

Day 2: 26 August, Norseman – Nullarbor RH, 905km;

Day 3: 27 August, Nullarbor RH – Port Augusta,764km;

Day 4: 28 August, Port Augusta – Adelaide – Mildura, 702km;

Day 5: 29 August, Mildura – Bendigo – Melbourne, 553km;

Day 6: 30 August, Melbourne – Wagga Wagga, 490km;

Day 7: 31 August, Wagga Wagga – Bathurst – Orange – Dubbo, 520km;

Day 8: 1 September, Dubbo – Tamworth – Glen Innes, 515km;

Day 9: 2 September, Glen Innes – Brisbane – Noosa, 502km;

Day 10: 3 September, Noosa – Gympie -Toowoomba -Byron Bay, 614km;

Day 11: 4 September, Byron Bay – Newcastle, 624km;

Day 12: 5 September, Newcastle to Batemans Bay, 456km;

Day 13: 6 September, Batemans Bay – Canberra  – Sydney, 442km.

Here are links to the various WRWR groups:

NSW /ACT WRWR 2019 

VIC WRWR 2019

Qld WRWR 2019

WA WRWR 2019

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Female riders create safe space to share

Female riders have created a “safe space for women riders” with the East Coast Female Riders (ECFR) Facebook group. 

Founders and moderators April Ryan and Rebecca Bell say the group started almost two years ago as a “small, humble idea”.

“The group was created to provide women who share the same hobby with a support network that they felt comfortable interacting in,” says April.

“ECFR was created to provide women with a place to ask questions, post their thoughts and find likeminded individuals who share the same passion – riding.”

Membership increased to more than 1000 in its first year, and now sits at about 1600 riders from Victoria to Far North Queensland, with 95% engagement and almost 1000 posts a month.

Hard times

East Coast Female Riders Female riders create safe space to share
Rebecca (left) and April

The founders say their group has not been without adversaries.

“We were ridiculed, abused, threatened and even had mock groups made about ECFR at the beginning,” April says.

“Regardless of backlash, ECFR has successfully empowered women to where the amount of involved, capable and talented women joining in on the hobby has increased exponentially.

“Regardless of including a variety of women from all walks of life, and all types of motorcycles, this has created a community where complete strangers are now best friends who will all help each other out at the drop of a hat”.

Female rider issuesEast Coast Female Riders Female riders create safe space to share

The group has also helped “shed some light on the consistently untapped, and underrepresented market of female riders in both marketing, and general social aspects”, they say. 

“A key pain point is the lack of female gear made and available in Australia,” April says.

“When we have met with suppliers to potentially alleviate this, the answer is often that ‘women come in so many different shapes and sizes, which makes it difficult for us to make women’s gear … so we simply don’t’.” 

They say the industry has a mistaken belief that women riders are too few to bother.East Coast Female Riders Female riders create safe space to share

While no official statistics are kept, it is believed female riders represent about 10-12% of the Aussie rider population, but is growing at a rapid rate. 

This compares with the USA which is about 20%, rising by 10% in the past decade and making it the highest proportion of female riders in the western world.

The next biggest female contingent seems to be New Zealand with 16%, closely followed by Germany with 15%. 

“While times are changing, and women riders are becoming more prominent, it’s still disheartening to be treated differently, but it only solidifies how brand-loyal women, and especially women riders, become over time when they find branding that represents their needs,” April says.

Charity work

Rather than just another Facebook group, April and Rebecca say they have endeavoured to give back to the community by organising several charity events.

An example was their Share the Dignity female sanitary product donation ride, which involved Brisbane women purchasing, and then riding from various locations to donate, sanitary items to homeless women and domestic abuse survivors. East Coast Female Riders Female riders create safe space to share

“ECFR is so much more than just a group; it’s now like a family. It has become a platform for rider concepts, ideas, training, skills honing, advice and issues,” April says. 

“We have watched women who were too anxious to look at their motorcycles after accidents, become track riding ‘extraordinaires’ through the support, advice and ongoing understanding of complete and utter strangers – but only because the strangers were a part of ECFR.

“We have watched young, new learners blossom into confident filtering commuters through the guidance and ongoing mentorship in our ECFR mentorship program.”

The program matches riders seeking further experience or expertise in a new area, with experienced riders in that particular skill, in their areas to act as mentors.

ECFR also holds monthly member forums at various locations which are live streamed to all members to ensure transparency of issues, upcoming changes, events and more.East Coast Female Riders Female riders create safe space to share

April and Rebecca say that the way ECFR is set up has helped their members discuss and get advice on difficult issues affecting their lives whether it be motorcycle related, or personally related such as divorce, domestic abuse and mental illness.

The group will celebrate International Female Ride Day on May 4 with several morning rides around Brisbane ending at Brisbane Motorcycles for free food and drinks for all IFRD participants.

Riders are encouraged to “dress up”.

“This is to celebrate women who ride, and show solidarity in numbers,” April says.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Aussies ‘lead’ in global women’s relay

The Australian leg of the Women’s Riders World Relay 2019 has the most riders of any nation taking part, says Aussie relay ambassador Christi Hartwig (pictured above).

She says even though registrations have not officially opened for the relay which will pass through Australia in August/September, they already have 3500 Australian members.

The Women Riders World Relay is the idea of UK office manager and keen rider Hayley Bell, 27, to alert the motorcycle industry to the growing number of female riders.

Hayley Bell Women Riders World Relay
Hayley Bell

“Women Riders World Relay is an opportunity to celebrate female motorcyclists and gain worldwide recognition, as well as to raise awareness of the fastest-growing segment of the motorsport industry,” she says.

Women can register on the Facebook page here while the public can monitor their progress on this Facebook page.

Relay startsAussies ‘lead’ in global women’s relay

It started at John O’Groats, Scotland, on February 27, 2019, and will be relaying a baton from woman to woman and from country to country over the next 12 months. More than 14,000 women have so far registered.

The women have since ridden through Scotland, Ireland, England, France, Portugal and Spain.

The baton arrives in Perth from Indonesia on August 25 and should receive a warm and enthusiastic welcome from Aussie women, says Christi.

“I have built a team to assist me, creating a route throughout Australia,” Christi says.

“I’m pleased it’s generating positive feedback. The women are excited, they want to ride!”

Christi last year became a moderator, team manager and tasker for the relay and is now the Ambassador for Australia.

“I’d like to unite, inspire and encourage female riders throughout Australia,” she says. 

Relay with purposeHayley Bell Women Riders World Relay

Hayley says she started the relay to show the motorcycles industry the female market that is “so blindly overlooked”.

“I’m tired of going into motorcycle stores and seeing four variations of pink leather jackets that look as though they have been thrown together as a half-arsed attempt after they have spent months creating fantastically designed men’s suits,” she says.

“I’m not preaching feminism, nor am I subjecting myself or our group to being labelled as ‘anti-man’.

Australian relay itinerary

Day 1: 25 August 2019, Perth to Norseman 772km;

Day 2: 26 August, Norseman – Nullarbor RH, 905km;

Day 3: 27 August, Nullarbor RH – Port Augusta,764km;

Day 4: 28 August, Port Augusta – Adelaide – Mildura, 702km;

Day 5: 29 August, Mildura – Bendigo – Melbourne, 553km;

Day 6: 30 August, Melbourne – Wagga Wagga, 490km;

Day 7: 31 August, Wagga Wagga – Bathurst – Orange – Dubbo, 520km;

Day 8: 1 September, Dubbo – Tamworth – Glen Innes, 515km;

Day 9: 2 September, Glen Innes – Brisbane – Noosa, 502km;

Day 10: 3 September, Noosa – Gympie -Toowoomba -Byron Bay, 614km;

Day 11: 4 September, Byron Bay – Newcastle, 624km;

Day 12: 5 September, Newcastle to Batemans Bay, 456km;

Day 13: 6 September, Batemans Bay – Canberra  – Sydney, 442km.

Here are links to the various WRWR groups:

NSW /ACT WRWR 2019 

VIC WRWR 2019

Qld WRWR 2019

Western Australian representative Jo Divine is creating a group for WA.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Elspeth Beard: Travelling the World on a Motorcycle

Elspeth Beard is much-admired among many adventurers. At a time when few women travelled or rode motorbikes, Elspeth achieved an impressive feat- when she was just 23 years old she embarked on a solo motorbike journey around the world and became the first ever British woman to do so.

Let’s have a look at this formidable traveller and her two-year journey that took her from New York City back to the United Kingdom, with 35,000 miles (56,000km) in between!

The Beginnings of A Life-Long Love

The first time Elspeth rode a bike was when she was sixteen, a short journey on the back of her friend’s Husqvarna. This was enough to catch the motorcycling bug. Her first bike was a Yamaha YB100, a run-around just to help her to get from A to B around London. Around a year later, she upgraded to a 250cc Honda and then a second-hand 600cc BMW R60/6 …Elspeth Beard

Elspeth talks about the immense sense of freedom she felt with her BMW and began to travel further and further afield as her confidence grew. She started with trips to Scotland and Ireland, and then went onto bigger adventures like a two-month trip around Europe and a road trip from LA to Detroit. Elspeth had an incredible appetite for exploration.

Around the World in 915 Days (Roughly!)

Sure enough, as soon as she finished her degree in architecture in 1982, Elspeth began preparing to embark on her historic two-year solo journey around the world.

Starting in New York, she travelled across the USA to Canada. Her next stops were New Zealand and Australia, where she encountered a road block – she’d ran out of money. After working in Sydney for seven months, she shipped her bike to Singapore and rode through Malaysia and Thailand. She had to turn back to Malaysia after failing to gain entry in what is now Myanmar, and instead she caught a boat to India. From Chennai she travelled to Nepal, then around India to Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Greece, Yugoslavia, Europe and back to London.

That’s an incredible 23 countries and 35,000 miles over the course of two-and-a-half years!

However, her achievements went unnoticed – very few women travelled at that time and rather bafflingly, it was almost seen as a blip in her life rather than an achievement.

Immortalising the Elspeth story

Thankfully, we’ve come a long way since then and Elspeth’s remarkable achievements are now celebrated. She enjoys the accolade of the first British woman to ride solo around the world on a motorbike, not to mention the fact she’s an award-winning architect!

It’s no wonder her story has now been immortalised in her memoirs, Lone Rider: The First British Woman to Motorcycle Around the World, and she has joined the ranks of the likes of Che Guevara and Steve McQueen to become an ambassador for iconic British brands like Belstaff, who are famed for their motorcycle jackets.

We’re sure this isn’t the last time we’ll hear about this incredibly inspirational woman and we look forward to hearing about the feats that Elspeth will no doubt continue to amaze us with!

(Contributed post)

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com