Maine is the most northeast state in the country and is known for a wonderful combination of mountains, beautiful rocky coastlines dotted with historic lighthouses, twisty lanes through forests and narrow canyons, waterfalls and lakes, and a diverse array natural beauty.
160 WIMAs attended WIMA’s 75th anniversary rally, from 19 countries – USA, Canada, Nicaragua, GB, Belgium, France, Finland, Romania, Austria, Australia, New Zealand, Estonia, Germany, Iceland, Japan, Netherlands (other countries were represented but do not have WIMA divisions – Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay)
During the rally a charity auction raised $ 3100 USD for MJ Piki as well as $ 3100 USD for Rally for Rangers.
The following rally report was first published in the WIMA USA newsletter, Vol.4 Iss.2:
WIMA USA was honored to host the 2025 WIMA International Rally at Agassiz Village, a youth summer camp near Poland, Maine in September. This was only the third time WIMA USA hosted the international rally since our organization was founded in 1950. 2025 was WIMA’s 75th anniversary which provided the perfect opportunity for our national division and international organization to come together to celebrate 75 years of celebrating and supporting women riders around the world.
We welcomed 160 members and guests from 19 countries to join us for a week of connecting, playing, learning, and of course, enjoying the beautiful roads of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New England and the rugged Atlantic Coast.
Attendees settled into rustic cabins on the shores of Lake Thompson and began exploring the nearly 30 acres of camp buildings and grounds. We gathered each morning and evening for meals in the camp’s dining hall, the largest freestanding log cabin in New England.
Each of the six days at camp were packed with activities – speakers sharing their travel experiences, classes on riding skills, first aid and mechanic classes, games and competitions, social time, crafts, s’mores at the bonfire and much more. We had a mini motorcycle film festival each evening and set up a mini WIMA museum and library. One evening we hosted a charity auction of items donated by women and WIMA divisions all over the world that raised over $6000 for our two charities – Rally for Rangers (a USA-based charity that raises funds to purchase motorcycles to donate to national parks around the world to help rangers protect their parks and wildlife) and MJ PikiLily (a motorcycle riding and maintenance school for women in Tanzania). Thank you to all our attendees, members and many generous companies that provided items for the auction. Your contributions will make a huge difference to the organizations we support.
Attendees were entertained and educated by some incredibly inspiring women from the USA and overseas.
Photo 1: Linda Bootherstone Bick joined WIMA in England in the 1960s. She met Louise Scherbyn in 1983 in New York while she was traveling the world. Linda then moved to Australia and formed the WIMA Australia division in 1984.
Photo 2: Donna Wiegle, author of Finding Courage: Navigating Cancer on my Harley, shared her journey through ovarian cancer and inspiring attitude and determination. Her diagnosis inspired a cross-country motorcycle adventure which she shared in her blog Teal on Wheels. Donna has spent the last several years reminding women to be proactive about their health.
Photo 3: We were honored to have special guests: Kate St. Vincent Vogl (left), author of Iron Horse Cowgirls: Louise Scherbyn and the Women Motorcyclists of the 1930s and 1940s traveled from Minnesota to shar many interesting stories of WIMA’s founder. Dr. Wendy Pojmann (right), Professor of History at Siena University and author of Connected by the Street: The Myths and Realities of Motorcyclists in the USA and Italy, shared some of her research into motorcycle culture in the age of social media.
Photo 4: Sue Bossley, President of WIMA Canada, world traveler and motorcycle tour guide shared some of her experiences riding in other countries.
Photo 5: Covered bridges of New England.
Liza and Hayley shared stories from the original WRWR goal relay and the exciting news about the new WRWR app launch.
Photo 6: Left to right; Wendy Crockett – First woman to win the Iron Butt Rally, Guiness World Record holder, author and speaker, motorcycle mechanic and riding instructor, international tour guide and so much more. Liza Miller – Host of the Motorcycles and Misfits podcast, creator of the Re-Cycle Garage in Santa Cruz California, CEO of Women Riders World Relay and Friend of the AMA in 2019. Hayley Bell – Founder of Women Riders World Relay and AMA Motorcyclist of the Year in 2019.
Photo 7: WRWR original baton from 2019-2020 was on display in out Mini WIMA Museum..
Photo 8: Sarah Schilke of Women Riders Now (and long-time member of WIMA USA) is a motorcycle industry leader. She was kind enough to share her tips for caring for your helmet as well as her personal WIMA experiences and stories of her friendship with Mary McGee. Sarah was the first woman to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) and was an original member of the International Motorcycling Federation’s (FIM) Commission on Women in Motorcycling. She is a lifetime member of the AMA and has received numerous leadership awards in motorcycling including “Powersports Industry Leader” by Powersports Business. In 2022, Sarah was named one of the “Top 100 Women in Powersports” by the same publication.
Photo 9: Ruth Belcher – CEO of Global Moto ADV , world traveler and Creator of Ride 4 Mary, a memorial ride across the USA celebrating the life of Mary McGee..
Photo 10: Wendy Crockett shared stories from her book Pushing Miles which details her and her riding partner’s attempt to set a 100,000-mile motorcycle world record by visiting every Australian and U.S. state capitol. She is also an instructor for Road Guardians’ Accident Scene Management and shared some of her knowledge with our attendees. And she led a class with Liza Miller to help attendees know how to conduct pre-ride inspections and perform some basic preventative maintenance .
Photo 12 and 13: Louisa Swaden, the voice behind The Existential Biker, debuted her new book – Stoic Rider -at our event and shared some of her wisdom and stories from the road. Louisa is a land speed record holder, author and speaker.
Photo 14: Zee Traveler, CEO of Bunk-A-Biker (the wildly popular global motorcycle community connecting hosts and riders), long-term motorcycle vagabond and author of Motorcycle Epiphanies, took time out of her busy schedule and cross- country travels to join us. She shared some of her inspiring experiences as well as her knowledge about packing light for long term motorcycle travel.
Photo 15: Attendees enjoying a swim or a kayak around Thomspon Lake on a sunny September afternoon.
Photo 16: Celebrating 75 years of WIMA International with a festive display of cakes decorated with our logos beautifully handcrafted in chocolate by Amy Friends.
Photo 17: Our WIMA USA Team hosted anafternoon of WIMA Olympics with team and individual competitions and some seriously talented, athletic, and very competitive women. Games included our annual favorite, the helmet toss, as well as some fun new ones, thanks to the creativty of our officers.
Photo 19: Our WIMA USA Mini Museum showcased some of the pioneering women of motorcycling in the United States, including a brief bio about Mary McGee and we were honored to display Mary’s WIMA International shirt.
Photo 20: WIMA Australia sharing a song during the talent show. The Aussies, like so many women from all over the world, were incredibly kind and supportive during our event – helping in the kitchen, pitching in with setup and cleanup, and always sharing stories, smiles and good company.
Photo 21: WIMA USA women rocking out and getting the crowd on their feet to Kids in America during the talent show.
Photo 22: WIMA Nicaragua singing a lovely song about their country which was followed by a huge round of applause from the crowd.
Photo 23: Linda Bick warming the crowd up for the talent show.
Photo 24: WIMA Canada hosted a fun trivia game during the talent show which was super fun.
Photo 25: WIMA USA 2025 Intl Rally attendees enjoying the evening program at camp in Maine.
Photo 26: WIMA Estonia leaders, Maris, Gerli and Signe hosted a hospitality hour one evening complete with beers and chocolate from their country, other gifts, and photos and videos of where the 2026 rally will take place.
Photo 27: Our WIMA USA Mini Museum also had a mini library which included nearly 200 books written by or about motorcyclists, many of them women, for rally attendees to enjoy.
Photo 28: International President of WIMA, Zara Strange (center) held an informal meeting with National Presidents and respresentatives from Finland, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Romania, Nicaragua, Estonia, Canada, Iceland and the United States during the rally. Attendees from Germany, Great Britain, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Belgium and Japan attended the rally. WIMA International President Zara Strange accepts a plaque WIMA Nicaragua presented by National President to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the founding of WIMA.
Photo 29 and 30: SheADV , a volunteer organization dedicated to supporting and empowering women adventure riders, treated rally attendees to a wine and cheese reception one evening and taught an off-road skills class the following morning. Huge thanks to Erin Sanzone and all the women of SheADV for supporting our event and sharing your knowledge and skills!
Photo 31: Rally attendees roasted marshmallows around the camp bonfire. Some women from overseas learned how to make s’mores. Laughter and stories were shared by all.
Photo 32: WIMA USA Volunteer Karin Thron led part of our craft activities which included making jewelry or key rings with mini motorcycles, wrenches, good luck charms, etc. Team WIMA USA ’s Lynda Hood taught “bling” workshops and helped women jazz up bandanas, shirts or anything else they wanted to make sparkly.
Photo 33: Attendees explore the variety of items available at the charity auction. Donations included books, shirts, motorcycle memorabilia, gift certificates for motorcycle tours, motorcycle gear, bike parts, hand crafted quilt squares, mosaics, etc..
2025 WIMA USA International Rally – Promotion Video
