SHEILAS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

The ladies-only bike rally..

Motorcycling brings people together as riders, groups sharing the passion, adventures and community of a shared activity. It's been that way for over 100 years, since the mass production of bikes cranked up around the world.

It's this spirit that breathes life into the legendary Sheilas Shakedown - Australia's largest motorcycle rally for a community of dedicated female riders. Founded in 2015, Sheilas Shakedown has consistently attracted hundreds of riders from around the country who descend on regional Victoria for a weekend of camaraderie.

The rally typically includes group ride opportunities, car and bike shows and a games event known as the Sheila-lympics, which includes the time-honoured Sheilas Shakedown tyre throw and hot-dog chomping contests.

This year the event welcomed over 600 attendees to the campgrounds in Ballan, Victoria over the weekend of February 3-5. The "campsite crew", those staying in Ballan for the duration of the whole event, rode in together from The Old Bike Shop Cafe in Brunswick on Friday. Heavy rain couldn't put a dent in the ladies' spirits, with the group remaining in high spirits despite some riders being seen emptying rainwater from their riding boots.