May 15th in Des Moines, WA Just Us Girl RiderZ held a unique conference for women riders to improve their wrenching skills. It was the first year for the event and the director looks forward to building on the platform in the future. The director, Corky Davis says, “The long term goal for this event would be to continue to provide a space for women to come learn the skills and confidence to work on their bikes.” Each year she hopes to bring in different speakers to highlight the diversity of knowledge that women mechanics have to share.
The highlight of the weekend was obviously seeing women wrench on bikes or perform a electrical test for the first time. The crew contributing throughout the weekend boasted impressive resumes of lady mechanics from all walks of life. The ladies were professional motorcycle, car and marine machinery mechanics, drag racers, classic bike enthusiasts and all around female pioneers of the mechanics space.
The event allowed women to use tools and shop equipment while learning the basics of wrenching on their motorcycles. Attendees like Elaine H. had lots of praise for the experience, “I learned lots throughout the day, and kind of wished the day wasn't going to end. With some help (since I don't have a bleeder or a stand/lift), I managed to top off my brake fluid today. Anyways, definitely looking forward to the next one!"
Everyone hates to bring their motorcycles to a shop, especially for easy maintenance; one can’t help but feel they will be taken advantage of especially as a female rider. Understanding your own motorcycle is a huge confidence boost and affords riders a lot of power. When you understand what’s going on mechanically you’re more able to recognize glitches before they become problems and take care of them yourself, for a lot less than a trip to the shop.
Check back next spring for the next annual JUGRZ conference and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty!
