Kelly’s Korner: It’s Time to ‘Rally’ for 2016
Last Updated: December 1st, 2020
We’re just a few days into the new year and 2016 already looks promising for adventure. Speaking for myself, I’m stoked to be starting an exciting job, living in Tempe and looking for the next home to buy and, in June, celebrating a milestone birthday in Italy with family who live there. All great stuff, thanks in large part to my October job loss. I remain amazed at how unexpected, and seemingly “bad,” life shifts such as layoffs in fact lead to even better circumstances. Yet, amid all of the whirlwind transformation and momentum, I am lacking in motorcycle-centric thrill. That’s why, if I have the time and money – and given the aforementioned changes and plans, I can’t make any promises – I would love to take part in the next rounds of the women-only outings, Babes Ride Out and Babes in the Dirt, and maybe even the all-inclusive Motos in Moab.
More women in the United States are riding. The latest stats from the Motorcycle Industry Council show female motorcycle ownership now stands at 14 percent, up from 8 percent in 1998. While I’d argue 14 percent still is a pittance figure, at least there’s growth. And along with that adoption will come more activities targeting us ladies. The two biggest and most well known here in the States seem to be Babes Ride Out and Babes in the Dirt.
The next Babes Ride Out, a motorcycling campout/rally, is set for Oct. 20-23 in Joshua Tree, Calif. Anya Violet and Ashmore Ellis founded Babes Ride Out, famously via text message, as a quick Google search will reveal. The event emphasizes no guys, no frills and no attitudes – simply a love of road tripping, being in nature, riding and hanging out with other women. The first Babes Ride Out in 2013 featured 50 women. The most recent, this past fall, counted more than 1,200. Women trailer and ride to the event from all over the U.S. (one lady rode 3,000 miles from Florida – yeah!) and even come from as far away as Brazil. Given the huge increases in a mere three years, I’m guessing 2016’s Babes Ride Out will attract closer to 2,000 women. I’d love to be one of them. Come to think of it, how fun would it be for a group of us TEAM Arizona ladies to go out together?
Art: Motosinmoab.com
If you need a fix before October, check out Babes in the Dirt scheduled either for April 22-24 orMay 13-16 – there’s conflicting info available. Keep an eye on the Babes Ride Out Instagram feed for updates. The inaugural function took place last year the day before Babes Ride Out. Husqvarna brought its new dirt fleet for 20 lucky ladies to demo and had racer Victoria Hett on hand to help. The only way they could top themselves would be to open up the next Babes in the Dirt to more women and add Melissa Paris. (I’m pretty sure that’s Elena Myers in some of the photos.)
Finally, for ladies and dudes, there’s Motos in Moab happening Memorial Day Weekend. This is another motorcycling campout with no amenities and lots of riding, which sounds like heaven. It will be hot, though, so prepare for that.
So tell me, have you attended any of the above events? What was your experience? Do you know of any cool events we should share? I’d love to hear your take, as well as get any tips and tricks for making the most of the weekends.
Here’s to 2016. Keep riding!
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