From riding to dirt biking, these women are carving out a space for themselves in traditionally male-dominated sports
Words Marianna Manson
Portraits Caylee Hankins
Leathers. Chest hair. Testosterone. From Harley-riding Wyatt (Peter Fonda) and Billy (Dennis Hopper) cruising down the highways in search of spiritual enlightenment, to the enduring image of a Hell’s Angel as a pot-bellied guy with an unkempt beard, life on two wheels – and all its surrounding iconography – hasn’t allowed much space for women over the years.
But Camp VC is on mission to change all that. Conceived in 2016, the all-female motorcycle and outdoor adventure collective brings together women from motocross, dirt biking and skateboarding scenes, providing them with a chance to practise their sports and socialise in a safe, female-friendly environment. It’s the ultimate antithesis to ‘motorbike furniture’ – aka, women perching prettily atop the back of the boys’ bikes.
Each year, the women of Camp VC host a celebration of biker diversity set against the stunning backdrop of the Brecon Beacons in South Wales. Small but packing a serious punch, the festival stages film screenings, talks and beginner’s lessons for the newly initiated. There’s also a climbing wall, organised ride outs and, obviously, a line up of all-female live entertainment to see you through to the early hours. Want to mosh in a girl-only pit? Get your rocks off here.
In this month’s edition of ‘Rules to Live By’, we asked some of the fiercest females in the field (and on the road) to reveal their hard-won life lessons.
Kitty
Full Name: Kitty Cowell
Age: 31
Occupation: Fashion Stylist and Blogger
What bike you ride: So far 125s, I just ride off road as this was my first time riding at VC.
How long you’ve been riding: I’ve just started learning!
One rule for life that you try to live by: Stay sweet and follow your heart.
Instagram: @kittycowell
Flora
Full Name: Flora Beverley
Age: 23
Occupation: Fitness blogger/science media
What bike you ride: I don’t, really! But I’m an absolute adrenaline junkie and sport collector – if it’s exciting and I’ve not done it before, chances are I want to give it a go! I love fell running, cliff jumping and boxing.
How long you’ve been riding: I’ve only ridden a bike a handful of times in my life but any other opportunities that come my way I’ll be straight in the saddle again.
One rule for life that you try to live by: Be true to yourself and always do what you might regret not doing.
Instagram: @foodfitnessflora
Flora
Full Name: Flora Beverley
Age: 23
Occupation: Fitness blogger/science media
What bike you ride: I don’t, really! But I’m an absolute adrenaline junkie and sport collector – if it’s exciting and I’ve not done it before, chances are I want to give it a go! I love fell running, cliff jumping and boxing.
How long you’ve been riding: I’ve only ridden a bike a handful of times in my life but any other opportunities that come my way I’ll be straight in the saddle again.
One rule for life that you try to live by: Be true to yourself and always do what you might regret not doing.
Instagram: @foodfitnessflora
Khloe
Full Name: Khloe Bailey Obazee
Age: 27
Occupation: Events Coordinator at WeWork
What bike you ride: Honda CG 125, a custom build
How long you’ve been riding: I’ve literally just got to a year! Bike anniversary!
One rule for life that you try to live by: My rule is that Drybabery is in my blood. I can be fun, beautiful, cool, quirky and also be a complete ‘nerd’. I do what I want and no one can do being me better than…me! Live and let live, encourage, inspire and activate joy in people’s lives wherever you can.
Instagram: @drybabebailey
Jene
Full Name: Jene Bons
Age: 30
Occupation: Owner and pizzabaker at Buurman&Buurman pizzeria, illustration artist and assistant at Outsiders Motorcycles, custom motorcycle shop.
What bike you ride: a 1989 Honda NX650 and 1977 cb200
How long you’ve been riding: Almost 7 years.
One rule for life that you try to live by: Be optimistic.
Instagram: @bons88
Jene
Full Name: Jene Bons
Age: 30
Occupation: Owner and pizzabaker at Buurman&Buurman pizzeria, illustration artist and assistant at Outsiders Motorcycles, custom motorcycle shop.
What bike you ride: a 1989 Honda NX650 and 1977 cb200
How long you’ve been riding: Almost 7 years.
One rule for life that you try to live by: Be optimistic.
Instagram: @bons88
Sophie
Full Name: Sophie Everard
Age: 32
Occupation: Founder of Mad To Live Retreats, women’s global surf & adventure retreats
What bike you ride: HONDA Crf!
How long you’ve been riding: I have been riding for a year and I freakin’ LOVE IT. I passed my CBT earlier this year, and am mad for dirt bikes.
One rule for life that you try to live by: Run a little wild, be mad to live, follow your passions!
Instagram: @sophiemadtolive
Jennie
Full Name: Jennie Gillam
Age: 27
Occupation: Graphic Designer
What bike you ride: Honda CL 250
How long you’ve been riding: I used to ride round the fields on my dads bike when i was younger, but 8 years with an official licence!
One rule for life that you try to live by: This question is so hard, I guess though without stating the obvious (shot tequila for breakfast)… ‘If you want something in life, go out and put everything into making it happen’.
Instagram: @jennielgillam
Jennie
Full Name: Jennie Gillam
Age: 27
Occupation: Graphic Designer
What bike you ride: Honda CL 250
How long you’ve been riding: I used to ride round the fields on my dads bike when i was younger, but 8 years with an official licence!
One rule for life that you try to live by: This question is so hard, I guess though without stating the obvious (shot tequila for breakfast)… ‘If you want something in life, go out and put everything into making it happen’.
Instagram: @jennielgillam
Natasha
Full Name: Natasha Farrar
Age: 29
Occupation: Freelance Film Crew
What bike you ride: Honda XL 250
How long you’ve been riding: 4 years
One rule for life that you try to live by: Follow your heart and don’t be scared of change (though I often forget).
Instagram: @natashafarrar
Julia
Full name: Julia Lucas
Age: 22
Occupation: Blogger/Music photographer
What bike you ride: I don’t own one! (Unfortunately)
How long you’ve been riding: Well, I haven’t! Haha went to camp VC as a blogger, hoping to meet some inspiring ladies and take a few photos around… have a major fear of riding due to a past accident, so only hopped on a skateboard.
One rule of life that you try to live by: tomorrow is just a postponed version of today. I think it speaks for itself.
Instagram: @julialucass
Julia
Full name: Julia Lucas
Age: 22
Occupation: Blogger/Music photographer
What bike you ride: I don’t own one! (Unfortunately)
How long you’ve been riding: Well, I haven’t! Haha went to camp VC as a blogger, hoping to meet some inspiring ladies and take a few photos around… have a major fear of riding due to a past accident, so only hopped on a skateboard.
One rule of life that you try to live by: tomorrow is just a postponed version of today. I think it speaks for itself.
Instagram: @julialucass
Kirsty
Full Name: Kirsty Lowrey
Age: 30
Occupation: Musician
What bike you ride: Kawasaki KZ750
How long you’ve been riding: 3 years
One rule for life that you try to live by: Do what you want, all the time!
Instagram handle: @kirsty_lowrey
Amanda
Full name: Amanda Fordyce
Age: 36
Occupation: Photographer
What bike you ride: Just started dirt track riding and love it.
How long you’ve been riding: I’m new to it!
One rule of life that you try to live by: If you’re going to walk in the middle of the road, you’ll get run over. So pick a side. When you make that decision, you’re going to have lovers and haters, but you’ll survive, and hopefully get to where you’re going.
Instagram: @amandafordycephoto
