The SheADV organization dedicates their time and energy to “connecting, educating, and empowering women adventure riders.” Their goal is to open the doors to motorcycle adventure riding to other women. SheADV is run by volunteers who are eager to share their time, knowledge, skills, and experiences with other women riders. Created in 2015, they are supported by TouratechUSA.
The Three Shes
Shalmarie (Shal) Wilson
Shal started riding adventure bikes 13 years ago after a near-fatal crash destroyed her Yamaha FZ6. Looking for a motorcycle to camp of off, she settled on Suzuki’s V-Strom 650 and never looked back. After training with Puget Sound Safety Off-Road to learn how to handle a bike when the pavement ends, she is now training riders on all surfaces. With support from Touratech USA she founded SheADV in 2015 and has since completed most of the BDRs.
Inna Thorn
Inna is the Executive Director and Vice President of the Board of Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR). Originally from Moscow, Russia, she made her home in Seattle, Washington, in the late 90’s. After riding a Kawasaki KLR 650 from there to Tierra del Fuego, she married her travel partner and dove into the motorcycle industry as a creative. As the BDR organization grew, it hired Inna as the Director of Operations.
Eva Rupert
Eva’s first motorcycle was a 1979 Honda CB750. Although the Honda wasn’t exactly an adventure machine, it took her to where adventures begin—Overland Expo. Seeing well-appointed ADV bikes with organized luggage systems was an eye-opener. Not long afterward she was riding a KLR 650 to explore all the nooks and crannies of the continent. She and Sterling Noren run the Jonquil Motel in Bisbee, Arizona, near the Mexican border. It comes as no surprise that they welcome motorcycles.
Where’s the Fun?
The SheADV Experience will be held at TouraTexas Rally from October 24-27, 2024. That event takes place at the Austin Moto Adventures ranch and training grounds in Burnet, Texas.
The Experience includes a meet and greet activity on Thursday evening to acquaint everyone with the other riders and the SheADV team. Friday morning brings 4 hours of off-road training with Shal Wilson. Afterward, riders will use those skills in the afternoon on a guided ride in the Texas hill country with guides.
Additional training is in store on Saturday, with more trail riding that afternoon. This includes on-the-trail instruction to keep riders safe and boost their abilities. What’s more, attendees have the chance to join Inna Thorn and Eva Rupert at that evening’s live broadcast to unveil the Big Bend BDR-X route. Enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded women
The SheADV Experience includes camping, breakfast, and dinner. There is a limit of 15 women and costs $975. Tickets are available now. And of course, that includes an event shirt and a bag of swag.
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Images: SheADV, BDR, TouraTexas Rally
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