!st Annual Biker Ally Rally

The 1st Biker Ally Rally was a huge success! Over 150 women and men came together in Galena, IL to celebrate Biker Ally Magazine and women who ride. The event took place at Chestnut Mountain Resort just outside of Galena. This resort was cute and the personnel treated everyone like family.

The rally started on Friday with rain (the editor's nickname is Rain so go figure). We were a little worried as the morning went on and the numbers were low - then we heard engines coming and a whirlwind of people started in. As we handed out the goodie bags, badges and information, we listened as people talked about where they were coming from (Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Great Britain, Australia).

The evening began with a BBQ and then a video on how the magazine started and a short speech by Rain. Popcorn was then distributed and we watched "My Mother Dreams The Satan's Disciples in New York". Great 30 minute film for everyone to see. We had music and dancing and for some of us - it was late night.

Saturday morning we were back at the registration tables with more people coming in. Jamie Butler led a ride with 65 bikes around the area and had a cool feeling of looking in her review mirror as she went over a hill and saw a sea of headlights behind her. That evening we were treated to a great dinner, speeches by Gina Woods, Host/Producer of Open Road Radio and Jo Giovannoni, former publisher of Harley Women Magazine as well as Derek Diedrichs, of Geison Motorsports.

The attendees also got to meet the staff of Biker Ally and ask us questions. It was inspiring to have people come up and say thank you for being there and for articles we had written. That evening we had music and dancing and lots of drinking - some of us closed the bar at the dance and walked upstairs to the resort bar where we closed that one. We headed to the lobby where we sat on the floor and talked until 3:00 a.m.

The next morning we said our goodbyes, loaded the trucks and bikes and headed back to Rain's place in Davis. We all agreed we had a completed what we set out to do - let people know as women, We Belong!

As soon as I get the film developed (yes, I still use film), I will post pictures). As an aside, I caught wind and rain on the way out and very warm temps the first day of travel back and cool temps the second day - met other bikers along the way and made new friends.

Will there be a 2nd Annual Biker Ally Rally in 2008? We will let you know as soon as the dust as settled from this one!

Riding the Rocky Mountain High!

Nancy/Fluffy

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