2024 Athena Ride for Women
Located in southeastern Ohio along the Hocking River, Athens, Ohio is surrounded by beautiful mountainous scenery and is home to Ohio University and the bustling culture found in hip college towns. Join Women Riders Now for the third annual Athena Ride for Women taking place July 31–August 3 in Athens, Ohio. The four-day women-only motorcycle rally continues to draw more riders from all over the country for camaraderie and community while raising money and support for an important women’s charity.
Explore Ohio’s best motorcycling roads, participate in workshops, and meet special guests while supporting My Sisters Place, a local organization that provides support for female victims of domestic violence. Kelly Madewell will introduce this important charity at the Thursday evening social gathering and explain why the non-profit is the backbone of the Athena Ride for Women.
Celebrating Athena Ride for Women’s 3rd Year
2024 marks the event’s third year, and is expected to be bigger than ever. Once again, the headquarters is located at the Ohio University Inn and Conference Center. Enjoy organized group rides on Athens’ country roads known as Ohio’s Windy 9. There are guided and self-guided rides showcased daily and a Poker Chip Run on Saturday, August 8.
The Athena Ride for Women schedule can be found here and below we offer some WRN highlighted events to explore.
Event registration begins Wednesday, July 31st at noon at the Ohio University Inn & Conference Center. Registration is also open Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pick up your Athena T-shirt and gift and sign up for events here.
Blessing of the bikes starts riders off on Thursday morning with a blessing for safety. Meet from 7:45 a.m. to 8 a.m.
Friday night is Ladies Night. Riders will begin decorating their bikes for a parade through uptown Athens at 5 p.m. Friday afternoon. The police-escorted parade starts at 6 p.m. Riders may then park at the hotel and get a free shuttle to enjoy all Athens’ cool uptown restaurants and shops until 11 p.m.
Educational Workshops
Workshops on Thursday and Friday afternoon covering topics such as group riding, using navigation systems effectively, motorcycle mechanics 101, self-defense for riders, and more. Special guest Wendy Crocket will be joining Helene Villemure in a workshop about accident scene management courtesy of Flying Horse Training, Inc. Learn about some life-saving actions you can take when encountering a motorcycle accident.
6 Great Motorcycle Rides
Of course the event remains primarily about riding, so explore the Ohio Windy 9 on your own or join other women on one of six guided rides each day. With curated rides that are just over 50 miles at a spirited pace to casual cruises about 100 miles, riders can choose what suits them best. Check the Athena Ride For Women website for more details.
Up, up and away to the top of Ohio’s Windy 9. Gaze upon the “Rim of the World” along the famous Route 78. Wayne National Forest, Burr Oak State Park and the Stockport Mill highlight one of Ohio’s most popular rides. The pace is casual and distance is approximately 85 miles. Kickstands Up (KSU) at 8 a.m.
Get a perfect snapshot of the true Ohio riding experience on this short route. Zip though the curvy roads or take it slow. Explore Lake Hope State Park, Zaleski State Forest, or navigate the gravel road to the popular Moonville Tunnel. The pace is casual and distance is approximately 60 miles. KSU 8:30 a.m
Cruise alongside the Hocking River to its confluence with the Ohio. See some great modern engineering as you pass many Ohio River locks and dams. Visit the biker-friendly town of Pomeroy, featuring the region’s best views of the Ohio River. The pace is moderate and distance is approximately 101 miles. KSU 9 a.m.
Majestic rolling hills are showcased along this challenging trek. You’ll get a glimpse of State Route 555, aka The Triple Nickel, as you breeze by ridge top farms and orchards on your way to and from the river town of Marietta, Ohio. The pace is moderate and distance is approximately 104 miles. KSU 9:30 a.m.
Celebrate the Hocking Valley’s coal heritage with a tour through the Little Cities of Black Diamonds. Turn-of-the-century upstart mining towns shimmer along this jewel of a ride. Toss in the Wayne National Forest and Nelsonville’s Historic Square for a most unforgettable run. The pace is spirited and distance is approximately 104 miles. KSU 10 a.m.
Old US 33 takes riders back in time by navigating the main historic thoroughfare connecting Athens to the Ohio River. Fill the belly and the bike in Pomeroy, Ohio, before heading north into Appalachian backcountry. The pace is spirited and the distance is approximately 53 miles. KSU 10 a.m.
Get Inspired!
Saturday evening will feature a banquet dinner sponsored by Ohio’s Windy 9 (cash bar) at Stuart’s Opera House with the poker chip run drawing and keynote presentation by author, inspirational speaker, and award-winning executive producer Angie Sandow. Born with various congenital birth “defects,” the most noticeable being a limb difference in her right arm and hand, Angie doesn’t view herself as different. Rather than be discouraged, it propels her to smash through obstacles, whether riding motorcycles, playing guitar, or overcoming breast cancer.
Learn more and register today at AthenaRideForWomen.com. We are excited to see you there!