Here’s what to expect at the Backroad Ball

The Backroad Ball debuted in 2016 as a women’s motorcycle rally held in rural New Brunswick – no boys allowed.

For 2017, the Backroad Ball is returning to the same site for a weekend of moto-camping.

Registration has been open for a while, and it seems attendance will be up this year. We reached out to the rally’s organizers to find out some more details on what to expect at the event (answers edited for space).

CMG: Who’s welcome (and why no men)?
Backroad Ball: Registration is open to all licensed female-identifying motorcyclists as well as moto-curious women regardless of motorcycle make or type, club affiliation, or age (19+). The Backroad Ball was created to grow and celebrate Eastern Canada’s community of female motorcyclists. Although it’s 2017, women are still a fairly underrepresented group in the motorcycle community (but it’s improving each year). We are striving to change that by creating an event where women can meet other like-minded ladies, start friendships and find lifelong riding buddies … At the end of the day, it’s all about inspiring growth within the riding community.

Why start the rally in the first place?
Kristin Munro and Heather d’Entremont met through The Litas. After experiences with the female moto communities out West (Heather in California and Kristin in British Columbia), they both knew that there was nothing even remotely close to the atmosphere and the abundance of female empowerment here in Eastern Canada’s female motorcycle community. At a winter Litas meet-up in 2015, they immediately began scheming up ways to create the same magic closer to home.

At the end of the day, we want to sit around a bonfire and swap stories with moto women of all ages and share all of the hidden beauty southeastern New Brunswick has to offer.

When and where?
June 16-18, 2017! The magic is happening all weekend at 12583 Route 114, Penobsquis, NB (E4G 2X6)… Look for the colourful barn! Gates open at 4 PM on Friday. Get registered before June 9th, 2017 online so you can brrrrraaaaaaaappp on in!

What can attendees expect to do (camping? day trips? bands? bike games? or whatever?)
Tickets include two nights of tent camping (bring your own gear). Trailers are welcome (no electric, septic), please let us know in advance by emailing thebackroadball@gmail.com.

Our weekend schedule includes organized biker games, karaoke, belly dancing workshops, bonfires, yoga, organized rides (or you can grab one of our maps and explore on your own), female tattoo artists, live music (local band Womb to Tomb and The Rocket Queens, New York City’s all-female Guns ‘N Roses tribute band), fire performers, moto-related vendors, a food truck, raffles, prizes …

How much does it cost to attend?
$55 + Eventbrite fees (about $5) until April 1, then $60 + fees until June 9. Ticket can be purchased online via Eventbrite.

GALLERY

Check out all the pics that go with this story!

Backroad Ball co-founder Kristin Munro says events like hers attract riders who want the camaraderie of a smaller rally where they can have fun with friends instead of strangers.

Photo: Kâté Braydon

Photo: Kristin Munro