Welcome to The Girl On A Bike YouTube Channel

If you love motorcycles, there’s a good chance we’ll have something in common. Enduro, hard enduro, rallies, track days, road riding, touring and adventures: I seem to find myself in all kinds of situations on two wheels, and I bring my cameras along so you can come too.

I’m Vanessa Ruck, The Girl On A Bike. This video is a little introduction to who I am, how I ended up here and what you can expect from my YouTube channel.

How motorcycles became part of my life

I wasn’t a motorcycle rider when I was hit by a car while cycling home from work in 2014. My recovery took seven years and seven surgeries, including reconstruction of my right hip and shoulder. I had to relearn how to walk, and I now live with and manage chronic pain. You can read more about the accident and my recovery here.

The physical recovery was brutal, but the mental side was even harder. During that time, motorcycles came into my life. I fell in love with the adventure, the energy and the feeling of being out there living. Then, as I say in the video, it escalated.

Today, I’m a motorcycle rider, racer, adventurer, content creator, presenter, TEDx and award-winning motivational speaker, and a mum. Adapting, setting goals and making the most of the day in front of me run through everything I share.

Honest motorcycle and gear reviews

My channel includes reviews of bikes, riding kit and places I visit. Honesty matters to me: I want you to understand my actual experience of using something. Start with the bike reviews if you’re looking for riding impressions.

Riding skills and practical workshop knowledge

I share the things I’ve learnt through riding, travelling and working on my own motorcycles. That might be a body-position tip, a useful tool or something that makes a job in the garage easier. My sand-riding guide and Motorbike DIY section are good places to explore.

Adventure, enduro and rally racing

I take my cameras with me to share both the experience and the possibilities. Sometimes that means tough off-road riding or racing; sometimes it’s a road trip that gives you another destination for your bucket list. There’s even some rally car driving in the mix. Have a browse through my events and racing experiences.

Motherhood and keeping the adventure going

Becoming Skyla’s mum has added another part to life, alongside the riding, work and ambition. I share some of that juggle too. My motorcycle adventures haven’t stopped, and I’m enjoying finding out what else is possible as life changes.

Come and join the channel

New videos are released on Sundays at 6 p.m. UK time. Watch the introduction and say hello in the comments: what do you ride, and what brought you here?

Subscribing, sharing a video with a friend or joining the conversation all help support what I do. You can also become a channel member if you’d like to support the videos that way. For more of my background, visit my About page.