Born and raised in England. I’m a go-getter, a chase-your-dreams kind of girl. I grew up in the great outdoors, getting muddy and messing around keeping fit with horses and quad-bikes and always up to mischief.
Vanessa, The Girl On A Bike
At 18 I flew the nest to find my place in the world, university, first job. Life took a turn in 2014 when I was hit by a red light jumping car, and since that day I’ve made it my goal to make the most out of life, and to also help others do the same.
My escapism has always been through sports, whether that’s kite surfing, snowboarding or mountain biking, it’s always been about getting physical, but the accident changed that and motorbikes came into my world. They’ve swiftly become my favourite form of adventure; the open road, the power, the ability to simply disappear into the unknown and travel the world.
I started @TheGirlOnABike when bed bound after my 3rd surgery following the accident, the first on my hip, and decided that I needed something positive to channel my energy into. Since this day I have continued to share my journey with you, but not just the happy days you expect on social media. I’ve also tried hard to be real, showing the down days, the days you have to find all your inner strength to even just get out of bed.
Ultimately, life is short, so it’s so important we don’t waste time or let life just slip through our fingers. Even with injuries and full-time jobs, we have so much to be grateful for and can do so much with our precious existence.
Girl motorcycles?
With a 6.5 year recovery seeing 7 surgeries and two reconstructed body parts, it’s been a roller coaster for me, but through this I’ve discovered motorcycles. Starting with cruising but rapidly ramping up to trials, adv and now even full hard enduro as her my heals. Bikes have swiftly become my favourite form of adventure; the open road, the power, the ability to simply disappear into the unknown and travel the world.
Over the years I’ve become known for sharing my journey with the world, but not just the happy days you expect on social media. I feel social media can be so toxic with all too perfect ‘unreal’ lives projected. I work hard to be real and honest, showing the rough and the tough days too.
My love for two wheels has seen me riding all over the world in recent years, including Bolivia, Ukraine, Sardinia, Iceland and many more. I want to prove that anyone get get up and enjoy life on two wheels, proving girls on bikes is normal, possible. We need more girl motorcycle conversations!
What’s my mission? To make the most of each day and help others do the same.
Join the ride!
Much love, Vanessa Ruck
If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life changing accident, which started it all.