Month: July 2016

Of Bibles, flags and team Trump


Pennsylvania was an amazing State to ride in from east to west. The roads are well maintained and the windy single track through the lush hills made for an incredible day on a motorcycle. 

We spent the day riding with 3 awesome women – Mary Beth from Long Island, Kirsten from Pennsylvania and Vivian from the Chicago area. They were very happy to join the Canadian Rogue Riders which is now “a thing”. Kirsten sadly had to leave the group early today but we made her an honourary Canadian Rogue Rider. 

Driving through this part of the country it was hard not to notice the bazillion churches, American flags (although that could have been because it was just after July 4th – but somehow I doubt it) and the scary number of Team Trump lawnsigns with at least one van completely decked out in Trumphenalia. 

But I have to say, without exception, people have been chatty and kind. From the biggest, burliest biker to the local shop keeper and gas bar attendant people have asked us where we’re riding from and where we’re riding to. When we tell them the story we get huge smiles and “that’s so cool” and “I’m jealous” but the last words are always “ride safe”. Feeling the love. 😄

Rogue Riders


Dinner selfies seem to have become a “thing”. Our first ride as a group yesterday. Hot and long but still all smiles at dinner. 

Rode some beautiful roads in Massachusetts. One of the riders from southern California was in awe of how green and lush the northeast is. Made me appreciate the places I ride all the time. Although I don’t appreciate the short riding season so much. 

As any of you bikers out there know frequent breaks are necessary, fuelling up, peeing, and just getting the circulation back in your throttle hand and your butt. But breaks are all part of the fun when you ride in a group. Especially when it’s a group of women riders. People talk to us at every stop. They want to know where we’ve been, where we’re going, do we really ride our own bike??? 

And you would be amazed how many people want to take selfies with a group of women bikers. Yesterday two cross-country big rig truck drivers were so excited about our story of riding to San Francisco that one of them had his buddy take a selfie with us. They also gave us some sound advice on riding safe and watching out for trucks “because it takes them a mile to stop”. Note to self: have a tequila shot in San Fran for one of the truckers. 


Other breaks are a little less exciting but no less fun. Here we are getting our sillies out in the parking lot of the Dollar General. Great photo Tina. 

Well time to get up and get back on the road. Not crossing any state lines today but still a long day to the other side of Pennsylvania. But we are stopping to pay homage to Punxsutawney Phil – the infamous ground hog. I’ll post a pic. 

Ride safe everyone. 

Busy day in Springfield. 

Met up with some of our new-found rogue riders and headed to the Springfield museums, home of Indian motorcycles and an exhibit on the Van Buren sisters ride in 1916. 

Then Zandra had some fun in the Dr. Seuss garden. 

Dinner at Theodores’Blues Booze and BBQ. Best cornbread I have ever had. 

Sisters’ Rogue Riders. Clockwise: Ellen, Barbara, Olivia, Johanne, Tina, Dawn, me and Zee up front and centre. 

Last, but not least, a game of pool in what we were told is the oldest billiards hall in the US. 

Smith’s Billiards (est. 1902)


New York ☑️, Massachusetts ☑️, onwards to Pennsylvania in the morning. 

Good night. 🏍🏍

Celebrating July 4th in Springfield, Massachusetts 

Awesome sunset before the fireworks. Meeting some amazing women from all over the US. Started our own little riding group now named the Sisters’ Rogue Riders – we’re following the bigger group but on our own schedule. Might not be so little soon. Apparently lots of folks want to hang with the Canadians. 
Zandra, Johanne and I did interviews today with the Globe and Mail where I read about the ride last fall and registered that day. They are doing a follow up story featuring us. How cool is that? We’ll post when it comes out. We also got interviewed for the documentary on the Van Buren sisters and this ride. They’re loving the Canadians and we’re hearing from lots of folks that they love Trudeau and want to know how easy it is to move to Canada if “things go badly” in November. 

So many exciting things and we’ve barely started. More to come…

First day arrived in lake George. All guts no glory.  


Hey everyone. Sitting at the picnic table at the Legacy inn &suites enjoying an apres ride drink. The weather was amazing except for a few gusts of wind while on the I 87. We did have a little detour taking us into the town of Schroon. Lol. Had lunch at Gus’s restaurant. Wow next time remember to ask how much for a small cup of soup. $5. We’re here safe and sound and will head to Springfield Mass tomorrow to meet up with the Sisters ride. Cheers!