First off, let’s set the record straight: I’m not some Instagram-famous, Red Bull-sponsored, desert-racing phenom with a personal chef and a gym regimen that would make Rocky Balboa sweat. Nope, I’m just your everyday dirt bike-loving gal with a knack for adventure, a beer in hand (well, pre-pregnancy), and a rebellious streak that says, “Why should pregnancy stop me from riding?”

When I found out I was pregnant, did I panic and hang up my helmet? Absolutely not. I had just come off racing a stadium GP out in Reno, Nevada, and was already gearing up for the Trans America Trail (TAT) with my buddy Jager—a cross-country motorcycle adventure from Cape Hatteras, NC, to Port Orford, OR. I had the experience, the confidence, and, thankfully, zero morning sickness. What could go wrong? (Don’t answer that.) 

Google, Where Are the Pregnant Bikers?

Before heading out, I did what every responsible person does: I Googled it. Surely there had to be a community of badass pregnant motorcyclists sharing tips and tales, right? Wrong. The internet was eerily quiet on the subject. It was like the world collectively decided pregnant women should only waddle, not throttle. That’s when I knew I had to write this blog—to give other women the information and confidence to make their own choices.

Doctor Knows Best? Eh, Maybe Not

Here’s where I probably broke a few rules: I didn’t tell my healthcare provider. Why? Because every time I brought up fitness, I was met with a polite but firm, “How about you don’t?”

Now, I grew up in Canada, where women ski late into their pregnancies and stay active almost up to giving birth. My mom? She went into labor while playing squash. That’s just how things were—encouraging fitness, trusting your body, and staying strong. Fast forward to my current life in South Carolina, and the vibe is more, “Wrap yourself in bubble wrap and sit down for nine months.” It didn’t resonate with me.

Let’s be real—motorcycles get judged as unsafe by people who don’t understand them. To those folks, me riding while pregnant might as well be skydiving without a parachute. But here’s the thing: confidence and experience matter. I know how to ride, I know how to fall (not that I planned on it), and I know my limits. How is riding a motorcycle different from CrossFit athletes squatting hundreds of pounds while pregnant? Spoiler: it isn’t.

Ride Smart, Ride Happy

When I told Jager I was pregnant, he didn’t flinch. The plan was simple: ride smart, take breaks, and not overheat or exhaust ourselves. We crushed 300+ miles a day, tackled technical routes, and enjoyed the hell out of the journey.

We did make a few adjustments. We swapped out camping for hotels, but that had less to do with pregnancy and more with the 40+ degree Celsius (100°F+) heat. A shower and a bed beat sweating it out in a tent any day. Hydration was a big priority, too—electrolytes were our secret weapon.

When it came to gear, I rocked my usual setup: dirt bike boots, chest protector, and ventilated jersey. The only tweak? Skipping the kidney belt to avoid pressure on my growing bump. Oh, and I discovered the magic of men’s underwear for avoiding chafing—a tip for everyone, pregnant or not.

Riding for the Soul (and the Baby’s Soul)

Here’s the takeaway: listen to your body, not the peanut gallery. Women have been doing hard things—riding horses, hauling wagons, raising kids—for centuries. Why should modern society suddenly decide what’s “acceptable” for us?

I feel like the trend, especially in the South, is to coddle pregnant women to the point of inactivity. But for someone like me, who’s constantly on the move, how is sitting around healthy? Riding kept me fit, happy, and emotionally strong. And isn’t that what’s best for the baby?

Final Thoughts: Throttle On

Now, at 8.5 months pregnant, I look back on that trip with zero regrets. Riding kept me connected to who I am—a woman who loves adventure and refuses to put life on pause just because she’s pregnant.

To every woman wondering if she can keep doing what she loves during pregnancy, here’s my advice: trust yourself, ignore the naysayers, and ride on. That said, I’m not a physician, and I don’t want that responsibility. This is just my experience.

Because being pregnant doesn’t mean pressing pause on your life. At least, it hasn’t for me.