BIKER BELLES: THE HOME FOR WOMEN RIDERS
A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM TONI
Over the past 16 years Biker Belles has become known organically as the Home for Women at Sturgis, and it will keep that distinction this year. Biker Belles represents many positive elements of the motorcycle community – encouragement, empowerment, mentorship and charity. When we created the event in 2009, we’d hoped it would change people’s lives for the better, and it’s amazing to see over a decade later how much it truly has. Each year the passion, diversity and spirit of this group has inspired amazing and unexpected connections and growth among participants and the community as a whole. I can’t wait to see where the Biker Belles takes us in the years to come, and I hope you will join us on the journey. We will keep your health and safety on our minds as always and look forward to seeing your smiling faces in August.”
– Toni Woodruff, Biker Belles Director
Experience a full day of events that celebrate women in motorcycling during the Sturgis Buffalo Chip®’s’ Biker Belles Women’s Day.
On Tuesday, Aug. 6, you’re invited to join a day of relaxing and uplifting festivities that celebrate the fastest-growing segment in motorcycling—WOMEN!—while supporting organizations benefiting women’s causes.
Women riders, passengers and the friends who support them are invited to gather for any or all of the events. Join with friends old and new, featured moto-celebs influencers and the founders of this event for Biker Belles Women’s Day!
| Who: | YOU! |
| What: | 16th Annual Biker Belles® Women’s Day Celebration at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip |
| When: | Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| Where: | Ride departs from The Lodge at Deadwood. Celebration & Coffee Clutch at the Buffalo Chip CrossRoads. |
| Why: | To celebrate women in riding and raise significant funds for local charities. |
GRAB LIFE BY THE HANDLEBARS
The Morning Ride™
The Biker Belles Morning Ride™ will take you on a guided journey through the beautiful Black Hills. The ride begins at The Lodge at Deadwood to a Coffee Clutch and reception at the Buffalo Chip CrossRoads. Here, leading industry women will discuss their experiences with motorcycling during an inspiring Coffee Clutch.
UNWIND WITH YOUR WIND SISTERS
Comfort Zone Pampering
FEED YOUR HUNGER FOR KNOWLEDGE
Coffee Clutch Panelists
Enjoy a delicious brunch, MotoDoffo wine tastings and coffee from Sturgis Coffee Company while taking in stories during the Coffee Clutch. You’ll hear from speakers as well as featured special guests. While you’re there, be sure to check out the phenomenal auction items and place your bids.
You don’t have to have a fully custom built motorcycle to show it off – we want to see what you ride! Whether you’ve got a mile muncher covered in dirt, which may win the Dirtiest Bike award, or a really great story behind your ride, roll down on Tuesday to show it off at the Biker Belles Women’s Bike Show!
REAL DEAL REVOLUTION
Revolutionizing the perception of skilled trades…and women’s roles in them.
Join the hands-on fun as the REAL DEAL Workshoppes change the perception of skilled trades and women’s roles in them! Learn about welding, pin striping, leather stamping, jewelry making and more in these workshoppes taught by the Real Deal Revolution with support from The Jessi Combs Foundation.
2023 Workshoppes Included:
12:30 p.m. / 2:00 p.m. / 3:00 p.m.
Welding – Emily Dury – @emilydury
Pinstriping – Theresa Contreras – @designmuse
Leather Work – Sarah Winslow – @the_leather_tramp
Auto Parts Jewelry – Andrea Della Russo – @wrenchwench69
Basic Motorcycle Care Presented by Harley-Davidson – Alexcis Shultz 1:00 p.m. / 2:00 p.m. / 3:00 p.m.
In addition to the Real Deal Revolution Workshoppes, Alexcis Schultz, a motorcycle mechanic for Harley-Davidson’s Arizona Proving Grounds, is heading to Biker Belles to share some insight into basic motorcycle care. Alexcis is passionate about supporting women who wrench and ride. From 1:00 – 4:00 PM, Alexcis will have 3 workshoppe slots covering oil changes and trip prep, which includes tire pressure, brake inspection, fluid checks, fasteners, and more. Then, join her for a meet-and-greet at Fozzy’s Garage from 4:00 – 5:00 PM.
BIKER BELLES RETAIL EXPERIENCE
LIVE WITH PURPOSE
Charity Cause
The Sturgis Buffalo Chip created the Biker Belles for two complementary purposes.
- To raise awareness of the passion, diversity and spirit of women in motorcycling, celebrating women’s role in shaping the culture, art and history of motorcycling.
- To use the event to raise funds for local charities that would be of particular interest to these very women. This charity event has been raising money for worthy causes since its inception in 2009. Your contribution will help the Biker Belles continue its mission of charitable giving.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY
All Are Welcome
All—men and women, riders and non-riders—are welcome to join this gathering of mentorship and sharing.
Participants are asked to make a $85 contribution to join the festivities, 100 percent of which directly benefit three South Dakota-based charities that benefit women-related causes, Laura Klock’s Helping with Horsepower, the Strider Foundation and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame, and the Jessi Combs Foundation.
Don’t miss your opportunity to gather, ride and share stories during the Biker Belles event. Reserve your place now!
PAY IT FORWARD PROGRAM
Presented by Baker Drivetrain and Cris & Pat Simmons
If you’re unable to participate in Biker Belles due to financial hardship, you may request to receive a sponsored ride through the Pay It Forward Program Presented by Baker Drivetrain and Cris & Pat Simmons by emailing [email protected].
To stay up to date on everything Biker Belles, be sure to subscribe to the Sturgis Rider® News Blog and follow the Biker Belles on Facebook!
LIVE THE JOURNEY
The Biker Belles legacy began 16 years ago with a vision to create a women’s charity ride.
The idea later blossomed to become much bigger and broader with the involvement of a group of women who wanted to make a difference.
Hall of Famers Gloria Struck, Cris Sommer Simmons and Laura Klock, along with ride expert Meg McDonough and Lori Struck DeSilva, all wanted to elevate their support for women in motorcycling and encourage new riders into the sport and lifestyle they themselves knew and loved so much.
Motorcycling had been a vehicle for change in the lives of these women, so they felt called to improve the event to recognize those who paved the way, raise funds to support the preservation of this history and build up the lives of the next generation of young girls in the local community.
The Sturgis Buffalo Chip shared this vision, and so a Coffee Clutch was added, the Comfort Zone and silent auction was created, and later Ambassador Diva Amy Skaling and Ride Safety Captain Vicky Roberts-Sanfelipo joined the celebration. In 2016, Kelly Yazdi of Ride Wild brought the Wild Gypsy Tour women to the circle. In 2022, the Biker Belles expanded to include the Morning Ride during Daytona Bike Week. Maybe you’ll see us out on the road at more locations around the country as time goes on!
The Biker Belles community continues to grow and has earned the reputation of the home for women in Sturgis. What started out as a women’s ride every year has now expanded to a day-long event for everyone—women, men, riders, passenger riders, non riders—to celebrate and support women and their role in the sport of motorcycling.
The Biker Belles program continues to evolve as riders’ interests and passions continue to change.
It’s been a wonderful 16 years of honoring our past and empowering our future with both legendary and up-and-coming women in the motorcycle industry. We hope you can help celebrate this anniversary on Tuesday, Aug. 6!
