Biking belongs to the women's world & Julie can prove it to u.
If u got yourself wondering if biking is for u, the Parisian biker Julie (a.k.a. @mrs.babe.rider) has something to say: yup, it is. Her passion for bikes, roadtrips & ultra protective leather jackets got us wanting all that windy adrenaline.
.resize777658{width: auto;height:auto;}@media (min-width: 961px) { .internal .lz.resize777658{width: 31.25vw;height: 46.875vw;}}@media (-webkit-max-device-pixel-ratio: 0.95), (max--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 0.95), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 1.9/2), (max-device-pixel-ratio: 0.05) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi743015{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi201753{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi918379{display: inline-block}}@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96), (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 1.92/2), (min-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96) and (-webkit-max-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24), (max--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 2.48/2), (max-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi743015{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi201753{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi918379{display: none}}@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5/2), (min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi743015{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi201753{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi918379{display: none}}@media (min-width: 1921px) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi743015{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi201753{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi918379{display: none}}@media (max-width: 641px) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi743015{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi201753{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi918379{display: inline-block}}
Breaking her own barrier of self-belief, Julie started in the biker universe and found herself in the middle of women-only riders' groups, like Triumph's. So if u are planning a roadtrip in France (or wherever u like), u can find Julie's crew there.
So come 4 a quick ride in the Q&A we had w/ her:
How did you find your way into the bikers' universe? What mostly got your attention?
It's cliché, but I started with my boyfriend's bike. I rode on the back while he was driving and I thought that was so cool. I fell in love with the guy and motorbikes at the same time. From a very early age I wanted to try motorbikes, but, because I am a woman, I thought I wasn't gonna succeed. I met that guy when I was 25 and I realized it was time. If he can do it, I can too. I asked him “do you think I’m able to do that?” and he looked at me like “obviously, why are you asking this question?”. It wasn’t easy in the beginning 'cause I was always wondering if I was good enough.
It’s quite empowering to drive a motorbike now, because I’m doing it for me and not thinking about what other people will think. I couldn’t imagine how it would change my life.
.resize524022{width: auto;height:auto;}@media (min-width: 961px) { .internal .lz.resize524022{width: 31.25vw;height: 46.875vw;}}@media (-webkit-max-device-pixel-ratio: 0.95), (max--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 0.95), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 1.9/2), (max-device-pixel-ratio: 0.05) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi55714{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi805380{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi490567{display: inline-block}}@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96), (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 1.92/2), (min-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96) and (-webkit-max-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24), (max--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 2.48/2), (max-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi55714{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi805380{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi490567{display: none}}@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5/2), (min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi55714{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi805380{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi490567{display: none}}@media (min-width: 1921px) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi55714{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi805380{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi490567{display: none}}@media (max-width: 641px) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi55714{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi805380{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi490567{display: inline-block}}
.resize79206{width: auto;height:auto;}@media (min-width: 961px) { .internal .lz.resize79206{width: 31.25vw;height: 46.875vw;margin-bottom: 3.125vw;}}@media (-webkit-max-device-pixel-ratio: 0.95), (max--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 0.95), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 1.9/2), (max-device-pixel-ratio: 0.05) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi560993{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi850346{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi748551{display: inline-block}}@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96), (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 1.92/2), (min-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96) and (-webkit-max-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24), (max--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 2.48/2), (max-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi560993{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi850346{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi748551{display: none}}@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5/2), (min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi560993{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi850346{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi748551{display: none}}@media (min-width: 1921px) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi560993{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi850346{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi748551{display: none}}@media (max-width: 641px) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi560993{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi850346{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi748551{display: inline-block}}
You are also part of crews and rides for women only. Did you always seek to be part of that universe?
Since the beginning, my purpose w/ Instagram was finding ways I could help other girls who were wondering if they are able or not to do it. It's important for me to just be myself, feminine, enjoying motorbikes and finding other girls to support. It’s funny when you talk to another woman about motorbikes, we all went through that period when you think that you're not good enough and finding friends to ride together is important for me to make that ordinary. There are stereotypes about women riders, but I want to focus on the change and not in the past.
.resize302221{width: auto;height:auto;}@media (min-width: 961px) { .internal .lz.resize302221{width: 31.25vw;height: 46.875vw;}}@media (-webkit-max-device-pixel-ratio: 0.95), (max--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 0.95), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 1.9/2), (max-device-pixel-ratio: 0.05) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi618894{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi656204{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi418485{display: inline-block}}@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96), (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 1.92/2), (min-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96) and (-webkit-max-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24), (max--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 2.48/2), (max-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi618894{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi656204{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi418485{display: none}}@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5/2), (min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi618894{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi656204{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi418485{display: none}}@media (min-width: 1921px) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi618894{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi656204{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi418485{display: none}}@media (max-width: 641px) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi618894{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi656204{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi418485{display: inline-block}}
How riding bikes changes your perspective of the city and your life?
I have to say that the city is not the best part of my motorcycle riding. In the beginning I was just so proud of myself for having my driver's license that I just wanted to drive every day and keep driving. A lot of riders don’t drive in winter because it’s too cold or windy, but I wanted to do it just to be untroubled and I love the feeling that anytime I can take my bike.
Paris is crazy 'cause you feel exhausted in the end of the day and you just have to go to the Eiffel tower to feel the magic. But it’s not the best part, the best part are road trips, going through mountains and discovering places. You feel freedom. It’s not only about new places, it’s the way you discover them with the feeling of speed. You can have one moment looking at the mountain and one minute later you're driving at speed, it’s really the best part of motorcycle.Paris is crazy 'cause you feel exhausted in the end of the day and you just have to go in front of the Eiffel tower to feel the magic. But it’s not the best part, my best part are road trips, going through mountains and discovering places. You feel freedom. It’s not only about new places, it’s the way you are discovering it with the feeling of speed. You can have one moment looking at the mountain and one minute later you're driving at speed, it’s really my best part of motorcycle.
.resize113641{width: auto;height:auto;}@media (min-width: 961px) { .internal .lz.resize113641{width: 31.25vw;height: 46.875vw;}}@media (-webkit-max-device-pixel-ratio: 0.95), (max--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 0.95), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 1.9/2), (max-device-pixel-ratio: 0.05) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi247775{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi685061{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi610319{display: inline-block}}@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96), (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 1.92/2), (min-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96) and (-webkit-max-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24), (max--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 2.48/2), (max-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi247775{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi685061{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi610319{display: none}}@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5/2), (min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi247775{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi685061{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi610319{display: none}}@media (min-width: 1921px) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi247775{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi685061{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi610319{display: none}}@media (max-width: 641px) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi247775{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi685061{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi610319{display: inline-block}}
What’s the best music to drive with?
I like Queen. It's full of energy and joy, exactly what you feel when you are on a bike.
We see that you are always rocking some type of leather outfit. Why do you think leather and bikes go together?
First thing, it’s protective. In the beginning, I didn’t have all the things I have today to protect myself, so leather was just a second skin if I were to fall. The first motivation was to be protected and the second, to be different, there’s something impressive about it. They're very related to motorcycles 'cause you can’t just go out with a bike without things like your helmet, it’s fundamental.
.resize668960{width: auto;height:auto;}@media (min-width: 961px) { .internal .lz.resize668960{width: 31.25vw;height: 46.875vw;}}@media (-webkit-max-device-pixel-ratio: 0.95), (max--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 0.95), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 1.9/2), (max-device-pixel-ratio: 0.05) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi985612{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi661197{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi265672{display: inline-block}}@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96), (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 1.92/2), (min-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96) and (-webkit-max-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24), (max--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 2.48/2), (max-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi985612{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi661197{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi265672{display: none}}@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5/2), (min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi985612{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi661197{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi265672{display: none}}@media (min-width: 1921px) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi985612{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi661197{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi265672{display: none}}@media (max-width: 641px) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi985612{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi661197{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi265672{display: inline-block}}
.resize313797{width: auto;height:auto;}@media (min-width: 961px) { .internal .lz.resize313797{width: 31.25vw;height: 46.875vw;margin-top: 3.125vw;}}@media (-webkit-max-device-pixel-ratio: 0.95), (max--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 0.95), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 1.9/2), (max-device-pixel-ratio: 0.05) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi232177{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi763271{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi338945{display: inline-block}}@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96), (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 1.92/2), (min-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96) and (-webkit-max-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24), (max--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 2.48/2), (max-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi232177{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi763271{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi338945{display: none}}@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5/2), (min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi232177{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi763271{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi338945{display: none}}@media (min-width: 1921px) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi232177{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi763271{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi338945{display: none}}@media (max-width: 641px) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi232177{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi763271{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi338945{display: inline-block}}
Do you have a roadtrip dream or a destination that you would like to go?
Actually, I want to go everywhere. That’s the feeling I have with motorbikes, it’s hard to come back home, nothing stops you from continuing. There are many places that I want to go to, but first I would say Africa. I really wanna go there because for me it’s a meaningful continent w/ so many beautiful countries.
Riding is not only about freedom, it’s also about the meaning you can find for your life. When you are in your helmet, in your world, you feel alive, you feel the weather, the rain, the sun. If I’m on my motorbike I can feel the freedom and exploring even places I don’t want to go to because it's much more about the journey than the destination.
+ [𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐚 𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬] trippin' here.