Year-after-year, women from across the US venture out to the desert to pack on the miles, party with friends, and share their love of two wheels with riders of all backgrounds. This year, we are proud to extend our partnership with Babes In The Dirt by entering the world of street motorcycles through Babes Ride Out, kicking it off with their homecoming event in Borrego, California. We met up with four riders with varying experiences and backgrounds to learn more about their early days on two wheels, and discover their favorite thing about the ladies-only camp out. Meet the riders…
Alicja Polachek
1.Who are you and what do you do?
Hi! I’m Alicja Polachek. I am a sign painter and glass gilder based out of Long Beach, California. I work full time as a sign painting lead for Disney and I also take on a select number of projects on the side. When I’m not working, you can usually find me cruising around town with my dog, Earl.
2. How did you first get into riding, and what was the moment you realized you were hooked?
I first got into riding back in the summer of 2014. I’d always been bike curious but didn’t know anyone that rode or where to start. When I found out about Babes Ride Out and I saw what these women were doing—that gave me the extra push I needed. I was hooked as soon as I hit second gear.
3.How many years have you been going to Babes, and what makes this event so different from other events?
I’ve been going to different Babes events for 6 years now. Borrego stands out to me because it truly feels like coming home. I grew up in the desert, and getting to ride here is a dream come true. I know it feels the same for a lot of the women at this event, and you can really feel that when you’re riding around. Everyone’s just so happy to be here and to be together.
4. What’s something that surprised you about the riding in and around Borrego?
One thing that surprised me about riding around Borrego was how quickly the landscape changes. Just outside of town there are some pretty exciting curves, and some big sweeping bends that I wasn’t expecting. This was also my first time seeing a super bloom, so getting to ride amongst all the wildflowers felt like such a treat.
5. What’s in your packing list for this event?
I’m painting helmets all weekend, so mostly I had to make sure my sign kit was dialed in for work but I also made sure to bring my riding essentials: a multi-tool, zip ties, battery pack, sunscreen, water bottle, lots of layers, and all my camping gear.
6. Can you share a memory from the weekend you’ll never forget?
This is a difficult question to answer! I always leave Babes feeling inspired. I’m continuously blown away by the community and how open and welcoming everyone is at these events. I see old friends, and also make so many new friends at each event, and the women are all amazing. Riding brings us together, but every woman’s story is unique, and I love getting to know everyone better throughout the weekend.
7. What is some advice you’d give another woman coming to this particular Babes Ride Out event for the first time?
For this event, and truly any Babes event, I’d say if there’s any hesitation, just go for it. Whether you currently ride or are just curious— you’re going to have an absolute blast.
Genevieve Davis
1. Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Genevieve Davis. I’m a full-time commercial photographer and a part time marine wildlife tour guide.
2. How did you first get into riding, and what was the moment you realized you were hooked?
When I was 19, I dated a guy with a beautiful 60s vintage Triumph. I never rode on the back, but I fell in love with his bike and set my heart on getting my own. 3 years later I would get my first bike, a ‘74 Honda CB 360. That was 11 years ago, and I’ve been riding ever since.
The first big girl ride I did was with a group of 10 women I met at the first ever Babes Ride Out in Borrego. We were a rag tag group of very different women that barely knew each other and rode from Southern California to almost Canada and back. We called it the "Rosy Run." To be honest the whole thing was kind of a mess, but it still is one of my favorite trips to look back on. Somewhere in Northern California I was riding under these giant redwood trees, with dirt in my teeth and a helmet absolutely blasted in dead bugs, and I just knew for the rest of my life it would be a biker's life for me!
3. How many years have you been going to Babes, and what makes this event so different from other events?
I’ve been going to BRO since its inception in 2013. There’s something very powerful about attending all-women’s riding events. As a woman navigating the world always in the back of my head, I'm on alert with the understanding that I am to some degree more vulnerable because of my sex and stature, but at all-women’s events I can relax that part of myself for a weekend. My entire adult life I've worked in a male-dominated industry as a commercial photographer specializing in outdoor action sports. Many of the sports I play, and love are also male-dominated, and I think a lot of us female motorcyclists are used to being the minority or the only women in the room so-to-speak in our chosen sports and careers. It's a real treat to turn the patriarchy upside down, be free from the male gaze, and have a great big girl-power slumber party for a weekend. While there are a few other all women's moto events, BRO was the first one of its kind for my generation of riders and coming back here always feels like coming home.
4. What’s something that surprised you about the riding in and around Borrego?
There’s so much diversity in riding within a short distance from Borrego. The route I take to get to there is one of my favorites in all of California. I start at the Pacific Ocean, ride through rolling hills of Orange Groves, up and down forested, high elevation Mountain twisties and finally descend into the gorgeous Anza Borrego desert all in about 2 1/2 hours. There’s also dirt riding nearby, if you’re into that kind of thing.
5. What’s in your packing list for this event?
- Atwyld pants
- Atwyld jacket
- Sweatshirt
- Puffy
- Flannel long underwear
- Handkerchief
- Bell Helmet
- Sunglasses
- Earbuds
- Freakmount
- Socks
- Boots
- Gloves
- Rain jacket
- GoPro + moto mount
- Knife
- Camera
- Bathing suit
- Travel Tool kit
- Water
- Hygiene kit
- SNACKS
6. Can you share a memory from the weekend you’ll never forget?
My bike broke down in Pala about halfway to the event when I was with my friend Megan. We took off the air cleaner and banged around the carbs and played DIY mechanic as best we could. Just when I was about to give up and call a tow, we were able to get the bike started again and made it to the event. A lot of my favorite stories around motorcycle trips are centered around when things go wrong, and what creative ways you and your friends solve problems or type 2 adventures you were forced into. Getting such a late start due to the delay meant we were cruising the forest at golden hour and dusk which was absolutely dreamy. It also meant we were coming down those steep mountain twisties in the pitch-black night which was scary. The moments experienced overcoming fears and challenges are what make riding fun.
7. What is some advice you’d give another woman coming to this particular Babes Ride Out event for the first time?
Ride your own ride and don’t try to “keep up” past your comfort level. The riding out here is fun but can be technical. There’s a lot of wildlife and weather in the desert. No shame in taking it easy or turning around if need be.
Cassidy Komura
1. Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Cassidy, I embarked on my motorcycle riding journey just in May of 2023! Currently, I’m working part-time as a Brand Ambassador for LiveWire Electric Motorcycles.
2. How did you first get into riding, and what was the moment you realized you were hooked?
My infatuation with motorcycles started when I was 6 years old during a childhood friend’s birthday party. Their step-dad was offering rides around the block on his GSZR Suzuki, marking my first ever motorcycle experience. That moment sparked a desire I knew I wanted to pursue as I grew older. It wasn’t until I met my now fiancé, a decade-long rider, that I was encouraged to seize the opportunity and get my M1 license. So, at nearly 30 years old, I finally made the leap. Better late than never, right?
3. How many years have you been going to Babes, and what makes this event so different from other events?
I’ve been attending Babes Ride Out events for less than a year, yet I’ve already participated and volunteered in three events within six months! What sets this event apart is its dedication to fostering support among women. It’s a gathering place for those who share a passion for riding, offering a judgment-free environment where you can meet incredible, empowering women. Since joining the moto community through these events, I’ve encountered numerous remarkable individuals, inspiring me to keep attending and engaging with this vibrant community.
4. What’s something that surprised you about the riding in and around Borrego?
How small Borrego was and amusingly, how challenging it was to find a good cup of coffee! But in all seriousness, the vast open spaces and endless views were breathtaking during my whole journey. Having grown up in a desert, it had been some time since my last visit, and experiencing it on a motorcycle offered a completely new and incredible perspective.
5. What’s in your packing list for this event?
A disposable camera, sunscreen, water, and a charging cable - you know, for those journeys traveling on an electric motorcycle.
6. Can you share a memory from the weekend you’ll never forget?
One memory that will forever stand with me is my solo trip to Babes Ride Out, and traveling long-distance on a motorcycle for the first time - the blend of anxiety and thrill that comes with setting off on those new adventures, the inevitable challenges and moments of doubt, the pure joy of understanding why I accepted such a challenge; because it embodies freedom and a sense of achievement, it’s transformative, opening doors to new opportunities. A prime example is the chance to do this interview and photoshoot with Bell, and experience I never envisioned, particularly as a new rider. Yet, here I am, testament to the unexpected paths this journey has led me on and I can’t wait for the next journey!
7. What is some advice you’d give another woman coming to this particular Babes Ride Out event for the first time?
When venturing out on a motorcycle, it’s crucial to prepare both mentally and physically. Many seasoned riders I know have stressed the importance of this to me, and I didn’t fully grasp it until I experienced the hardships and challenges firsthand. Neglecting proper preparation and strategy, not anticipating potential challenges, can significantly detract from your overall experience and well-being.
If you’re opting for a car ride instead, enjoy it! If you’re new and don’t know anyone, I encourage you to embrace vulnerability and make an effort to connect with others. My first time attending these events, I knew absolutely no one, but I gradually made friends with each visit. I highly recommend visiting the Ride With Us tent, often set up at these events. It's a fantastic starting point to meet other women who are new or relatively new to riding. This is not just an opportunity to make connections but also to share experiences as new riders and possibly venture on rides together whether it’s at Babes Ride Out or at women meet ups in hometowns. Hope to see you out there!
Sanna Boman
1. Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Sanna Boman and I live in San Diego, California. I do a few different things at the moment: I head up marketing for a cleantech startup, I co-run a content marketing agency, I host a motorcycle podcast (called The Scenic Ride), and I do some freelance content creation as well.
2. How did you first get into riding, and what was the moment you realized you were hooked?
I bought my first motorcycle in 2010. Back then, I didn’t know anyone else who rode, it was just something I always knew I needed to do. My first bike was a little Yamaha Route 66 250 that I never even took on the freeway, but I was immediately hooked. I ended up upgrading to a bigger bike very quickly, and I’ve kept upgrading for the past 14 years as my riding style and goals have changed.
3. How many years have you been going to Babes, and what makes this event so different from other events?
I’ve been going to Babes Ride Out since the very first year, before it was an official, organized event. This was in 2013, and I just happened to see an Instagram post calling for women who were interested in going moto camping together. So about 50 women, most of us complete strangers, met up at a gas station in Temecula and rode out to Borrego Springs together. We camped on a dry lake bed with no amenities and that is still one of the best weekends of my entire life. I’ve met so many of my best friends through Babes Ride Out, and I think that’s what makes this event so different. It’s so focused on community and sisterhood, something I was really missing in motorcycling before BRO started.
4. What’s something that surprised you about the riding in and around Borrego?
I live in San Diego so Borrego Springs is basically my backyard, I ride there all the time. But I love the diversity of riding in the area, you can do everything from technical mountain twisties to off-roading in deep sand. Plus there’s a bunch of fun roadside attractions and good restaurants to check out.
5. What’s in your packing list for this event?
Since it’s close to home for me, I don’t need to bring a lot. Basically just a swimsuit, snacks, and some clean clothes. This year there was some extreme weather on the forecast, so I also brought both my rain gear and a heated jacket.
6. Can you share a memory from the weekend you’ll never forget?
Because of the weather, my friends and I decided to stay in Borrego Springs an extra night, so we headed home Monday morning instead of Sunday. We weren’t in a hurry to get back, and there was so much rain and heavy winds on Sunday that spending another day chilling in the hot tub sounded like a great idea. My friend Katie and I got up early Monday morning to start our ride home, and as soon as we got up into the mountains, we rode straight into some very heavy fog, and the temperature dropped to about 35 degrees. My bike’s display showed a cold weather warning, and I had both my heated jacket and heated grips on full blast. Not exactly what you expect when riding in Southern California in the spring! But we also got to see an incredible rainbow peeking through the fog, and after a few miles it cleared up and everything was lovely again.
7. What is some advice you’d give another woman coming to this particular Babes Ride Out event for the first time?
This event is very different from most other Babes Ride Out events because it’s held at a hotel and RV park, so you can stay very comfortably if you don’t like to camp. I would suggest doing some research on the area ahead of time—Borrego Springs is a small and remote town, but there is so much amazing riding to do. You can stay close to camp or do a full-day ride to other parts of the desert, so it all depends on what you’re looking for. If you do stay closer to town, check out the metal sculptures that are scattered around the area, and then I would also suggest taking full advantage of all the vendors at the event: get a tattoo, get your helmet painted, take a Harley-Davidson demo bike out for a spin. There’s so much to do, and not necessarily enough time to fit it all in unless you do some planning ahead. Also if you’re a newer rider, be aware that the roads into town are fairly technical, so take it slow and ride within your comfort zone.
