As seen in The Worcester News: The biggest adventure motorcycle festival in the world is set to return to Ragley Hall this summer.

The Adventure Bike Rider Festival is set for Friday 28 to Sunday, June 30.

The festival, renowned for showcasing its 40 kilometres of continuous purpose-built trails, will offer adrenaline-seeking guests more attractions than ever.

Attendees of all abilities are invited to try their hand at off-road riding on the Bridgestone Trail, a 30 kilometre course that boasts open grassland, tight wooded sections, and a series of craters.

Beginners are also catered for.

A Beginner’s Loop offers an easy-to-ride trail where new riders can safely experience off-road motorcycling.

More experienced riders in search of a challenge can face the eight kilometre TRF Trail, which provides tricky terrains such as climbs, descents, and water crossways.

For those keen on riding but unable to bring their own motorcycle, the festival offers daily demo rides.

29 leading motorcycle manufacturers will give participants the chance to test ride their 2024 model ranges.

With over 140 brands, stands and traders, festival goers will find a range of products to explore and purchase.

High-quality food, drink and coffee vendors will also be in attendance.

Aside from a variety of riding opportunities and stands, the festival will feature over 60 speaker sessions across four stages.

Among the line-up are renowned speakers such as Vanessa Ruck, also known as The Girl On A Bike, and globe-trotting motorcyclists Simon and Lisa Thomas.

The festival atmosphere is further enhanced by a schedule of live music, including a line-up of tribute and party bands.

Festival goers can also expect a range of alternative entertainment, such as choirs, DJs, string quartets, and a Brazilian dance troupe.

Festival chairman, Alun Davies, said: “This is our fifth Adventure Bike Rider Festival at the magnificent Ragley Hall, and I can’t wait to open the gates and welcome our 15,000 guests, many of whom are returning for the fourth time.”

Tickets for the entire weekend are available for £159.

Additional Thursday VIP tickets, as well as Friday and Saturday day tickets, are also available.

For further information, visit www.abrfestival.com.

For the rest of The Worcester News article see here.

If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding, Harleys 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.

You can find me Vanessa, The Girl On A Bike over on  Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok and YouTube, and www.thegirlonabike.com.

As seen in RedBull: Pain, hardship, happiness. The British Vanessa Ruck is one of the best rally riders in the world. In her own way: Under the label “The Girl On A Bike“, she shows how she revamped her life on an enduro bike

Vanessa Ruck flips up her helmet visor, takes a deep breath and looks back at the wide river bed. There is currently little water, no problem for Rucks enduro bike. But Iceland’s rivers are treacherous, they are fed by glaciers that lie above active volcanoes. The meltwater does not flow evenly into the valley, a wave could have knocked her off her bike at any time, and yet Ruck says: “Iceland is phenomenal for enduro riders. You have to constantly improvise because the terrain is so uneven. It challenges you so much that you only perceive the fascinating landscape like a background film.” There is simply everything here: sharp-edged volcanic rock, soft sand and ash. “Something new is always testing you – and I love that”

Normally, this area would lead to internal frenzy. Vanessa Ruck only to the outside, and she feels completely comfortable in that. Iceland – that is hard training, but still paradisiacal in a very peculiar way.

Vanessa is 37 years old and one of the most famous rally riders in England. On Instagram she takes hundreds of thousands of people along on her travels. She gives lectures and talks about how she developed her career – and the huge setbacks she had to overcome on her bumpy road to wellness. Just three months before her trip to Iceland, she was traveling in Morocco. During the Morocco Desert Challenge she covered 3,000 kilometers under the blazing sun. Not even half of the participants and only a handful of women make it to the finish line in this competition – Ruck was one of them. She talks about 52 degree air temperatures and desert sand that burns your skin. And also from the people who never came back from such rallies. “Mentally, I have already written a farewell letter that I would have dictated into my cell phone if there was a breakdown,” she says. “If I had stayed lying somewhere, no one would have been able to help me in time.” Even if staying lying down is not an option for someone like her. No longer. Not after she had to struggle so hard to learn to stand up.

“The terrain is hard and soft at the same time, you always have to improvise here” – Vanessa Ruck

It happened years before her first race, when motorcycles didn’t really play a special role in her life. Back in early 2014, she was the head of marketing for a large company. She was ambitious, worked long hours and, to compensate, got adrenaline rushes by wakeboarding, kitesurfing, cycling or climbing. Everything was about to change in March 2014. At the time, Ruck was 27 and was going wakeboarding on her bike when a car ran a red light and swerved in front of her. She couldn’t avoid it and hit the vehicle with full force – her shoulder and hip were hit as if by a huge bullet. For years, one surgical procedure followed another..

THE WHITE OF THE CURDLING TIME

“I couldn’t get up and spent endless amounts of time just staring at the same boring piece of white on my bedroom ceiling,” says Ruck. “My husband had to brush my hair and put my socks on. It was so grueling having to go under the knife again and again. Whenever I thought I was finally making progress, I was soon back in the hospital bed or hobbling on crutches.” Ruck slipped into depression, combined with an adjustment disorder. “Basically, it means that I no longer saw myself as myself. I spoke about myself in the third person: This wasn’t Vanessa – Vanessa, this was that strong, fit person before the accident. But I just felt broken and pathetic.” Ruck knew she could no longer play the sports she once loved. But riding a motorcycle seemed possible at some point.

At the time, she had to juggle a full-time job with her rehabilitation, and as a commuter, a motorcycle would give her valuable time: At the end of 2014, she bought a Suzuki Bandit 600 for the road. Too early, because she wasn’t mentally ready for it. “I don’t know if you’ve ever cried under a motorcycle helmet. It’s really uncomfortable,” she says. “You can’t reach your eyes with the gloves on, the visor fogs up, and all of this creates real helplessness.” – Ruck can laugh about it today. At that time, she started having panic attacks just at the thought of getting on a bike. “I was just sitting in my driveway. I had almost died on a different kind of bike – why on earth would I get back on it now?”

But Ruck was persistent and overcame her fear. „ The driver who hit me had changed my body “, she says, „ but she had no power over my future. I grew up with the attitude that you learn from a fall and continue instead of complaining. I knew that getting on a motorcycle would be a little easier every time. “

„ filled with suffering “ became „ easy “, „ easy “ became „ with pleasure “: After a few months, Ruck noticed how well you were doing this new, motorized mobility. It was a completely different way to get adrenaline kicks. Soon she expanded her fleet with a Harley-Davidson for road traffic. This was followed by a scrambler off-road bike. And finally an enduro for the really difficult terrain. „ Many people ask me why I didn’t start kitesurfing or wakeboarding again “, she says. „ In the beginning it was probably a defense mechanism. I didn’t want to compare myself to the person I used to be. My whole body hurt and no longer worked as before. Motorcycling, on the other hand, was something completely unfamiliar – and then I became almost addicted to this thrill. “

When she was physically unable to ride, she found solace in maintaining her motorcycles in the garage. Gestures that became a symbol of a better life, of a future she could work towards. Vanessa Ruck designed a website called The Girl On A Bike. There she continues to share details about her rehabilitation and her increasingly adventurous motorcycle tours, which have taken her to 29 countries so far.

“This driver injured my body, but she has no power over my life” – Vanessa Ruck

When she was physically unable to drive, she found comfort in taking care of her motorcycles in the garage. Gestures that became a symbol of a better life, a future that she could work on. Vanessa Ruck designed a website called „ The Girl On A Bike “. There she still shares details about her rehabilitation and her increasingly adventurous motorcycle tours, which have so far taken her to 29 countries.

“Social media can be toxic, negative and unfair,” says Vanessa. “That’s why people tend to hide the low points of their lives. But I wanted to reveal everything.” On Instagram you can find pictures of her lying in bed after an operation and not being able to get up. But right next to it is a post in which she is smiling, on the motorcycle, in a victorious pose. There are photos of races and biker meetings that gave and still give her support in life. And Ruck’s openness was well received, her number of followers grew steadily. In 2019, she decided to quit her job and make money as “The Girl On A Bike”

„ Finally I had to commute to work and go to rehab three times a week. Hydro, physio and shock wave therapy, osteopathy and acupuncture – that really challenged me “, she says. „ My husband Alex and I calculated that if I quit my job, we would do well for 13 months. That was exactly the time I needed for the rehab. I also wanted to see what I can achieve with ‚ The Girl On A Bike ‘. But I would never have imagined how many people would draw energy from my fight – almost as much as myself. “

A dance under the volcano

Now, while training in Iceland, Rucks motorcycle thunders over the coarse black sand, a mixture of volcanic ash and crushed lava rock. After more than seven hours of driving, a river indicates that the stage is slowly coming to an end. Ruck has hip pain, but she feels fit. She is tired but satisfied. She has only been racing for a little over two years. Her path to hard enduro sports began in 2021 with the Red Bull Romaniacs.

Unbelievable how many people draw strength from my fight.

Vanessa Ruck

The race in the Romanian Carpathians is considered the most demanding event ever. 150 racers started, only 91 got through, one of them was jerky, at least in 57th place. The respect success motivated her to take part in her very first rally, the Qatar International Baja. In the spring of 2022, Ruck started at the Tunisia Desert Challenge, an eight-day event that put more strain on them than all previous challenges.

„ It was a technically demanding area and the navigation was incredibly difficult “, she describes. „ I spent a night in the dunes after my motorcycle’s electronics failed. I had to kindle a campfire. That may sound romantic – but sitting somewhere in the desert on the pitch black night, eternally away from any civilization, is terrifying. The next day the clutch of my motorcycle also gave up the ghost and I was stuck in the burning midday heat for seven and a half hours. “ Only then was she flown out by a helicopter. „ I really reached my limits, received three infusions and a lot of pain relievers. “ The night after, she woke up from a nightmare in which she was stuck a third time in the desert and thought: „ That’s it,I’m finished. I expected too much. “ But when she startled out of bed, she had only one thought: „ Where’s my bike? “ Ruck was able to continue the rally and finally crossed as the first woman (on the 35th. Place) the finish line. „ Ending the race was the biggest confirmation for me. For the first time, it was my own decision how much I had to endure. That gave me back a lot of the strength I lost after my accident. It was an incredible feeling “For the first time, it was my own decision how much I had to endure. That gave me back a lot of the strength I lost after my accident. It was an incredible feeling “For the first time, it was my own decision how much I had to endure. That gave me back a lot of the strength I lost after my accident. It was an incredible feeling “

So lost, so safe

Back’s decision to face all of these dangerous and painful challenges seems difficult for outsiders to understand. „ Yes, these races are brutal “, she admits. „ I think the desert has something sadistic – and yet: I love the adrenaline and the endorphins when I’m sitting on my motorcycle. I think the secret is that I’m getting lost at the moment. “ Borrowed in loss. In such phases, she was unable to feel something like pain. „ But when I get off my bike in the evening, reality ramps me like a freight train again. Many don’t understand that. But they don’t live in my body either. “

The group’s night camp, a tin hut, appears on the horizon. A little later, Vanessa sits on a rock, watching the sun sink as red. She will get up at six in the morning to jog a bit before the next stage. But now she can relax, really relax. „ It’s not the Hilton “, she says with a view of the tin cover, „ but tonight I’m going to sleep well. “ Vanessa Ruck knows that if you rest completely, you don’t need a hotel.

For the rest of The Red Bull article see here.

If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding, Harleys 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.

You can find me Vanessa, The Girl On A Bike over on Threads, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok and YouTube, and www.thegirlonabike.com.

As seen in The Glorious Sport: Vanessa Ruck is a fearless motorbike, dirt bike racer and four-wheel rally driver, who defies expectations and pushes boundaries in the world of racing.

Vanessa Ruck is a fearless motorbike, dirt bike racer and four-wheel rally driver, who defies expectations and pushes boundaries in the world of racing. Vanessa’s path into the motorcycle industry was anything but conventional. It all began with a life-altering accident in 2014 when she was struck by a car while cycling. But undeterred by fear and determined to reclaim her sense of adventure, Vanessa embarked on a new path and delved into the world of motorbikes, embracing the rush of adrenaline and the thrill of pushing her limits. We chat to Vanessa about her resilience and unyielding determination that has led to amazing achievements and her mission to prove that women can succeed in this male-dominated sport.

Glorious: Your journey into motorbike and dirt bike racing happened almost by accident (literally) – tell us about this.

Vanessa Ruck: Yeah, absolutely. Most people look at the riding that I’m doing and think I’ve been riding since I was a small kid, but actually, I’ve got quite an unusual entry into the motorcycle industry which started with me being hit by a car while cycling back in 2014. At the time, I was only a cycle rider and didn’t own a motorbike, but that incident changed everything. I faced a seven-year recovery with seven surgeries that reconstructed my right shoulder and right hip. Physically, I was no longer able to do the extreme sports or activities that I once did, though the mental health recovery was considerably harder.

The idea to get a motorcycle first came up when I was unable to cycle my commute anymore. It wasn’t an easy step because I had a diagnosed fear of the road, but I couldn’t let fear control my future. The following seven years can be best described as an escalation. I realised that I absolutely feel alive and filled with adrenaline when I’m on a motorcycle. But the sense of adventure evolved and it started with me getting my first off-road bike when I was bedbound from a surgery and to ride it became a goal and something to work towards. Later, I managed to ride it, and since then, I’ve been on a mission to grow, improve my riding, and prove to myself that I can push myself. Yes, I live with chronic pain, but I refuse to let it control me. I adapt, use painkillers, and practice mindfulness. Now I participate in some of the toughest races in the world.

Glorious: Have you always been an adrenaline seeker?

Vanessa Ruck: I grew up with a very active childhood. I was fortunate to have parents who didn’t treat me differently because I was a girl. I had an older brother and two older male cousins, and the four of us played together. I might be described as a bit tomboyish. Our holidays were always about going on adventures in Wales, doing activities like coasteering, paddleboarding, horse riding, mountain biking, kayaking, and climbing.

When I went to university, my eyes were opened to a whole new world of extreme sports, including wakeboarding and kite surfing. And that’s when my passion really exploded. I get excited to try new things, enjoy them, and strive to get better and better. I think I’m addicted to those endorphins and the adrenaline of these sports. Many extreme sports are male-dominated, and a big part of my mission is to help other women realise that they can do it too.

Glorious: What is your favourite aspect of dirt bike racing? Is there a particular thrill or feeling that keeps you motivated?

Vanessa Ruck: I actually think my best moments are the hardest moments, the moments where you question why you’re there. When you’re in the desert, surrounded by sand dunes, hundreds of kilometres in every direction, with nothing but you and the navigation, you think, “How can I get out of this?” The only way is to fight. Those low moments, when you eventually make it to the finish line, are the biggest highs. By overcoming your fears and pushing your boundaries, you grow, and that growth fills me with so much energy. It’s an addictive feeling.

Glorious: How do you keep that adrenaline going? Is it by putting yourself in ridiculously challenging situations?

Vanessa Ruck: It’s important to remember that people often look at me and think I’m always energised and motivated, but that’s not true. I experience imposter syndrome and self-doubt. I have days when I wake up feeling tired and exhausted. However, I don’t let those things stop me and I find ways to work around them. When my confidence is low, I focus on preparation. If I’m not feeling ready for a speaking event, it’s because I haven’t done enough preparation. So I put in the work and go into it feeling more confident. The same goes for races. I assess what I need to improve and upskill to be ready for the start line. It’s about taking ownership, overcoming challenges, and becoming the best version of myself. I want to remind people that I have doubts and face mental health issues too. By being honest about my struggles, I hope to provide support and reassurance to others facing their own challenges.

Vanessa: “My best moments are the hardest moments, the moments where you question why you’re there.”

DEDICATION

Glorious: Are there any misconceptions or stereotypes about female dirt bike racers that you would like to address?

Vanessa Ruck: The most important misconception to address is the belief that girls can’t ride bikes as well as guys. While it may be slightly harder for females in certain situations or courses, it’s not impossible. I want people to realise that regardless of gender, background, or any other factor, riding is something we can all enjoy. The biggest challenge we face as female riders often comes from women. Some females get involved in the sport for the wrong reasons, such as wanting to look sexy or wear skimpy outfits. But riding motorcycles is dangerous, you’ve got to dress for the slide, not the ride.

I wish that females, in general, and particularly in the realm of social media, can be more responsible and focused on credibility. The sex sells card really bugs me about the industry. It’s the same in many industries sadly, but I think the world is starting to move away from it. Look at the motorbike shows. Very few brands have sexy women laying themselves on bikes anymore, but it wasn’t that many years ago it was still a thing. Yes, we are developing and waking up as an industry, but I just wish it was a bit faster. Gender is irrelevant when it comes to riding. What matters is genuine interest, dedication, and skill, whether you’re female or male.

Vanessa: “The sport is all about enjoyment and having fun, regardless of your skill level.”

Glorious: What are your specific achievements in your career that you are particularly proud of?

Vanessa Ruck: I have several achievements that I’m proud of. Earlier this year, in the Morocco Desert Challenge, a race over sand dunes in blistering temperatures hitting 52°C, I came 25th, which was a significant accomplishment. Last year I completed the Tunisia Desert Challenge, where I became the first female to enter and finish the race. Finishing the Red Bull Romaniacs race, a tough and male-dominated event with 500-600 riders, was another proud moment. Venturing into four-wheel rally driving with the Land Rover Bowler Defender rally car has been an exciting achievement. Being one of the few female drivers in the rally driving world motivates me to show that women can excel in this field. Lastly, my schools programme, where I have spoken to over 14,000 students, brings me immense pride.

Vanessa’s next race is a 14-day, 6,500-kilometre race in January called the Africa Evo Race, closest to the original Dakar

ADRENALINE

Glorious: How does rally driving compare with dirt bike racing, and what do you prefer?

Vanessa Ruck: Rally driving is absolutely incredible. When you’re on a motorcycle, your life depends on putting the bike in the right place, avoiding obstacles like rocks. If you come off the bike, you’ll hit the ground somewhere, right? So you have to be highly aware of reading the terrain. In a rally car, however, I’ve had to adjust my reading of the terrain because the car can handle hitting a rock that would have caused an accident on a motorbike. That’s the major difference. But the adrenaline rush is still intense in a rally car. You’re driving a 2.3-ton vehicle with 300 horsepower, pushing it to the limit around corners, relying on your navigator’s instructions. Normally, when you see a turn, you slow down and assess the situation. In rally driving, you often go into blind corners based on your navigator’s guidance. You have to trust that your foot won’t leave the accelerator as you speed into the unknown. Your life is in the hands of the navigator, and their heart is in your hands because you control the car. The adrenaline rush is incredible, and the Bowler Motors experience programme is fantastic for anyone interested in rally driving. They train you in everything, from understanding the sign-on process to driving, navigation, and working with a navigator. It’s an incredible rally package experience.

Vanessa: “Riding motorcycles is dangerous, you’ve got to dress for the slide, not the ride.”

Vanessa: “Venturing into four-wheel rally driving with the Land Rover Bowler Defender rally car has been an exciting achievement.”

Glorious: How do you prepare for your big races, for example across the Moroccan desert in 52-degree heat?

Vanessa Ruck: The preparation for races in extreme heat requires the right mental strength and physical fitness. In my next race, a 14-day, 6,500-kilometre race in January called the Africa Eco Race, closest to the original Dakar, I have to be at the top of my game. It’s the biggest race I’ve ever done, and being able to tackle the challenging terrain on a motorcycle for 14 days requires unbelievable fitness. Before reaching the starting line, there’s a lot of preparation involved, including ensuring the right nutrition, food, equipment, bikes, and gear. The mental focus is also crucial because there will be moments when it feels like the worst time of your life, but you have to keep going. In those moments, I remind myself that I’ve chosen to be there, and that gives me the strength to push through.

Glorious: How do you balance your passion for dirt bike racing with other aspects of your life, such as family?

Vanessa Ruck: Balancing my passion for dirt bike racing with my family life can be a bit challenging. I’m often on the road, and typically, I spend around one in three nights at home. However, my husband is my soulmate, and when we’re together, we have an incredible relationship and he supports me in all my craziness. People often ask me how I have so much energy and never seem to stop. It’s true that I’m always on the go, but when you’ve experienced a period of time where you’re confined to bed, the energy you gain from being able to move freely and make the most of every day is remarkable. I hope that by sharing my story, I can inspire others and give them the energy to appreciate the blessings in their lives without having to go through a similar hardship. Good sleep and proper nutrition are essential, as what we eat directly affects how our bodies feel. I avoid processed food because it makes me feel sluggish.

Vanessa: “The most important misconception to address is the belief that girls can’t ride bikes as well as guys.”

Glorious: So, what advice would you give to aspiring female dirt bike racers or rally drivers who are looking to get into the sport?

Vanessa Ruck: My advice would be not to be afraid of being a newbie. Leave your egos behind. Nobody cares whether you’re good, amazing, or still learning. What matters is that you’re out there, giving it a go, learning, and being enthusiastic. If you’re not enjoying it, it’s important to reassess. The sport is all about enjoyment and having fun, regardless of your skill level. So, let go of any worries about how you might look or what others might think. Every professional in the world was once a beginner, and we all know what it’s like to learn and grow. Even when you think you’re at the top, there’s always more to learn. Stay humble, keep absorbing knowledge from those around you, and continue to grow and improve.

Vanessa: “I live with chronic pain, but I refuse to let it control me.”

Glorious: What are your goals and aspirations for the future in terms of your racing career?

Vanessa Ruck: I have some uncertainties regarding how long I’ll be able to push my body to these extreme limits. My health condition isn’t ideal, and I know that my physical abilities are deteriorating. However, I’m very excited about four-wheel racing because it is less taxing on my body. One of my bigger goals is to participate in endurance races like the Baja 1000. But my primary focus will always be using my story to inspire and energise people, providing them with the tools to overcome life’s challenges. As long as I can continue doing that and enjoy racing, I’ll keep going on this journey. If there comes a point where I can’t maintain the same level of energy, I’ll explore other opportunities. Ultimately, it’s about enjoying the journey and making a positive impact.

Vanessa: “My primary focus will always be using my story to inspire and energise people.”

Vanessa: “The mental focus is also crucial because there will be moments when it feels like the worst time of your life.”

For the rest of The Glorious Sport article see here.

If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding, Harleys 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.

You can find me Vanessa, The Girl On A Bike over on Threads, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok and YouTube, and www.thegirlonabike.com.