First day of the first ever Backroad Ball...

The sun was hot, the grass was green, the music was pumping and the grounds were ready. A low rumble could be heard in the distance on Penobsquis’ otherwise quiet Route 114. We checked the time: 3:57pm. It was time to welcome our first group of female motorcyclists to the first ever (and now annual) BACKROAD BALL!!

Women of all ages arrived in groups of 2 or 3 to upwards of 10-15. They quickly unpacked, set up camp and mingled; some newly licensed (like, we’re talking a couple weeks post-motorcycle course) and some with 30+ years under their belt (or, should we say, in the saddle). They didn’t wait to get the party started: within an hour, the sounds of acoustic guitars, singing, chatting and beer cans crackin’ open resonated throughout the rolling green hills of our piece of paradise in the sleepy Kennebecasis River Valley.

With a designated tenting area, flanked by an area to the side for camper trailers (some delivered earlier that day by the ladies’ endearing male partners), the whole vibe came together in front of the stage. The delectable smell of food floated through the air thanks to our fantastic food vendor, Heavy Kevy’s, who had conveniently set up to the right of the stage. And if you weren’t eating, there’s a good chance you were learning how to play a few tunes on the harmonica to the left of the stage, courtesy of the ever-talented and lovely Catriona Sturton.

By sunset, soft tunes filled the air as women were milling around, sitting on church pews, oversized comfy camp chairs (and we mean HUGE), picnic tables or on their own blankets and camp chairs. But as the sun nestled behind the hills and the bonfire was lit, we were drawn together to surround the warmth of the fire and enjoy each other’s company as we prepared for a wicked day of riding to follow.