Have you ever matched energy with someone, or maybe even several someones at once? If you have, then you know exactly what I'm talking about. It's that feeling of showing up, feeling like you're seen, and just generally sharing a good vibe.
This happens with some people, and doesn't with other people. And that's fine, because we're all different, right? We all operate in different ways, have different viewpoints, and see eye to eye on some things but not others. It's human. It's life.
And if you've been living it for a while, you know all this. How cool it can be to meet someone and hit it off immediately, have a great conversation, and carry that with you into the next thing. I've been lucky enough to have done that plenty of times over the years, and I treasure it each time. That moment of human connection, just sharing a common interest or a funny story or what have you. It's part of the joy of being alive.
But still, speaking as a woman in powersports, the chance to meet and learn from other women in a powersports context is never not exciting to me. Maybe it's because we're fewer and farther between; maybe it's because the energy is a little different; I'm not really sure. I can't speak for all women, but generally speaking, most other women I meet in this industry just want us all to learn and grow and become the best versions of ourselves.
It's less competitive and more instructive, in a way. I can't speak for all women in powersports, of course; we're not a monolith. But by and large, we tend to all want to see other women succeed, and to encourage other women and girls to get into this awesome niche we love so much.
Whether it's something like rolling out with an awesome group of ladies for International Female Ride Day, or learning new skills (and maybe stoking an interest in a skilled trade) with the Real Deal Revolution, or trying backcountry snowmobiling for the first time with a group made of other women who were just about as inexperienced as I was, one thing remains the same. If you're a woman, learning new skills in a group with other women can be an absolutely revelatory experience.
Someone with training in psychology (in other words, not me) can probably tell you why the energy is so different. Women can be competitive for sure, but most other women I've met just kind of want to see other women succeed. We all want each other to cross the finish line, learn stuff, and do well; not take each other out in some kind of game of attrition. We all want to see each other be the best versions of ourselves, you know?
It's a thing that's both energizing and inspiring. It's why women-centric events like Babes Ride Out and Rocky Mountain Roll are so special and beloved. Those of us who love riding motorcycles, or snowmobiles, or UTVs, or ATVs, or anything else, just want other people to love this thing that brings us so much joy as much as we do. And if you're a woman, I think it stands to reason that you especially want to see other women in the club, too. The more, the merrier; and encouraging kids (especially girls) so they know they can, they should, and that they absolutely belong is its own type of reward.
All this is to say a couple of things that you may already know. One is for all the ladies out there who participate in powersports in some way: You're awesome, and keep it up. And two is for all the ladies out there who have ever thought, "Hey, that looks fun! But I don't know if I can do it?"
I'm here to tell you that you can. Yes, even you in the back. I see you! You can't hide your awesomeness, madame.
And if you want to try a powersport, you should absolutely find a way to do it! If you're nervous, joining a class with other women makes a massive difference in building your confidence levels. You might also find yourself making friends for life, too. So please, don't let anyone stop you if you want to try something new. There are enough people who will try to tell you "no" in your life. Don't shut your own dreams down before you even try to have them.
