Motocross women get most out of Aria

GIRLS and women were out in force at the Aria two-day trail ride last weekend, which raises money for the local school.

Te Awamutu trio Taye Russ and her sisters, Millie and Imogen, were among them.

Big sister Taye, 23, is a swimming pool building contractor and also works in real estate. She spoke to the King Country News over the roar of hundreds of engines at St Helen’s Domain.

“I’ve been riding for a fair few years. Not as often as I would like, but I have been brought up on a bike. My dad’s ridden in many competitions, so my family of three girls, we all ride bikes.”

They love “getting out and learning new skills” and attend trail bike events regularly.

“Aria is one of our fam faves. We come here as often as we can.”

The Honda CRF 250 rider did have to miss a few, she said.

“I haven’t come in the last couple of years because I broke my wrist on this ride a couple of years ago. It’s all part of the learning curve.”

Her earliest memories of riding reflect the sport’s challenges.

“I remember being stuck in a swamp and not feeling too good about it ... it was probably at five or six years old.”

How long will she be riding for?

“Forever,” Taye said.

“I’m going to get a tattoo near my ankle of the gears. It’s part of our blood now.”

KTM owner Lillian Maaka-Marks and her daughter, Moerangi Maaka, 20, who rides a KX 85, travelled over from Whakatāne for the ride, together with other family members.

Mother Lillian sported a cast from a fractured wrist acquired the previous morning, but the injury hadn’t dimmed her enthusiasm.

Their favourite thing about bike riding was the freedom and the challenge, they said.

Moerangi has been riding since Covid.

“She’s ridden for the last three years. We got her a motorbike then and it’s just taken off from there. She’s actually really good,” Lillian said.

Moerangi said her favourite thing was “the adrenalin kick” she got from riding.

They feel that other girls and women who haven’t ridden will enjoy the freedom, and also the opportunity to be at a family event.

“I like the family event thing because we have mokos that ride, too. They are 10 and 4 … and 12.”

Co-organiser of the Aria trail ride, Dani Darke, said motocross had many benefits.

“Motocross is a great sport for girls in that it builds confidence in their own ability. It is very physical so increases fitness. It’s a great way to get out and socialise with friends.”

She said the Aria ride was a wonderful local event that brought people together.

“Our bike ride is a great way to raise funds for the community but just as importantly it is an opportunity for our community to come together. We spend a few days in the trenches together and come out stronger for it.”