June 15-17, 2023 – Austin, TX
“Only Those Who Risk Going Too Far, Can Possibly Know How Far They Can Go”
T.S. Eliot
Highlights
- 3 Days
- 3 Female Coaches
- Meals Included
- 80% on Bike Training
- 20% Classroom
- Evening Campfire
- And tons of fun!
Our Goal
Our #1 goal is simple: We want to see more women compete in the BMW GS Trophy Qualifiers! Women now account for more than 20% of the riding population here in the U.S., yet this is not reflected in the number of female competitors who participate in the Qualifiers, which was 8% in 2021. We want those numbers to grow!
We also know that women are, and can be, fantastic riders and competitors if given the right tools to succeed. With a bit of tenacity, the right mindset, and a consistent training curriculum and schedule – you can accomplish more than you ever thought possible. There will be three former female GS Trophy competitors who will be coaching this event and we simply want to equip women with the physical and mental tools that will help you prepare for the Qualifier.
Our #2 goal is that we really wanted to make this event affordable to any woman wanting to participate. Cost should not be what holds you back from preparing or even entering to compete in the GS Trophy, so the fee we set is simply to cover our direct costs – such as travel expenses for our coaches, insurance, food and a world-class training facility. The coaches are also donating their time because they believe so strongly in seeing more women compete in the Trophy. So come out and play with us!
The Curriculum
ACCOMPLISH MORE WITH TEAMWORK!
Whether you previously competed in the BMW GS Trophy Qualifier, or you’re looking to compete for the first time, this event is for you. Camaraderie with your fellow riders is the true “Spirit of GS” and was how Lisa Taylor and Kandi Spangler (Women’s Team U.S.A. 2019) went from first-time wannabe competitors, all the way to the top of the podium in just five short months. Like any high-level individual sport, you are better when you train and improve as a team – and this training event is an opportunity to meet your fellow teammates and train alongside them.
SKILLS REFINEMENT AND MENTAL PREPARATION
This workshop is not meant to be a re-creation of the GS Trophy Qualifier, rather, our curriculum has been developed around the different skills and elements you’ll potentially be exposed to at the competition. Participants can expect three action-packed days of training to include both on-bike training (roughly 80%) as well as classroom training (roughly 20%) to expose you to the type of challenges we have traditionally seen at past U.S. and International Female Qualifiers in 2015, 2019 and 2021. We will not only show and explain the exercises we have seen, we will explain the strategies used by us and other participants that seemed to be the best approach to complete the challenge and then help you practice them, taking into consideration any physical limitations you might have (such as height or strength limitations).
We’ll cover everything from tight maneuvering, to riding and controlling your motorcycle on several different types of terrain and everything in between. We’ll also discuss mental preparations for competition-day as well as course strategies and overcoming mental roadblocks when something goes wrong during a particular course challenge. We’ll discuss other subjects like managing heat, hydration and energy levels throughout the competition day. We’ll also have a photographer/videographer onsite during the riding sessions to capture your riding throughout the day. This not only simulates what you’ll likely be facing each day at the Qualifier, it will allow us to provide daily video reviews of everyone’s riding so we can see and learn together. Photographers and media personnel at the Qualifier will often stand just beyond your path of travel and steal your focus on an otherwise completely doable course. So, our photographer will simulate this experience for our participants. Then at the end of each day, we’ll take some time to do video reviews as a group to learn from each other and be able to employ these tips and suggestions out on the course the next day or when you go back home to practice on your own course.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
This event is for any woman with intermediate-to-advanced adventure riding skills who is interested in, or has previously competed in the BMW GS Trophy Qualifier. Even if you don’t know if you want to compete, or you know you don’t want to compete, but you still want to learn the skills required for the Trophy, this event is for you. Regardless of your motivation, we encourage you to reach out through the “Sign Up” button below and one of our coaches will answer your questions and ask you a few questions as well prior to enrollment. We are here to support and encourage you no matter where you are on your riding journey, so please reach out!
Couples welcome! While they will not be allowed to attend classes or ride the courses we set up, they are welcome to take part in the plethora of other activities available onsite such as mountain bike riding, fishing, shooting or nature walks. There are other outdoor activities available in the surrounding area for them to take part in as well. We know that often our significant others are also our biggest supporters, so the more they can feel a part of your riding and training journey, we know it will benefit you as well. Simply let us know if you plan on bringing someone else with you and we will work with you regarding additional meals and costs.
About the Coaches
CAROLINE STEVENSON
Caroline began riding motorcycles in the UK in the early 1990’s. Things really took off when she moved to Kelowna, BC in 1999.
In 2001, Caroline became MSF certified and a traffic instructor for new road riders. A few years later, she was also a motorcycle skills assessment officer.
After moving to Lethbridge, Alberta in 2010, off-road riding and the BMW GS Trophy beckoned. She was hooked.
In 2015, Caroline had an opportunity to take part in the first International Female Team GS Trophy qualifier in South Africa representing Canada.
Her ultimate goal was to become a certified BMW Off Road Instructor which she achieved in Hechlingen, Germany in 2016. She currently works with Enduro Park Canada.
Caroline is a passionate and enthusiastic rider and instructor who has a penchant for excellence in low speed, precision technical riding.
Her main ride is the R1200GS Rallye. She has a trials bike and a number of other dirt bikes. Basically she loves anything with two wheels.
KANDI SPANGLER
Kandi Spangler is a 5′ 2″ (157.5 cm) two-time U.S. Women’s Team GS Trophy finalist and longtime motorcycle enthusiast. Her passion for motorcycling started at a young age when she learned how to ride dirt bikes on her family farm in eastern Ohio. After a nearly 20 year hiatus from the sport, Kandi rediscovered her passion for motorcycles when she and her husband moved to Colorado in 2010 where she currently resides today. She has amassed well over 100,000 miles on various motorcycles, is an MSF RiderCoach and has been coaching adventure riders of all skill levels since 2016.
In 2017, Kandi became enamored with the idea of competing in the GS Trophy but quickly decided she was too short to be competitive. It was shortly thereafter she witnessed Jocelin Snow make the Women’s Team and realized that what she previously considered “fact”, was nothing more than an obstacle she had created in her own head. With proper training and many different coaches (male and female), she competed and won a spot on the GS Trophy U.S. Women’s Team in both 2019 and 2021. She has ridden and competed on an F700GS, F850GS, low-suspension R1200GS and now rides a standard-height R1250GS at competition level.
LISA TAYLOR
Lisa considers herself fortunate to have spent her entire life on a motorcycle. Her passion for motorcycles evolved into a career as a police motorcycle officer specializing in traffic crash reconstruction. She spent 14 years on a police motorcycle and competed for almost a decade in the Southwest Police Motorcycle Training and Competition, earning trophies in both team and individual events.
Lisa turned to street bikes and began local roadracing and drag racing, just to improve her riding skills. In 2016, she was invited to join Kerry Alter’s Landspeed Racing Team where she had the opportunity to race at Bonneville Salt Flats and at landspeed competitions on airport runways. Her top speed was 226 mph on a nitrous powered Suzuki Hayabusa.
In 2017, Lisa became an MSF RiderCoach and helped guide new riders through the learning process. She is a huge supporter of continual training and is always striving to master her own skills.
In 2019, Lisa teamed up with Kandi to train for the 2020 BMW GS Trophy and went on to represent the USA on the International Female Team in New Zealand.
Lisa is now happily retired, but is excited about this opportunity to support and encourage other women riders who have interest in becoming part of the GS Trophy experience.
The Facility
We are incredibly excited to be partnering with Austin Moto Ventures at their sprawling adventure motorcycling playground located just over an hour outside of Austin, TX. For participants wanting to fly in for the event, we’ll coordinate with others flying in and make arrangements to pick you up at the Austin Airport and transport you to and from the facility on the 14th and 18th.
How to Sign Up
Space is limited, so we encourage participants to sign-up as soon as possible. To sign-up, click on the button below and send us a message that includes your name, email and a short message to include your phone number. Each woman wishing to sign-up will be called by one of the coaches to conduct a short interview and answer any questions you might have, prior to reservation confirmation. Once the interview is complete, we will send you details on how to pay and officially reserve your spot. We’ll also assist you with booking motorcycle rentals and accommodations.
Participants should plan to arrive on Wednesday afternoon, June 14 and depart on Sunday morning, June 18, 2023. There will be a fun “graduation day” celebration on Saturday night which will mark the conclusion of the event and everyone is free to leave Sunday morning at their leisure.
Remember, this is not a money-making endeavor for us. The coaches are volunteering their time and we are simply trying to cover our costs (such as coach travel, meals and insurance) in order to keep this event affordable to everyone. See below for a list of what’s included and what’s not.
We look forward to riding with you!
COST: $895 per person
Other Information
Motorcycle Rentals
Motorcycle rentals are available onsite through Austin Moto Ventures at a cost of $200/day and you will need the bike for 3 days (June 15,16 and 17). A list of available GS models are on their website and reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis directly through them. Send them an email request to book your motorcycle by clicking the link below.
Accommodations
Available onsite accommodations include tent camping, RV camping, and newly constructed tiny homes. Participants are highly encouraged to stay on the grounds so they can participate in evening camaraderie and discussions around the campfire, though it is not required.
The tiny homes include a queen size bed, bathroom and an air conditioner. For those who opt to camp, there is an onsite bath facility complete with toilets, showers and sinks.
- Tiny Home Rental Cost: $135/night
- RV Camping Spot: $50/person/night
- Tent Camping Spot: $25/person/night
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
- 3 Full Days of Training by 3 Former Top Female GS Trophy Competitors and Finalists (all of which are donating their time for FREE).
- All Meals, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and non-alcoholic refreshments and water. Meals included begin with dinner on Wednesday night and go through breakfast Sunday morning.
- Access to a world-class adventure riding facility, Austin Moto Ventures, who is graciously donating their training grounds for our use.
- Photography / Videography for Training Purposes
- Transportation to/from Austin International Airport on Jun 14 and 18.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
- Motorcycle Rental
- Accommodations (see list above for options and costs)
- Airlines
- Riding Gear
“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.”
— Anais Nin
Moto iKandi 