Upstate Women Make History At Largest Gathering Of Female Bikers In America

Growing up, my dad loved Motorcycles. He was given his father's 1966 Harley-Davidson DuoGlide when he'd passed, and spent just about every weekend on that thing.

If there's one thing I learned, it's that bikers are a community, but the women in that community have always come second... until now...

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GYGO 2026

In 2016, Australia attempted to create the largest gathering of women riders in the country, and they succeeded. Ten years later, it's America's turn. The event, known as GYGO 2026, was hosted and planned by the Midwest Women Riders, who planned to coordinate the largest single ride of women bikers in the world.

A woman riding a motorcycle

That's just what they did. Women from 43 states (and some Canadian provinces) descended upon Rockwell, Illinois, and were able to gather 1,433 women for the ride and 1,490 for the meetup, shattering the record set in 2016.

Upstate NY Lady Riders

As a part of the 43 states, New York obviously, sent our representation, and Upstate was proud to take part. 11 women hailing from Upstate New York made the journey, with a few from the Capital Region amongst their ranks.

Elinor Buccino of Rotterdam was one of these women, and says the memories made with her friends was worth the whole experience. The ride took three days, several states, and 1,800 miles, and formed a bond that will last a lifetime.

It's unsure if they'll try to break the record again next year, but for the time being, 11 women from Upstate New York have etched their names into the record books permanently, and hold a bond that will never fade.