[WLF] PRO-Files: Meghan Milligan - 08

During that first year of riding off-road I was set back when my DR350 was stolen out of our garage. I was devastated. I was on a high from all of what I had learned and was finally comfortable riding dirt and attempting new challenges. Then it was all stolen away from me. (Update: Miraculously, after almost two years, my DR350 was recovered. It’s in terrible shape, but I’m extremely lucky to have it back!) However, finding light in the situation, if my DR350 had never been stolen who knows when I would have discovered the wonderful world of two stroke dirt bikes.  

After our garage was broken into Adam added a 1984 Honda XL250 and a 2001 Suzuki RM125 to the collection. At that point, I had only ridden my DR350 off-road and never experienced a dirt bike. All it took was Adam handing me the RM125 for a go, and that was it, I needed a two stroke. The get-up and go of it had my heart pumping, and how light the bike was made me feel as if I could do anything. A few months later, Adam surprised me with a 1996 Kawasaki KX125 for Christmas — all wrapped up with a big red bow. 

PRESENT: 

In present time — I’m still riding my KX125 and am currently trying to advance in my riding skill. That’s one of the many things I love about riding off-road — that you're constantly challenging yourself by attempting new obstacles, and there is always something new to learn, no matter how good you are.

Having Adam as my “coach” is extremely helpful — especially since he has been riding dirt since he was 12 years old. Having the man you love teaching you, just makes riding that much more special — especially when you get to share it together. We go out as much as we can & he’s the one who challenges me in taking on difficult single track, steep and intimidating hill climbs, and so much more. Adam is constantly throwing something new at me so I can grow as an enduro rider. 

LEARNING & WOMEN RIDING OFF-ROAD:

Learning enduro and riding off-road has been the best experience of my life, and continues to bring constant joy. For me it has even been a little intimidating learning as an adult. I catch myself occasionally thinking of the repercussions if something goes wrong, but you just have to let that adrenaline fuel you. Even when I drop my bike, time after time, I challenge myself (if I completely didn’t wipe out) to see how fast I can pick up my bike and get going again. There’s nothing better than riding through nature’s beautiful playground with the sweet smell of two stroke smoke and the intensity that fills your body.

I’ve been lucky enough to meet someone who has shared riding with me. I have met many women who say they are intrigued to try it, but have a hard time getting started. My hopes are that women go for it! The community is overwhelming full of support and it’s nice to have that when you’re starting something outside of your comfort zone. Fellow riders are always there to check on you if something goes wrong & there to cheer you on through tough terrain. It also makes me super pumped that some of my closest lady friends I ride street with have sparked interest in riding off-road! It’s so fun to take them out and show how incredible it really is and I’m overjoyed when I see how stoked they get riding off-road. Reminds me of the feeling I had, and that I still get, when I first rode Adam’s RM125 — a feeling everyone should get to experience.

COMMUNITY:

Since I have started riding there has been so much growth in the local riding community. Mothership Moto, a new motorcycle repair shop co-owned by my boyfriend Adam and two of my close buds James and Jason, is exactly what Pittsburgh needed. Not only are they a repair shop, but they are building a community in the city with plans of awesome events & rides. They have only been open a few months (opened November 2016) and the boys already have a garage full of bikes from dirt bikes to cruisers! I find myself there a lot and it’s incredible to be by their side witnessing all the rad things they are doing for the city.

I’m also a part of theMaulies— a female riding group in Pittsburgh where we strive to carve out a space for female riders in our area. The ladies in our group rides street, but I am excited to say that two ladies have even started to enter the world of off-road (& that just makes me even more pumped —more woman entering the wonderful world of riding dirt)! We have recently worked withMothership Motofor an upcoming event bringing women riders (and women interested in riding) together, along with other moto events to make our community even stronger.